Harrisburg Regional News Summer, 2012 by Atlantic Communications Studios

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HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

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HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS SUMMER 2012 EDITION

/ POLITICS, POLITICS, POLITICS

CHAMBER & CREDC

INSIDE 4 6

UPCOMING E V E N T S •

•

__________________

JULY....

WELCOME

3 MID-DAY LUNCH BREAK Eastern University

From the Desk of David Black

10 NEW MEMBER LUNCHEON Chamber & CREDC Office

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ALERT

18 CBW ROUNDTABLE Tri-County Association for the Blind

Coalition for Sustainable Communities: Addressing Municipal Financial Distress in PA

_________________

AUGUST...

8 10

1 GOOD MORNING HARRISBURG Chamber & CREDC Office

SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES

Economic Development Lending 101: How Public-Private Partnerships Benefit Your Business

7 MID-DAY LUNCH BREAK C. Ted Lick Wildwood Conference Center 16 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Penn National Insurance

COVER FEATURE

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Meet the First Lady: Susan Corbett

SEPTEMBER .

7 SPEED NETWORKING LUNCHEON Park Inn Harrisburg West

GET INVOLVED

SPOTLIGHT ON MUSEUMS

18 20

Government Relations Committee

11 MID-DAY LUNCH BREAK Harrisburg Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center 13 SUPPLIER DIVERSITY SYMPOSIUM Best Western Premier – The Central Hotel & Conference Center

History on Display in South Central PA

19 CHAMBER BUSINESS WOMEN

TO BETTER SERVE YOU

WELLNESS PANEL

A New Online Presence: www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org and www.CREDCPA.org

Crowne Plaza Harrisburg – Hershey 20 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Mountz Jewelers 24 MEMBERSHIP GOLF OUTING West Shore Country Club

MAKING STRIDES

Members in The News

Save-the-Date! In this edition we’re talking POLITICS, POLITICS, POLITICS.

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

You may be more affected than you think!

PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center Title Partner:

Taste of the Expo Sponsor:

BECOME A CHAMBER & CREDC MEMBER TODAY!

If you are interested in membership with the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, please call us at 717.232.4099 or visit us at www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org. Building Your Business...and Our Region

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www.facebook.com/harrisburgregionalchamber @hrccredc www.linkedin.com/company/harrisburg-regional-chamber-&-credc

Chamber & CREDC members, check your emails regularly for changes or additions to the above. For more information or to register for these and other events, contact us at 717-232-4099 or visit www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org.

A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

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WELCOME

FROM THE DESK OF DAVID BLACK PRESIDENT & CEO

‘‘

CLOSE TAKE A T WHAT A K O O DOING. L IS T N E M OVERN YOUR G

I’m not political, I don’t go to those types of events was the response I

’’

I received when inviting a business person I knew to a government relations event. Stunned by the response, I found myself at a rare loss for words as my mind tried to rationalize what I just had heard. The rusty wheels in my head began to turn and I started thinking, “Are you (insert expletive here) kidding me? How on earth can you be in business and not be interested in talking with members of the General Assembly, Members of Congress or even local Government Officials? When you built your business’s building, you had to get permits from state and local agencies. Were you happy with the process? From what I remember of the conversations (there were many) there were too many steps and decisions required of you that you took great exception to at the time, while reminding me all you were trying to do was to get permission to build a building to support your business, to create jobs and make money that you will pay taxes on!”

– Permits

– Taxes

– Water & Sewer

– Trash collection

– Police & Security

– New laws

Government CONTROLS so much of WHAT we have to do and HOW we do it, how CAN YOU AFFORD not to be involved...?

‘‘

’’

Not political! I thought to myself, the wheels were smokin’ now and throwing off a little heat, “Government controls so much of what we have to do and how we do it, how can you afford not to be involved in at least these non-partisan discussions with elected officials?” I could feel the top of my head getting red, and since I lack cover up there, I decided I should breathe and get my thoughts together before opening my mouth. Remember Grasshopper: with age comes wisdom, although patience is debatable. So, my head cooled down and we managed to have a nice conversation that included some of the following thoughts.

