STATE COLLEGE — The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County recently awarded the 2026 Centre County Business Awards, presented by Stuckey Automotive to six local businesses and individuals. The annual ceremony took place in the Nittany Lion Inn Ballroom on Oct. 21.
The event was emceed by CBICC President and CEO Greg Scott, who highlighted the importance of recognizing excellence across the Centre County business community.
“Tonight is about much more than six awards. We have 18 outstanding finalists representing an incredible range of businesses, organizations, and leadership throughout Centre County, and each of them has made a meaningful contribution to this community,” said Scott. “What makes Centre County special isn’t any one business or institution. It’s the people who take a risk on an idea, invest and grow right here, mentor others, and work every day to improve the lives of their neighbors. When we recognize excellence and support one another, we help create an environment where more businesses can succeed and our entire community benefits.”
Award Recipients
- ATHENA Champion Leadership Award: Carol Eicher
- Nonprofit of the Year: Discovery Space
- Emerging Business of the Year: Justin Leusner Media
- Small Business of the Year: Harpers
- Business Leader of the Year: Edward Tubbs
- Business of the Year: DiamondBack Covers
“This is always one of the most special evenings of the year. We have an extraordinary business community, filled with people who are building successful companies, creating jobs, supporting their employees, and finding new ways to give back,” said Cheryl Johnson, CBICC Board Chair.
The Centre County Business Awards is a cornerstone CBICC event recognizing outstanding achievement through a peer-led nomination and selection process. This year’s program drew a record number of nominations, which were reviewed and discussed by a diverse panel of community and business leaders serving on the Awards Selection Committee.
Beyond the six recipients, the evening celebrated all 18 finalists and the broader story they tell
about Centre County. Collectively, this year’s honorees reflect the range of what drives the local economy: century-old family businesses and first-generation startups, nonprofits expanding access to opportunity, and leaders investing their time and resources back into
Recognizing that work publicly reinforces a culture where excellence is celebrated, success is shared, and businesses are encouraged to build and grow here in Centre County.
This event was organized by CBICC and made possible through the generous support of presenting sponsor Stuckey Automotive, Marketing Sponsor Penn State Smeal College of Business, Registration Sponsor Geisinger Health Plan, awards sponsors: Penn State Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, College Township Industrial Development Authority, Leonard S. Fiore, PNC Bank, Reliance Bank, Penn Highlands Healthcare, and additional sponsors: Warfel Construction, Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., Mount Nittany Health, Scholar Hotel, Centre 1st Bank, PSU Transportation Services, M&T Bank, Fulton Bank, Morelli Realty, Hospitality Asset Management Company Lion Country Lodging, Kish Bank, PSECU, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Plum Pristine Clean, Centre Foundation and Poole Anderson Construction, LLC.
