CBICC INSIGHT INTO THE ISSUES, INDIVIDUALS, AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SHAPING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CENTRE COUNTY
in this issue SEPTEMBER 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 7 1 ‘State of the County’ Luncheon fosters dialogue between county commissioners, CBICC members 2 Agenda finalized for PSU Additive Manufacturing Conference 2 PSU president reinforces economic development mission during Board of Trustees presentation 3 Economic Developments in Brief 3 CBICC in Action
Chairman Steve Dershem addresses the luncheon attendees.
‘State of the County’ Luncheon fosters dialogue between county commissioners, CBICC members Nearly 180 CBICC members and community leaders attended the CBICC’s first annual State of the County Luncheon, held Sept. 16 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
CBICC Mission One of the largest chambers/ economic development organizations in Pennsylvania, the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County is the unified voice of businesses of all sizes and industry sectors in Centre County. The CBICC’s mission is to promote the well-being and growth of commerce and industry, while striving to maintain a high quality of life for those who live, work and do business in Centre County.
Commissioner Chairman Steve Dershem, and fellow commissioners Chris Exarchos and Michael Pipe, presented an overview of county government and finances, and provided updates on several projects, including the new 911 communications system and the courthouse addition. The commissioners also touched on potential challenges facing the county and proposed solutions.
The county’s role in economic development, specifically efforts to work in partnership 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 willingness to work with the Chamber and further engage in efforts to grow the local economy. Commissioners Dershem, Exarchos and Pipe said they appreciated the opportunity to provide an overview of county government to the business community. “It was a great opportunity to show the inner workings and complexities of county government,” Dershem said. “We were impressed with the turnout and felt it was a beneficial event for all involved. “We look forward to continuing the dialogue at future events like this one.”
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 Squier President and CEO
The luncheon was generously sponsored by M&T Bank.
Commissioner Michael Pipe shares information about services offered by the County.
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The CBICC thanks M&T Bank for sponsoring the luncheon and CBICC members and guests for the strong interest in the program. The Chamber plans to make the “State of the County” luncheon an annual event. 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
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National forum to focus on small- to medium-size business application of AM Registration is open and the agenda has been finalized for the National Forum on SME Adoption of Additive Manufacturing, which will focus on technical and business topics relevant to small and medium enterprises interested in this emerging industry. The Forum is sponsored by America Makes and the Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition (CIMP-3D) at Penn State. It will take place Oct. 22-24 at the Penn Stater Conference Center. The CBICC is helping to sponsor the forum along with Innovation Park. The objective of the forum, which is anticipated to attract business leaders and entrepreneurs from throughout the United States, will focus on defining the current capabilities of additive manufacturing in metals and exploring opportunities for small and medium size companies to make significant contribution in the adoption of this emerging technology. Between 400 and 500 people are expected to attend the Forum, which will have an “all-star cast” of keynote speakers from the AM industry. Penn State President Dr. Eric Barron and
Congressman Charlie Thompson, along with other dignitaries, will open the conference. This national forum will be an exciting and stimulating opportunity to discuss the technical and business aspects of additive manufacturing in an extraordinary atmosphere. If you are interested in learning more about the technology, application and business of additive manufacturing, make plans to attend this FREE event.
value the relationship we have with the university and the ongoing dialogue about strengthening the local and regional economy,” he said. “We have an opportunity like perhaps no other time in memory to work together to achieve our shared goals of greater opportunities for graduates and trailing spouses, more private industry and a more balanced local economy.”
Online registration is available here. A detailed conference agenda is available here.
PSU president reinforces economic development mission during Board of Trustees presentation At the recent meeting of the Penn State Board of Trustees, Penn State President Dr. Eric Barron continued to outline his economic development mission for the university. During his presentation, Barron encouraged the creation of a stronger “culture of entrepreneurship” at Penn State. Barron focused specifically on his plans to enable students of any major to become entrepreneurs by increasing the availability of business classes and partnering students with faculty members in order to increase the number of Penn State-driven startups. Barron also stressed greater interaction with economic development groups, specifically mentioning the CBICC.
