The Centre Region A great place to live.... A booklet on the economy, governance, history, society, business, services and recreation of the Centre Region
2013 This booklet was prepared by the Centre Regional Planning Agency, July 2013.
Mark Boeckel - Senior Planner, Centre Regional Planning Agency Steven Arnold - GIS/Municipal Outreach Specialist, Penn State University, Ecosystem Science & Management, Geospatial Technology Program Table of Contents
Sections Introduction 4 Demographics 10 Housing 16 Economics 24 Parks & Open Space 28 Transportation 32 Socioeconomics 38 Community Facilities & Services 41 Regional Cooperation 44 Contact Information 47 4
The Centre Region
he Centre Region is comprised of six municipalities, Tincluding the Townships of College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris, and Patton as well as the Borough of State College. Introduction The Region is home to the Pennsylvania State University, more commonly referred to as Penn State. In addition to the Borough of State College, the Region also contains several towns and villages including Boalsburg, Lemont, Pine Grove Mills, and Stormstown. The 2010 United States Census results showed the population of the Centre Region as 92,096 people. The Centre Region has a total land area of 150.2 square miles with an overall population density of 613.2 persons per square mile.
Scenic view overlooking Happy Valley, Penn State University and downtown State College from atop the Tussey Mountain range.The beautiful Bald Eagle mountain range and Beaver Stadium can be seen in the background.
Penn State’s Old Main
State College made Money Magazine’s list of American Best Small Cities in 2007 and 2008. 5 Introduction
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26
99 99 Patton Toftrees Hous erv ille
99 220 College
Lemont
Park F ores t Penn Stat e Village Univ ersity
Stormstown State 45 College
322 State Game 322 Halfmoon Lands Boalsbur g
Harris
Ferguson Rothroc k State Fo rest Pine Grove Mills
26
45
Overview Map of the Centre Region’s Municipalities and location in Pennsylvania Introduction 6 and Spring Creekand Spring Park. Nittany, includingMount space andparkland, Nature Marsh theMillbrook Center, addition to developed areas, the Township alsocontains large amounts ofopen along Route 26,have beendeveloped withcommercial uses. andindustrial In Hall, areas Lemont, ofthe Other andHouserville. Township, those particularly to State College Borough, the Township alsocontains thethree villagesofOak additionto residentialIn developments whichare located withincloseproximity Township isalsohometo Penn State’s Innovation Park aswell astheNittany Mall. Center, bothofwhichare large employers intheRegion andtheCounty. The of thePennsylvania State University Campus aswell Nittany astheMount Medical define themunicipality’s overall character. The Township includesalarge portion residential neighborhoods, and commercial uses, andindustrial allofwhich The Township oflanduses, ishometo avariety includingrural farms, villages, governed by afive membercouncil. inoverallsq. miles)andfourth population (9,521)intheRegion. The Township is the Pennsylvania State College. The Township intotal rankslandarea fifth (18.3 andBenner ofHarris from parts Townships andwas namedfor what was then College Township was formally incorporated in1875. The Township was formed College Township -18.3sqmi. andcharacter. hasitsown uniquehistory eachmunicipality and services, respective communities. While thesemunicipalitiesshare many regional qualities The Centre Region iscomprised ofsixindividualmunicipalitiesandtheir MUNICIPALITIES OF THE CENTREREGION Scenic view of Mount NittanyScenic viewofMount setting close to the heart oftheCentresetting closeto theheart Region. space areas, suchasState Lands176,provide Game arural Space Program. The Township’s numerous andopen farms from development through the Township’s 153Open ACT uses. 2,000acres Over ofopenspace have beenpreserved land area residential beingdevoted to large-lot primarily Township isagricultural orforested lands, withtheremaining the villageofStormstown. 86%ofthelandarea Nearly ofthe ofisresidentialmajority areas beinglocated inoradjacent to Halfmoon Township rural withthe incharacter isprimarily Township isgoverned by afive memberBoard ofSupervisors. population (2,667)ofany Centre Region municipality. The in overall landarea (22.6sq. miles)buthasthesmallest throughout thevalley. Halfmoon Township ranks fourth on trees by Native asameansto Americans routes mark its namefrom thecrudehalf-moonshapedfigures etched Halfmoon Township was establishedin1847andreceived TownshipHalfmoon -23.6sqmi. Downtown State College contains numerous stores and restaurants 7 Introduction Harris Township - 31.3 sq mi. Harris Township was established in 1835 and was formed from parts of Ferguson, Spring, and Potter Townships. The Township was named for James Harris; a surveyor who helped found Bellefonte and served as the area’s first State Senator. The Township has the second largest land area (31.9 sq. miles) in the Centre Region but the second smallest population (4,873). The Township is governed by a five member Board of Supervisors. Harris Township is characterized by several villages surrounded primarily by farms and woodlands. These villages include Boalsburg, Linden Hall, and Shingletown. Boalsburg, the largest village in the Township, contains a historic mixed-use district surrounded by residential and commercial areas. Linden Hall and Shingletown are smaller and contain a few dwellings each and are typical of rural villages found throughout the Commonwealth’s agricultural areas. A large portion of the Township is located within the Rothrock State Forest, which offers a variety of recreational opportunities for Centre Region residents. Ag lands at Penn State’s Russel E. Larson Agricultural Research Center in Ferguson Township
Ferguson Township - 47.6 sq mi. Tussey Mountain Ski Resort in Harris Township Ferguson Township was established in 1801 and was named for Thomas Ferguson, an early settler in the area. Portions of the original Township would later be used in the formation of other Townships. The Township has the largest land area of any Centre Region municipality (48.1 sq. miles) and the second highest population (17,690). The Township is governed by a five member Board of Supervisors. Despite the Township’s large population, the majority of the land area of the Township today is rural in character, with much of it being used for agricultural purposes. The most densely populated areas of the municipality are located close to its border with the Borough of State College, and include residential neighborhoods, commercial establishments, and office parks. In addition to developments near State College Borough, the Township also has several smaller village communities including Pine Grove Mills, Gatesburg, and Rock Springs. A portion of the Pennsylvania State University Campus as well as the majority of the University’s agricultural research land is also located in the Township. Introduction 8 State College andtheCentral Pennsylvania Festival oftheArts. restaurants. The Borough alsohostsnumerous annualevents suchasFirst Night contains ofhousingdevelopments avariety aswell asnumerous shopsand area. to Due itsproximity to theUniversity Park Campus, thedowntown area the Pennsylvania State University Campus andavibrant mixed-use downtown the Borough isdefinedby itshistoric residential whichsurround neighborhoods The Borough ofState College center istheurban oftheRegion. The of character governed by aMayor andseven membercouncil. grew astheUniversity expanded andincreased enrollment. The Borough is has itsmaincampuslocated adjacent to downtown State College. The Borough theneedsofPennsylvaniainitially grew to support State University, which of any intheCentre community Region aswell asCentre County. The town was establishedin1896. Today, theBorough hasthelargest population (42,034) formedThe lastmunicipality intheCentre Region, theBorough ofState College State College Borough -4.6 sqmi. First indowntown Night State College numerous trails andwalking. for hiking Commonwealth, isalsolocated inPatton Township andoffers oak barren remaining intheexamples ofapitch pine-scrub oftheScotiaBarrens, whichisoneofthe largestA portion commercial Street. Atherton retailers located alongNorth The Township alsohasnumerous shoppingcenters andlarge planned communities suchasPark Forest Village and Toftrees. ofresidentialto avariety neighborhoods, includinglarge and commercial uses. andindustrial The Township ishome residential residential developments, housing, high-density uses includingagricultural lands, openspace, suburban Patton Township andrural iscomprised ofamixurban member Board ofSupervisors. in theCentre Region. The Township isgoverned by afive also hasthethird highestmunicipal population (15,311) Township ranks third inoverall landarea (24.8sq. miles)and for theoperation oftheCentre Furnace iron works. The for Colonel JohnPatton, whopurchased largeofland tracts Region, was incorporated in1794. The Township was named Patton Township, intheCentre theoldestmunicipality Patton Township -24.6sqmi. ofcommercialA variety businessesinPatton Township 9 Introduction Beaver Stadium Beaver Bear Meadows Natural Area Natural Bear Meadows Ample lodging in the Centre Region