Penn State hosts roundtable on Opportunity Zones, housing affordability

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s School of Public Policy brought together more than 60 representatives from local, state and federal government and the nonprofit and private sectors on Sept. 9 for a roundtable on Opportunity Zones and housing affordability in central Pennsylvania at the Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub.

Among the topics discussed were the recent changes to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Opportunity Zones program, which uses tax incentives to encourage long-term private investment in economically distressed communities. The program is designed to support projects that promote business growth, housing development and job creation.

The event was co-sponsored by the Penn State School of Public Policy, Penn State Outreach, Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations and the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC).

Joseph DeFelice, assistant deputy secretary for field policy and management and Mid-Atlantic regional administrator for HUD, led the roundtable discussion.

“Bringing together leaders from government, business, higher education and the nonprofit sector created a valuable opportunity for candid conversation about affordability and economic development in Central Pennsylvania,” DeFelice said. “These kinds of discussions are an important part of HUD’s broader effort to listen, learn and work with communities across Pennsylvania.”

Other federal representatives in attendance included Chris Hoffman, state director for Pennsylvania Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Jim Spencer, Mid-Atlantic regional administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration; Bill Jones, chief of staff for Region 3 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Elmo Rinaldi, Region 3 advocate from the Office of Advocacy at the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Participants discussed a range of challenges facing the region, including a shortage of housing inventory, upward price pressures from vacation and short-term rentals, land-use zoning and regulatory hurdles, public infrastructure needs and rising construction costs.

“The strength of this conversation came from the range of perspectives represented around the table,” said Jeremy Hoffman, assistant clinical professor of public policy School of Public Policy local government engagement lead. “We are grateful to everyone who took the time to engage on these issues and help identify practical solutions that can inform action in the region.”

Todd Dolbin, vice president of economic development at CBICC, said the roundtable reinforced the value of cross-sector collaboration.

“Centre County’s long-term vitality depends on our ability to address housing affordability, support economic development and create conditions where employers, employees and families can all thrive,” Dolbin said. “Convenings like this help align partners around shared challenges and shared opportunities.”

Larry Terry, vice president for Penn State Outreach, highlighted the University’s role in fostering conversations centered on community problem-solving.

“As Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, Penn State has a responsibility to bring people together around issues that matter to the commonwealth," Terry said. "This roundtable reflects our commitment to connecting research, public service and community engagement in support of stronger, more resilient communities."

Following the roundtable, DeFelice and members of the HUD team toured State College’s existing designated Opportunity Zone with State College Borough Manager Tom Fountaine and State College Borough Planning Director Ed LeClear.

PrimeCore Properties Chairman and CEO Ara Kervandjian joined the tour, which included two of the developer’s properties: Addison Court, an affordable senior and disabled housing building at 120 E. Beaver Ave., and the recently finished Pugh Centre at 150 E. Beaver Ave., which was developed in part using Opportunity Zone funds.

The event demonstrated a shared recognition that addressing housing affordability and economic development in the region will require sustained collaboration across public, private and nonprofit partners, according to Hoffman. He noted that the Penn State School of Public Policy looks forward to continuing the conversation and serving as a convener for future community-focused discussions.