Category: Blog

Meet the Newest Members of CBICC!

Posted on by Jules Slater

There’s always something new happening in Centre County, and this month, we’re excited to welcome a group of new CBICC members who are bringing fresh ideas, energy, and expertise to our community. From local businesses to community organizations, each one plays a part in making Centre County a vibrant place to live, work, and do business.

Koveroo Bedding LLC

Backed by Penn State’s Happy Valley LaunchBox FastTrack Accelerator, Koveroo’s patented 180/360 blankets feature integrated pouches designed to keep users warm and comfortable indoors or out. Learn more at Koveroo Bedding LLC.

Center for Alternatives in Community Justice (CACJ)

For over 40 years, CACJ has been helping individuals and families in Centre County navigate conflict, offering restorative justice programs and mediation services that focus on healing and resolution. Learn more at CACJ.

Jana Marie Foundation

Jana Marie Foundation empowers young people, especially girls and young women, through creative expression, mental health awareness, and programs that build connection and confidence. Learn more at Jana Marie Foundation.

The Nittany Lion Inn

A true State College landmark, The Nittany Lion Inn blends timeless hospitality with modern comfort, welcoming guests from near and far to the heart of Penn State. Its recent renovation pays tribute to the historic building and casts a bold vision for the future. Learn more at The Nittany Lion Inn.

WFXS Radio – 98.7 The Fox

WFXS Radio keeps Centre County listeners connected to the teams and stories they care about most, offering local, regional, and national sports coverage and local talk radio on 98.7 The Fox.

Realty One Group Landmark

Realty One Group Landmark helps people buy, sell, and invest in real estate across Central Pennsylvania, guiding them every step of the way with a people-first approach. Learn more at Realty One Group Landmark.

Comcast Business

Comcast Business provides the technology and connectivity businesses need to stay competitive – from high-speed internet and voice services to cybersecurity and networking solutions. Learn more at Comcast Business.

Want to Be Part of Our Growing Business Community?

We’re proud to welcome these new members to CBICC and look forward to seeing them build connections and grow in Centre County.

Interested in joining CBICC? Connect with us today to learn more about membership and how we can support your business.

Learn More About Joining CBICC

Centre County Middle School Students Showcase Civics Knowledge at National Civics Bee® Local Competition

Posted on by Jules Slater

Students competed for the local title, cash prizes, and an invitation to the State National Civics Bee® competition this summer.

CENTRE COUNTY, PA – April 23, 2025 – Eleven Centre County middle school students demonstrated their knowledge of civics during the local competition of the 2025 National Civics Bee®, hosted on April 15 by the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub in downtown State College.

Earlier this year, students from across Centre County entered the competition by submitting original essays on a community issue and their proposed solutions. A panel of judges, selected by the CBICC, reviewed the submissions and selected finalists to attend the live event.

The competition began with two rounds of multiple-choice civics questions, testing students on topics related to U.S. government, history, and principles of civics. The top five scorers advanced to a third and final round, where they presented summaries of their essay topics and answered follow-up questions from the panel of judges.

Student essays proposed solutions to timely and relevant issues, including access to healthcare, poverty in our communities, affordable housing in State College, light pollution, and addiction treatment and prevention.

“We are proud to support civics education and encourage students to explore how they can make a difference in their communities,” said Greg Scott, President and CEO of the CBICC. “This year’s National Civics Bee® participants impressed us with their thoughtfulness, passion, and strong understanding of what it means to be an engaged citizen.”

Judges for the event included Pennsylvania Representative Paul Takac, Ferguson Township Manager Centrice Martin, State College Borough Manager Tom Fountaine, College Township Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Keri Miller, and Penn State College of Education Dean Dr. Kimberly Lawless.

After deliberation, the judges awarded prizes to the top three finalists:

  • Cooper P. – 1st Place ($500)
  • Liam F. – 2nd Place ($250)
  • Elliott M. – 3rd Place ($125)

All three winners will receive an invitation to advance to the Pennsylvania State National Civics Bee® Competition, taking place on June 13 in State College. There, students will compete for a chance to participate in the national championship in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2025, with prizes worth at least $50,000.

“Fostering a deep understanding of civics and government among our young students is critical to the vibrancy of democracy and civic life in America. The National Civics Bee® provides a unique platform for them to not only showcase their knowledge but also become active and engaged citizens of the future,” said Hilary Crow, vice president of civics at the U.S. Chamber Foundation.”

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About the CBICC

The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) is a dynamic membership organization that champions the interests of private and public organizations. As the region’s leading economic development entity, the CBICC is committed to cultivating a vibrant business landscape by driving economic development, stimulating job creation, and fostering innovation.

About National Civics Bee®

The National Civics Bee®, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s The Civic Trust®, is an annual nonpartisan competition aimed at improving civics education and literacy among middle school students, their families, and communities. The National Civics Bee® helps elevate civics as a national priority through a network of state and local chambers across the country. The National Civics Bee® is made possible through the generous support of its founding partner, the Daniels Fund, Citizen Travelers, and other funders.