in the Centre lodging Ample Central Pennsylvania Fesival of the Arts Fesival Pennsylvania Central 10 Demographics The Centre Region had atotal had Region population92,096The Centre of according to the2010U.S.according of theresults Census. future growth. growth, that have factors affected growth, anditsprojected thepopulationwill describe profile oftheRegion, its historic demands onthecommunity’s infrastructure. This section oftheCentreeconomic stability Region andhasplaced This increase inpopulation hasgreatly contributed to the become more suburbanized. growth anddevelopment, asformerly rural areas have fiveintervening decadeshave seensteady population surrounded by valleyand mountain farmland ridges. The ofthe theboundaries depict clearly “university town” Aerial photographs from themiddleof20thcentury ofamoreamenities typical cosmopolitan area. demographic profile andtheavailability ofthecommunity of University. The influence oftheUniversity isreflected inthe oftheproximity from ofPenn thembydistinct virtue State to Central itsneighboring Pennsylvania municipalities, yet rooted firmly community intheagricultural lifestyle common Comprehensive Plan characterized theCentre Region asa steady population growth anddevelopment. The 1976 thepastseveralOver decades, theRegion hasexperienced it. that support and theservices Region hasbeencloselytiedto thegrowth oftheUniversity University. Since that ofgrowth time, themajority inthe School, whichistoday asthePennsylvania known State in themid-1800swithfounding oftheFarmers’ High natural resources, theeconomy oftheRegion beganto shift oflinked to agricultural andtheextraction production with adiverse population. While growth early was closely agricultural into community primarily ametropolitan area eighteenth century, theCentre Region hasgrown from a F Population Statistics ollowing the arrival of the earliest settlersinthelateollowing oftheearliest thearrival 11 Demographics 322 45 Harris g 26 Boalsbur ollege C emont L 322 e e 99 lleg Stat Co ersity nn State Univ Pe 26 s rove Mill Pine G 220 tton 99 Pa rguson Fe 45 99 ry da un ry da un rowth Bo l Bo pa Halfmoon Map 1 - 2010 Census Population Density Map of the Centre Region Density Map of the Centre Population Map 1 - 2010 Census nici gional G Mu Re Stormstown e il m re 0 00 05 ua 0 50 17 sq 25000 r 1 - 100 pe 1 - 55 1 - 37 51 - 00 - wer than 1 s nd 10 55 37 25 Fe 10 ge rson Le Pe 12 Demographics ages intheCentre Region, likelytheresult ofarelatively low concentration ofstudents andalarge numberoffamilies. decrease of1,169persons, or14%.As shown inFigure 3,HalfmoonandHarris Townships continue previous trends by having thehighestmedian or 61%. While mostagegroups experienced moderate increases, othersexperienced declines, suchasthe35-44agegroup whichexperienced a groups. 2000and2010,the55-64agegroup Between experienced thehighestpercentage ofgrowth withapopulation increase of2,601persons State College Borough, whichsaw slight declines. This trend islikelyaresult ofincreases inthe55+population alongwithdeclinesinyounger age The oftheRegion’s medianagebetween 2000and2010hasincreased inthemajority municipalities, withtheexception ofPatton Township andthe This percentage ishighwhencompared to Centre County (28.9%)ortheState ofPennsylvania (9.9%)(Figure 2). population intheCentre Region. Basedonthe2010U.S. Census, 43.1%oftheresidents oftheCentre Region were between 18and24years ofage. Similar to many university andcollege communities, (18-24years) comprises thelargest thestudent agecohort percentage oftheoverall AGE Figure 1. municipalities canbefound 1. onMap The inrelation population ofeachmunicipality to thetotal population ofthe Centre Region isshown in The leastdenselypopulated was Halfmoon municipality Township with118personspersquare mile. Population for density allCentre Region The mostdenselypopulated inthe Centre municipality Region in2010was theBorough ofState College with9,341personspersquare mile. 150.2 square miles, theoverall oftheRegion in2010was population 613.2personspersquare density mile. increase of16%thepopulation oftheRegion in2000andanincrease of30.4%thepopulation oftheRegion in1990. With atotal landarea of Based ontheresults ofthe2010United States Census, theCentre Region hadapopulation of92,096persons. This population count represents an TOTAL POPULATION ANDPOPULATION DENSITY Figure 1-Centre Region 2010Population by Municipality 4,873 2,667 9,521 15,311 Source: U.S.Census Bureau 17,690 42,034 State College Ferguson Patton College Harris Halfmoon 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 0 5 Under 18 Under Figure 2-Age asPercentage ofPopulation 18 - 24 Centre Region Source: U.S.Census Bureau 25 - 34 Centre County Centre 35 - 44 45 Pennsylvania - 54 55 - 64 65 and 65 over
13 Demographics 92,096
2010 79,406
2000 70,607
1990 62,019
1980 53,639
1970 35,147
1960 24,777
1950 11,806
Source: U.S. Census Bureau U.S. Census Source: 1940 9,259
1930 6,929
1920 6,346 1910
Total Population Total 5,877 1900 Figure 5 - Growth of the Centre Region by Decade by Region of the Centre 5 - Growth Figure POPULATION GROWTH TRENDS POPULATION has Region of the Centre the population returns, census historical Based upon 1900, the Since century. of the 20th beginning the since significantly grown of 2.5%. rate annual an average at has grown Region Centre of the population on an average in population increase the overall represents rate this growth While in growth population early the 20th and centuries, 21st throughout annual basis 1970, the Since decades. in recent pace a slower has been occurring at the Region The of 1.4%. annual rate an average at has grown Region in the Centre population 5. in Figure can be found each decade for count population in the Centre growth population chapter, of this the beginning at mentioned As University State of the Pennsylvania growth the has been closely tied to Region in the growth 5, population and the services support that in Figure shown As it. average The 1940 and 1970. between the highest rates at grew Region Centre with a total 5% per year, period was during this 30 year rate annual growth Between 1940 period. of 354% during this 30 year in population growth overall in it student growth a period of rapid also saw University State and 1970, Penn 6,692 students was University State Penn at Inpopulation. 1940, enrollment 1970-1971, by 28,920 students to had grown number This PSU Factbook). (Source: during30 this same enrollment in student a 332% increase to which amounts student the University’s between rates similarityThe in growth time period. year the close relationship illustrates population Region’s Centre and the enrollment of the University. and the growth of the Region the growth between 3.25 41 27 38.7 32.7 44.8 21.5 2010 8.45 % Population 2010 Population % 3.67 Hispanic 36.2 31.8 34.6 39.5 28.2 21.8 2000 2.3 Asian 6.59 % Population 2000 Population % 2.98 34.4 31.9 30.5 34.2 28.9 21.7 1990 Source: U.S. Census Bureau U.S. Census Source: Source: U.S. Census Bureau U.S. Census Source: African American African 1.56 5.3 Figure 3 - Median Age Comparison 3 - Median Age Figure % Population 1990 Population % 2.66 Municipality College Ferguson Halfmoon Harris Patton College State Figure 4 - Minority Population Change 1990-2010 Change 4 - Minority Population Figure DEMOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY is home to Region Like the country the Centre as a whole, diverse increasingly has been becoming that a population the racial Census, Based on the 2010 decades. in recent 3.7% 84.9% white, characteristics were of the Region 0.1% American Indian, 0.04% African-American, 8.45% Asian, and 0.9% some other race, Islander, Hawaiian/Pacific Native 3.3% of the total Approximately races. or more 2.02% two minorities Although make Hispanic/Latino. was population in the Centre population of the overall up a small percentage the over steadily grown minorityRegion, have populations 4. in Figure decades as shown past two 14 Demographics 20 year timeperiod. percentage, represents anincrease offewer thesame than1,200people during note that Halfmoon Township’s population growth, whilesignificant interms of Region, hasexperienced slower growth to inrecent isimportant decades. It complexes. State College Borough, whichrepresents core theurban ofthe corresponds ofseveral to theconstruction large apartment student-oriented Townships apparent the1990-2000timeframe, during which isparticularly As shown inFigure 6,aspikeinpopulation growth inFerguson andPatton illustrated 1. inMap responsible for thisshift. partially The population oftheRegion is distribution Borough, coupled withthenewgrowth occuring inoutlyingmunicipalities, is compared withonly45%today. The limited amount ofvacant landwithinthe Borough contained 70%oftheentire nearly population oftheCentre Region, has changedover time. themiddleof20thcentury, During State College the pastseveral decades, thelocation ofthis growth throughout theRegion While theCentre Region hasexperienced substantial population growth over POPULATION PATTERNS GROWTH Figure 6-Population Growth by 1990,2000&2010 Municipality 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 5000 0 Halfmoon Harris Source: U.S.Census Bureau 1990 College 2000 Patton 2010 Ferguson State College State see moderate population increases. Township. areas oftheCentre Other Region are forecasted to in Ferguson Township andfor the Toftrees area ofPatton Growth isforecasted for theCircleville Farm/Imbt properties Area are builtout. Service Regional Growth Boundary/Sewer as largeoflandzoned for tracts development withinthe Ferguson andPatton Townships between 2010and2040 Significant population growth isforecasted to continue in and itsmunicipalitiescanbefound inFigure 7. year. The 2040forecasted population for theCentre Region of theCentre Region isestimated at approximately 0.8%per input from municipalofficials, thefuture population growth trends, existing zoning, approved development plans, and a slight inthisrate reduction ofgrowth. analyzingpast By 1.4% for thepast30years. Forecasts for 2010-2040predict The population oftheCentre Region hasgrown at arate of FUTURE POPULATION FORECASTS Halfmoon 2,667
