Lancaster Thriving!

EDC Lancaster County: Supporting Today’s Businesses, Investing in Lancaster’s Future pg. 9

Oola Bowls: From Vision to Expansion pg. 15

Art, Innovation, and Economic Growth: A Blueprint for Tomorrow’s Workforce pg. 19

New Developments by Willow Valley Communities are Re-Energizing Lancaster’s South Gateway pg. 27

Contents

12

2024 U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally to Provide Major Economic Impact for Lancaster

The 2024 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club forecasts a $30 million economic impact, boosting tourism and local businesses.

15

Oola Bowls: From Vision to Expansion

Oola Bowls, born from a networking event in Lancaster, evolved into a community-driven venture, facing COVID challenges, and expanding regionally.

25 Building Beyond Walls

High Real Estate Group highlights the multifaceted benefits of housing developments, emphasizing their positive economic impact on communities and the need for diverse housing options.

Lancaster County: Supporting Today’s Businesses, Investing in Lancaster’s Future

In 1964, Lancaster County leaders, led by William Shand, broke ground on the LancasterHempfield Industrial Park, a transformative project by the Industrial Development Company (IDC). Over six decades, IDC evolved into EDC Lancaster County, adapting to the changing economic landscape. Now, engaged in the McGinness Innovation Park project, EDC is partnering with Columbia Borough to redevelop the McGinness Airport site, fostering job creation, growth, and economic advancement in Lancaster County.

31

Twenty Years of Storming

Clipper Magazine Stadium, home to the Lancaster Stormers, has been a vibrant hub for Lancaster County, hosting baseball games, events, concerts, and community activities for nearly 20 years, fostering joy, community, and excitement.

COVER PHOTO

EDC Lancaster has partnered with the Borough of Columbia in redeveloping the former site of the McGinness Airport into what will become the first modern business park within the Borough. When completed, the McGinness Innovation Park project will not only help fuel the creation of new jobs – and tax revenue – within the Borough of Columbia but will also provide existing Lancaster County businesses with some

much-needed

space to grow.

35 | Advocacy Update

36 | Out & About – Member Ribbon Cuttings & Grand Openings

38 | Lancaster Chamber Upcoming Events

39 | Lancaster Chamber Member Anniversaries

A Letter from Heather Valudes

President & CEO of the Lancaster Chamber

Economic development and business growth are closely linked concepts, each playing a vital role in the sustainability of communities. Sustained progress on gross domestic product (GDP), employment opportunities, infrastructure development, expansion of enterprises, and technology and human capital are required to drive prosperity and promote growth, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

In Lancaster County, the total number of businesses increased 30% from 2000 to 2021, compared to 18% in the state and 38% in the nation. This growth happens because Lancaster County is intentional in a variety of ways – from investments in infrastructure to access to financing and markets, from targeted support for businesses to grow and flourish to political and regulatory environments.

This issue of Thriving! will highlight ways that a key partner of the Lancaster Chamber, the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, is helping businesses with expansion and providing data for informed decision making. It will demonstrate how the Lancaster County Planning Commission is considering “big ideas” for implementation. It will explore the economic impact of key projects and partnerships in the community, including real estate, local

colleges, senior living, and sports. And it will share lessons learned on strategic decisions that entrepreneurs consider as they grow a small business into a known brand.

Lancaster has such a strong blend of tradition and innovation, and those attributes contribute to our ability to grow our business community and contribute to the economic success of our area. I hope you enjoy this edition of Thriving! and that you join us in celebrating the entrepreneurs, visionaries, and communities driving forward momentum!

Sincerely,

Heather Valudes President & CEO, Lancaster Chamber

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JUNE 6, 2024

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LANCASTER COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER

THE LANCASTER CHAMBER IS THRILLED TO HOST THE 152ND ANNUAL DINNER

An extraordinary evening of inspiration – bringing together Lancaster’s local leaders to celebrate business’ impact on Lancaster County’s success.

We want you to be part of an evening that promises to spark inspiration, forge new connections, and celebrate the transformative power of visionary leadership. Get ready to elevate your game and leave empowered to create change in your organization and beyond.