2014 3B33 Support Partners The Centre County Economic Development Partnership and the CBICC recognize and thank the following organizations for their support of the Chamber’s 3B33 initiative: - First National Bank - Fulton Bank - Northwest Savings - M&T Bank - Reliance Bank - Kish Bank - Sovereign Bank - Penn State University - Ferguson Township - Centre County - Halfmoon Township - Patton Township - State College Borough
In an op-ed, the Centre Daily Times welcomed the university’s leadership role in economic development and urged Penn State to form meaningful partnerships with the Chamber and other organizations, such as Ben Franklin Technology Partners.
- Capparella Furniture
CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier said the Chamber, working with its community and local government partners, has been working on a comprehensive, proactive approach to economic development for some time. Squier said Penn State is a valued partner in that effort, which makes Barron’s focus all the more encouraging.
- PennTerra Engineering
“Chamber leadership and members
Add your company’s name to the growing list of 3B33 partners. Contact aharman@cbicc.org.
- Videon-Central - HFL Corporation - Mount Nittany Health - ParenteBeard
- Glenn O. Hawbaker - Poole Anderson Construction - McQuaide Blasko - Torron Group - Geisinger Medical
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Economic Developments in Brief CBICC participating in a Workforce Training Survey As part of an initiative through the state Department of Labor & Industry, the CBICC/CCIDC, as a partner in the Central PA Partnership for Regional Economic Performance and the Central Workforce Development Corporation are working to identify the hiring, training and business development needs of the regional business community. Workforce Needs Assessment surveys have been created for six industry sectors, including Advanced Manufacturing; Building and Construction; Logistics and Transportation; Healthcare; Hospitality; Leisure and Entertainment; and Business Services. If you would like to participate in the survey process, contact Mary Resides, Economic Development Team Specialist, at 814 234-1829 ext. 4 or mresides@cbicc. org.
CBICC to sponsor ‘Doing Business with Penn State University’ forum The CBICC has joined with SEDA-COG, the Innovative Manufacturing Center and the Penn State Small Business Development Center in sponsoring a “Doing Business with Penn State University” forum from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 4 at Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority, 253 Transfer Road in Bellefonte. Presented by Penn State Supplier Diversity Manager Duane Bullock and Penn State Contractor Liaison Vernon Davis, the forum will address how the university purchases products and services; how the find business opportunities with Penn State; how to get on Penn State’s Prequalified Bidders List; what is the Penn State Purchasing Card; and how to find construction opportunities with Penn State. Attendees will also learn more about the Office of Physical Plant Contractor Diversity Program. Online registration is available here.
including State College-based KCF Technologies. A CBICC member, KCF Technologies develops and sells wireless conditioned monitoring systems for the defense and industrial markets. The company’s SmartDiagnostics® gives machines a voice enabling a company to predict and detect problems with their equipment prior to experiencing a failure.
Is your business hiring or expanding? Does your company have an economic growth success story you’d like to share with CBICC members and front + Centre readers? Email your hiring, business expansion or product development news to CBICC Communications Director Lesley Kistner at lkistner@CBICC.org.
CBICC in Action Pennsylvania Business Central puts spotlight on Centre County A recent edition of Pennsylvania Business Central featured a profile of Centre County and an extensive interview with CBICC President and CEO Vern Squier. The interview covers topics such as the impact of entrepreneurship in new business growth; the CBICC’s role in economic development; the factors that set Centre County apart from other regions; and the role of Penn State University in economic development. Read it now.
In case you missed it: Centre County Gazette edition of front + Centre
PA Free Enterprise Week highlighted at CBICC Business Before Hours John Trombetta, president and CEO of the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, was the keynote speaker at a recent CBICC Business Before Hours program on PA Free Enterprise Week. PFEW is an intensive program that educates high school students about the American free enterprise system. Since its inception, PFEW has brought more than 33,000 motivated students 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 was held over five separate weeks this summer at Penn College and Lycoming College. Two of those students – Andrew Hoag, State College High School, and Nicholas Carlson, 2014 student PFEW attendee, Bald Eagle Area High School – spoke at the event, as did Chuck Witmer, Centre County Controller and Lesley Kistner, CBICC Communications Director, both PFEW volunteer student advisors. Read coverage of the PFEW breakfast program in the Centre Daily Times.