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Through the cts e Chamber & CREDC ff i n e s a s you can stay en t r b u informed of m ern you v ay! o d important go d n a vernment issu G ry u e o es v y e affecting yo u, your busin es s , a n d your commun ity. A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS P U B L I S H E D Q U A R T E R LY

It’s true; Government at all levels plays a huge role in our day-to-day lives. For our members here at the Chamber & CREDC, living and doing business in the shadow of the Capitol can work for us. We can have exchanges not only with the Senators and Representatives who represent us, but with Leadership and various Chairs of Committees that impact our lives on a daily basis, as well as regular interaction with the Governor. However, here at the Chamber & CREDC we don’t limit ourselves to State Government. We regularly interact with our Members of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, well at least Senator Toomey. Unfortunately, Senator Casey has not been very responsive to Chambers of Commerce in general over his six years in office. Oops! Was that political? No, that was fact. Remember this is the guy who politely told us he was a proud sponsor of the Card Check legislation a session ago that we, along with Chambers nationwide, worked so hard to oppose and were successful in doing so for the time being. BEYOND STATE AND FEDERAL, we stay on top of local government issues as well. We work with three sets of County Commissioners and 103 municipal governments. As we know, 102 of those municipalities are run pretty well and we only have one real problem child in our region – and that is a whopper. We have been outspoken on the lack of cooperation and the inability of elected officials in the City of Harrisburg to solve their own problems, requiring the state to create additional Act 47 legislation and engage in municipal problems in an unprecedented situation. We are speaking on behalf of our membership to encourage positive action. We are engaged in the recovery plan on behalf of our membership. We all know that the urban hub of our region, like any region, must be healthy in order for it to thrive. The most puzzling thing continues to be the opposition without alternative of City Council and other elected officials. Let’s be

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

clear, bankruptcy is not a plan. Bankruptcy requires a plan – so if you are advocating bankruptcy, what’s your plan? City Council has really missed its opportunity to lead, so the state has appointed a Receiver who can go to Commonwealth Court for court-ordered implementation of his plan. We will give the Mayor her due; she has been working cooperatively with the Receiver having little alternative. Was that political? No, that was fact as well – but thank you for asking.

Distributed by

Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC 3211 N. Front Street, Suite 201 Harrisburg, PA 17110-1342 717-232-4099 Fax: 717-232-5184 www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org Christine Brindle Editor, Harrisburg Regional News 717-213-5048 / cbrindle@hbgrc.org David E. Black President & CEO Maryann Chiavetta Chair of the Board, Chamber

THE POINT HERE is that we live in a representative democracy. Those who represent us well – and in order to better do their job – should want to know what we think. While they can’t represent every position presented to them on every issue, as a Chamber, a group of businesses, we can represent common interests and common positions. These interests and positions will make government less intrusive at the federal and state level and more responsive and better able to provide the local services we rely on each week in our local communities – like water and sewer service, and picking up our trash. THIS ISSUE OF HRN is designed to help you understand issues and government better, how to impact change, and how to have your voice heard. It is not about being political. If that’s your goal, get involved in a campaign as a volunteer or write a check – something by the way that is needed to keep and encourage good people to continue good work – but not required in communicating your concerns to an elected official at a Government Relations meeting or Chamber and CREDC event.

Susan Pera Chair of the Board, CREDC The mission of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC is to be a catalyst for policy change, for job creation and for business growth in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties that enhances the quality of life in our region. ______________________________________________________________________________

Produced & Published by

Atlantic Communications Group, Inc. 800-832-3747 Fax: 800-599-6420 www.atlantic4us.com / www.KnowThisPlace.com Proud to be a member of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC Hayden M. Wilbur CEO Gretchen Lindberg Art Director Stephan Vegoe Writer/Photographer Frankie Clayton Advertising Sales ©2012 Atlantic Communications Group, Inc. and Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any format or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo copying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. The information in this publication has been gathered and carefully compiled to ensure maximum accuracy. However, because completeness cannot be guaranteed, Harrisburg Chamber & CREDC and Atlantic Communications Group, Inc. cannot accept responsibility for omissions and errors. ISSN 1530-4051 / Summer 2012 / Volume 13 / Issue 54 ______________________________________________________________________________

For Advertising Opportunities in Harrisburg Regional News, contact Frankie Clayton, Sales Manager, 717-213-5043, frankieclayton@yahoo.com. ______________________________________________________________________________

Scan with your tablet or smartphone to visit www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org

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FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY ALERT AVERAGE ANNUAL PAY INCREASE

lished in an Act 47 plan. Secondly, the Coalition is working to amend Act 111 (Police & Firefighter Collective Bargaining Law). The law has not been amended since its enactment in 1968. This Act 111 process has resulted in arbitration awards as high as 6% annually in recent years. When was the last time anyone you know saw a six percent salary increase in one year? The Coalition’s proposal to keep Act 111 provides a reasonable approach that will equalize the collective bargaining process with balanced measures. While the Coalition deeply respects and appreciates the work done by our men and women in uniform whose union opposes any change to the Act, let’s be honest. Today is much different than 1968 and changes need to be made. The pension problem is very similar to the issues that Governor Corbett discussed with us at the Governor’s Breakfast in May. It is caused in part by the binding arbitration problems discussed above, but also caused by very expensive defined benefit pro-

Save-the-Date!

