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Category: Community

CBICC and Community Partners Announce Centre County Economic Development Strategic Plan

Posted on by Jules Slater

Stakeholders will unveil and launch the plan at a Voice of Business Luncheon Event on October 9th, 2024.

STATE COLLEGE, PA – September 23, 2024 – The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), in collaboration with community partners and stakeholders announces the official launch of Centre County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. Community and State leaders will officially unveil the Plan at CBICC’s Voice of Business Luncheon on Wednesday, October 9th from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. Ticketed event registration is available at www.cbicc.org. 

Since June 2023 CBICC has worked diligently with leaders and businesses throughout Centre County to develop a comprehensive, collaborative, and sustainable plan aimed at positioning the entire region for future success. CBICC engaged top rated economic development consulting firm Camoin Associates to assist in exploring Centre County’s economic challenges and opportunities and developing the plan. During this process we involved a wide array of voices through public input sessions with an Economic Development Council and focus groups with entrepreneurs, anchor employers, and local businesses. This thorough process has resulted in a strategic plan that reflects a shared vision for the region’s growth and provides clear actions the Centre County community can take towards economic resilience.

“This plan reflects the diverse needs and ambitions of our community, and CBICC is honored to have played a key part in the development process” said Greg Scott, President and CEO of CBICC. “We are excited to present an overview of the collaborative plan to an audience of local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members at our Voice of Business event on October 9th.”

The event will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including:

  • Greg Scott, President and CEO of CBICC
  • Dr. Neeli Bendapudi, President of Penn State University
  • Commissioner Mark Higgins, Centre County Government
  • Ben Kirshner, Chief Transformation and Opportunity Officer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • Luke Bernstein, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry

Following the event, CBICC will publicize the full Economic Development Strategic Plan, which details background data, findings, and expanded details, including specific goals and action items. This plan will guide community leaders and organizations in tracking progress and fostering collaboration towards achieving set objectives.

Join Us for May’s Business After Hours: 19th-Hole Mixer at Mountain View Country Club

Posted on by Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County

Join us for May’s Business After Hours at the 19th-Hole Mixer, hosted by Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., at Mountain View Country Club on Thursday, May 18, from 5-7 p.m.

The 19th Hole Mixer is an opportunity to connect with chamber members, golf participants, sponsors, and like-minded professionals while enjoying appetizers and beverages. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships, potentially meeting your next business partner or gaining valuable insights.

Please take advantage of the last call for our early bird pricing of $5 for members and $10 for future members, which ends at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 17. Prospective members can attend the 19th-Hole Mixer for free, experiencing the benefits of Chamber events firsthand. Contact Jeannine Lozier at jeannine@cbicc.org for complimentary attendance coordination.

The Mixer will feature three raffle packages with proceeds attributed to this year’s Annual Golf Outing! Check out these great packages:

  1. Staycation Package featuring a $100 gift card to Gigi’s Southern Table, Mercata Mio Italian Market, and a two-night stay at a Days Inn by Windham. 
  2. Sports package with Penn State Football, Hockey, and Basketball tickets and a Spikes Suite.
  3. Pamper Me package featuring spring rejuvenation treatments including a microneedling + PRP treatment, AnteAGE MD skincare system, and Skinbetter ToneSmart Sunscreen valued at $1100. 

Raffle tickets will be sold during the Mixer and throughout the Annual Golf Outing, with winners notified via email after the raffle drawing at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 19. 
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We look forward to seeing you at this Month’s Business After Hours 19th-Hole Mixer presented by Glenn O. Hawbaker. 

Remember, this is your last chance to take advantage of the early bird pricing, so secure your spot now. 

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Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week

Posted on by Melissa Brown

We want to ensure our businesses have a knowledgeable, skilled workforce. That’s why we support Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW). Offered by the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education (FFEE), PFEW uniquely prepares our students for successful careers right here at home.

PFEW 2023 graduate Maddie Miller from Henderson HS in Chester County explains why PFEW is so important, “My experience at PFEW was amazing. I went into the program without any real interest in business and came out as a changed person. I had no idea the tools I would gain from this. I also made incredible friends. Building a company from scratch with eighteen people that you just met was nothing short of a challenge. Throughout my time, I saw my company grow closer as a group but also grow individually as people. Personally, I developed leadership, speaking, and collaborative skills that I will take with me throughout my career endeavors. We were lucky enough to listen to some incredible speakers during our time at PFEW and their words were very influential. I am so thankful I got to participate in this amazing experience.”

PFEW is entirely funded and taught by the PA business community and is open to all rising juniors and seniors in PA. It’s a powerful hands-on program that teaches students to understand modern business and the American free enterprise system. Students form teams and manage a manufacturing company competing with other companies. Along the way, they gain the knowledge and skills that uniquely prepare them for successful careers and lives right here in PA. Since its inception, over 50,000 students have participated in this award-winning program.

