Arts, culture have big impact on Centre County, study finds

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – Arts and entertainment are leaders in Centre County's economy according to a recent study paid for by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB).

The study set out to quantify the economic impact of the arts and culture industry on the economy. This includes festivals, fairs and trips to art museums among other factors.

The adventure bureau says it is surprised by how much of an impact the arts are already having in the area, and this study is valuable to understanding which industries could use some help.

"We've heard from the people who are working in that creative art, cultural, entertainment sector that they think the potential is great," HVAB CEO Fritz Smith said.

Smith said the study will not become an annual thing due to how expensive it can be, but they hope to do it every couple of years or so to continue to learn more about where the county's economy stands.