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BELLEFONTE -- Centre County's partnership with the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) is producing measurable results for the local economy, according to its president and CEO.
In a presentation to the Centre County Board of Commissioners, CBICC's Gregg Scott said last year's $25,000 investment helped advance workforce development, support small businesses, expand air service and position Centre County for long-term growth.
"Your funding is not just a contribution," he said. "It is leverage capital--and it's producing results."
Scott said the county's investment powers what amounts to a $1.1 million economic growth engine through the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, which works to align leaders in business, education, government, health care and finance around a shared regional economic strategy.
JOBS
"One of the most measurable outcomes this year was workforce development," Scott said.
At CBICC's Spring Job Fair last May, the chamber facilitated 120 job interviews, resulting in 75 successful placements.
"That's 75 households with new income, stability and purchasing power right here in Centre County," he said.
The job fair -- which Commissioner Mark Higgins called "tremendously successful" -- will return on April 23, 2026, from 1-4 p.m., at C3 Sports, 200 Ellis Place, State College.
"This is economic development at the ground level -- employer by employer, job by job," he said.
SMALL BUSINESS
In 2025, CBICC deployed $700,000 to small businesses and supported 60 entrepreneurs through its Revolving Loan Fund and Small Business Concierge Partnership.
The funding fills gaps that traditional leaders often can't address, particularly for start-ups, expanding small businesses and rural entrepreneurs, Scott said.
"Small businesses are the backbone of Centre County's economy--when they grow, our tax base grows; when they succeed, our communities thrive."
HOUSING
"We all know that workforce growth depends on housing availability," Scott said.
To help align economic growth with housing capacity, CBICC has served as a neutral convener, bringing together developers, financial institutions, elected leaders and employers to address supply challenges and development barriers.
He highlighted CBICC's upcoming housing summit as an example of how county support is fostering collaboration, with CBICC leveraging its expertise -- bolstered by the 15 percent of its membership involved in real estate and development -- to provide data, business perspectives and practical solutions.
The summit will be held March 4, 2026 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Centre County Community Services Building, 502 E. Howard St., Bellefonte.
REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY
"Air service remains a critical business retention and attraction tool," said Scott, which is why in 2025 CBICC formed the State College Air Service Alliance and Fly State College Fund to support its expansion.
The alliance is a formal partnership between CBICC, the Centre County Airport Authority, the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Pennsylvania State University to maintain and grow air service at the State College Regional Airport (SCE). The Fly State College Fund is designed to help the community remain competitive in securing air service by providing revenue guarantees, marketing support and financial incentives that go beyond what the airport alone can offer prospective carriers.
"When companies evaluate Centre County, access to reliable and expanded air service is part of that equation," he said. "Your support allows us to help build the business case for additional routes and stronger connectivity."
That work included commissioning a "leakage study," which illustrates how many local passengers bypass their nearest airport to use a larger, more distant hub. The study was key to demonstrating demand for expanded service to prospective carriers.
Scott said CBICC is actively engaged in talks with airlines to expand flights to and from State College. In the past two months, the chamber has held four productive meetings with airlines, and those discussions will continue. He said airlines have expressed interest in connecting SCE to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, and that Delta is considering reinstating flights to Detroit, potentially in 2027.
"We're talking to new airlines, but we're also talking to current airlines about new destinations," Scott said, noting that American and United plan to expand service to current destinations from University Park starting in the spring.
SENSOR VALLEY
Centre County's investment in CBICC also supports efforts to secure federal funding to expand the local sensor industry.
Central Pennsylvania has six times the national average of sensor technology businesses, giving the region a strong competitive advantage in nurturing its growth.
The initiative, known as Project SUCCEED (Sensors, Ultrasound and Chromatography for Collaborative Economic Expansion and Development), aims to leverage the state's research infrastructure and talent pipeline, Mifflin County's industrial manufacturing base and the region's skilled workforce to commercialize and scale sensor, ultrasound and chromatography technologies.
"Sensor Valley represents one of our highest long-term growth opportunities," Scott said. "This is about building a high-growth, high-wage industry cluster rooted in our regional strengths."
Last year, CBICC convened industry leaders and pursued an Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Grant to support the initiative.
If successful, Scott said, the strategy could move Centre County from incremental to transformative growth, attract federal investment and position the county nationally as a leader in advancing sensor technology.
COMMUNICATION
"CBICC also serves as the communication backbone of our business community," Scott said.
In 2025, the chamber reached 63,000 web visitors seeking business resources and sent more than 440,000 targeted communications.
"That reach allows us to share workforce opportunities, promote development conversations, highlight strategic priorities and align messaging in key policy discussions," Scott said, also adding that their platform provides the infrastructure to mobilize businesses and align the broader business community with countywide initiatives.
CBICC is composed of more than 700 business members, including 49 new businesses that joined in 2025.
"Behind those numbers are thousands of employees and families who are contributing to Centre County's tax base and quality of life," Scott said.
Scott thanked the commissioners for being "a strategic partner in long-term economic leadership."
"This partnership helps ensure that Centre County remains competitive, collaborative and forward-looking," he added.
Additional information about the chamber's impact is available at www.cbicc.org/2025-impact-report/.