History is big business in Bellefonte
By David Rockower Co-owners Dustin Elder and Matt Maris believe that one of the best ways to connect with a community is to learn its local history. Credit: Local Historia. When people ask me where I am from, and I answer, “State College, PA,” most people will steer the conversation toward football or Penn State. […]
How thriving nonprofits contribute to Happy Valley’s livability
By David Rockower It’s not uncommon to hear Happy Valley residents talk about what a great place it is to raise a family. They boast about the wonderful opportunities to explore our rivers, fish our streams and hike our trails. They appreciate the events that get us into the community where we can connect with […]
Increasing visibility, visitation and business opportunities
By David Rockower The Happy Valley Women’s Cycling group is led by founder and president, Tanya Campbell. Photo: Happy Valley Women’s Cycling. Even for life-long Happy Valley residents, it’s easy to miss just how much our area has to offer. Many of us remain tucked away at home, planning the occasional vacation to get out […]
Bellefonte’s SpringBoard set for expansion
By David Rockower Springboard, which opened in 2017 as an incubator and coworking space, is moving to The Lofts in downtown Bellefonte. Photo: Ellen Matis. With its local breweries, boutiques and cafes, the vibe in downtown Bellefonte is one of revitalization and change. Just a short drive from State College, Bellefonte continues to develop its […]
Getting creative with football weekend accommodations
By David Rockower According to the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau’s recent report on the impact of sports and tourism, when you consider ticketed attendees, media, tailgaters, and opposing teams, around 890,500 people enjoy Happy Valley during a typical football season. This regular influx of visitors has spurred creativity among lodging and accommodations businesses who have […]
The hybrid workplace: pandemic band-aid or enduring solution?
By David Rockower When the pandemic hit, there was no time to weigh the pros and cons, listen to employee opinions or create a balanced schedule; Covid-19 necessitated physical distancing and, as a result, many businesses made the switch to remote work. Soon, many employers started asking questions: Do we really need all that office […]
How apprenticeship programs help retain workers amid shortage
By David Rockower Credit: Pennsylvania College of Technology If you haven’t read about the labor shortage, you’ve more than likely experienced it firsthand at your favorite location restaurant or retail store, or even in your own firm. During a recent webinar sponsored by The Ben Franklin Learning Center, Shannon Munro shared details about what’s causing […]
Bringing a Goldilocks theater to downtown State College
By David Rockower The Nittany Performing Arts Center would be located at the corner of Beaver Avenue and Pugh Street in downtown State College. Photo: Wilson Butler Architects One of the many benefits of living in a university town is the opportunity to attend big events at first-rate venues. Big Ten football, basketball, baseball, wrestling […]
Entrepreneurship in the arts: beloved local children’s theater program changing hands
By David Rockower Leah Mueller and Jared Yarnall-Schane bring a wealth of experience to the local musical theater training group, Singing Onstage (Credit: Phelipe Paraense) After moving from State College to Bloomington, Indiana, Leah Mueller and husband Jared Yarnall-Schane were just settling in when they received a call from Heidi and Rich Biever, owners of […]
