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The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) hosted the first-annual Centre Region Municipal Managers’ Update, a Voice of Business series event on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The event, hosted at the Wyndham Garden State College over breakfast, provided a platform for municipal managers from the Borough of State College, College Township, Ferguson Township, Harris Township, and Patton Township to discuss policies, projects, and developments impacting the Centre Region.

From addressing housing affordability to advancing infrastructure projects, the updates underscored the Centre Region’s commitment to economic growth, sustainability, and community connectivity.

The need for more affordable housing emerged as a central theme throughout the event. Adam Brumbaugh, College Township Manager, described his municipality’s plan, including modifications to Area Median Income (AMI) ordinances that expand eligibility for housing programs. “We’ve adjusted AMI guidelines to include renters earning 0-to-79% of the median income and owner-occupants earning 80-to-100%,” Brumbaugh explained.

College Township is also collaborating with developers on new projects like Crew 814, a 46-acre mixed-use development aimed at providing workforce housing. Meanwhile, Tom Fountaine, Manager of the Borough of State College, highlighted the borough’s efforts to ease development restrictions in downtown State College, the West End, and other residential neighborhoods. “We are reducing lot sizes, parking minimums, and commercial space requirements to encourage the creation of housing that is affordable for the people who work here,” he said. Fountaine also highlighted a project by the State College Redevelopment Authority to renovate a former fraternity located at 406 S. Pugh Street. Local nonprofit Centre Helps will move into the completed space in April 2025, and additional renovations will be made later to convert the top floor of the building into four new affordable apartment units.

Amy Farkas of Patton Township underscored the importance of housing availability for the region’s growing healthcare sector. With the recent completion of major facilities like Penn Highlands Hospital and Mount Nittany Health’s Toftrees West campus in Patton Township, Farkas noted: “We must ensure that those working in these new facilities have access to housing within the communities they serve.”

Economic development initiatives were another key focus. Ferguson Township Manager Centrice Martin shared progress on the municipality’s Economic Development Plan, funded in part by a $75,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant. “This plan reflects our commitment to fostering sustainable growth and innovation in Ferguson Township’s vibrant and growing community,” Martin said.

Similarly, Brumbaugh discussed College Township’s rewrite of the Dale Summit area’s zoning code to introduce form-based zoning. This approach aims to streamline development and attract new businesses to the township’s primary commercial hub.

Infrastructure improvements also play a crucial role in economic vitality. Patton Township is introducing enhancements to traffic flow – including custom signal time changes for major community and University events – along Atherton Street and exploring options for a direct connector from I-99 to the State College Regional Airport. Meanwhile, State College Borough’s updates to the Downtown Master Plan, including revitalization projects on Calder Way, will further position the area as a hub for small businesses and community engagement.

Harris Township Manager Mark Boeckel highlighted pedestrian safety as a growing priority for his municipality. “We’re working on a pedestrian master plan to address gaps in the sidewalk network, especially in Boalsburg Village,” he said. Upcoming projects include a lighted crosswalk installation between the Pennsylvania Military Museum and Boal City Brewing, funded by a $298,000 grant from PennDOT.

State College Borough is also advancing projects designed to improve walkability and pedestrian access, including the Allen Street Promenade, funded through federal grants, and the Easterly-Westerly Parkway shared-use path project. These initiatives reflect a regional focus on connecting neighborhoods, businesses, and recreational spaces through thoughtful infrastructure design.

Following the presentations, attendees participated in a live Q&A session with the municipal managers, launching a dialogue about shared challenges and collaborative solutions.

“The updates shared today demonstrate the strength of our region,” said CBICC President and CEO Greg Scott. “Each municipality is working to address critical issues like housing, infrastructure, and sustainability while supporting economic growth that benefits all of us.”

The CBICC’s Voice of Business series continues to provide a platform for meaningful discussions on the issues shaping Centre County.