4,031 Figure 7-Forecast Population Growth
Harris 4,873 Source: Centre RegionalPlanning Agency 2010 Population 7,281 through 2040 College 9,521
12,893 00Pplto Forecast 2040 Population
Patton 15,311
20,648 Ferguson 17,690
24,704 State College State
42,034
44,553 15 Demographics into Ferguson Township. Township. Ferguson into The photos above illustrate growth in parts of Ferguson Township and State College Borough over Borough over College and State Township growth illustrate above in parts of Ferguson The photos shows an area of mostly farmland from and few 1957, on the left, The photo a 50 year period. shows whereresidential growth from2010, right, the on expanded has photo The residentialhomes. 16 Housing landscapes, makingitanidealplaceto live, work, andplay. urban has a balance and rural Region of The Centre New home construction intheCentreNew homeconstruction Region T Community Form/Development maps illustrating thehousingunitgrowth forecasts. and oftheexisting housingstock, Region, thecharacteristics This chapter oftheCentre thebuiltcharacter describes for more ruralthe boundary development. growth to appropriate areas areas outside of whilepreserving the Regional Growth of Boundary, themajority helpdirect the Centre Region municipalities. Regional policies, suchas attributed to longterm planningpoliciesagreed uponby reason behindthisconcentration ofdevelopment canbe land for usescompatible withitsrural nature. ofthe Much to core thesurrounding theurban oftheRegion, preserving of State College inrecent decades, mostgrowth remains close Although development has spread outward from the Borough playedindustries settlement intheearly ofRegion. dominance that agriculture andothernatural resource based found throughout thearea that backto reflect theoriginal Borough ofState College, smallvillagesandtowns are also more form urban and development found density inthe additionto the oftheRegion. andcharacter In the history expanses ofagricultural andnatural landsthat helpmaintain in more cosmopolitan areas whilestillpossessinglarge tois fortunate have many amenitiessimilarto thosefound seealossoftheiroriginal character,often theCentre Region environment. Unlikemany growing metropolitan areas that development densitiesthat helpcreate anattractive built core,urban surrounded oflandusesand by awidevariety he Centre Region ischaracterized by acentrally located Housing 17 322 45 Harris g e 26 Boalsbur olleg C emont L 322 e e 99 y olleg Stat C ersit nn State Univ Pe 26 s rove Mill Pine G tton 220 Pa 99 rguson ry da Fe 45 un e Lands ry am da G wth Bo ro 99 l Boun es G rest & pa ur Fo ci onal ni Feat Regi Mu State Map 2 - New Construction in the Centre Region 2004 - 2011 Region Map 2 - New Construction in the Centre Municipal Municipal Halfmoon Stormstown l pe ia nt Ty t de mi l Resi ia er y nt il t de am F tion/P home o Resi tmen le n- ar nd nd wn ng Ap To Si No Co ge nstruc ! ! ! ! ! Le Co 18 Housing proximity to thesesmallerpopulation centers, many have retained theirhistoric character. Several ofthesetowns andvillagesare below. described role that agriculture andnatural resource played basedindustries settlement intheearly ofarea. While somegrowth hasoccurred inclose additionto themoreIn urbanized areas found inthecore oftheregion, there are alsonumerous towns 3)that the reflect andvillages(Map TOWNS AND VILLAGES OF THE REGION Pittsburgh. The villagetoday ischaracterized by amixofolderandnewer homes, several buildings, community andarestaurant. TownshipHalfmoon Stormstown, –Stormstown was established in1800by Jacob Storm and was situated ontheroad from Bellefonte to The area today ofhousingtypes, ischaracterized bymany avariety ofthemhistoric. Harris TownshipShingletown, –Shingletown, namedfor itsfounder, was settledabout1820andonce hadbothagrist millandasaw mill. other commercial establishments. The areas surrounding thetraditional villagehave development seensomemodern inrecent decades. located at thebaseof Tussey additionto historic residences, In Mountain. thevillagehasaschool, store, post office, dairy and Pine Grove Mills, Ferguson Township in1791by –Settled Thomas Ferguson, Pine Grove isapredominantly Mills residential village The area andmany was nineteenth originally settledintheearly withinthearea ofthestructures century today date from that timeperiod. Oak Hall, College Township –OakHallisasmall, rural hamletlocated Creek alongSpring ontheroad between LindenHallandLemont. today ofresidential consists primarily homes, many ofwhichare older, aswell convenience asamodern store. Matternville,Patton Township – Named for John Mattern who settled in the area in 1794, Matternville once had an iron foundry. The area railroad stop. The villagetoday consists ofhistoric primarily residential surrounded structures by andopenspace. farms Linden Hall, Harris Township around –Settled theendof18thcentury, asa LindenHallwas once homeofagrist millandalsoserved today ischaracterized by architecturally diverse residences aswell asamixofcommercial businesses. CollegeLemont, Township –Lemont was formally laidoutat Creek Nittany thebaseofMount alongSpring in1870. The village ofolderhomesaswellconsists ofavariety asnewdevelopments. The area islocated adjacent to Creek Spring Park. College TownshipHouserville, isasmall, residential primarily settlerinthearea, town. anearly –Namedafter Houserville The area located neartheScotiaRange. FergusonGatesburg, Township –Originally settledasaniron ore producing center, Gatesburg remains asmallrural community landscape andcontains amixofresidential andcommercial uses. andmostprominentearliest citizens. Boalsburgexample ofthemany isaprime postvillagesthat once dotted thePennsylvania Harris TownshipBoalsburg, –Originally settledin1810asSpringfield, thevillagewas later renamed to oneofits Boalsburg after located on Whitehall closeto withPA Road itsintersection Route 45. Ferguson TownshipBaileyville, by –Settled Bailey, Richard settlerofFerguson anearly Township, isasmallrural village Baileyville
Housing 19 322 45 k rest Hall Linden Fo Rothroc State g Harris 26 oalsbur B Oak Hall ollege C Lemont n ille 322 erv ous Shingletow H 99 ollege State C 26 e ov Gr ills M Pine 220 99 tton Pa guson r 45 Fe ille v Game 99 Lands ttern State Ma ille yv Map 3 - Location of Villages in the Centre Region in the Centre Villages of Map 3 - Location Baile Halfmoon g Stormstown tesbur Ga 20 Housing Region in1990(5.2%)and2000(3.9%). the34,832housingunitsinRegion in2010,approximatelyOf 4.6%ofthemwere unoccupied. This figure rate issimilarto thevacancy inthe associated withthePennsylvania State 4). University (seeMap municipalitiesandthroughout to theRegion ofrental asawholeisrelated thelarge studentproportion unitsinparticular population inpart the highestpercentage ofhousingunitsinState College Borough (79.3%),Ferguson Township (41%), andPatton Township (54.5%). The higher ratesoccupancy were highestinHalfmoon Township (91.9%),Harris Township (75.9%),andCollege Township (75.6%).Rentalunitscomprise hasremained constant fairly occupancy over thepasttwo decades, with43%ofunitsbeingowner occupied in1990and45%2000.Owner The U.S. Census in2010indicated that 45%oftheRegion’s 33,231occupied housingunitswere owner occupied. This percentage ofowner HOUSING OCCUPANCY Figure 8illustrates amongthemunicipalitiesin2010. thehousingunitdistribution units. The remaining housingunitsare distributed throughout theRegion’s municipalities, following asimilartrend aspopulation distribution. occupied. The mostdenselypopulated intheCentre municipality Region, theBorough ofState College, contains 37.3%oftheRegion’s housing At thetime2010U.S. Census indicated theCentre Region hadatotal thesehousingunits, of34,832housingunits. atotal Of of33,231were HOUSING UNITS Figure ofHousinginCentre 8-Distribution Region 2.8% 11.2% 6.2% 21% Source: U.S.Census Bureau 37.3% 21.5% State College Ferguson Patton College Harris Halfmoon Housing 21 322 45 Harris g 26 oalsbur B ollege C emont L 322 99 ollege State C ersity nn State Univ Pe 26 rove ills M Pine G 220 tton 99 Pa guson r Fe 45 99 ry Map 4 - Housing Density in Centre Region Map 4 - Housing Density in Centre da ry da h Boun un wt es ro Bo ur l G pa ci Feat Halfmoon ni Regional Mu Stormstown Municipal Municipal acre r 50 00 its pe .5 8 - 0. 1 20 un 0 - - 2. - 10 - 1 g 0 nd 0.51 1.6 2.9 11 0. 