Local news

SpringBoard expands in downtown Bellefonte, Lt. Gov. attends kick off event

Continued revitalization

BELLEFONTE -- Springboard has rocketed its way into the heart of downtown Bellefonte and the organization recently held a celebration to mark the occasion.

The team had an excellent turn out -- the new space filled to the brim with members of the community and officials showing their support for the initiative. Guests were able to enjoy cocktails and snacks, created by The Cakeshop by Tati and Gourmet Girl.

The new office space is located at 221 W. High St., #1300, Bellefonte, and features gorgeous views that overlook Spring Creek and spacious work areas.

The kick-off event, held Wednesday, welcomed multiple speakers to show their support for SpringBoard.

The first to speak was Jennilyn Schuster, Main Street Manager for Downtown Bellefonte Inc., who introduced the initiative and answered questions she's gotten.

"This is the new coworking and business incubator space in Bellefonte. There's a reason that we keep moving, we've gotten this request from our community, last year with the PA Wilds and Ben Franklin (Technology Partners). We hosted a group of five remote workers from all over the country -- they worked out of our old space and lived in the community. A lot of the feedback we got from that group and other coworkers in the space was: it would be great if we could have more private space," said Schuster.

Since their original opening in 2017, SpringBoard has been providing entrepreneurs and remote workers with a space to work in where they can network with others. These spaces have grown in popularity as a result of the pandemic.

On top of offering a new space to allow for remote workers to have a productive work day, the new office also offers amenities such as a private phone or video-conferencing room, high-speed internet access and a full kitchen for convenience. Another new initiative in this space is a coffee loyalty program, courtesy of Bonfatto's, URBN Coffee Haus and Bees Kees Coffee.

SpringBoard offers not only a co-working space, but the tools for current and aspiring business owners to grow and thrive in Bellefonte. SpringBoard offers programming to assist individuals in opening a business and makes sure the process is as painless as possible, despite many regulations business owners must abide by.

"This space became available," Schuster continued, "and its ADA accessible, has great views. The board walked through and knew this space would be perfect for the community. We could not have done this without many of our partners -- we thank the county, small business development center, PA Wilds, Chamber of Commerce, Ben Franklin and it would not be possible without Arize Federal Credit Union."

Schuster welcomed the next speaker, Mike Scott, Chief Lending Officer at Arize Federal Credit Union.

"We are really excited to be able to partner with SpringBoard, with DBI, to make this space happen. The first time I walked through here and saw the view -- I said we need to be a part of this somehow," said Scott.

Arize is a locally managed credit union with two offices in Centre County and one in Huntingdon County. Those wishing to open an account with Arize are eligible if they live, work, go to school, volunteer or worship in Centre or Huntingdon counties.

The main mission at Arize is to find solutions and improve the financial wellbeing of its members.

"We look for ways to lower interest rates or pay down really high interest credit card debt -- help them improve their credit score. By partnering with SpringBoard we're hoping to do a lot more of that in the community. One of our core values is to be committed to improve the communities that we work and live in. That's where this partnership comes in," said Scott.

Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins was the next to speak and was enthusiastic about the new space, offering praise to Ellen Matis, Board President of DBI board and owner of local marketing agency Hello Social Co.

"This is what dreams look like," said Higgins. "(Ellen) and I had these dreams -- she was our first coworker. She has had tremendous, unbelievable, amazing progress over the last six years and we've seen that amongst a lot of the small businesses and start ups in greater Bellefonte."

The Centre County Commissioners, as a whole, have been strong supporters of Bellefonte SpringBoard.

"We had hoped this coworking and incubation space would help create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in greater Bellefonte. Due to the hard work of Ellen Matis and Jennilyn Schuster, greater Bellefonte is helping to create dozens of new businesses annually. There is no other place this size anywhere in central Pa. that is creating dozens of new businesses annually," said Higgins.

He also gave a shout out to various government officials and representatives, the boards of Downtown Bellefonte and SpringBoard, the Borough of Bellefonte, the Penn State SBDC, the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pa., Arize FCU, Chambers of Commerce, financial institutions and the entrepreneurs throughout Centre County.

He then introduced their guest speaker, Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis.

Davis has an extensive background in dedication to his community and public service.

He was a first generation college graduate, studying political science at the University of Pittsburgh. At age 21, the Tribune-Review called him "a veteran at the politics of helping others."

Davis was elected in 2022 as the first African American Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania and as the youngest Lieutenant Governor elected in the country.

Davis was attending in an official capacity to highlight the increased role the Lt. Governor's office will be playing in community and economic development.

"It is so great to be back in Centre County with all of you for this magnificent launch," said Davis during his speech, thanking other elected officials -- particularly members of the general assembly -- for attending the kick-off event. "This is a great example of good things that can happen when government, the private sector, business and community groups all come together to improve their community."

"I grew up in a small steel town, McKeesport in western Pennsylvania. Many communities across this commonwealth are just like McKeesport and Bellefonte. Communities that were thriving at one point but fell on hard times because the steel mill closed, or the factory closed. Now we're seeing a resurgence. It's going to take this type of investment and partnership to turn around communities like this," said Davis.

"I'm so thrilled to see in the last two years, almost 50 businesses have spun out of this incubator. That is wonderful. During a historic global pandemic -- think about that. That is a huge accomplishment," Davis continued.

The biggest asset to growth in Pennsylvania is the people in small communities who are committed to creating a better future for them, their families and their communities, according to Davis.

"Josh Shapiro and I ran because we wanted to help lift up communities like Bellefonte. We wanted to help change the economic future for communities all across Pennsylvania," said Davis, pointing out the executive order the governor signed to create the Office of Transformation and Opportunity.

"We are going to rebuild this commonwealth block by block, community by community. We're going to do that by working together and making sure state government is a partner with each and every one of you," said Davis.

During a one-on-one interview with Davis, he continued to express his unending support for community initiatives such as SpringBoard.

"SpringBoard is a great initiative of how business, community leaders and government can come together to revitalize a community. It's what we're trying to replicate across the state -- places that have struggled economically and have often felt like they're forgotten. We want to make sure they have a strong path to a strong economic future. I feel like a lot of times big cities get a lot of attention. There is an enormous amount of potential in small communities."