Greg Scott: Vibrant Centre County business community on display in ‘homecoming’ tour

As I embrace my new role as president and CEO of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to the community I grew up in and I am honored to have the opportunity to help improve the economy in Centre County.

After 30 years in mission-driven environments in the Navy and institutions of higher learning, I am beyond thrilled to be able to put my experience to work for all of us.

I was born in Bellefonte, and I’m a graduate of Bald Eagle High School and Penn State, so my first two weeks at the helm of the Chamber have been somewhat of a homecoming for me as I toured the county, introduced myself to CBICC members, networked at a conference of Pennsylvania chamber professionals, and happily reconnected with people I know.

From Philipsburg to Bellefonte, I spoke with business owners and community members — each beaming with pride in their work and their hometowns. I heard from companies that are agriculture-based, solar-powered, and that represent manufacturing, government and retail — just to name a few. All were mission-driven, bursting at the seams, and ready for a second or third expansion. They have retooled the local workforce, yet their growth pace continues to provide ample employment opportunities.

Much to my delight, I routinely ran into former classmates who are now business leaders in their communities. Among them was Mike Etters, the plant director at Niagara Bottling, just outside of Milesburg. Mike touted the many career paths available in their facilities to high-school graduates, as well as ideas for the future of the local facility.

Through these on-site visits and conversations with four of the five area school superintendents, the connection between schools and industry came into sharp focus. The superintendents voiced a desire to collaborate more frequently — building on the foundation of the CentreREADY program that was launched a few years ago. Tending to the needs of our workforce is critical, not just to keep economic engines running, but also to ensure that every student crossing a graduation stage is walking into the brightest future possible, regardless of their chosen path.

Economic development is a major priority for me and can take many forms. Sometimes it looks like a brand-new company that arrives in the area to much fanfare. But more often than not, a healthy economy is fueled by the quieter and steadier growth of local enterprises that add jobs and expand operations each year.

Following my weeklong tour of Centre County, I traveled with my team to Johnstown to attend the annual conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP). We seized the opportunity to learn about best practices and to gain valuable insights from our fellow chamber professionals. We also learned about the many resources our state chamber and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce bring to the table.

The CBICC’s position in the community and the makeup of its members underlines the twin ideas of intersection and collaboration. Business, education, nonprofit, and government entities all convene at “the Chamber,” making it the headquarters of opportunities for partnership and economic development. My team and I look forward to boosting Chamber membership and providing additional services and value to members.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to show me around, to stop by one of the CBICC events or to reach out with a message of encouragement.

I am excited to partner with you as we embark on an exciting new chapter for Centre County!