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BELLEFONTE -- C-NET presented its annual report to the Centre County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, highlighting the organization's work and accomplishments over the past year.
"In 2025, C-NET produced 496 programs, produced by our small staff of seven," Stephanie Yager, executive director of C-NET said.
Commissioners also approved contracts for probation office renovations, funding for housing and food assistance programs and support for regional development projects during the meeting at the Willowbank Office Building.
The board approved three contracts totaling $870,925 for renovations to the Centre County Probation Department office. The contracts included $424,000 for general construction by Massaro Corporation, $274,000 for mechanical and plumbing work by SP McCarl and $172,925 for electrical construction by Hallstrom Clark Electric.
"The offices are long past their useful life and are just looking for a refresh," Jonathan McClure, Facilities Superintendent at Centre County Government said.
The board also approved several human services funding agreements, including a $75,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for the Housing Supports Program, which provides housing navigation services and rental assistance in Centre County.
Commissioners considered a $194,639.64 state grant through the Department of Agriculture's State Food Purchase Program and a $249,773.65 contract renewal with Central Pennsylvania Community Action to administer the Emergency Food Assistance Program and State Food Purchase Program. The latter contract includes $189,773.65 in state funding and $60,000 in federal funding.
The board also considered a $30,000 funding increase for Blair Therapies to expand early intervention services, raising the provider's maximum allocation from $109,000 to $139,000.
In other business, commissioners considered a $5,000 contract renewal with ThisGen Inc. for an AI-generated 9-1-1 dispatcher training application. The program creates realistic emergency call scenarios tailored to the community and evaluates trainees based on their use of dispatch protocols.
The board also approved a $260,000 contract with Adelphoi Village Inc. for foster care and residential services for dependent and delinquent youth, along with a $127,736 contract renewal with the Centre County Youth Service Bureau for children's and adolescents' mental health services.
Commissioners approved letters of support for several regional grant applications, including funding for runway repairs at Mid-State Airport and a feasibility study for a proposed Centre County Regional Business Incubator.
The board also approved support for grant applications seeking funding for the redevelopment of the Stott Building at 233 Front St. in Philipsburg through state housing and community revitalization programs.
"I've been working on a mixed use affordable housing project in Philipsburg, it's two-thirds of the way completed," Eric Kelmenson, President at Reframe LLC said.
Commissioners also considered an employee wellness fitness initiative for 2027 through American Specialty Health Fitness Inc. Under the proposed agreement, participating employees would pay $5 per month, while the county would contribute $3.13 per employee per month using Capital Blue Cross wellness funds.
"We would like to have a contract with them to offer services for employee wellness," Krista Davis, Chief Risk Officer/Director of Workplace Operations said.
The meeting included approval of proclamations recognizing Oct. 24 as United Nations Day in Centre County and November as National Family Caregivers Month.
"This is the 81st anniversary of the United Nations, created in the aftermath of the horrible destruction of World War II," a spokesperson said.
Commissioners were reminded that the deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27 at 5 p.m. The board also announced that its Nov. 3 meeting had been canceled.
The commissioners' next scheduled meeting is Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Willowbank Office Building in Bellefonte.