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front + Centre is designed to highlight the full scope of the CBICC's economic development work, while showcasing the companies and business professionals that comprise the fabric of the local economy.
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CBICC INSIGHT INTO THE ISSUES, INDIVIDUALS, AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SHAPING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CENTRE COUNTY
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in this issueSEPTEMBER 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 7
1 ‘State of the County’ Luncheon fosters dialogue between county commissioners, CBICC members
2 AgendafinalizedforPSUAdditiveManufacturing Conference
2 PSU president reinforces economic developmentmissionduringBoardof Trustees presentation
3 EconomicDevelopmentsinBrief
3 CBICC in Action
The county’s role in economic development,specificallyeffortstoworkinpartnership with the CBICC, was discussed at length during the Q&A answer session. CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier expressed appreciation for the county’s willingnesstoworkwiththeChamberandfurther engage in efforts to grow the local economy.
Commissioners Dershem, Exarchos and Pipe said they appreciated the opportunitytoprovideanoverviewofcountygovernmenttothebusinesscommunity.
“It was a great opportunity to show the innerworkingsandcomplexitiesofcountygovernment,”Dershemsaid.“Wewereimpressed with the turnout and felt it was abeneficialeventforallinvolved.
“Welookforwardtocontinuingthedialogueatfutureeventslikethisone.”
‘State of the County’ Luncheon fosters dialogue between county commissioners, CBICC membersNearly 180 CBICC members and community leaders attended the CBICC’s firstannualStateoftheCountyLuncheon,held Sept. 16 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
CommissionerChairmanSteveDershem,and fellow commissioners Chris Exarchos andMichaelPipe,presentedanoverviewofcountygovernmentandfinances,andprovidedupdatesonseveralprojects,including the new 911 communications system and the courthouse addition. The commissioners also touched on potential challenges facing the county and proposed solutions.
CBICC Mission
One of the largest chambers/economicdevelopmentorganizationsinPennsylvania,theChamberofBusiness&IndustryofCentreCountyistheunifiedvoiceofbusinessesofallsizesandindustry
sectors in Centre County. The CBICC’s mission is to promote the well-being and growth of commerce and industry, while strivingtomaintainahighqualityoflifeforthosewholive,workanddobusinessin
Centre County.
Ted McDowell Senior Vice President, AmeriServ Bank
Chairman of the Board
Bill Joseph Senior Vice President, First National Bank
Vice Chairman of the Board
Vern SquierPresident and CEO
Chairman Steve Dershem addresses the luncheon attendees.
The luncheon was generously sponsored by M&T Bank.
Commissioner Michael Pipe shares information about services offered by the County.
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SEPTEMBER 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 7
TheCBICCthanksM&TBankforsponsoringthe luncheon and CBICC members and guests for the strong interest in the program.TheChamberplanstomakethe“StateoftheCounty”luncheonanannualevent.
Media coverage of the luncheon:
Centre Daily Times, Sept. 17, 2014
WTAJ-TV, Sept. 17, 2014
Centre County Gazette, Sept. 18, 2014
Agenda finalized for PSU Additive Manufacturing Conference
valuetherelationshipwehavewiththeuniversityandtheongoingdialogueabout strengthening the local and regionaleconomy,”hesaid.“Wehaveanopportunitylikeperhapsnoothertimeinmemorytoworktogethertoachieveour shared goals of greater opportunities for graduates and trailing spouses, more privateindustryandamorebalancedlocaleconomy.”
Congressman Charlie Thompson, along with other dignitaries, will open the conference.
This national forum will be an exciting and stimulating opportunity to discuss the technicalandbusinessaspectsofadditivemanufacturing in an extraordinary atmosphere.
If you are interested in learning more about the technology, application and businessofadditivemanufacturing,makeplans to attend this FREEevent.
Online registration is availablehere.
A detailed conference agenda is availablehere.
PSU president reinforces economic development mission during Board of Trustees presentationAt the recent meeting of the Penn State Board of Trustees, Penn State President Dr. Eric Barron continued to outline his economicdevelopmentmissionfortheuniversity.Duringhispresentation,Barronencouraged the creation of a stronger “culture of entrepreneurship”atPennState.Barronfocusedspecificallyonhisplanstoenablestudentsofanymajorto become entrepreneurs by increasing theavailabilityofbusinessclassesandpartnering students with faculty members in order to increase the number of Penn State-drivenstartups.
Barron also stressed greater interaction witheconomicdevelopmentgroups,specificallymentioningtheCBICC.
In an op-ed, the Centre Daily Times welcomedtheuniversity’sleadershiproleineconomicdevelopmentandurged Penn State to form meaningful partnerships with the Chamber and otherorganizations,suchasBenFranklinTechnology Partners.
CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier said theChamber,workingwithitscommunityandlocalgovernmentpartners,hasbeenworkingonacomprehensive,proactiveapproachtoeconomicdevelopmentfor some time. Squier said Penn State is a valuedpartnerinthateffort,whichmakesBarron’s focus all the more encouraging.