0.01 in us ge Ho Le 22 Housing populations whileothersremain traditional singlefamilyneighborhoods. complexes. student serve apartment primarily oftheseneighborhoods Some including historic singlefamilydwellings aswell asmultiplefamilydwellings and State College’s are ofbuilding styles, neighborhoods comprised ofavariety Region. State College ofany alsohasthehighestpopulation density area intheCentre complexesresidential apartment andoverall development density, downtown by amixofoffices, restaurants, andretail establishments. to Due itsmany College area contains atraditional downtown atmosphere that ischaracterized adjacent to thePennsylvania State University Campus, thedowntown State and ischaracterized by avibrant mixed-use downtown environment. Located The Borough ofState center astheurban College for serves theCentre Region URBAN CENTER Aerial viewofdowntown State College A portion ofthedowntown onCollegeA portion retail district ofthehistoric Holmes-FosterA hometypical neighborhood Avenue Housing 23 322 45 Harris g 26 Boalsbur ollege C emont L 322 99 e ollege State C ersity nn Stat Univ Pe 26 rove ills M Pine G tton 220 Pa 99 s guson ry r da Fe 45 ry ame Land da h Boun s loped Land wt re & G ro Boun st tu l 99 y Deve re ea pa Fo ci onal G entl e rr gi at Cu St Re Muni Municipal F Municipal Map 5 - Forecast Growth of the Centre Region 2009 - 2040 Region of the Centre Growth Map 5 - Forecast ) Halfmoon Us (D s Stormstown UNits g in ll wth Area we Gro D al 0 0 0 0 0 0 ti recast en id - 204 - 202 - 203 - 204 - 202 - 203 Fo es 31 09 21 31 09 21 of nd 20 20 20 20 20 20 ng ge ! ! ! mi Le Single R Ti Economics 24 2012 as one of thetop businessand2012 asoneof for 50BestSmallPlaces The State College MSAwaslisted byForbes Magazine in The iconic Corner andHotel Room State College careers. T Economics: Workforce &Labor unemployment rate intheentire state. College MSA/Centre County experienced thelowest annual from 2011,theState 5.3%to 6).In 6.0%in2011(seeMap Statistical Area, whichincludesallofCentre County, ranged that unemployment rates for theState College Metropolitan as occurred in2008. The Bureau ofLaborStatistics reported somewhat buffered from national economic upheavals, such downturns,despite recessionary thesecommunities are benefits notfound insimilarsized communities. As aresult, these smallermetro areas enjoy andcultural intellectual and qualitiesasotheruniversity communities. Nationwide, The State College MSAhasmany ofthesamecharacteristics and retail. other industries, from research anddevelopment to tourism The presence oftheUniversity hasaffected thegrowth of household income levels, butalsoinlocal businessactivities. the University isfelt notonlyinpersonalemployment and economic engine ofCentral Pennsylvania. The influence of employer intheCentrebeen theprimary Region andthe For many years, thePennsylvania State University has counties. of Centre County, aswell asresidents from surrounding center for localresidents, residents from outlyingareas central Pennsylvania. The Centre Region isanemployment College Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) andfor muchof he Centre Region istheeconomic center for theState Economics 25 0 01 2 % % % % 6% nt .7 .7 .8 .8 1. 7 8 9 1 6 - - - - - me 9% 8% 8% 9% 7% oy 6. 7. 8. 9. 5. nd empl ge Un Le Centre County Map 6 - Unemployment Rate by County in Pennsylvania 2010 in Pennsylvania County Rate by Map 6 - Unemployment Economics 26 slightly more Figure than10%ofthelocaljobmarket. inlocalemployment. 10summarizes thepercentage ofeachindustry Center.Medical Figure eachcomprise 9liststhe10largest employers industry andentertainment inthe Centre salesandthearts Region. Retail industries. This figure isnotsurprising, considering theRegion’s two largest employers are thePennsylvania State Nittany University andtheMount According to theUnited States Census Bureau, approximately 42%ofemployed residents intheRegion work intheeducation andhealthcare EMPLOYMENT SECTORS Mount NittanyMount Physicians Group Accuweather Dante’s Inc. Wegman’s HRI Inc. CorporationRaytheon Wal-Mart Stores State College Area District School Center NittanyMount Medical Penn State University Figure 9- Top Centre Region Employers Employer Source: Centre Times Daily #Employees 23,186 1,384 1,421 317 350 367 420 500 502 815 Figure 10-Percentage ofEmployment by Industry Arts, Recreation & Food Services Finance, EstateInsurance & Real Transportation & Utilities& Transportation Education &Care Health Professional & Scientific & Professional Public Administration Public in Centre Region 2000 &2010 Agriculture/Forestry Wholesale Trade Wholesale Manufacturing Other Services Construction Retail Trade Retail Information Source: U.S.Census Bureau Percentage 2000 Percentage 0 10 Percentage 2010 Percentage 20 30 40 50 Economics 27 322 45 Harris g 26 Boalsbur ollege C emont L 322 99 e ollege State C ersity nn Stat Univ Pe 26 rove ills M Pine G tton 220 Pa 99 guson r Fe 45 ds dary Lan 99 Boun me dary h Ga wt es ro Boun ur G est & at pal or F Map 7 - Employer Concentration in the Centre Region in the Centre Concentration Map 7 - Employer ci Fe e ni l pa Regional Mu Stat ci Halfmoon Muni Stormstown es es loye es es loye mp loye ye e mp lo re mp mp mo 49 e e ocations L 24 - er 250 - 499 e 25 - 2 1 500 or nd ploy ge ! ! ! ! Le Em 28 Parks & Open Space Centre Region, includingneighborhood,Centre and community There are over 1,000 acres of parkland of withinthe 1,000acres over are There Sunrise atSunrise Tom Tudek park Memorial on abeautifulwinter morning regional parks.regional Parks Space &Open T the environment andaddingto ofthearea. thecharacter related functions to protecting important allserve properties onwhichdevelopmentproperties hasbeenrestricted. These open space provided inresidential subdivisions, andother from development easements, by conservation dedicated available for publicaccess, protected includesfarmland Privately heldopen space, whichmay ormay notbe Centre Region withcleanerairto breathe andwater to drink. thenatural ecosystem,preserving provides whichinturn the habitats for wildlife. in avitalfunction Openspace serves providing and ascorridors aestheticvalue, andalsoserving asgreenwaysareas act often throughout thecommunity, that have asdedicated beenpreserved openspace. These Open space resources includebothpublicandprivate lands OPEN SPACE RESOURCES high assomethingthat residents value anddesire. the availability ofandaccess to andopenspace parks ranked by conducted theCentresurvey Regional Planning Agency, buffers between different landuses. As shown inarecent decreased noisepollution,recreational and opportunities, including stabilization andimprovement values, ofproperty also provide ofotherbenefitsto thecommunity avariety the Region anattractive place to visit. These resources residents, thelocaleconomy by butalsohelpsupport making These amenitiesoffer notonlyrecreationalfor opportunities oflifethe highquality experienced by theRegion’s residents. state forests allofwhichhelpcontribute andparklands, to space resources, numerous parks, andeasyaccess to nearby he Centre Region to isfortunate have abundant open Parks & Open Space 29 322 45 Harris 26 oalsburg B ollege C t emon L 322 99 e e ollege Stat C ersity enn Stat Univ P 26 e s Mill ine Grov P tton 220 Pa 99 guson r Fe 45 y oundary m 99 ar B ea th tr S ream ound nt St te Map 8 - Parks & Open Space in the Centre Region in the Centre & Open Space Map 8 - Parks pal B atures ci n rmit Fe ni l te Regional Grow Regional Mu Perennial In cipa ni Halfmoo n Mu Stormstow e ac Sp s blic pu Lands Lands
i- em rest Preserve & Fo e Game e e at at Open Space Open Recreation & Open Open & Recreation Public/S St St Parks Parks nd & ge Le Parks Parks 30 Parks & Open Space neighborhood parks,neighborhood parks, community andregional parks. (Figure1,000 acres ofparkland 11)located withintheCentre Region, including Centre Region anattractive place to live, total, andvisit. In work, there are over and hostevents. The abundance located ofparks withinthearea make the toand visitors recreate, withtheability relax, gatherings, engageincommunity The Centre Region ishometo anextensive system park that provides residents NEIGHBORHOOD, COMMUNITY ®IONALPARKS Area, andmany others. Forest, State BlackMoshannon Park, Poe Valley State Park, Stone Valley Recreation State Park, BaldEagleState Park, Greenwood Furnace State Park, BaldEagleState proximity to theCentre Region includebutare not limited to: Whipple Dam to scenic natural areas. State owned facilitiesthat are located withinclose resources provide residents andvisitors withotherrecreation optionsandaccess State Parks andForests are alsowithin closeproximity to thearea. These additionto openspaceIn resources located withintheRegion itself, numerous Nittany. andMount Gaps; Musser State Forest; Nature Marsh theMillbrook Center; Shingletown, Galbraith, and Centre Region includebutare notlimited to: State Lands#176;Rothrock Game recreational Examplesofpubliclyavailable openspace opportunities. within the have limited improvements offer orfacilitiesand often educational andpassive space that canbeutilized for ofactivities. avariety These resources typically Within theRegion, there are numerous examples ofpubliclyaccessible open Recreation Authority/Regional State College Borough Patton Township TownshipHarris Halfmoon Township Ferguson Township College Township Figure 11-2012Parkland by Municipality Municipality orAgency Municipality Source: Centre RegionalPlanning Agency Acres ofParkland Total 1,010 267 115 172 189 180 68 19 The John Hess Softball