Passionate. Dynamic. Inspiring. As the head coach of Duke University Men’s basketball team, who also led Team USA to three Olympic gold medals, Mike Krzyzewski (known by fans as “Coach K”) is a master motivator – not only of teams, but of individuals and organizations, spurring them on to succeed

Named the most accomplished basketball coach in history, Coach K’s journey in the sport was unparalleled in many ways

Most NCAA Division Men’s Basketball Victories

Most Olympic Gold Medals as a Head Coach

Most World Championship Gold Medals as Head Coach

Most Seasons as No. 1 Team in the Country by a Coach

Learn more and purchase tickets at lancasterchamberannualdinner.com

Lancaster Chamber’s Economic Forecast Breakfast –

The 2024 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

The crux of the message delivered at the 2023 Economic Forecast Breakfast was that the local economy is strong and the current environment is decidedly rosy, but Lancaster County also faces some significant challenges to growth we must navigate in the years ahead. 2023 saw local consumer sentiment increase markedly, diverging significantly from sentiment trends across the country as a whole, which have remained at muted levels. Lancaster County residents feel much better about the local economy for good reason. We have a welldiversified economy, ranking as one of the top 15 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) in the Northeast for manufacturing, but the country also has strong hospitality, health, and education sectors. Lancaster County has among the lowest unemployment rates of any county in Pennsylvania, and the current jobless rate remains well below the national average. Population growth, while not strong on an absolute basis, has been better than the state as a whole and higher than the level seen across much of the

Northeast region. GDP growth has been solid, well above the growth rate of the state but slightly below the national rate. All told, there is much to be proud about when it comes to the local economy – Lancaster County continues to stand out among peers.

But while there is much to feel good about, Lancaster also faces several challenges that must be managed in the years ahead to keep the economy growing and thriving. The first noteworthy challenge is a continuing labor shortage, a quandary faced by a wide variety of businesses in the community. Despite growth in the local labor supply that sits above the national average and exceeds the growth rate for Pennsylvania as a whole by 10%, the number of unemployed workers is hovering around the record low for the county. We have seen a material shift in the composition of the labor force over the last 15 years, with significant growth in the Health Care/Social Services and Transportation/Warehousing sectors, which has been somewhat offset by contraction in Manufacturing and Retail Trade. This has created a slight imbalance in the labor market, widening the mismatch between available jobs and

the skills of the population available to fill these roles.

The second major challenge is housing supply. Lancaster has among the lowest vacancy rates of any MSA in the country, lower than 95% of metro areas in the U.S. This increases the cost of housing and limits our ability to continue to grow the labor force in the manner needed to alleviate shortages in the labor market. The challenge is fairly simple – our population can’t grow if we have nowhere for new residents to live. Lancaster would need to build an additional 12,000 housing units just to match the median vacancy rate across the country.

Industry faces a similar challenge. The vacancy rate for industrial space is estimated to be below 3% locally. While the sector has slightly contracted in recent years, industrial/manufacturing remains a key driver of economic growth for Lancaster, and we are significantly constrained for expansion space. Our primary focus does not need to be attracting new employers to the area, but rather helping the businesses that are already here continue to expand and grow.

Finally, the fourth challenge we face is an infrastructure system (transportation, water/ sewer, broadband) rapidly approaching or at full capacity. This challenge is exacerbated by the sheer number of municipal entities involved. Across Lancaster County, the local infrastructure is owned and controlled by 60 different municipalities and 40 different water and sewer authorities, creating issues and inefficiencies when it comes to longterm planning and expansion. Local infrastructure capacity needs to continue to expand to meet the demands of a growing population and economy –failure here will act as a limiter on future growth.

Despite these headwinds, the local economy remains strong. Addressing these problems in the years ahead will be crucial to the future economic growth prospects of the county, but successfully navigating these known issues will pay dividends for the health of the local economy for years to come. And there is no doubt – Lancaster is up to the challenge. LT

BY MATTHEW T. BRENNAN, CFA®, Chief Investment Strategist & Director of Institutional Investments

Fulton Financial Advisors and Fulton Private Bank

Contact Matthew at MBrennan@fultonbank.com

EDC LANCASTER COUNTY:

Supporting Today’s Businesses, Investing in Lancaster’s Future

By most measures, the morning of May 4, 1964, was a rather ordinary Spring day in Lancaster County – temperate air, cloudless sky, a touch of a breeze blowing up from the south. But if you’d happened to be traveling west of the city that day, you might have come upon something a little less than ordinary in your morning commute – a well-dressed grouping of local civic and business leaders stood conspicuously in a field near the border of East and West Hempfield Townships, shovels in hand, ready to dig.

Among them was William Shand, chairman of the Industrial Development Company (IDC) of Lancaster County’s board of directors. As Shand plunged his spade into the rocky dirt below, the besuited businessman ceremoniously set into motion a plan more than six years in the making: to transform the 130-acre tract of dormant land into the Lancaster-Hempfield Industrial Park and usher in a new era of economic development in Lancaster County.