“Chamber leadership and members
National forum to focus on small- to medium-size business application of AMRegistration is open and the agenda hasbeenfinalizedfortheNational Forum on SME Adoption of Additive Manufacturing, which will focus on technicalandbusinesstopicsrelevanttosmall and medium enterprises interested in this emerging industry.
TheForumissponsoredbyAmericaMakesandtheCenterforInnovativeMaterials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition (CIMP-3D) at Penn State.Itwilltakeplace Oct. 22-24 at the Penn Stater Conference Center.
The CBICC is helping to sponsor the forumalongwithInnovationPark.
Theobjectiveoftheforum,whichisanticipated to attract business leaders and entrepreneurs from throughout theUnitedStates,willfocusondefiningthecurrentcapabilitiesofadditivemanufacturing in metals and exploring opportunities for small and medium sizecompaniestomakesignificantcontribution in the adoption of this emerging technology.
Between 400 and 500 people are expectedtoattendtheForum,whichwillhavean“all-starcast”ofkeynotespeakersfromtheAMindustry.PennState President Dr. Eric Barron and
2014 3B33 Support PartnersThe Centre County Economic DevelopmentPartnershipandtheCBICCrecognizeandthankthefollowingorganizationsfortheirsupportoftheChamber’s3B33initiative:
-FirstNationalBank
-FultonBank
-NorthwestSavings
-M&TBank
-RelianceBank
-KishBank
-SovereignBank
-PennStateUniversity
-FergusonTownship
- Centre County
- Halfmoon Township
- Patton Township
- State College Borough
-CapparellaFurniture
- Videon-Central
-HFLCorporation
- Mount Nittany Health
- ParenteBeard
- PennTerra Engineering
-GlennO.Hawbaker
- Poole Anderson Construction
-McQuaideBlasko
- Torron Group
- Geisinger Medical
Add your company’s name to the growing list of 3B33 partners. Contact [email protected].
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SEPTEMBER 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 7
Economic Developments in BriefCBICC participating in a Workforce Training Survey
Aspartofaninitiativethroughthestate Department of Labor & Industry, the CBICC/CCIDC, as a partner in the Central PA Partnership for Regional Economic Performance and the Central WorkforceDevelopmentCorporationareworkingtoidentifythehiring,trainingandbusinessdevelopmentneedsoftheregionalbusinesscommunity.WorkforceNeedsAssessmentsurveyshavebeen created for six industry sectors, includingAdvancedManufacturing;BuildingandConstruction;LogisticsandTransportation;Healthcare;Hospitality;LeisureandEntertainment;andBusinessServices.Ifyouwouldliketoparticipateinthesurveyprocess,contactMaryResides,EconomicDevelopmentTeamSpecialist,at 814 234-1829 ext. 4 or [email protected].
CBICC to sponsor ‘Doing Business with Penn State University’ forum
TheCBICChasjoinedwithSEDA-COG,theInnovativeManufacturingCenterand the Penn State Small Business DevelopmentCenterinsponsoringa “Doing Business with Penn State University”forumfrom10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 4 at Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, 253 Transfer Road in Bellefonte. Presented by Penn StateSupplierDiversityManagerDuaneBullockandPennStateContractorLiaisonVernonDavis,theforumwilladdresshowtheuniversitypurchasesproductsandservices;howthefindbusinessopportunitieswithPennState;howtogetonPennState’sPrequalifiedBiddersList;whatisthePennStatePurchasingCard;andhowtofindconstructionopportunities with Penn State. Attendees willalsolearnmoreabouttheOfficeofPhysicalPlantContractorDiversityProgram. Online registration is availablehere.
Ben Franklin invests in five central Pa. startups
OnSept.16,theboardofBenFranklinTechnology Partners of Central & NorthernPAapprovedaninvestmenttotaling$475,000infivecompanies,
includingStateCollege-basedKCFTechnologies.ACBICCmember,KCFTechnologiesdevelopsandsellswirelessconditioned monitoring systems for the defenseandindustrialmarkets.Thecompany’sSmartDiagnostics®givesmachinesavoiceenablingacompanyto predict and detect problems with their equipment prior to experiencing a failure.
Is your business hiring or expanding?Doesyourcompanyhaveaneconomicgrowthsuccessstoryyou’dliketosharewith CBICC members and front + Centre readers? Email your hiring, business expansionorproductdevelopmentnewsto CBICC Communications Director Lesley Kistner at [email protected].
CBICC in ActionPennsylvania Business Central puts spotlight on Centre County
A recent edition of Pennsylvania Business CentralfeaturedaprofileofCentreCountyandanextensiveinterviewwithCBICC President and CEO Vern Squier. The interviewcoverstopicssuchastheimpactof entrepreneurship in new business growth;theCBICC’sroleineconomicdevelopment;thefactorsthatsetCentreCountyapartfromotherregions;andtheroleofPennStateUniversityineconomicdevelopment.Read it now.
