Quality of Life in Happy Valley
“Where else can I go for a remote hike, experience some of the best bird-watching, hang out at a quality coffee shop, check out a concert or show, and catch a Big-Ten sporting event all in the same day? Oh, and if I want more adventure, I can visit Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, DC, or NYC in under 5 hours.”
Playoff Fever hits Happy Valley
By Chris Buchignani What began as a dream is now reality: The unparalleled spectacle of a Penn State home football Saturday will collide with the national fanfare of college football’s first 12-team playoff right here in Happy Valley the weekend before Christmas. Fans and locals pondered the tantalizing possibility from the moment that the sport’s […]
Top 10 Reasons to be HappyValley Thankful
As we gather this Thanksgiving, the crew of HappyValley Industry reflects on all the incredible reasons to be grateful for living and working in Happy Valley, the vibrant home of Penn State University. From world-class education to natural beauty, here are 10 ranked reasons we’re celebrating this holiday season: 1. World-Class Education (Penn State ranks […]
Happy Valley’s role in the Alleghenies
By Jodie Dello Stritto In the state of Pennsylvania’s new tourism brand, the Great American Getaway, Happy Valley is featured prominently as a key destination in the Alleghenies region. The Alleghenies includes Centre, Cambria, Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Bedford and Fulton Counties and is a prime stop for visitors seeking a blend of natural beauty, […]
Getting around Happy Valley: It’s easier than you think
By Holly Riddle Photo by William F. Yurasko For those born and raised in Happy Valley — or at least for those who’ve lived in the region for the past few decades — it can be easy to settle into one’s little corner of the county and stay there, rarely venturing out to visit other […]
Happy Valley achieves major tourism goal
Beaver Stadium By: Sarah Taylor The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau recently announced that the region had marked a significant milestone: 5 million visitors and one billion dollars in visitor spending. Originally, the organization had hoped to reach this milestone by the end of 2024, but as of the end of 2023, we’re already there. According […]
Summer’s far from over: Late summer events bring visitor dollars to the region
By: Sarah Taylor While Happy Valley may be known as Penn State, and it’s easy to assume that most visitors come to the region for university-related events (like football games), when school’s out during the summer, Centre County still welcomes over 1.9 million visitors over the span of three months. Many June and July events […]
As the Centre Region Council of Governments nears its 55th year, leaders reflect on work improving the local community
By: Sarah Taylor Local construction underway | Image Credits: Council of Governments’ project update As Happy Valley community members go about their days — visiting parks and libraries, taking advantage of amenities like recycling centers and more — there’s an organization in the background, with a budget of approximately $24 million and more than 300 […]
Why Happy Valley transplants have stayed through the decades
By Sarah Taylor Penn State alum Steve Koval moved back to the Happy Valley region in 1986. Almost 40 years later, he’s the founder of Nittany Strategic Solutions LLC and plans to stay in the area for the long haul. His reasoning? Simple — the combination of “community, outdoor adventures, PSU events and family,” made […]