SEPT. 13, 2012 Best Western Premier – The Central Hotel & Conference Center

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Annual required contributions are a pension affordability nightmare in progress.

PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC PENSIONS

2% 1%

2012 Local Share $1.3 billion State Share 1.1 billion Total: $2.4 billion

P E A K

For the last year, the Coalition for Sustainable Communities – a collaboration of chambers of commerce, business groups, and various municipal associations – has been working to address growing economic and financial challenges. The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC is a founding member of this coalition. The Coalition for Sustainable Communities has been working with state lawmakers to draft legislation to help solve the economic crises so many Pennsylvania cities and municipalities face. Basic problems revolve around labor costs, pension costs and opportunities to grow their tax base. The Chambers in the Coalition have stood fast that more money is not the answer; the answer is to fix the cost drivers before any additional income sources are discussed. The Coalition has supported Senator Jane Earll’s (R-49) SB 1321 legislation that reverses a very bad decision by the PA Supreme Court that allows municipal arbitration awards to exceed the budget caps estab-

This chart reflects the average annual police and fire wage increases beginning 2007 from selected Act 47 plans and Act 111 awards. Source: PA Economy League

HARRISBURG NANTICOKE POLICE READING ALIQUIPPA NEW CASTLE CHESTER PITTSBURGH WEST HAZLETON SHARON POLICE BETHLEHEM FIRE NORRISTOWN POLICE PHILADELPHIA POLICE CHAMBERSBURG POLICE PHILADELPHIA FIRE DOYLESTOWN POLICE PA STATE POLICE ALLENTOWN POLICE BETHLEHEM POLICE

e read daily about the financial issues in the City of Harrisburg, but Harrisburg is only one of 26 municipalities that have entered Act 47. Since the program began in 1987 six have emerged, twenty-one remain (thirteen of which are cities), while many others are on the verge of Act 47 or in the State’s Early Intervention Program. Forty-three percent of Pennsylvanians live in distressed municipalities.

CURRENT

By Larissa Bailey, Government Relations Manager and David Black, President & CEO

ACT 111

2035 Local Share $5.7 billion State Share 6.2 billion Total: $11.9 billion

$12 $10 $8 $6 $4 $2 $0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040 2041 2042 2043 2044 2045

ADDRESSING MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL DISTRESS IN PENNSYLVANIA

ACT 47

Act 47 plan coordinators held down cost increases in financially distressed municipalities, but without legislative action to reverse the Supreme Court decision, expect labor costs to soar.

Required Contribution (billions)

COALITION FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES:

SERS

PSERS State

PSERS Local

MUNICIPAL (estimated)

This graph shows combined pension problems of Municipalities, School Districts and State Government facing Pennsylvania over the next 25 years. Source: PA Economy League

grams and over 3,300 municipal plans in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has 25% of municipal pension plans statewide. We can’t support the system in place for the long term and need to move, as the private sector has done, to more of a 401K approach and even a statewide municipal pension system. These are problems with related political issues that cannot be kicked down the road. That is why this Coalition was formed.

We know it will not be easy, but we know if we are to leave our municipalities and our state in sound fiscal condition for future generations, these are problems that need to be addressed today. If you would like more information, please contact Larissa Bailey, Government Relations Manager (lbailey@hbgrc.org or 717-213-5041). We encourage you to talk with your State Senator and State Representative about these problems.

A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

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SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LENDING 101: How Public-Private Partnerships Benefit Your Business By: Brittany Brock â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Finance Specialist THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CAPITAL and credit remains a significant barrier to small business development and growth. State and Federal government agencies understand this need and offer small business loan programs that incentivize business start ups, growth and expansion efforts. Businesses can apply for these loans through the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC). The goal of economic development finance is to fuel private sector investment that results in the creation of permanent, private sector jobs and increased productivity. Economic development financing encourages investment in short and long term assets and stimulates investment by providing incentives to lenders and borrowers. CREDCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role is to initiate, facilitate and organize the partner-