In the months and years that followed, the IDC – an offshoot of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce formally established in 1960 – oversaw the construction of a service road; contracted out the installation of water,

gas, electric, and sewer lines; and, ultimately, attracted companies ranging from animal feed producers to a variety of manufacturers to take up residence in the new industrial park. By the time the last parcel was sold in 1975, the Lancaster-Hempfield Industrial Park had grown to over 300 acres.

Much has changed within the organization over the past six decades. The IDC became the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County in the late 1970s as it broadened its scope of focus to the whole of Lancaster County. And in September 2023, the organization rebranded again as EDC Lancaster County to better represent its commitment to advancing the health of the local economy in a more modern landscape.

In that time, much has changed within Lancaster County, too. And with the many ebbs and flows that have occurred in the local economy, EDC has adapted to meet the needs that have arisen along the way. What remains unchanged, however, is the role that strategic economic development plays in fostering a strong, vibrant economy where local businesses can thrive.

Photo credit: Josh Carrigan / Feliz Productions

Sixty years later and five miles west of when and where William Shand and company had broken ground at the site of the Lancaster-Hempfield Industrial Park project, EDC Lancaster County is now actively engaged in another industrial park project. This time around, EDC has partnered with the Borough of Columbia in redeveloping the former site of the McGinness Airport into what will become the first modern business park within the Borough. With its 57 acres, the McGinness plot represents the last remaining large, developable tract of land within the Borough – big enough to accommodate a multi-tenant business park, but, also, big enough to require some significant financial support.

After years of discussions and daydreams about how the defunct airfield might best be used, the Borough finally purchased the land in August 2021. Soon after, the vision for the 38-acre McGinness Innovation Park started coming together, with an unmanned drone research group slated to occupy the first of the eight parcels that will be available to local businesses. (An 18acre park and conservation space at the southern end of the plot is also planned.)

With EDC’s help, the Borough was awarded a $3.3 million grant and $5 million loan in July 2022 through the state’s Business In Our Sites (BIOS) program. These critical funds have made possible the many layers of groundwork needed to prepare the site to be “shovelready,” from environmental remediation and ground stabilization to building out the park’s streets and sidewalks infrastructure and landscaping.

When completed, the McGinness Innovation Park project will not only help fuel the creation of new jobs –and tax revenue – within the Borough of Columbia but will also provide existing Lancaster County businesses with some much-needed space to grow.

Lancaster County may look and operate differently from when the IDC was established over 60 years ago. But by continuing to engage directly with local companies and municipal and state leaders, EDC Lancaster County is proud to support the local business community as a means of advancing the local economy and improving the overall quality of life within the community.

Is your business planning to grow? Contact EDC Lancaster County to learn how our team can help you achieve your expansion goals and continue to operate here in Lancaster County! edclancaster.com LT

BY MIKE MCMONAGLE, Director, Marketing & Communications EDC Lancaster

Contact Mike at MMcMonagle@edclancaster.com

ABOUT EDC

Founded in 1960, EDC Lancaster County is the leading local organization dedicated to promoting business development and expansion within Lancaster County. As a private, nonprofit, non-government organization, EDC works directly with local businesses looking to expand and grow to provide expert guidance through the development process as well as connections to business and community leaders. Learn more at edclancaster.com.

ABOUT EDCF

The EDC Finance Corporation was established in 1987 to administer low-interest PIDA (Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority) loans to new and expanding firms. Today, EDCF continues its support of Lancaster’s business community by providing access to a growing portfolio of state and federal funding programs which includes PIDA loans, SBA 504 loans, the Next Generation Farmer Loan Program, and the newly launched State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Learn more about these and other lending programs at edcfinancecorp.com.

ABOUT CRA

Launched in 2018, EDC’s Center for Regional Analysis aims to deliver concise, timely, and insightful reporting on the local economy to Lancaster business leaders and policymakers so that they can make informed decisions that align with the economic needs of Lancaster County. Visit edclancaster.com to read the latest CRA reporting.

Front (l to r): Sheryl Schultz, Kaliopi Karomfily, Rae Ann Miller, Amanda Mosso, Leigh Bardell, Renee Showvaker, Mike McMonagle. Back (l to r): Brianna Titi, John Biemiller, Ezra Rothman, Jessica Hamilton, April Hennessey, Donovan Shartle.

Photo credit: Josh Carrigan / Feliz Productions

The Lancaster Chamber is your #1 Business Resource in Lancaster County!

WE REPRESENT Business

At the Chamber, we have a mission to elevate business success and cultivate a thriving Lancaster County by being at the forefront of local, statewide, and national level policies that move the needle on issues that support business, people, and places.

