Why We Invested in Downtown State College
In downtown State College, the skyline is waking up. Among the cranes rising from the concrete, one stands for more than construction, it stands for momentum. The Nittany Residence Club, a nine-story condominium-hotel, has already sold over one-third of its 70 units—two years before opening. The question is: why so fast?
We can’t wait to meet you! Penns Valley Pedals and Pints
Buggy up! If you hear this term, it means you’re on your bike in Penns Valley, Centre County, PA and an Amish buggy is heading your way. Millheim is home of Penns Valley Pedals and Pints, one of the biggest consistent road riding bicycle clubs in the county. If you are hearing, “buggy up,” you know you’re in for a fun evening of beautiful scenery and a ride with a friendly biking club.
The Happy Valley Effect: Why America’s Retirement Wave Is Already Here—and Staying
Since 1990, Centre County’s 65+ population has surged by more than 90%, outpacing nearly every other age bracket. From 2010 to 2020 alone, that group grew by 34.2%, while the under-18 population grew just 2%. HappyValley isn’t just getting “more mature,” it’s getting smarter, more engaged, and more magnetic.
Our V8 Moment: The Future of Happy Valley Is Tourism — And It’s Already Here
How our students, fans, alums, retirees, outdoor lovers, and trail towns are quietly powering the most resilient economy in Pennsylvania. After four years of publishing over 600 custom stories—and diving deep into the data behind jobs, population, and regional trends—a powerful pattern emerged: Tourism isn’t just part of our economy. It is the engine.
Understanding the 2025 Federal Budget Law: What It Means for Centre County
A sweeping new federal budget law passed in July 2025 has major implications for Penn State students, local service workers, retirees, and the regional economy. Here’s a breakdown of the key facts, when they go into effect, and what they mean for our area—opinions, just the numbers:
The Game Behind the Game: What Every Local Needs to Know About Penn State Football in 2025
As the 2025 college football season kicks off, Penn State finds itself at the center of one of the most transformative eras in college athletics history. Beyond the touchdowns and tailgates, the evolving financial, legal, and operational forces now shaping college football are reshaping the Happy Valley economy and our community. Here’s your guide to all the moving parts.
A Snapshot in Time: Happy Valley’s Pink Pony Moment
It’s June 18, 2025.
There are just 45 workdays until students return for the first day of Penn State classes.
Have you been to a pool yet this summer?
Or has it just… rained every day since Memorial Day?
Around here, time moves both fast and strangely slow—until suddenly, it’s football season again. And this fall, as 100,000 fans pour into Beaver Stadium, there will be a moment—maybe between plays or during a timeout—when Pink Pony Club plays over the loudspeakers.
From Laughter to Leadership: How XL Fest Became a Blueprint for Belonging
What does it look like to grow something real—without losing the reason you started?
For James Tierney, co-founder of Happy Valley Improv, the answer came to life during XL Fest 2024. Eighty-one improvisers from across the country came to Central Pennsylvania expecting laughs. What they found instead was something deeper: hospitality that felt intentional, experiences that felt personal, and a weekend that felt more like a family reunion than a performance schedule.
It’s Common Sense: Connecting the Dots for Happy Valley’s Future
There’s something stirring in Happy Valley—and it’s not just economic development or the next phase of Penn State’s growth. It’s deeper. You can feel it in the questions people are asking. About leadership. About what kind of community we want to build—for ourselves and for the generations coming up behind us.