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ship and maintain economic development goals as a priority. The role of the private sector is to be the source of deals and create credibility for the system. Lenders are the most important private members of this public-private partnership, not only because lenders are a major source of deals for economic development companies, but also because their participation in the deal is required. CREDC partners with banks on every deal it does and believes that it can offer significant value to lenders by reducing their exposure and risk in the deal, improving their collateral position and creating added value for their customers. Businesses that choose to participate in economic development finance programs see substantial savings and benefits. Interest rates

for most loan programs offered through CREDC are hovering between 2-4.75%. Interest rates are fixed for the entire term of the loan, which gives a lower overall payback amount, no balloon payments, and consistent payments for the life of the loan. Another attractive benefit is that in most cases, borrowers are required to come up with only 10% equity injection for the project compared to 20% that is typical for conventional bank financing. CREDC also offers programs that have no pre-payment penalties, assumable loan options, and for soft costs such as appraisal and environmental fees to be financed instead of paid out of pocket before closing. Economic development loans are typically structured with the economic development

A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC

organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loan program providing 40% of the total project costs in a subordinate position, a participating lender (bank or credit union) covering up to 50% of the total project costs in a first position, and the borrower contributing 10% of the project costs. Project costs can include the purchase of real estate, renovation and construction costs, furniture, equipment and soft costs. CREDC can finance almost any type of business including but not limited to manufacturing, industrial, agriculture, tourism, information technology and bio-tech, to name a few. As the economic development arm of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, CREDC strives to be the leading organization for promoting and performing economic development activities in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry

Counties. CREDC has been certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to provide loans to small businesses located in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry Counties. CREDC is also able to provide the SBA 504 loan program to any business within the Commonwealth. Many people in the community know who CREDC is but, as a small business owner, it is in your best interest to find out what CREDC can do for you. If your business is in need of financing, give CREDC a call and find out how you can save money on your next real estate or equipment purchase! For more information on CREDCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Small Business financing opportunities, please contact Melissa McLaughlin at 717-213-5042, mmclaughlin@hbgrc.org or visit our website at www.CREDCPA.org.

Save-the-Date!

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NRG Energy Center Harrisburg 900 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 717.234.4600

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

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COVER FEATURE Pausing briefly from her active schedule, the First Lady sits for a moment with the Corbett’s Airedale terriers, Penny and Harry.

USAN CORBETT, PENNSYLVANIA’S FIRST

was just twenty-one years old when she graduated from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania with a degree in English and a teaching certificate. Her first teaching position was as a high school English teacher at Northern Lebanon High School, just a few miles from her home town of Pine Grove in Schuylkill County. During our discussion with the First lady at the Governor’s Residence, we asked Mrs. Corbett how she decides which projects – among the many available to her – she wants to support and participate in. She explained that when her husband was first elected she attended a program sponsored by the National Governors Association specifically designed for new ‘First Spouses.’ She explained the program identified the roles and opportunities available to her in this unique new situation. “They told us that if we choose to play an active role in our state we can have a big impact. They also suggested we ought to take as much as a year to read a great deal about the issues and then decide which issues and programs and projects best fit our personalities and interests.” LADY,

pqp

MEET THE FIRST LADY SUSAN CORBETT PHOTO: CHRISTINE BRINDLE

By Stephan Vegoe

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Among her many activities as Pennsylvania’s First Lady, Mrs. Corbett is launching an initiative – Opening Doors – which is trying to increase the national high school graduation rate. Mrs. Corbett is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Education on a plan to increase graduation rates in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She indicated that a number of states are making good progress in increasing the percentage of students who graduate from high school but for the past ten years Pennsylvania’s numbers, “in spite of all the money that has been invested in education” have not improved. Mrs. Corbett explained, “I cannot think of anything more important for me to do while I am in this unique position than to have an impact on improving the potential quality of life for many of our at-risk students.” To do that, she explained, “We have to help our schools recognize which of their students are at risk and then positively inter-

A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC

work for Bob Wilburn, then the foundation’s president and CEO, Gettysburg’s exciting new visitor’s center and museum was just a hole in the ground. “I had previously worked for Bob in Pittsburgh so I contacted him when Tom and I came to Harrisburg and he offered me a programs position, and then, when the development officer left, Bob asked me to help raise money to complete this wonderful public/private partnership.” Mrs. Corbett explained that $125 million was raised to build the new visitors center and museum, and to renovate and reenergize the famous 1883 cyclorama painting by the French artist Paul Philippoteaux depicting “Pickett’s Charge” on July 3rd, 1863. She explained this huge project would never have happened without the dedication of three men: Bob Wilburn; Dr. John Latschar of the National Parks Service; and Bob Kinsley from York, Pennsylvania, the project’s largest benefactor.” “These three men,” Mrs. Corbett explained, “created a public/private partnership that melded the best efforts of each into a jewel that will annually serve as many as one million visitors to our nation’s most important Civil War battlefield.” pqp

Governor and Mrs. Corbett maintain balance in their lives while holding down demanding work loads. “There are good things and bad things about this job, and what I get to do is by far the easier of the two jobs,” says Susan, then with a laugh adds “People are usually a lot nicer to the First Lady than they are to the Governor!”

