Category: Uncategorized

Axemann Brewery Announces New Managers

Posted on by Jules Slater

Axemann Brewery is pleased to announce the promotions of Brett Michael and Melanie Kipp to management positions.


Melanie Kipp – Events Coordinator
Melanie Kipp (Mel) has been a bartender and assistant manager at Axemann Brewery for more than 3 years. A graduate of Penn State, she has 11 years of industry experience in the Centre County area. As the new Events Coordinator, she will manage scheduling and logistics for group rentals and special initiatives. This role is crucial to the success of Axemann, where multiple events may happen simultaneously in the 27,000 SF space that includes a first floor taproom and game area plus a second floor loft with outdoor deck as well as brewing operations. Mel has proven extremely proficient in coordinating events of all kinds from birthday parties to company meetings to weddings, while maintaining a strong focus on customer service to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all guests. She is currently working with local businesses and entrepreneurs to expand our weekly and monthly special events, giving our customers more opportunities to be involved with games, music, crafts, science, and more.​


Brett Michael – Taproom Manager
Brett Michael, a 2008 Penn State grad who has been working at Axemann as a bartender and assistant manager since October of 2021, has been promoted to Taproom Manager. His 30 years of experience serving customers in the Centre County area has equipped him with the skills to manage staff, inventory, and scheduling efficiently, ensuring smooth operations and a high level of customer satisfaction. ​Having a Taproom Manager familiar with the industry and the local culture is crucial for understanding customer preferences and creating a welcoming atmosphere, and we are fortunate that Brett has accepted this responsibility.​

CATA Introduces Two New Trail Routes for Summer 2025

Posted on by Jules Slater

The Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) is excited to announce the launch of two new summer trial routes as part of its fixed bus schedule for the 2025 summer service period. The new routes will be operational from May 12 to August 17, 2025, during which CATA will implement a reduced summer service schedule.


The UP – University Parkway route provides a counterclockwise circulator service Monday to Saturday at a frequency of every 32 minutes. This route will enhance accessibility to key community destinations, including Downtown State College, Westerly Parkway Plaza, the Retreat, the Social Security Office, Easterly Parkway Elementary, and the Penn State campus.


The HV – Happy Valley route will operate all day on Sundays and from 10 PM to midnight on Monday through Saturday. This route is designed to complement the existing NV route during these hours. From Monday to Saturday during late nights, the HV route will service six stops by traveling south on Atherton Street and Burrowes Road from Blue Course Drive. The HV travels counterclockwise, providing service directly from Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and Colonnade Boulevard to Martin Street and The Heights.


For more information on CATA’s summer service, including detailed timetables and maps, please visit the CATA website at catabus.com/summer_service_2025/

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19th Annual Mental Health Awareness Month Kickoff Celebration May 1st in Centre County

Posted on by Jules Slater

The Skills of Central PA 19th Annual Centre County Mental Health Awareness Month Kickoff Celebration presented by Centre Helps/988 launches an annual campaign on Tuesday, May 1st, at 5:30pm.  For the second consecutive year, the event will be held at the Wasson Farm event barn with a full agenda of live music, free food, activities, vendors, door prizes, and compelling stories.  Admission is FREE and everyone is welcome to attend.

Popular musician Eric Ian Farmer will get the celebration started, performing when the doors open at 5:00pm.  A free Wasson ice cream scoop will be given to every attendee, along with other complimentary snacks for all.  At the same time, the vendor fair will open inside the barn and activities will begin. The formal program begins at 5:30pm, with speakers sharing stories of inspiration, success, hope, and recovery.  Following the speakers, at approximately 6:45pm, the music and vendor fair will resume, and lead up to the door prize drawing. 

Health and human service providers and other organizations that are key to mental health in Centre County will actively participate in the event.  In addition to all the vendors who will be connecting with Centre County residents during the evening, corporate sponsorship helped to make this event possible.  Presenting sponsor Centre Helps / 988 Suicide-Crisis Lifeline will be part of the vendor fair, handing out valuable resources and answering questions, while promoting their website www.centrehelps.org  The Meadows, celebrating 40 years of commitment to recovery, joins Centre Helps, Skills of Central Pa, and the Opportunity Centre Clubhouse as major contributors to the event.

The 2025 event committee, made up of mental health professionals serving as volunteers, has been meeting and working on various elements of the celebration for months now. Our community is grateful for the effort of these representatives.

The Wasson Farm event barn is located at 2545 Shingletown Rd State College, PA 16801.  More about this FREE event can be found by clicking the Events Tab at www.SkillsOfCentralPa.org, or searching the newly developed Facebook page titled Mental Health Awareness Kickoff Celebration Centre County. 

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Geisinger career program expands to include respiratory therapy

Posted on by Jules Slater

Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program aims to fill critical nursing and health sciences roles while providing more career opportunities to Geisinger employees

DANVILLE, Pa. – Geisinger is helping more employees follow their calling to care for others by adding a respiratory therapy pathway to Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program. Previously called Geisinger’s Nursing Scholars Program, this career development program financially and professionally supports employees pursuing a career in nursing or select health sciences.

