The Hidden Tech Powerhouse: Why Centre County’s ‘Sensor Valley’ Is a Bet on the Future
The ground is shifting beneath us.
Across the country—and here in Centre County—longstanding assumptions about population growth, job security, and economic identity are being challenged. Our population has been slowly declining since 2018. Outside of Penn State, fewer than 50,000 households remain. Automation, AI, and remote work are rewriting the rules of employment.
In the midst of all this uncertainty, it’s fair to ask: What’s next? What do we have that the future needs?
The answer may be hiding in plain sight.
The Local Giant: How Don Hamer Built Big Without Leaving Happy Valley
In a world where success is often measured by how far you can go, Don Hamer proved that greatness could be built by staying right where you are.
Run with Heart — Because That’s How We Lead, Live, and Grow Together
Last month, we kicked off our first Community Conversations with a powerhouse panel of leaders who embody what it means to serve, shape, and spark change in Happy Valley.
Where STEM Gets Real: Why the Rivet Is the Answer to Education’s Hard Questions
When Penn State announced the closure of seven campuses, it sent shockwaves across Pennsylvania. Some saw it as abandonment. Others as hard-nosed financial pragmatism. But behind all the headlines was a much deeper question—one every community dependent on higher education must now confront:
What business are we really in?
Tea Leaves on Education? Palantir’s Fellowship Hints at Higher Ed’s Shifting Value
Palantir Technologies—a data analytics giant co-founded by tech investor Peter Thiel—has launched a provocative new initiative: the Meritocracy Fellowship, directly challenging the traditional college-to-career pipeline.
Teammates for Life—and the Power of Showing Up
Charlene Morett-Curtiss—Penn State legend, two-time Olympian, and lifelong mentor—joined us for our first Connecting the Dots Community Conversation.
This E-Letter Is Powered by Affinity Connection—A Testimonial in Real Time
You’re reading this because it landed in your inbox. You probably have 100 emails but you opened this one and you are now down to their article. Can we do this for your company? At Affinity Connection, we don’t just talk about frequent, consistent, and meaningful communication—we execute it.
Is Penn State All In on AI? Are You?
Are YOU ready? Because if you aren’t learning AI, using AI, and integrating AI into your work, someone else is. And they’ll be ahead of you soon.
The Happy Valley Industry Manifesto: Connecting Stories, Inspiring Growth. We need your help.
As consumers continue to deconstruct influencer marketing and legacy media shows no signs of a resurgence, is there still a place for a hyper local platform like HappyValley Industry—an authentic, local space dedicated to strengthening the fabric of our community by serving you as a catalyst for open discussion important local and regional issues and for providing a forum for you to tell your story and earn the trust of potential partners and customers?