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

Because of her previous career in various arts organizations in Pittsburgh, including what she called her dream job at Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, Mrs. Corbett now serves as chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. She is also a commissioner on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission, a trustee of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, an ex-officio member of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, honorary chair of the Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary, and honorary chair of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition’s Annual Conference. She also holds the title of Pennsylvania’s First Tourist. pqp

When asked about living at the Governor’s Residence and being the Commonwealth’s

COVER PHOTO: CHRISTINE BRINDLE

vene to keep those students on a track that leads to graduation.” Mrs. Corbett reflected on two students from her teaching days at Northern Lebanon High School, almost forty years ago. They were a 9th grade boy who was bullied by some of his classmates, and an 11th grade girl, both just waiting for the day when they could walk out and never return. “I think about them,” she said, “because today they are just a few years younger than I am, indeed we are contemporaries, and I think about what could have been a different life for those two students if we had been able to provide mentors for them; if we could have done more and been better prepared to help them than we were.” During much of the time her husband, Governor Corbett, served as Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, Mrs. Corbett commuted to Gettysburg to work for the Gettysburg National Battlefield Museum Foundation as its Vice President for Programs and Development. Mrs. Corbett told us that when she started to

ON THE COVER

In addition to her many other endeavors – such as serving as chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a position on the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission, and a trustee of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh – Susan Corbett draws on her teaching experience and unique position as the Governor’s wife to launch an initiative aimed at increasing high school graduation rates.

First Lady, Mrs. Corbett explained that she and her husband both have difficult jobs and that working at the Governor’s Residence can be a challenge. “There are good things and bad things about this job, and what I get to do is by far the easier of the two jobs.” She laughed when she said “People are usually a lot nicer to the First Lady than they are to the Governor!” Even though they live in Pennsylvania’s official residence with a small staff to help them and manage events at the Residence, Governor and Mrs. Corbett try to maintain the same kind of family relationship they had when they lived in the pre-civil war home in Pittsburgh they still own and regularly return to, and where they expect to retire. As we were conducting this conversation with the First Lady, the Governor walked into the room to take his wife’s hand and kiss her goodbye, saying as he left, “I’ll be back on Friday and we’ll have dinner – just the two of us,” making us realize what a special relationship these two people have and the lesson they teach us in the importance of maintaining balance in our lives, regardless of what we may do for a living.

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GET INVOLVED

Government Relations Committee By Larissa Bailey, Government Relations Manager 2012 IS ALREADY PROVING TO BE A BUSY YEAR for the Chamber & CREDC’s Government Relations Committee.

The group kicked off its January meeting with a visit from STATE SENATOR MIKE FOLMER. Folmer talked about the need to increase the competitiveness of our region in order to attract and retain new businesses. Creating and promoting family-sustaining jobs is one of the Senator’s top legislative priorities. (4th District) stopped by in February and discussed his top legislative priorities he hopes to push through the House before retiring at the end of his term. CONGRESSMAN TODD PLATTS

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In March, PETE TARTLINE, EXECUTIVE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE BUDGET, presented the Governor’s 2012-2013 fiscal plan. STATE REPRESENTATIVE SHERYL DELOZIER shared her thoughts on the recent legislative reapportionment and her plans to change the process to better involve all Pennsylvanians at the April meeting. ERIC BUGAILE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, answered

questions at the May meeting about the publicprivate partnership legislation making its way through the General Assembly.

If you would like to become involved with the Government Relations Committee – or at least sit in on a meeting or two – contact Larissa Bailey (lbailey@hbgrc.org), Government Relations Manager today!

The Committee closed out the first half of the year by hearing from LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JIM CAWLEY in June. In addition to hearing from these notable leaders, the Government Relations Committee drafted and approved its 2012-2013 legislative priorities, as well as various position statements regarding transportation and business taxes.

