In response to a comment by Pat Elliott ("Higher prices at times common in free market," Oct. 22 letter):

Elliott writes, "State College would survive, and thrive, without the university." Mr. Elliott, it's obvious you haven't visited State College since your graduation 16 years ago.

State College is the jewel of the Centre County economy and may be the largest draw for the northern half of the state. We have enormous service plazas, a mall and numerous industrial centers. There are thousands employed in academic, scientific and commercial positions. None of this would exist without the savior-faire and the huge population Penn State introduces to the community.

There is a saying up here, "The two biggest money makers for Centre County are Penn State and the state pen." Last year's operating budget of Penn State was $2.2 billion. Include in that the millions spent by students on books, apartments, food and fun and you should be easily convinced that without us -- the students -- State College would be nothing but a backwater central Pennsylvania town.