FieldThe John Hess Softball Complex in Harris Playset withinHolmes-Foster Park inState College Township Borough Parks & Open Space 31 Museum in Boalsburg SPECIAL USE FACILITIES USE SPECIAL has several also Region the Centre In resources, parks space and open addition to facilities These activities. specific towards geared are facilities that special use opportunities passive and offer owned for publicly or privately can be either in the Such facilities activities, community and events. specialized recreation, Military the Pennsylvania to: Museum limited not but are include Region Centre Area, Center/Ski Fun Family Mt. Tussey YMCA, Area College State in Boalsburg, and Babe Ruth Complex, Little League College State Shaner Baseball Complex, Baseball Fields. A Blackhawk helipcopter hovering over the Pennsylvania Military Military the Pennsylvania over hovering A Blackhawk helipcopter – The proposed Oak Hall Oak Hall proposed The Lands – Regional Park lands consists of 68 acres located north of north located of 68 acres of lands consists Park Regional and Harris in College Expressway 322/Mount Nittany U.S. facilities include softball fields, Proposed Townships. a sand playgrounds, trails, picnic shelters, restrooms, court,volleyball dog park, and sledding hill. Neighborhood and community parks in the Centre Region Region Neighborhood and community parks Centre in the opportunities residents varietya wide for recreational of offer In opportunities to addition passive and visitors. for specific for designed facilities parks contain many recreation, golf, disc bocce, activities basketball, as baseball, such plots), hiking, horseshoes, (community garden gardening picnicking, pickleball, sledding, viewing, nature skating, ice and walking. volleyball, tennis, softball, swimming, soccer, children for areas playground parks contain also Numerous aged 5-12. In the neighborhood and community addition to parks, been or will be have that sites has three Region Centre park is a facility that A regional parks. as regional developed These development. major recreational for is designated than community parks park and be larger lands will regional additional sportswill provide fields and other recreational opportunities.of capable park Regional facilities are activities more than smaller parks and typically providing and proposed existing The a 40-50 mile service have area. park facilities include: regional renovated recently This – Softball Complex John Hess Field between Township 45 in Harris along Route facility is located in facility created The was Mills. Grove and Pine Boalsburg by purchased and was of softball players a group 1963 by The in 2010. of Governments Council Region the Centre used for softball frequently fields and is four facility offers softball. and recreational competitive proposed The Lands – Road Regional Park Whitehall of 100 acres lands consists Road Park Regional Whitehall Township. Road in Ferguson Whitehall along located rectangular facilities include sports baseball Proposed fields, basketball courts, a playground, a regional diamonds, and walking trails. restrooms, community pavilion, Oak Hall Regional Park 32 Transportation The Centre Region is the most transit intensive Region The small Centre urban area intheNation,area annually. 7millionriders withover I-99 andUS322interchange T Transportation and businessesalike. interstates that maketheRegion easilyaccessible for people the area isalsowithincloseproximity to otherhighways and to street andhighway resources located intheRegion itself, people andgoodsto, addition andwithin,theRegion. In these resources allow for theconvenient of transportation highways, andfederal interstates 9). (seeMap Together, system thattransportation includeslocalstreets, state The Centre Region ishometo anextensive roadway STREETS &HIGHWAYS beyond. visitors witheasyaccess to areas oftheRegion, theState, and the State ofPennsylvania, provides residents, businesses, and options, coupledtransportation withits central location in freight service. The Centre Region’s access of to avariety airtravel,bus service, facilities, pedestrian/bike andrail with agrowingroadways, inventory high-quality ofmodern, on rural roads andrailroads, to asystem that provides users systemthe expansionfrom ofthetransportation onefocused Development intheRegion inrecent decadeshasfostered aswell oflifeand prosperity asahighquality for residents. metropolitan area isvitalto economic ensuring development Figure intheCentre ofRoad 12-Miles Region he ability to movehe ability peopleandgoodsthroughout a State College Borough Patton Township TownshipHarris Halfmoon Township Ferguson Township College Township Municipality Source: Centre RegionalPlanning Agency State Roads Total 131.1 11.3 29.4 22.1 16.8 42.7 8.8 Local Roads Total 273.8 19.4 48.2 54.3 27.7 78.6 45.6 Transportation 33 322 45 £ Æ· Harris g 26 Æ· oalsbur B ollege C Lemont 322 £ e 99 ¥ e y ollege Stat C rsit nn Stat Unive Pe 26 Æ· e ov Gr ills M Pine tton s 220 ry £ Pa nd 99 da ¥ La un e ry Bo da guson h r un wt & Gam Fe 45 Æ· ro st l Bo re pa Fo ci onal G e Features ni gi l at Mu Re St pa 99 ¥ ci ni Mu n Map 9 - Roadway & Rail Network of the Centre Region & RailMap 9 - Roadway Network of the Centre ve ti Halfmoo Ac Stormstown Railway ay d oa hw ad mp ig Ro e ay H ay l ut rest R y Ra pa hw sw Fo Ro ci ig wa es rstate e e ni pr gh at at te Mu St Ex US H St Hi In nd Network ge ad Le Ro 34 Transportation rail lineallows for bothinboundandoutboundfreight deliveries. Railroad, whichislocated inCollege Township nearthevillageofLemont. This currently hasafreight 9)operated rail line(seeMap by theNittany andBaldEagle desire thenationwide access thatrailways modern provide. The Centre Region toThe viarail move ability isessential to businessesthat goodsand services FREIGHT RAIL seen inFigure 12. accessible viaInterstate 99. Transportation theRegion canbe facilitiesthat serve ofStateRegion, Interstate College 80islocated about10milesnorth andis 99, USRoute 322,andState Routes 26and45. While notlocated withinthe highwaysMajor andinterstates that are located intheRegion includeInterstate Nittany engine &BaldEagleRailroad military related flights.military transient general aviation aswell asasmallnumberof to commercial alsofacilitates localand flights, theairport intheStatecommercial ofPennsylvania. airport addition In Philadelphia. busiestThe isthesixth University Park Airport to Detroit, non-stop direct service Washington/Dulles, and United,Delta, andUSAirways. provideThese carriers by three isserved commercialairport. airlines:The airport commercial service 1957, isclassifiedasanon-hubprimary world viaairtravel. whichwas establishedinThe airport, withtheremainder tovisitors connect withtheability ofthe ofState College,north provides residents, businesses, and The University Parkwhichislocated three miles Airport, AIR TRAVEL Air Force Oneat University Park Airport Transportation 35 One of the many CATA buses that serve the Centre Region serve buses that the Centre CATA One of the many Intercity Bus ServiceIntercity in the destinations many to bus service Region Intercity connects the Centre bus service intercity in the years, Innortheastern the last few States. United offer which together carriers, carriers two five to from has grown Region Centre 25 trips per day. over Services Taxi These locations. local and regional to services Region connect the Centre Taxi services and times of the fill a critical gap in the transportation areas network for bus services, Similar to taxi service service local transit where is not available. day taxi carriers Five years. in recent significantly has grown Region within the Centre Region. in the Centre operate currently RIDE provides RIDE provides COMMUTE, another another COMMUTE, BUS also operates four four BUS also operates BUS, currently operates along 17 routes that focus focus that along 17 routes operates BUS, currently PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC of public transit, system growing and A well-developed and taxi services Region bus, connectintercity the Centre These destinations. and national regional, with local, while system services roadway use of the existing make linkages bicycle also providing to and pedestrian facilities. is Region the Centre government, the federal to According in areas small urbanized one of the most transit-intensive in transportation role a vital plays Public States. the United Region. the Centre and from within, to, people moving Authority Transportation Area Centre the by is provided Region within the Centre transit Public offers CATA Authority (CATA). Transportation Area Centre types of public transportationthree services throughout bus service, demand including fixed-route the Region, also provides services, and special services. CATA responsive carpooling and ride shares. used for are that a fleet of vans as to which is referred bus system, fixed-route CATA’s CATA State and the Pennsylvania College State on downtown the out into radiate routes These Campus. University direct and provide in the Region neighboring communities CATA commuters. for and easy access and Campus University State within the Penn shuttle routes been equipped buses have CATA College. State downtown Total flexibility users. to increased for with bike racks than 7 million. is greater ridership year per bus