A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

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SPOTLIGHT ON MUSEUMS

HISTORY ON

D ISPLaY IN SOUTH CENTRAL PA

When you think of museums, what comes to mind? The Smithsonian? The Guggenheim? The Louvre? Did you know the Capital Region has several museums right in its backyard? They’re museums rich in history that succeed in preserving the past, displaying the present, and capturing the future. THE UNITED STATES ARMY HERITAGE AND

(USAHEC) is a 56-acre military history, education, and cultural campus in Carlisle. The Center is being developed to preserve the memories of soldiers and their families, honor their service, and help educate the American public about the Army and its soldiers’ contributions to the Nation. Currently the campus includes a Military History Institute (a research library and archives for personal papers of soldiers and their families), a Visitor and Education Center and an Army Heritage Trail (a one mile long attraction that shows visitors how Soldiers lived and fought over time). USAHEC.org EDUCATION CENTER

THE ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF AMERICA MUSEUM (AACA), located in Hershey and recognized as one of the Top 16 Automotive Museums in the world, displays original and restored cars, trucks, buses, and motorcycles

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in a unique themed setting. Stroll through three levels of vehicles and memorabilia that take you coast to coast from New York in the 1900s, to San Francisco’s golden gate bridge in the 1970s. Other highlights include an authentic 1940s Valentine diner, antique buses, more than 300 hood ornaments, an interactive kids’ area, and a model train display that’s open on select dates. AACAmuseum.org Built on a bluff overlooking the Susquehanna River, FORT HUNTER MANSION AND PARK has served as a war fort, a hub for frontier commerce, and an exclusive private estate. Now preserved and open to the public, Fort Hunter Mansion and Park invites visitors to explore Pennsylvania’s rich history and its countless recreational activities and educational opportunities. The landscape, inhabited by Native Americans for thousands of years, now features

* Fort Hunter Mansion and Park’s information obtained from Forthunter.org

1700s and 1800s buildings as well as picnic pavilions and playgrounds. Guided tours are offered throughout the day, May 1st – December 23rd.* Forthunter.org THE HERSHEY STORY ON CHOCOLATE AVENUE is an interactive museum in downtown Hershey that explores the life and legacy of chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey. Visitors can learn how he went from bankruptcy to brilliance and transformed chocolate from a luxury to an everyday treat. The Hershey Story includes the Museum Experience, a series of engaging, interactive exhibits; the Chocolate Lab, where learning comes to life through hands-on classes; the Museum Shop, stocked with unique Hershey merchandise and memorabilia; Café Zooka, the perfect place for light fare and chocolate desserts including Countries of Origin Chocolate page 16 >

A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC

Facing page: The National Civil War Museum. This page: The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

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Continued from page 14

Above: The Hershey Story on Chocolate Avenue. Below, left to right: The United States Army Heritage and Education Center; The Antique Automobile Club of America Museum.

Tasting, where guests can experience warm drinking chocolate from six of the world’s finest cocoa-growing regions. HersheyStory.org THE NATIONAL CIVIL WAR MUSEUM,

located in Harrisburg, is the only museum in the United States that portrays the entire story of the American Civil War in equally balanced presentations without bias to Union or Confederate causes. In addition to self-guided tours, the Civil War Museum has a membership program that allows for individuals to get a behind-the-scenes tour to see the collections not in the galleries. NationalCivilWarMuseum.org 16

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THE STATE MUSEUM OF PENNSYLVANIA

WHITAKER CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND THE

offers expansive collections interpreting the state’s fascinating heritage. With exhibits on four floors examining the dawn of geologic time, the Native American experience, the colonial and Revolutionary eras, a pivotal American Civil War Battleground, and the Commonwealth’s vast industrial age, The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania’s story is America’s story. A few special features of the museum include a hands-on museum for young children ages 2-5 called Curiosity Connection and a Planetarium. StateMuseumPA.org

ARTS is located in downtown Harrisburg. The Harsco Science Center, housed in Whitaker Center, is a 22,500 square foot, hands-on interactive learning environment. The facility also accommodates an IMAX Theater and the Sunoco Performance Theater.* WhitakerCenter.org

* Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts information obtained from WhitakerCenter.org

Each visit to a museum offers you a unique experience and, most importantly, tells a story. The cost of admission is inexpensive or even free. Discover, uncover, and appreciate history on display in South Central PA.

A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

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TO BETTER SERVE YOU

A NEW ONLINE PRESENCE By Christine Brindle, Director of Communications & Outreach

The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC recently announced the launch of two new and improved websites. The sites have created a new online presence for the Chamber & CREDC; one that represents the organization’s overall mission – to be a catalyst for policy change, for job creation and for business growth in Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties that enhances the quality of life in our region. Both sites offer an abundance of information about the Harrisburg region and surrounding areas, as well as valuable business and community resources. In addition to friendly navigation, the Chamber & CREDC websites offer a host of new features!

www.CREDCPA.org CREDC WEBSITE FEATURES:

www.HarrisburgRegionalChamber.org

CHAMBER WEBSITE FEATURES:

