BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Commissioners are backing an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant application for Project SUCCEED, a regional effort to grow central Pennsylvania’s sensor technology industry.

Led by SEDA-COG in partnership with Ben Franklin Technology Partners and the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), the initiative aims to strengthen workforce pipelines, expand industry connections and position the region as a national hub for sensor-based technologies.

On Tuesday, the commissioners voted unanimously to issue a letter of support to accompany the partnership’s application to the ARC’s Area Development program after hearing from CBICC’s Vice President of Economic Development Todd Dolbin.

Project SUCCEED — short for Sensors, Ultrasound and Chromatography for Collaborative Economic Expansion and Development — aims to build on the region’s existing cluster of sensor technology firms to revitalize the local economy. Centre County is home to one of the largest concentrations of sensors, ultrasound and chromatography companies in the country.

The partnership applied last year for project funding through the ARC, a federal-state partnership focused on promoting self-sustaining economic development in Appalachia, but was not selected. However, Dolbin said ARC staff responded positively to the concept and encouraged them to reapply.

If awarded the funding, the project would run for one year and focus on increasing awareness of the region’s sensor technology companies, strengthening ties with Penn State, building workforce pipelines with local high schools and technical schools and improving connections among firms and local supply chain providers.

“This is fantastic,” Commissioner Amber Concepcion said. “I’m really glad that we’re continuing to highlight this area of strength in our community and grow these high-tech businesses that provide really high-paying professional jobs.”

Many of those companies will be hiring at the Centre County Spring Job Fair, which is taking place tomorrow from 1-4 p.m. at C3 Sports, 200 Ellis Place, State College. The job fair will be hosted by CBICC and PA CareerLink Centre County in partnership with the Borough of State College and Centre County Government.