service, CATAIn its fixed-route to addition curb-to-curb service demand response within its service area service. CATA paratransit as free as well carpooling to vans provides CATA, by operated program but routes transit along fixed do not live individuals that CATA and schedules. points, destination similar origins, have home State shuttle bus servicesalso operates during Penn the Arts, for Festival Pennsylvania the Central games, football College. Night State and First 36 Transportation Community by theLeague Bicyclists. ofAmerican May 2012,theCentreIn Region was namedaBronze Level Friendly Bicycle through College, Harris, andFerguson Townships. touring onanestablishedroute. The Centre ofRoute Gistravels Region portion Region. routeThis bicycle offers to dobicycle experienced withtheability riders traverses theentireroute, state onanorth/south crosses through theCentre facilities, andpedestrian additionto BicyclePA localbicycle In Route Gwhich visitors withalternative optionsfor travel throughout theRegion. use withanother53milesproposed. These facilitiesprovide residents and the Centre Region hasapproximately 65milesoffacilitiesdesigned for bicycle paths, additiontoand accessible sidewalks andotherwalking 10).In (seeMap facilities, andpedestrian bothonandoff-road, ofbicycle network that are safe health benefitswhiledecreasing pollution. The Centre Region ishometo a alternatives are viabletransportation that andwalking offerBicycling numerous BICYCLE &PEDESTRIANFACILITIES Walkers onashared usepath inSlabCabin Park Friendly Community (above), on a andcyclists Award ceremony for theCentre Region namedBicycle designated bikelane(below) Transportation 37 322 45 £ Æ· Harris g e 26 Æ· oalsbur B olleg C emont L 322 £ e e 99 ¥ olleg Stat C ersity enn State Univ P 26 Æ· ve ills M ine Gro P tton 220 £ Pa 99 ¥ rguson Fe 45 Æ· y s ar nd 99 ¥ ry Bou da th Map 10 - Bike Facilities of the Centre Region of the Centre Map 10 - Bike Facilities Game Land s ow Boun l rest & ture al Gr Fo cipa ea on e ni at Regi Mu St pal F ci Halfmoon ni Mu Stormstown h e se Pat e U ed Lan Rout ar ke ke Bi Bi BicyclePA Route G Sh nd ge ke Facilities Le Bi 38 Socioeconmics income when compared to the surrounding County,income whencomparedto State, thesurrounding In general, levels enjoyhigher residents of Region Centre and Nation. incomes ofstudent dominated households. and national averages, thelower reflecting comparable median income values trend slightly lower thanstate, county, Area results, asshown inFigure 13.State College Borough’s trend muchhigherthantheState andMetropolitan Statistical Within theRegion itself, ofthemunicipalities themajority than thestatewide annualmedianfamilyincome of$63,364. family income of$65,121. This numberisslightly higher (MSA), which includesallofCentre County, hadamedian estimates, theState College Metropolitan Statistical Area According 5-year to Community the2010 American Survey INCOME CHARACTERISTICS County, State, andNation. higher levels ofincome whencompared to thesurrounding Centre Region have highereducational attainment andenjoy individual’s overall oflife. quality general, In residents ofthe educational attainment play acrucialrole indetermining an shown that many likeincome socioeconomic and factors health andwell-being ofapopulation. Researchers have S Socioeconomics ocioeconomic factors areocioeconomic factors majordeterminants inthe Figure Family 13-Median Income 2010 Pennsylvania MSA State College Borough Patton Township TownshipHarris Halfmoon Township Ferguson Township College Township Municipality Source: U.S.Census, ACS 2010 Median IncomeMedian $103,224 $63,364 $65,121 $58,953 $73,409 $75,380 $72,339 $95,557 Socioeconomics 39 * * $99,300 $63,210 $60,940 $67,650 $53,380 $41,710 $74,330 $43,980 $68,900 $26,630 $45,330 $21,540 $27,080 $24,600 $32,010 $33,740 $39,060 $36,170 $34,120 $31,720 Mean Salary * No data available * No data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2011 Bureau Source: Occupation Figure 15 - Annual Mean Wage Estimates in 2011 2011 in Estimates Wage Mean- Annual 15 Figure Management Arts, Entertainment, Design, Sports, and Media Construction Extraction and Business and Financial Operations Business and Financial and Mathematical Computer and Engineering Architecture and Social Sciences Physical, Life, and SocialCommunity Services ServicesLegal and Library Training, Education, Technical and Practitioners Healthcare SupportHealthcare Services Protective and Serving Related Preparation Food Cleaning and Maintenance Building and Grounds and Service Care Personal Sales and Related SupportOffice and Administrative and Forestry Fishing, Farming, and Repair Installation, Maintenance, Production and Material Moving Transportation Annual mean wage estimates in 2011 for the State College Metropolitan Statistical Statistical Metropolitan College State the for in 2011 estimates mean wage Annual 15. in Figure shown are Area 3.9 5.6 4.1 3.5 5.6 5.9 8.5 11.3 10.1 Families 2006-2010 Source: U. S. Census, ACS 2010 ACS U. S. Census, Source: Municipality College Township College Ferguson Township Ferguson Halfmoon Township Harris Township Township Patton Borough College State County Pennsylvania Nation Figure 14 - Poverty Status by Municipality Municipality by Status 14 - Poverty Figure The influence of the student population can also be seen seen can also be population the student of influence The percentage The 14. in poverty in Figure as shown data, the poverty below live that residents Region of Centre the County, throughout than lower line is generally which Borough, College State and Nation. Commonwealth, municipality is the only population, student in the has a large and State, higher than the County, trends that Region Centre averages National 40 Socioeconmics 17). higher whencompared to that ofCentre County, theState, andtheNation (Figure bachelor’s degree orhigher. Educational attainment withintheCentre Region is or highereducation.60%ofthesamepopulation Over intheRegion have a 95%oftheCentreOver Region’s residents age25+have ahighschool diploma graduate school, asseeninFigure 16. predominance ofstudents intheCentre Region enrolled inundergraduate or The statistics for educational enrollment thisdemographic, reflect withthe College agestudents (18-24)comprise over 40%oftheRegion’s population. EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT Figure 17-Percent ofPopulaton over School 25withaHigh Figure 16-Educational Attainment intheCentre Region Graduate or Professional Degree Some College,Degree No ihSho Diploma School High Associates Degree Associates Bachelors Degree Centre County Centre Centre Region Source: Bureau 2011 ofLaborStatistics Pennsylvania Source: Bureau 2011 ofLaborStatistics Nation Level of Education of Level Diploma Percent 5.7 Percent 11.1 85.9 87.4 17.9 92.6 96.4 29.7 32.1 A graduating Penn classpictured State University
Community
41 Facilities & Services a © entre Region residents, businesses, and visitors have access to high-quality to access have visitors and businesses, residents, Region entre Community Facilities & Services Facilities Community C public services provided by numerous public utilities and service providers. From From and service public utilities numerous public services by providers. provided these services essential suppliers, departments are and fire public water police to residents. Region sustaining the high-quality Centre to by experienced of life & SERVICE SUPPLY WATER comes both public and private, supply, water Region’s majorityThe the Centre of and ordinances programs numerous this reason, For resources. groundwater from most precious of the Region’s the protection been enacted help ensure to have a property Depending upon where is high-quality its groundwater. resource, suppliers or water served be it may one of several Region, by Centre in the located be servedan on-lot well. may by Authority Water Borough College State customer has the largest Authority (SCBWA) Water Borough College State The Region. servicebase and is the highest capacity water being used in the Centre and has a daily usage of 70,000 customers serves approximately SCBWA The 5.5 million gallons. approximately Authority Water Township College service 2,700 water to provides Authority (CTWA) Water Township College The an CTWAThe produces customers. and institutional residential, commercial, CTWA The serves the of 1 million gallons of drinking each day. water average and the village of Lemont. Township majority of College System Water University State Penn are of which eight wells, potable water permitted has ten University State Penn university to 3 million gallons per day approximately provide actively used to on-campus as the for housing as well water provides system The facilities. and other support laboratories, 750 buildings that classrooms, approximately campus. Park University State’s daily functions on Penn Company Water Upper Halfmoon water non-profit (UHWC) is a private, Company Water Upper Halfmoon The supplier. community water has the distinctionsupplier that of being a regulated can serve that 1,500 and 1,800 UHWC has one supply well between The 550 and 600 customers. base is between customer its current however, customers; residents. residents. Spring Creek Pollution Control Facility Control Pollution Spring Creek From police and f police From public ire