MILLHEIM, Centre County – The Penns Valley Region is looking ahead as they work on their 2025 plan.
“We want to build out around the village,” says Douglas Bierly, a Gregg Township supervisor.
He and other supervisors are working on individual township 10 year plans that sync up with the regions cohesive plan as well.
“I hope it maintains its rural character, its historic buildings,” says Bierly. “I hope the small businesses continue to grow and flourish.”
That’s the main part of the plan, says Bierly – bringing in more businesses and helping locally owned shops grow. But it is also to bring in more activities that draw people to the region and keep them there long term.
“We could do with more local events,” says Kenny Lloyd, a man who relocated to the Penns Valley region about 7 years ago. Lloyd moved from the Philadelphia suburbs, a region he says is now over-developed. He is hopeful that will not happen to the area he now calls home.
“I do get worried,” says Lloyd. “I think that’s something that could be prevented through laws around here that can drive how many houses you can fit in one spot.”
While expansion brings in more people, planning commission members say core communities, like Millheim and Spring Mills, can help run regions.
“If the core communities can be economically viable and vibrant towns, they provide employment opportunities for people,” says Susan Hannegan, the Assistant Director for the Centre County Planning and Development Office. “People can find goods and services closer to home which reduces transportation needs and impacts as well.”
While the commission and townships are looking ahead and working on their plan, they are taking feedback from residents about what they would like for the region moving forward.
“We want to build out around the village,” says Douglas Bierly, a Gregg Township supervisor.
He and other supervisors are working on individual township 10 year plans that sync up with the regions cohesive plan as well.
“I hope it maintains its rural character, its historic buildings,” says Bierly. “I hope the small businesses continue to grow and flourish.”
That’s the main part of the plan, says Bierly – bringing in more businesses and helping locally owned shops grow. But it is also to bring in more activities that draw people to the region and keep them there long term.
“We could do with more local events,” says Kenny Lloyd, a man who relocated to the Penns Valley region about 7 years ago. Lloyd moved from the Philadelphia suburbs, a region he says is now over-developed. He is hopeful that will not happen to the area he now calls home.
“I do get worried,” says Lloyd. “I think that’s something that could be prevented through laws around here that can drive how many houses you can fit in one spot.”
While expansion brings in more people, planning commission members say core communities, like Millheim and Spring Mills, can help run regions.
“If the core communities can be economically viable and vibrant towns, they provide employment opportunities for people,” says Susan Hannegan, the Assistant Director for the Centre County Planning and Development Office. “People can find goods and services closer to home which reduces transportation needs and impacts as well.”
While the commission and townships are looking ahead and working on their plan, they are taking feedback from residents about what they would like for the region moving forward.
