Bellefonte looks to grow tech companies

The robust atmosphere of the Bellefonte area makes it an attractive destination for those looking to start or run a business.

The technology and manufacturing sector of the Bellefonte area is small but vibrant, said Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gary Hoover. Indeed, several tech companies can be seen dotting the area, including Restek Corp., Supelco Inc. and Actuated Medical Inc.

And these businesses are doing well, he said. Restek recently received certificate of origin authorization, which verifies that goods in a particular export shipment have been manufactured in the U.S.

“It certifies that the parts are made in the U.S. from countries which may be wary of buying from the U.S.,” Hoover said. “It verifies that, say, mechanical parts are for a farm vehicle and not a bomb.”

Business in the chamber of commerce is doing well, he said. He admitted that the Bellefonte borough itself may not be the strongest when it comes to the technology business, but the business atmosphere is “upbeat.”

“Growing technology in Bellefonte will take time,” he said. “Bellefonte works well as a startup.”

And promoting the business opportunities of the Bellefonte area is what county Commissioner Mark Higgins is all about.

Higgins, who took his seat as a county commissioner at the beginning of January, has been quick to begin work on expanding the business opportunities of the county. While Bellefonte may not be the area for a lot of patents or work in the life sciences, he said, this still leaves area for large groups of businesses.

“We could be talking about smartphone apps, trade programming, business and professional services,” he said. “We could also be looking at light manufacturing — the kind that wouldn’t leave a lot of residue behind.”

While Bellefonte probably wouldn’t be looking at even medium industry, he credited tech and manufacturing firms in the area, noting the businesses at the Penn Eagle Industrial Park and Titan Energy Park.

The best way to further the business opportunities in Bellefonte would be through an incubator; Higgins has already proposed contributing a $60,000 county grant toward the development of one. Once startups have space to grow, they can move to the industrial parks once they build a large enough base of employees.

“We can build an innovative integrated drivetrain here in Centre County,” Higgins said. “You can go from starting a new business with an initial idea and go up to hundreds of employees and not have to leave the county.”

And moving to the Bellefonte area would be perfect for these businesses, he said, saying Bellefonte has the infrastructure, proximity to the airport and it’s right off I-99.

More importantly, he said, space is much more affordable in areas like the Titan Energy Park as well as a low cost of living.

“State College is fabulous and has wonderful advantages,” he said. “But you’re competing with the college students for rental space or house purchases. Bellefonte is substantially more affordable.”

Bellefonte has the chance to host this integrated drivetrain, he said, putting it in the forefront nationwide for counties like Centre.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 10:01 AM with the headline "Bellefonte looks to grow tech companies."