In case you missed it: Centre County Gazette edition of front + Centre
County Business Success stories – Goot Essa, Mission Critical Partners and CBICC incubator company Lasers for InnovativeSolutions,amongthem.If you missed it, read it here now. A limited number of printed copies are availableattheCBICCoffices.
PA Free Enterprise Week highlighted at CBICC Business Before Hours
John Trombetta, president and CEO oftheFoundationforFreeEnterpriseEducation,wasthekeynotespeakerat a recent CBICC Business Before Hours program on PAFreeEnterpriseWeek.PFEWisanintensiveprogramthat educates high school students about the American free enterprise system.Sinceitsinception,PFEWhasbroughtmorethan33,000motivatedstudents together with business people from throughout the state. This year, 21 students from State College and Bald Eagle Area high schools in Centre County attended the program, which washeldoverfiveseparateweeksthis summer at Penn College and Lycoming College.
Two of those students – Andrew Hoag, State College High School, and NicholasCarlson,2014studentPFEWattendee, Bald Eagle Area High School –spokeattheevent,asdidChuckWitmer,CentreCountyControllerandLesley Kistner, CBICC Communications Director,bothPFEWvolunteerstudentadvisors.
ReadcoverageofthePFEWbreakfastprogram in the Centre Daily Times.
Conference brings together area businesses, international trade reps
TheCBICCservedasaGoldSponsorof the Central PA International Trade Conference,whichwasheldFriday,Sept. 19 at Hoag’s Celebration
The latest edition of front + Centre, Centre County Gazette edition, includes feature articles on a number of Centre
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SEPTEMBER 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 7
Publisher
Vern Squier
President/CEO, Chamber of
Business & Industry of Centre County
Writer
Lesley Kistner
Communications Director
HallinStateCollege.Theeventbrought together 52 people from 38 area companies with 17 of the state’s internationaltraderepresentatives.Theconferenceprovidedanexcellentopportunity for attendees to sit down individuallywiththeCommonwealth’sAuthorizedTradeRepresentativestodiscuss their strategies, opportunities, and potential in more than 40 different markets.AccordingtoSEDA-COG,whichpresented the conference, participating companiesrepresentedavarietyofindustriesandservices,includingsoftware,outdoor furniture, horse feed, wood products and higher education. The conferencewaspartofPennsylvaniaInternationalWeek.
Ribbon cutting marks major renovations at Sam’s Club
CBICC Communications Director Lesley Kistner was among the special guest speakerswhohelpedCBICCmemberSam’sClubontheBennerPikecelebrateits grand re-opening. Sam’s Club added a pharmacy, rotisserie, hearing aid center, selfcheckoutsandanewlargercaféand assortment offering. Sam’s Club also expanded the fresh meat and deli, frozenfoodandfreshproduceareas.Kistner said it is appropriate to celebrate the expansion and upgrade of existing businesses because it represents a
reinvestmentinthecommunityandarenewed commitment to being part of the fabric of Centre County’s economy. Helping existing businesses grow and prosper is part of the Chamber’s economicdevelopmentmission.AdditionalspeakersincludedstateRep.ScottConklinandCentralPAConventionandVisitors’BureauExecutiveDirectorBetsey Howell.
CBICC Workforce Development Committee examining employers’ workforce needs
TheCBICC’sWorkforceDevelopmentCommittee, co-chaired by Dr. Cheryl Potteiger, superintendent of the Bellefonte Area School District, and Bob O’Donnell, superintendent of the State College SchoolDistrict,iscontinuingitsworkonasurveydesignedtoassesstheworkforceneeds of Centre County employers. The end result will ultimately be the ability to betteraligntrainingwithskillsrequiredbybusiness.
Centre County contingent represented at first gubernatorial debate
The CBICC and a contingent from CentreCountywereonhandforthefirstgubernatorialdebatebetweenGov.Tom Corbett and his challenger, former stateRevenueSecretaryTomWolf.Thelocal contingent included Centre County CommissionersSteveDershem,chairman,
and Chris Exarchos, Centre County AdministratorTimBoyde,andofficialsfromPennStateUniversity,MissionCriticalPartners and CPI. Part of the group is pictureabove.
CBICC 2014 Election Series event
PA’s “Political Odd Couple”AlanNovak&T.J.RooneyNoon to 1:15 p.m.Tuesday, Oct. 28Toftrees Resort & Conference CenterModerated by: KevinNelson,“MorningGuyswithKevin&Jeff”WRSCFM103
Join the CBICC foralively,entertainingand timely program about the upcoming gubernatorialandlegislativeelections,and the national political scene. Held justdaysbeforetheGeneralElection,this special debate will feature two rivalPennsylvaniapartytitans–AlanNovak,thelongest-servingchairmanofPennsylvania’sRepublicanPartyandT.J.Rooney, a longtime state Democratic lawmakerandpartyoperative.
PoliticaljunkiesoranyoneinterestedinwhatmighthappenonNov.4andbeyondwillenjoyPennsylvania’sPoliticalOdd Couple.
Register today.
Business leaders and trade representatives meet at the conference on Sept. 19
