State College Workshop Aims to Push Economic Development, Business Investment

With an eye to encouraging more local entrepreneurship, downtown development and other regional business growth, the State College Borough Redevelopment Authority will host a community workshop Saturday.

The Partnerships and Economic Development Workshop, sponsored by the borough RDA, is scheduled for 8 a.m. to noon in the borough municipal building, 243 S. Allen St.

Scheduled presenters include representatives from the Pittsburgh Redevelopment Authority, the Berks County Redevelopment Authority and Blue Tree Allied Angels, an investment group that focuses on regional, early-stage companies.

The gathering is meant ‘to help educate the community,’ said borough Planning Director Carl Hess. ‘We tried to get a broad representation’ from varied elements of economic development.

He said the borough has invited public officials from across the region, plus lenders, developers and some Penn State representatives — among others — to the event. It will be free and open to the general public, as well.

The borough RDA tries to host community workshops annually, each one highlighting different financial tools and concepts available to encourage economic growth and development, Hess said.

Saturday’s workshop agenda include particular emphases on public-private partnerships, small-business entrepreneurship and the growth of existing local businesses, Hess said. Conversation topics also are expected to include early-stage investment in young businesses, and revolving loans.

‘We think there may be people (in the area) who may have resources to be (early) investors’ in entrepreneurial efforts, Hess said. He said those investments can help ‘make the difference (for) a company that is successful and provides jobs for the long term. ….

‘That early-stage investment capital is not something that’s widely available in this part of the state,’ Hess added. ‘We hope that through this session, we can start to get that need identified, get that conversation going and fill out any gaps we might have in available resources.’

Workshop organizers have recommended that attendees pre-register by calling the borough planning office at (814) 234-7109 or by sending e-mail to planningdept@statecollegepa.us. Continental breakfast will be provided.

Hess said he hopes to see about 50 attendees. The borough is assisting with the speakers’ travel expenses, but not paying any honoraria, he said.