departments to services these public suppliers, are water the high-quality sustaining essential to oflife experiencedCentreby Region Aerial view of the University Area Joint Authority Authority Joint Area the University view of Aerial Community 42 Facilities & Services diverted to UAJAdiverted by 2016. College. All flows from State College Borough to thePenn State plant willbe approximately 600,000gallonsperday ofwastewater from theBorough ofState the plant handlesallthe wastewater needsofPenn State University and permitted to treat upto 4milliongallonsofwastewater perday. Currently, Penn State owns andoperates its own wastewater treatment plant andis Penn State Wastewater Treatment System College Township, Best Western, andCintas. Customers includetheCentre Club, Country Hills LineSpeedShineCar Red Wash, to commercial, industrial, andinstitutional customers for ofuses. avariety gallons perday ofbeneficialreuse water. water purity isalsoavailable High in College Township alongEastBranch andcanaccommodate Road 3million environmental Meadow includetheKissinger projects Wetlands, whichislocated standards andcanberouted to customers orenvironmental projects. Planned 2005. Using thebeneficialreuse system, wastewater istreated to high-purity installed abeneficialreuse treatment system, that becameoperational in toDue discharge limitsfor wastewater treated by conventional methods, UAJA beneficial reuse treatment system. per day. UAJA utilizes conventional wastewater treatment methodsaswell asa in College Township andtreats approximately 4.8milliongallonsofwastewater maintained by UAJA. UAJA’s Creek Spring Pollution Control Facility islocated Area areSewer eligible Service to utilize thepublicsewer system operated and located withintheCentreAll properties Region’s Regional Growth Boundary/ University Area Joint Authority (UAJA) areathe sewer rely service onalternative methodsfor wastewater treatment. Region’s Area. Areas Service located Regional Growth outsideof Boundary/Sewer treatment facilities. Public sewer isavailable inareas located withintheCentre treatment by theUniversity Area Joint Authority, andprivate wastewater in theCentre Region, includingon-lotsewage disposalsystems, publicsewer resources. There are several optionsavailable for thetreatment ofwastewater treatment isvitalto protecting thesevaluable natural andenvironmental the headwaters coldwater ofseveral streams, high-quality effective wastewater oftheRegion’sBecause reliance ongroundwater resources anditslocation at WASTEWATER TREATMENT State College Borough Water water Authority tower & Penn State wastewater treatment facility
Community
43 Facilities & Services a © POLICE SERVICES POLICE police local three one of by is provided Region service the Centre in Police Police Borough College State The Police. State departments or the Pennsylvania serves Region, in the the Borough Department, force police is the largest which and Township Ferguson Townships. and Harris College and College of State departments police their own serve to their respective have Township Patton services its police the from receives Township Halfmoon municipalities. that force police also has its own University State Penn Police. State Pennsylvania as other university-owned properties as well Campus in serves Park University the and assist one another in close cooperation work forces police All County. Centre as necessary. FIRE PROTECTION companies. fire volunteer four by is provided Region in the Centre protection Fire the to protection fire provides in the Region, largest the Company, Fire Alpha Township, Patton Township, Ferguson Township, College College, of State Borough Fire Campus. Park University State and the Penn Township, portions of Halfmoon Fire Company. Fire the Boalsburg by is provided Township Harris for protection is provided Company, Fire Alpha in addition to Township, Halfmoon for protection Much like local police Companies. Mark Fire Warrior’s Matilda the Port and by departmentsdepartments, and assist one another during local fire together work and the protection fire to approach Because of the cooperate emergencies. costs protection with the departments, fire volunteer to of citizens willingness with communities for in the nation among the lowest are Region in the Centre 50,000. over populations & HEALTHCARE HOSPITALS as numerous major medical facilities as well two is home to Region Centre The medical care. a variety and options for of specialties provide that medical offices Medical is the Mount Nittany Region Center, facility largest in the Centre The acute-care 260 bed The medical, facility offers Township. in College located and community services. diagnostic, surgical, Geisinger Medical Systems In Medical the Mount Nittany Center, to addition facility includes Woods Geisinger Gray’s The facilities in the Region. two operates laboratory facility, imaging an expanded rooms, 16 procedure rooms, 70 exam Servicesservices family pharmacy. pediatrics, and an on-site include OB/GYN, Geisinger-Scenery has Park and opthamology. urology, cardiology, medicine, and specialists. physicians dozen than three more Mount Nittany Medical Center MedicalMount Nittany Center The Alpha Fire Company Main Station Company Fire Alpha The 44 Regional Cooperation Regional cooperationRegional municipalities allows tohigh provide The Centre Regional Council ofGovernments building quality services at lower costs. atlower services quality a personnelgrievance solution committee, whennecessary. changes to personnelpoliciesfor COG employees as and acts Human Resources Committee: Reviews and suggests matters related to theCOG. Finance Committee: Reviews budgeting andotherfinancial the COG programs. agenda andhandlesothermatters ofdelegation related to Executive Committee: theGeneralForum Sets meeting include: and regional cooperation. Centre Region COG committees COG related businessto communication allow for further subcommittees that address specificregional issuesand Forum, theCentre Region COG isalsoorganized into various COG businessandregional issues. additionto theGeneral In municipalities. The GeneralForum meetsmonthly to discuss the programs agreed andfunctions to by theparticipating General Forum out isresponsible for considering andcarrying representative from thePennsylvania State University. The comprised oftheCentre Region’s officialsandone 32elected Council ofGovernments (COG) istheGeneralForum, withis bodyofthe Centre making The Region general policy CENTRE REGIONCOG equipment,engineering etc. services, of theCOG setting, ofpolice suchasthesharing services, manner. takesplace outside Additional ofservices sharing to address shared issuesinamore effective andefficient communication amongstmunicipalitiesandtheability This form ofcooperation alsoallows for more open at alower services cost tothese highquality residents. Region municipalitiesare ableto poolresources to provide management. Through regional cooperation, theCentre fire protection, refuse andrecycling, andemergency andrecreation,parks library, buildingcode administration, provided through theCOG includeregional planning, Services cost effective publicservices. andhighquality Centre Region Council ofGovernments (COG) to provide I Regional Cooperation n 1969,thesixCentre Region municipalitiesformed the Regional Cooperation 45 The Schlow Centre Region Library located in downtown State College College State Library Region in downtown located Centre Schlow The related to specific municipal issues or areas, and staff support to municipal staff support and municipal areas, issues or municipal specific to to related commissions. planning & RECREATION PARKS and parks maintenance Agency provides and Recreation Parks Region Centre The By services Region. participating for programming in the Centre municipalities all from and residents cost a decreased services at can be provided cooperating, a discounted at of quality can take advantage parks the Region programs over in. In municipal located addition to the municipality of they are regardless rate, the participating the been workingparks, over together municipalities have focused parks are These parks. regional larger new, provide past decade to and families, opportunities individuals, active for recreational on providing history park the long facilities highlight These of community organizations. planning, acquisition, funding of the shared involves that cooperation regional and development. LIBRARY comprised opened in 1957 and was Region first public libraryThe in the Centre businessman Charles College State by in a house owned located rooms of two and the years over in size libraryThe and grown has changed locations Schlow. Library Region its new location in October opened at Centre Schlow 2005, the libraryThe is publicly College. in State Streets and Beaver of Allen on the corner and a community grants, and federal state municipal contributions, funded by of Council Region library as an agencyThe operates of the Centre fund drive. Governments. Reviews and makes and makes Reviews Committee: Capital Parks the construction, and design, regarding recommendations Parklands. Regional funding of policy and guidance Provides Safety Committee: Public to in regards Forum the General to recommendations code and building protection, emergency fire management, public safety to in relation administration