Member Dashboard – Since the Chamber & CREDC encourages its members to do business with other members, it was imperative to include the Member Dashboard. The Member Dashboard is a basic log-in feature of the site designated solely for members. Here, members are able to make any necessary updates to their company’s profile, business category and contacts. In addition, members have the opportunity to upload and share job openings (Job Postings), requests for proposals (RFPs), coupons or promotional discounts (Member Discounts & Deals), and news stories and events (Member News & Events) with their fellow Chamber & CREDC members. Committee & Roundtable Rooms – Serving on one or more of the Chamber & CREDC’s committees is a great way for members to gain increased visibility, networking opportunities, and gives them a unique chance to positively impact Central Pennsylvania’s business and economic development community. The Chamber & CREDC values the work of their volunteers and felt it was important to dedicate a section of the website to support their efforts online. This section is referred to as the Committee & Roundtable Rooms. Here, committee volunteers can view, download and print information pertaining to their particular committee including meeting minutes, guidelines, schedules, agendas and any other documents made available to them by the Chamber & CREDC staff. 18

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Latest News & Successful Projects – The Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC) is the economic development arm of the Chamber. As the leading organization for promoting and performing economic development activities in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties, it made sense to provide site visitors with the latest economic development news from around the region. With the goal of staying current, the Latest News feature is updated on a weekly basis and can be viewed directly on the homepage and throughout the site. Visitors are also able to search archived news and easily share news through social media links. The Successful Projects feature was developed to help raise awareness of CREDC’s current and upcoming projects, both for the purposes of soliciting responses from interested developers, as well as introducing the community to projects throughout the region. User-friendly Experience – The new CREDC site was designed to increase awareness of the region as a viable destination for companies looking to start, expand or locate a business in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties. With that goal in mind, CREDC focused on creating a user-friendly experience for individuals seeking information about the region. This included simplifying the site’s navigation, making information readily accessible and creating a clean, fresh design. These improvements help to highlight the wealth of data CREDC has to offer their clients and site visitors. The organization firmly believes that the new sites are trendy, easy to use, and serve as valuable resources to the community. If you have any comments or questions about the websites, please call the Chamber & CREDC at 717.232.4099. A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC

Save-the-Date! 2012 AWARDS NIGHT DECEMBER 5, 2012 Radisson Hotel Harrisburg PrimeCare Medical, Inc. is a privately owned, nationally accredited, correctional healthcare company based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. PrimeCare provides medical services to juvenile correctional facilities, jails, and prisons throughout the Northeastern United States. As professionals, we customize a medical program based on your facilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific medical needs without jeopardizing the specific security requirements of your detention center. PrimeCare Medical, Inc. provides both partial (without nursing) and comprehensive medical services to correctional facilities throughout the Northeastern United States. At PrimeCare Medical, we are committed to offering our clients quality health care programs that are customized to meet specific needs and fit into existing administrative structures. We respect each individual institutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s procedures, policies and budget constraints.

3940 Locust Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17109

717-545-5787 www.primecaremedical.com

HARRISBURG REGIONAL NEWS / SUMMER 2012

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MAKING STRIDES

Members in The News In 2011–2012, the BEN FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS of Central and Northern PA invested $5.8 million in entrepreneurs, tech startups and small manufacturers in their 32-county footprint. The money was targeted for direct funding for company projects and to provide first-class business support services and entrepreneurial training to the hundreds of people who engage with their program each year. The CULTURAL ENRICHMENT FUND (CEF) announced that its 2011-2012 united campaign for the arts in the capital region successfully garnered increased support for area arts groups. The Cultural Enrichment Fund successfully raised $514,016 from area businesses and individuals for local arts and cultural organizations. This represents a 2.5 percent increase over the previous year’s audited campaign total of $501,466. Customers at GIANT FOOD STORES and MARTIN’S FOOD MARKETS donated $537,672 to support local hunger relief efforts through the grocers’ recent Bag Hunger campaign. During the two-week campaign, February 26 – March 10, customers were asked to donate $1 at the checkout to benefit their local regional food bank. This is the first of two in-store Bag Hunger campaigns GIANT and MARTIN’S will conduct this year; the second will coincide with September’s Hunger Action Month. Through its A+ School Rewards program, GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets also donated $3 million to 2,582 public and private schools for the 2011-2012 school years. Since the program launched in 2005, more than $13 million has been donated to local schools through participating markets. HALLER ENTERPRISES, INC. announced the addition of Mark Jahnigen to their team. Mark brings six years of experience in custom audio/video industry and was the owner of Wired Home Automation Services, Central PA’s leading home automation company. Haller Enterprises purchased the assets of Wired Home Automation Services on April 25, 2012 and is