Conference brings together area businesses, international trade reps The CBICC served as a Gold Sponsor of the Central PA International Trade Conference, which was held Friday, Sept. 19 at Hoag’s Celebration
Ben Franklin invests in five central Pa. startups On Sept. 16, the board of Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central & Northern PA approved an investment totaling $475,000 in five companies,
County Business Success stories – Goot Essa, Mission Critical Partners and CBICC incubator company Lasers for Innovative Solutions, among them. If you missed it, read it here now. A limited number of printed copies are available at the CBICC offices.
The latest edition of front + Centre, Centre County Gazette edition, includes feature articles on a number of Centre
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and Chris Exarchos, Centre County Administrator Tim Boyde, and officials from Penn State University, Mission Critical Partners and CPI. Part of the group is picture above.
CBICC 2014 Election Series event
PA’s “Political Odd Couple” Alan Novak & T.J. Rooney Noon to 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28 Business leaders and trade representatives meet at the conference on Sept. 19
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Hall in State College. The event brought together 52 people from 38 area companies with 17 of the state’s international trade representatives. The conference provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to sit down individually with the Commonwealth’s Authorized Trade Representatives to discuss their strategies, opportunities, and potential in more than 40 different markets. According to SEDA-COG, which presented the conference, participating companies represented a variety of industries and services, including software, outdoor furniture, horse feed, wood products and higher education. The conference was part of Pennsylvania International Week.
Ribbon cutting marks major renovations at Sam’s Club CBICC Communications Director Lesley Kistner was among the special guest speakers who helped CBICC member Sam’s Club on the Benner Pike celebrate its grand re-opening. Sam’s Club added a pharmacy, rotisserie, hearing aid center, self checkouts and a new larger café and assortment offering. Sam’s Club also expanded the fresh meat and deli, frozen food and fresh produce areas. Kistner said it is appropriate to celebrate the expansion and upgrade of existing businesses because it represents a
reinvestment in the community and a renewed commitment to being part of the fabric of Centre County’s economy. Helping existing businesses grow and prosper is part of the Chamber’s economic development mission. Additional speakers included state Rep. Scott Conklin and Central PA Convention and Visitors’ Bureau Executive Director Betsey Howell.
CBICC Workforce Development Committee examining employers’ workforce needs The CBICC’s Workforce Development Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Cheryl Potteiger, superintendent of the Bellefonte Area School District, and Bob O’Donnell, superintendent of the State College School District, is continuing its work on a survey designed to assess the workforce needs of Centre County employers. The end result will ultimately be the ability to better align training with skills required by business.
Centre County contingent represented at first gubernatorial debate The CBICC and a contingent from Centre County were on hand for the first gubernatorial debate between Gov. Tom Corbett and his challenger, former state Revenue Secretary Tom Wolf. The local contingent included Centre County Commissioners Steve Dershem, chairman,
Toftrees Resort & Conference Center Moderated by: Kevin Nelson, “Morning Guys with Kevin & Jeff” WRSC FM103
Join the CBICC for a lively, entertaining and timely program about the upcoming gubernatorial and legislative elections, and the national political scene. Held just days before the General Election, this special debate will feature two rival Pennsylvania party titans – Alan Novak, the longest-serving chairman of Pennsylvania’s Republican Party and T.J. Rooney, a longtime state Democratic lawmaker and party operative. Political junkies or anyone interested in what might happen on Nov. 4 and beyond will enjoy Pennsylvania’s Political Odd Couple. Register today.
Publisher Vern Squier President/CEO, Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County Writer Lesley Kistner Communications Director LKistner@cbicc.org