AI Isn’t Replacing SEO—It’s Redefining It

Posted on by Jules Slater
  • Google’s AI-generated search summaries shift SEO from rankings to relevance.
  • Local businesses must prioritize clarity, context, and authority in their content.
  • Structured data, featured snippets, and site experience now influence AI visibility.
  • Building topical depth helps businesses become the trusted source AI turns to.
  • Winning SEO in 2025 means answering questions—not just attracting clicks.

581 words ~ 3 min read

The SEO landscape is changing—and fast. But contrary to what you may have heard, SEO isn’t dead. It’s getting smarter, thanks to AI.

Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is a prime example. Instead of simply listing websites, Google now displays AI-generated summaries in response to user queries. These summaries pull from what the algorithm sees as the most trustworthy and relevant content—and that means your business needs to think differently about how it shows up online.

This evolution is especially important for local businesses. A potential customer may never scroll down to your link if Google’s AI answers their question up top. But if your content is included in that summary? You’re not just visible—you’re the answer.

What’s Changing?

Traditional SEO focused on keywords, backlinks, and meta tags. Today, search engines use AI to understand intent, not just terms. That means creating human-first content that clearly answers questions, reflects authority, and builds trust.

Instead of writing for algorithms, businesses now need to write for clarity. AI doesn’t reward keyword stuffing—it elevates content that solves problems.

Think of it this way: SEO used to be about getting found. Now, it’s about being useful.

Case in Point

A local HVAC company in Texas revamped its FAQ and service pages to clearly address customer pain points like “Why is my AC leaking?” and “How fast can you repair an AC unit in summer?” They added schema markup and structured headers.

Within weeks, their content began appearing in AI-generated summaries. Bookings rose 22%—and their brand authority grew along with it.

Your AI-Ready SEO Checklist

Here are four moves your business can make today:

  1. Optimize for Featured Snippets
    Structure your content to answer common customer questions clearly and concisely. Use headers, lists, and direct answers.
  2. Build Topical Authority
    Group your content into clusters—blogs, FAQs, videos—that cover a topic deeply. This signals to AI that your site is a credible source.
  3. Enhance User Experience
    Fast load times, mobile optimization, and easy navigation aren’t just good UX—they’re now ranking signals.
  4. Use Structured Data (Schema Markup)
    Help search engines understand your content. Schema tags tell AI what your page is about—and how it fits user intent.

Why This Matters for Your Business

AI is changing the way customers find and choose businesses. If your content isn’t being surfaced in AI summaries, you risk losing visibility—even if your site ranks on page one.

But this isn’t a threat. It’s an opportunity. Businesses that provide clear, trustworthy answers to common questions will not only stay visible—they’ll become the go-to experts in their space.

And for Chamber members, this shift is a competitive edge. Most small businesses aren’t yet adapting to AI-driven search. By moving early, you stand out.

What to Do Now

✅ Review your website’s top-performing pages.
✅ Ask: Do they clearly answer your customers’ most common questions?
✅ If not, update them with clarity, structure, and supporting content.
✅ Add schema markup where possible.
✅ Improve mobile speed and user experience

SEO isn’t just about being found. It’s about being trusted. In the AI era, businesses that earn that trust—through clear, quality content—will lead the way.

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The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC. 

Need Tech Support? Penn State Students Are Ready to Help Your Business Thrive

Posted on by Jules Slater

Looking for some assistance with your website? Interested in adding or securing your computer network or technology resources? The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) has a talented pool of students who are ready to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems.

Businesses and organizations of all sizes can benefit from the fresh perspectives and up-to-date training that IST students bring to the table. Whether it’s building or improving a website, strengthening cybersecurity measures, or optimizing existing tech infrastructure, these students are prepared to help meet a variety of technology needs.

In addition to short-term support, the college encourages employers with extended or ongoing technology needs to connect with students seeking part-time employment, internships, or project-based work. These opportunities not only help businesses find practical, cost-effective solutions, but also allow students to gain valuable hands-on experience in their chosen field.

For those interested in learning more or connecting with students, the College of IST invites potential partners to reach out.

Contact careers@ist.psu.edu today to find skilled, motivated students ready to help your organization thrive.

Penn State’s Smeal College of Business introduces a new Hybrid MBA program

Posted on by Jules Slater

Content contributed by Smeal College of Business.

Penn State’s Smeal College of Business introduces a new Hybrid MBA program for professionals in Centre County who hope to pursue their MBA while still working full-time.

Different from their full asynchronous online MBA, the hybrid program combines on-campus and virtual synchronous remote instruction with convenient evening and weekend class times. Visit the website to learn more about the program.

For a limited time, Smeal College of Business will waive application fees for CBICC member applicants who apply by the June 1 deadline to start in Fall 2025. Prospective applicants can contact Stacy Dorang, managing director of Penn State’s online MBA and interim director of Penn State Smeal Hybrid MBA at sld138@psu.edu.