FFEE offers two additional programs that prepare students for success. The Stock Market Game (SMG) is a hands-on in-class program for students in grades 4-12 that focuses on financial literacy, investing and capital markets. The Speaker Series helps students explore careers, discover regional scholarship and career opportunities, build a mentor network, and more.

FFEE’s three-pronged approach to youth and workforce development promotes the finest ideals of business and free enterprise and creates our next generation of productive, engaged employees and leaders.

To support PFEW or to learn more about these vital FFEE programs, visit www.pfew.org or contact VP of Marketing & Development Scott Lee at (814) 833-9576 ext. 8, or scott@pfew.org.

State College Regional Airport

Posted on by Melissa Brown
group of people outside of the state college airport sign

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State and the Centre County Airport Authority (CCAA) have announced that University Park Airport will be renamed State College Regional Airport on November 3.


This change will help alleviate confusion and clarify that the location is the region’s airport and a convenient alternative to commuting to more remote airports, such as Pittsburgh or Harrisburg. In addition to providing clarity on the location, State College Re- gional Airport better reflects the service area, the continuing investment in the economic development of Centre County and beyond, as well as the broad array of transportation options available at the location. Currently, University Park Airport offers regular daily flights on American with convenient connections to Philadelphia International (PHL) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD); and United has service from State College to Newark International (EWR) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). New destinations and expanded service are continuously being sought as the airline industry adjusts following the Covid pandemic.
“With a new name, the State College Regional Airport will continue to provide outstand- ing service to travelers locally and throughout Central Pennsylvania,” said Sara Thorn- dike, Penn State senior vice president for finance and business and University treasurer.


“The renaming of our airport started a long time ago with the public rebranding us the State College Airport. By officially renaming the airport, we are eliminating confusion for our passengers. The airline city code has been SCE from the very beginning of commer- cial air service at this airport dating back to 1978,” said James Meyer, Executive Director of CCAA.
“This process has been a true collaboration between Penn State and the Airport Author- ity,” said Chris Groshel, CCAA Board Chair. “Our goal has always been to build and promote the airport as a convenient transportation hub to serve central Pennsylvania. The State College Regional Airport name will facilitate travel for the many thousands of travelers who pass through our terminal annually.”

The Centre Knitters Guild Honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on by Melissa Brown
Centre County Knitters Goal Is 100 Knitted Knockers for Local Survivors and to Help Spread the Word about Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment

One in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer, as will a small number of men. 
  
State College, Pa. – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Centre Knitters Guild is out to broaden that awareness and support survivors in Centre County with their campaign kickoff, “Knitted Knockers Night,” on Thursday, October 5th at 7 p.m. at the Patton Township Building Meeting Room, 100 Patton Plaza, State College.

The evening’s program will include a talk titled, “Early Detection is Best Protection” presented by Angelique Cygan, Oncology Breast Navigator at Mount Nittany Health. Guild members, working toward a goal of knitting 100 Knitted Knockers™ by the end of October, will display those they’ve completed and continue working on those in progress during a question and answer period with Cygan.  

“Knitting is what we do. So for the month of October, we’re committing our hands and hearts to knitting a large supply of a surprisingly effective and comfortable breast prosthetic invention called the Knitted Knocker™. We also want to spread the word about the importance of screenings,” Anne Hoag, Guild President said. She added, “Our Knockers will be donated to two Centre County distribution centers, one at Geisinger Mammography at Gray’s Woods and another at Mount Nittany Medical Center.”

Angelique Cygan, the evening’s speaker, agrees there’s a need to improve awareness across the Centre Region. “Screenings are so important. Women – and men – should familiarize themselves with screening guidelines. When diagnosed early, treatment can be more effective and survival rates are much higher. Getting the word out through partner organizations like the Centre Knitters Guild is key,” said Cygan.

Cygan invites everyone to learn more about opportunities for both the insured and uninsured, and can be reached at angelique.cygan@mountnittany.org or 814.231.6870.

Founded in 2003, the Centre Knitters Guild is dedicated to promoting the art and joy of knitting and crocheting. With more than 50 members, TCKG offers its members fellowship, informative monthly programs, workshops, field trips, discounts on yarn, an annual members-only retreat, and the area’s largest celebration of all things yarn, its annual “For the Love of Fiber,” open to the public, a day-long convention, show and market held each March. TCKG meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Patton Township Building. To learn more about The Centre Knitters Guild, to join and to access the blog go to centreknittersguild.com. To learn more about For the Love of Fiber (FloF), centreknittersguild.com/flof-details.  More information about breast cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be found at nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month.For more information about local breast screening, cancer treatment and services, visit mountnittany.orgTo obtain free patterns and instructions on making Knitted Knockers, go to knittedknockers.org.