The State College Redevelopment Authority focuses on intentional, community-first development in State College, providing seed funding and support for sustainable projects that repurpose properties and foster growth, vibrancy, and human services within the borough.

Our History

Founded in 1945, the State College Redevelopment Authority came to be with the passing of the Urban Redevelopment Law to foster re-planning and redevelopment that would promote public health, safety, convenience, and welfare of the community as a whole.

With the help of the RDA, the Borough of State College wishes to encourage healthful housing stock, a decent living environment, and adequate places of employment and commercial activity for citizens and the community at large.

Economic Development Goals

In 2013, the RDA presented a series of goals to the State College Borough Council. These goals are still the driving force behind our work today.

  • Help preserve and enhance existing commercial areas in the Borough
    When important community services and a healthy variety of jobs are well-supported and able to remain in town, our Borough can offer diverse retail and service options.

  • Support the Borough’s goal of preserving single-family, owner-occupied housing and create new opportunities for affordable and workforce housing
    Using the tools and programs at our disposal, we’re working to make State College livable for more neighbors.

  • Bolster State College’s “economic gardening” efforts
    Economic gardening helps create jobs and wealth in a community and is based on research that shows that small businesses create most new jobs in a local economy. We support these efforts by engaging Borough officials in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and providing a range of local government support for its activities.

  • Continue to lend support to the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County (CBICC)
    We do this through annual contributions, maintaining Borough representation on CBICC committees, and assisting the CBICC in their restructuring efforts.

  • Foster partnerships and create programs that will strengthen the local community
    We work specifically to bring the Borough Council, RDA, and staff together to invest strategically or financially in community-focused initiatives.

  • Prepare Revitalization Plans
    We then work directly with the Borough Council and Planning Commission to advance these plans.

  • Take an active role in community initiatives
    We seek to engage in initiatives that encourage a more diverse community character, expand professional employment opportunities, increase the variety and amount of local housing types, and contribute to general community inclusiveness.

Who We Are

All RDA positions are volunteer appointments serving 5 year terms. The current RDA is composed of:

Sally Lenker, Chair
Mark Huncik, Vice-Chair
Rebecca Misangyi, Secretary/Treasurer
James Shincovich, Board Member

How We’re Funded

The RDA is funded by the Borough of State College through real estate taxes. Outside grants are also sought to fund projects. Past grants have been awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the PA Housing Finance Agency, for example.

Attend a Meeting

Meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of every month at 12pm.

Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

> Recent Agendas and Minutes

How to work with us:

Have a redevelopment project in mind?

The RDA would love to hear your ideas for partnerships that will make State College even better.

(Browse some past and in-progress projects here to get a feel for the types of proposals that might be a good fit for partnership.)