The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) hosted its annual Legislative Breakfast on March 20 at Toftrees Golf Resort, bringing together 150 business and community leaders for direct dialogue with elected officials. The event, part of CBICC’s Voice of Business series, focused on policy, economic development, and infrastructure priorities shaping Centre County.
Participants heard updates from U.S. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, Senator Cris Dush, Representative Kerry Benninghoff, and Representative Paul Takac in one-on-one discussions with CBICC President and CEO Greg Scott.
Key Takeaways by Legislator
Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15):
- Backed the bipartisan Farm Bill for small/mid-sized farms.
- Framed tariffs as part of a broader economic strategy.
- Pushed for continued workforce and education funding.
- NIH grant cap 15% cap on Facilities and Administrative costs that could cost Penn State $41.4M/year. Thompson emphasized the need for universities to clearly demonstrate the return on investment from federal research funding.
Senator Cris Dush (PA-25):
- Called for transparency around potential SCI Rockview closure.
- Urged regulatory reform to reduce business and infrastructure red tape.
Representative Kerry Benninghoff (PA-171):
- Shared updates on I-80/I-99 and Route 322 projects (final route decision by end of 2025).
- Announced PennDOT meeting with local leaders in June 2025 to discuss connectivity improvements including better access to the University Park Airport.
Representative Paul Takac (PA-82):
- Noted SCI Rockview’s $120M economic impact and need for transparency.
- Promoted agritourism and attainable housing to support growth.
- Advocated for long-term strategies to attract and retain businesses and residents.