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excited to introduce this service line to Haller’s customers. Though the midstate only occasionally suffers a shortage of water, there are many areas of the world facing crises that threaten the health and lives of millions of people. HARRISBURG ACADEMY’S Upper School Water Project club, at the end of its third school year, is working to bring attention to this important issue by raising money to build water wells in Uganda and Kenya. Iqra Shaikh ’12, founder and president of the Water Project Club, started the service project at Harrisburg Academy in 2009 in response to a web exploration lesson in Mr. Travis Kreider’s history class. Over the past three years, Mr. Kreider has offered logistical guidance, but Iqra made the Water Project a success through the help of her classmates who care. By a focused outreach to friends and classmates at Harrisburg Academy and the greater community, a total of $7,000 has been raised – and $2,000 of that was in one month alone! HOLLENBACH CONSTRUCTION, INC., a professional general contractor and construction management organization that develops and delivers strategic client-focused solutions to meet facility needs is pleased to announce that five employees recently completed an OSHA 30 safety course to educate construction professionals on OSHA federal regulations and compliance. Those receiving the certifications are Superintendents: Chris Reid, Gary Miller, Cliff Essig and Rich Longacre along with Kathy Fisher, Human Resource Manager. The Horizon Interactive Awards recently recognized JPL for excellence in interactive media solutions for its work on the Jolly Rancher website for The Hershey Company. To support the brand’s new TV campaign, updated packaging and refocused outreach, JPL created an engaging site to drive purchase and encourage loyalty. KAREN’S HARMONY HALL announced the launching of their 2012 Summer Benefit Lawn Concert Series Harmony Nights. Beginning Saturday, July 7, the series will feature an eclectic

variety of bands ranging from R&B and funk to Country, Jazz and everything in between, each concert will benefit a local charity. In addition to satisfying a wide range of musical palettes and supporting local charities, Karen’s Harmony Hall hopes to satisfy everyone’s taste buds by offering a variety of food, soft drinks, and a full bar for purchase during the event as well as VIP tents and waiter services. MURRAY ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS has been commissioned by PinnacleHealth System to design additions and renovations for two of their campuses to begin immediately. Responsibilities will include upgrading the Community General Campus in Lower Paxton Township by adding three stories above the north and south nursing units for orthopedic private rooms, and medical and surgical uses. Additional floors and renovations will take place at the Harrisburg Hospital Campus to include cardiac catheterization services, outpatient heart failure area, family lounge, electrophysiology labs and cardiothoracic intensive care unit. The expansion is a response to the demand for services due to population growth and aging in the three-county area that PinnacleHealth serves. PATIENT FIRST announced the expansion of its urgent and primary care services in Pennsylvania with the opening of a new medical center in Allentown on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. This marks the fourth Patient First center in Pennsylvania, with other centers open in Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg, and York. Additional centers are planned to open in Allentown, Montgomeryville and Lancaster later this year. Dr. Kimberly Sheets has been appointed Medical Director for the Allentown center and will be responsible for all aspects of medical operations. Jennifer Shainline, R.N., has been appointed Director of Medical Support (DMS) for the Allentown center. In her role, she will work closely with the center’s Medical Director and supervise operations within the center, including the front office staff, nursing staff, X-ray, laboratory, equipment maintenance and prescription inventories.

PINNACLEHEALTH SYSTEM’S board approved a multi-year strategic plan focused on developing a highly integrated system of care designed to increase access, enhance quality, and lower cost. The plan includes the expansion of the hospital from two to three acute care campuses and major improvements to PinnacleHealth’s Harrisburg Hospital and Community General Osteopathic Hospital. A third acute care facility will be built on property currently owned by PinnacleHealth adjacent to the Fredricksen Outpatient Center on the Cumberland Campus in Hampden Township. Harley-Davidson partnered with the SUSAN P. BYRNES HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER to deliver vital health education programming to the students of the School District of the City of York. Representatives of Harley-Davidson arrived in style on bikes for a special check presentation to the Center.

L-R: Back row, representing Harley-Davidson, Ana Feliciano-Cummings, Nick Prexta, Doug Noll, Mike Springer and Lisa Myers. Representing the Byrnes HEC, seated on the bikes, are: Left to right, Dan Dygert, Board Chair, Anne Bahn, President/CEO and Marguerite Ferrara, Assistant Director, Education.

David Porter, of WOHLSEN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, won the Gold Medal at the National Associated Builders and Contractors Craft Championship held in San Antonio, Texas. Porter took the top honor in the Carpentry division. In order to qualify for the National competition Porter had to place first at the local level through the Keystone Chapter of ABC. The two-day event had two components: a written test and the practical “hands on” competition.

A PUBLICATION OF THE HARRISBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER & CREDC