Reviews Committee: ServicesPublic and Environmental for programs to related recommendations and provides sewage sustainability, conservation,energy environmental and recycling. and refuse utilitymanagement, infrastructure, input and provides Reviews and Land Use: Transportation and transportationon major land use initiatives planning and issues. REGIONAL PLANNING and local planning in the Centre long range Coordinated startedRegion of the in 1960, with the establishment CRPC The (CRPC). Commission Planning Regional Centre advisoryis a regional of a representative body comprised a as as well Commission each municipal Planning from University. State the Pennsylvania from representative Agency Planning (CRPA) Regional the Centre Today, Region planning services all Centre regional to provides local planning services municipalities, participating to Regional and staff supportmunicipalities, the Centre to staffing for also provides CRPA The Commission. Planning Organization Planning Metropolitan County the Centre coordinating for which is responsible (CCMPO), transportation long range planning in Centre comprehensive planning services Regional include the preparation County. Plan Comprehensive Region of the Centre and maintenance sewer, to as studies and planning activitiesas well related demographics, recreation, open space, land use, water, and transportation community facilities, environmental, issues. planning services Local include staff supportindividual to planning issues including local address municipalities to plans, of subdivision and land development the review special studies and regulations, of ordinances preparation 46 Regional Cooperation trash collection ratestrash collection andconvenient recycling options. curbside approach, Centre municipalities enjoy Region residents lower inparticipating environmental pollution,andeconomic loss. ofthiscooperative Because public health,safety, andwelfare aswell asto eliminate publichealthhazards, program municipalitiesinorder toRecycling promote onbehalfofparticipating The Centre Region Council ofGovernments administers aregional and Refuse REFUSE &RECYCLING PROGRAMS center. operations plananddesignatedemergency asharedoperations emergency Agency, Management Emergency themunicipalitieshave adopted asingle andthePennsylvaniathe Centre Services, ofEmergency County Office municipalities. Coordinating withthePennsylvania theirefforts State University, management programemergency onbehalfofthesixCentre Region Since 1990,theCentre Region Council ofGovernments hasoperated an MANAGEMENTEMERGENCY with populations greater than50,000. costs intheCentre Region are amongthelowest inthenation for communities Region Fire Marshal’s office. ofthiscooperative Because approach, fire protection University. The program iscomprised oftheAlpha Fire Company andtheCentre Benner Township and to theUniversity Park Campus ofthePennsylvania State Ferguson, andPatton. The program of to alsoprovides asmallportion services related to theBorough ofState services College andthe Townships ofCollege, The Regional Fire Protection Program’s missionisto provide fire, rescue, and REGIONAL FIREPROTECTION through feesself-supported related provided. to services boreholegeothermal andwater well program. drilling isfinanciallyThe agency alsoadministratesThe theRegion’s agency sewage management program and andresiding intheCentreof allpeopleworking Region’s sixmunicipalities. adopted andstate mandated codes to protect thehealth,safety, andwelfare and commercial fire safety intheCentre Region. The enforces Agency locally plan review, rental issuance, permit inspection; housing; andconstruction The Centre Region Code Administration isresponsible for buildingpermit BUILDING CODE ADMINISTRATION
A new home under construction willundergoA newhomeunderconstruction several A trash dumpster andvarious recycling containers code inspections beforecode inspections completion Contacts 47 Technology 201 Old Main www.psu.edu 814-234-7755 814-238-5361 814-238-6766 814-231-1011 814-865-4700 www.uaja.com www.scasd.org Local Utilities: Local www.scbwa.org 1-800-686-0021 1-888-460-4332 West Penn Power Penn West www.southhills.edu 480 Waupelani 480 Waupelani Drive 1201 West Branch Road Branch West 1201 State College, PA 16801 PA College, State State College, PA 16801 PA College, State 16801 PA College, State State College, PA 16801 PA College, State 1576 Spring Valley Road Valley 1576 Spring 131 West Nittany Avenue Nittany West 131 www.columbiagaspa.com University Park, PA 16802 PA Park, University www.firstenergycorp.com Schools Universities: and Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Columbia South Hills School of Business & The Pennsylvania State University State Pennsylvania The State College Area School District Area College State State College Borough Water Authority Water Borough College State University Area Joint Authority (Sewer) Joint Area University 814-692-9800 814-238-4651 814-466-6228 814-231-3021 814-234-7100 814-234-0271 Municipalities: Harris Township Patton Township Patton 100 Patton Plaza 100 Patton College Township College Ferguson Township Ferguson 100 Municipal Lane Halfmoon Township 3147 Research Drive 3147 Research Boalsburg, PA 16827 PA Boalsburg, 224 East Main Street www.halfmoontwp.us State College Borough College State www.twp.patton.pa.us 243 South Street Allen Port Matilda, PA 16870 Matilda,Port PA www.statecollegepa.us State College, PA 16801 PA College, State State College, PA 16801 PA College, State State College, PA 16801 PA College, State State College, PA 16803 PA College, State www.harristownship.org www.twp.ferguson.pa.us 1481 East College Avenue College 1481 East www.collegetownship.govoffice.com www.crpr.org 814-237-6236 814-231-3056 814-231-3050 814-235-7838 814-234-7198 814-231-3077 814-231-3071 Governments www.crcog.net Centre Region: Centre www.crcog.net/em 2643 Gateway Drive 2643 Gateway www.crcog.net/codes www.crcog.net/refuse 211 South Street Allen www.schlowlibrary.org State College, PA 16801 PA College, State 16801 PA College, State State College, PA 16801 PA College, State State College, PA 16801 PA College, State 16801 PA College, State www.crcog.net/planning Centre Regional Council of Council Regional Centre 2643 Gateway Drive, Suite 4 Suite Drive, 2643 Gateway 2643 Gateway Drive, Suite #2 Suite Drive, 2643 Gateway Schlow Centre Region Library Region Centre Schlow 2643 Gateway Drive, Suite # 1 Suite Drive, 2643 Gateway Centre Regional Planning Agency Planning Regional Centre Centre Region Code Administration Code Region Centre Centre Region Parks and Recreation and Parks Region Centre Centre Region Refuse Region and Recycling Centre Centre Region Emergency Region Management Centre Contacts 48 www.collegetownship.govoffice.com College TownshipWaterAuthority Advanced Disposal(trash service) Windstream (telephone/internet) Upper Halfmoon Water Company www.upperhalfmoonwater.org Rock Springs Springs Rock Water Company www.advanceddispoal.com 1481 EastCollege Avenue Penn Furnace, PA 16865 State College, PA 16801 State College, PA 16801 Port Matilda, PAPort Matilda, 16870 www.windstream.com 2560 Clyde Avenue 1750 TadpoleRoad www.comcast.com www.verizon.com 1-866-445-5880 1-800-837-4966 1-800-266-2278 814-692-4309 814-237-3713 814-238-0885 814-231-2911 Comcast Verizon RR 1 Penn State SmallBusinessDevelopment Centre Development County Industrial Chamber of Business and Industry of Chamber ofBusinessandIndustry 200 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 156 200 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 150 Port Matilda FirePort Matilda Company www.centrecountyidc.org 200 Innovation Boulevard University Park, PA 16802 Business Organizations: 400 West Beaver Avenue Boalsburg Fire Company www.boalsburgfire.com State College, PA 16801 State College, PA 16803 State College, PA 16803 119 TechnologyCenter Port Matilda, PAPort Matilda, 16870 www.portmatilda.com Boalsburg, PA 16827 Alpha Fire Company 113 EastPine Street www.alphafire.com www.sbdc.psu.edu Public Services: Centre County www.cbicc.org 814-237-5359 814-466-7367 814-692-4074 814-863-4293 814-235-1666 814-234-1829 Corporation PO Box 472 Center Ferguson Township Police Department Central Pennsylvania Convention and Centre Area Transportation Authority Patton Township Police Department Central Pennsylvania Festival ofthe 403 South Allen Street,403 South Suite 205A www.peopleschoicefestival.com State College Borough Police 2081 WestRoad Whitehall Pennsylvania State Police www.visitpennstate.org State College, PA 16801 State College, PA 16804 State College, PA 16803 People Choice Festival www.arts-festival.com 800 EastPark Avenue Tourism andEvents: www.catabus.com Non-Emergency Non-Emergency Non-Emergency Non-Emergency Visitors Bureau Visitors 814-238-2282 814-237-3682 814-231-1400 814-863-4646 814-237-1172 814-234-0273 814-234-7150 Department Arts Contacts 49 Channel) 814-355-6700 814-238-5031 www.cnet1.org Other Resources: 420 Holmes Street Bellefonte, PA 16823 PA Bellefonte, www.co.centre.pa.us Centre County Offices County Centre 243 South Street Allen State College, PA 16802 PA College, State CNET (Government and Education CNET (Government Contacts 814.231.3050 2643 Gateway Drive 2643 Gateway State College, PA 16803 PA College, State www.crcog.net/planning Centre Regional Planning Agency Planning Regional Centre