A first look at plans for a new hotel proposed along the Benner Pike was given during Tuesday’s Centre County Commissioners meeting.

Chris Schnure, Subdivision and Land Development Planner for Centre County, gave a quick presentation on the plans and the board approved putting a Memorandum of Understanding on next week’s consent agenda.

The MOU is an agreement between the county, Benner Township and the developer, Schnure said, where the developer agrees to reimburse the township for the costs associated with the township engineers processing, reviewing, inspecting and approving the engineering details of the plan. The approval of the MOU does not constitute an approval of the plan, which would go before the county’s planning commission.

The plan, “Benner Pike Tru by Hilton Hotel and Retail building” includes a 98-guest room hotel and 12,000 square foot retail building with corresponding infrastructure, like water lines, sewer, driveways and lighting, Schnure said.

“It’s located along the eastern boundary of the Benner Pike, approximately 800 feet south of the entrance to the Penn Eagle Industrial Park in Benner Township and across from the bowling alley,” he said. G.M. McCrossin, Inc. owns the property; the site that is being developed is located in the northern part of the property, he added.

Commissioner Mark Higgins said another hotel would likely bring in additional proceeds for the hotel tax and employment. Commissioner Amber Concepcion said the development is exciting.

“I’m excited to see another place to stay. I’m sure … everybody who’s coming here for graduations and football games and to visit their kids on Penn State family weekends will appreciate having another option,” she said.

Plans for the hotel were first announced in June via a press release from Hospitality Asset Management Company. The release stated the Tru by Hilton franchised property will have 98 rooms, active lobby spaces and an expanded fitness center.

Edward Tubbs, chief operating officer of Hospitality Asset Management Company, said they’re excited to expand their portfolio in Happy Valley.

“We continue to be proud of our company’s growth and are excited to increase our portfolio footprint in our home region of Centre County. The local communities have been very supportive and welcoming for us to have a larger presence in the region,” Tubbs said in the June release.

Tru by Hilton will join several other developments planned for an increasingly popular area of Centre County, like plans for Happy Valley’s first Wawa, proposed for between Dunkin’ and Fulton Bank along the Benner Pike, and a new McDonald’s proposed for at the intersection of Paradise Road and the Benner Pike. Other developments and plans in the township include the new Giant, a large residential development at the end of High Tech Road, a massive fulfillment center warehouse at the end of Penntech Drive and a four-story hotel at the corner of Benner Pike and Amberleigh Lane.