“We’re very excited to add respiratory therapy to our Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program,” said Wayne Williams, clinical manager of respiratory services at Geisinger Community Medical Center. “This is a big step for our team and profession. It shows the significant role our respiratory therapists play in the care of our patients and our commitment to working across different disciplines to improve outcomes. This change reflects our dedication to building a skilled workforce ready to take on the evolving needs of our patients.”

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of respiratory therapists is expected to increase faster than average over the next decade. The aging baby boom generation is leading to an older population that tends to have the most respiratory conditions, including pneumonia, COPD or other diseases commonly associated with aging.

How the program works

Open to employees starting day one of employment, the Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program covers part of the cost of pursuing any of the following careers in return for committing to work at Geisinger:

  • Registered nurse (RN) – $40,000 in financial assistance with a three-year work commitment as an inpatient RN
  • Respiratory therapist – $30,000 in financial assistance with a three-year work commitment
  • Surgical technologist – $22,500 in financial assistance with a two-and-a-half-year work commitment
  • Licensed practical nurse (LPN) – $20,000 in financial assistance with a two-year work commitment as an inpatient LPN
  • Certified medical assistant (CMA) – $7,000 in financial assistance with a two-year work commitment as an outpatient CMA

While supporting employee career and professional goals, the program also mitigates a shortage of nurses and critical health sciences team members across Geisinger. Since its launch in 2021, the program has helped more than 400 employees further their career journeys.

To set the nursing scholars up for success, the program offers guidance in choosing a school and type of degree. Geisinger nurses and leaders also offer mentorship support.

“Many of our employees are eager to pursue nursing or other health careers, but need additional support to do so,” said Janet Tomcavage, RN, executive vice president and chief nursing executive at Geisinger. “Changing careers is a major decision and studying while working is a huge undertaking — not to mention the cost of it all. The Nursing and Health Sciences Program has been a difference-maker for so many of our employees by providing the financial, professional and well-being support they need to succeed. I’m incredibly proud of our scholars and I’m grateful to Geisinger for investing in our employees and their futures.”

The Geisinger program serves as an entry point into the health care profession for high school students or anyone considering a career in nursing or health sciences. Applications to the program are accepted throughout the year. Geisinger employees who are already in school to pursue one of the career pathways included in the program can apply up to 12 months before their anticipated graduation date. All Geisinger School of Nursing students can take advantage of the program, regardless of employment status, if they commit to work at Geisinger upon graduation.

Community members who are not Geisinger employees can apply for available positions at Geisinger and qualify for the program starting on employment. Visit geisinger.org/nursingscholars for details on Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program.

About Geisinger

Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the non-profit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 134 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses, and Geisinger Health Plan, with 600,000 members in commercial and government plans. The Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,600 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $14 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

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Abington Equine Hospital Becomes Fully Bankable

Posted on by Jules Slater
CBICC Vice President of Economic Development Todd Dolbin, Abington Equine Hospital Owner Catherine Radtke, DVM, PhD, College Township Industrial Development Authority Executive Director Keri Miller, PNC Bank Banking Specialist and CBICC Board of Directors Member John Rodgers at Abington Equine Hospital

By CBICC Staff

The CBICC Revolving Loan Fund was created to help early-stage businesses get the support they need to grow, generate revenue, and ultimately become bankable. Today, we’re proud to share an example of this mission in action.

Abington Equine Hospital, a full-service veterinary hospital specializing in equine care, has officially paid off its loan and is now fully bankable. Their success reflects years of hard work, smart growth, and a clear vision for the future of equine health in Centre County and beyond.

With support from the CBICC in partnership with the College Township Industrial Development Authority (CTIDA), Abington Equine was able to access early-stage funding that traditional lenders couldn’t provide at the time. That investment gave them the runway to build a loyal client base, expand their capabilities, and create jobs while delivering exceptional care to the region’s horse owners.

“The support we received from the CBICC and the CTIDA was transformative for us in the early days,” said Catherine Radtke, DVM, PhD, Owner of Abington Equine Hospital. “It allowed us to grow at a pace that met the needs of the area and our patients, all while planning for the future and setting up successful business practices.”

Now, as a thriving and self-sustaining business, Abington Equine is not only a success story, but a model of how public-private partnerships can accelerate business growth in our community. Their vision for the future includes expanding services, continuing to invest in the region’s agricultural and veterinary industries, and providing education and training to future equine veterinarians.

“Abington Equine’s journey is the perfect example of why our Revolving Loan Fund exists,” remarked Todd Dolbin, Vice President of Economic Development at CBICC. “It’s about giving promising young businesses the chance to prove what’s possible, and this team has far surpassed expectations. We are proud to have played a role in their journey and are excited to watch them continue to grow.”