WE CONNECT Business

Whether you are a new business looking to grow your network or an established business seeking more connections or brand awareness, our networking events are valuable, intentional spaces to convene, connect, and grow.

WE SERVE Business

We know how important it is to grow your skills and the skills of your team. The Chamber’s professional development calendar includes several delivery methods, such as online courses, academies, and monthly programs.

WE ELEVATE Business

The Lancaster Chamber offers a variety of unique options for you to showcase your brand in front of a curated business-tobusiness audience that will generate leads, build brand awareness, and strengthen your presence in Lancaster County.

2024 U.S. Women’s Open

Presented by Ally to Provide Major Economic Impact for Lancaster

If the 2024 iteration of the U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally is anywhere close to what transpired at Lancaster Country Club nine years ago when the championship made its debut, then prepare to brace for another economic boom.

A record 135,000 spectators came through the gates in 2015 to watch the game’s finest female golfers, and they were treated to not only an under-the-radar gem of a venue but also the emergence of the next superstar from the Republic of Korea as 20-year-old In Gee Chun rallied to edge compatriot Amy Yang by one stroke.

For the players, the championship was a major success, from the enormous galleries to the immaculate William Flynn design that had been renovated and restored by the architectural duo of Ron Forse and Jim Nagle, two gentlemen well-versed on the classic work of Flynn. When the players arrive for the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open, they’ll see that even more restorations have been done to the layout, making it an even better test.

Just as important as the golf that will be on display over the four competitions days (May 30-June 2) will be the estimated $30 million impacting Lancaster and the surrounding communities.

Keep in mind that it isn’t just the USGA and its staff of professionals, volunteer Rules officials and vendors that will occupy the 400 room nights. Hundreds of volunteers will come to the area from around the country – and even the world – just to assist with the competition. They will serve as on-course marshals and scorers, assist in the Merchandise Tent and help transport fans around the championship grounds.

All of these individuals will require food and beverages, so area restaurants, supermarkets and bars will be impacted by the sheer volume of extra visitors.

To prepare for the competition and on-site spectator experience, vendors will be on-site for 3-4 months constructing grandstands, hospitality areas and tents to house media, merchandise, hospitality clients and other individuals vital to the success of the championship. This in itself brings extra occupancy to area hotels and area businesses as well as airport travel and local shopping.

Some members of the USGA staff have been on-site at Lancaster C.C. for the past three years preparing for the event. Besides setting up the golf course, championship event staff must develop transportation, public safety and

“We see ourselves as a venue for championship women’s golf,” said championship vice chair and longtime Lancaster C.C. member Rory Connaughton. “The area, community and club embrace women’s sports, and our club has seen it as a great opportunity to be a community asset.”

volunteer plans as well as set up room blocks for those traveling to the championship proper.

With the U.S. Women’s Open being the preeminent major championship for women’s golf, this is a tremendous opportunity for golf fans in eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and other surrounding states to witness the game’s best. This region is devoid of regular tournaments on the PGA and LPGA Tour, and while the LPGA does have annual events in south and north Jersey, this particular area is often forgotten, despite the tremendous number of classic venues.

Anyone who attended the Women’s Open in 2015 saw firsthand how the Lancaster and surrounding communities embraced the championship. All signs point to another highly successful week in the region. LT

BY DAVID SHEFTER, Senior Writer United State Golf Association Contact David at dshefter@usga.org

From Vision to Expansion

In the heart of Lancaster County, the story of Oola Bowls unfolds—a venture that revolutionized the local food scene with the introduction of açai bowls. My journey, alongside my co-founder Brock Snider, mirrors the ethos of Lancaster itself—a narrative of risk-taking, community ties, and resilience.

Unexpectedly, our story began at a networking event organized by the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce. As two individuals engrossed in our respective careers—myself in signage and Brock in commercial insurance— we discovered a shared zeal for entrepreneurship. This meeting became the catalyst for what would soon become Oola Bowls. It wasn’t just our entrepreneurial spirit that bonded us, but a pivotal trip that highlighted the concept of açaí bowls. Joe ventured to San Francisco while Brock headed to the beach, and we both indulged in açaí bowls on vacation. The simple yet profound idea was to bring this healthful innovation back to Lancaster, a community we cherished and believed was ripe for such a concept.

Building a team of people who are not just employees but also our friends has been instrumental in pushing the goals of Oola Bowls. The passion and dedication they bring to the table have helped shape our brand, contributing to our mission of offering a product that enriches lives and fosters community connections.

The unforeseen hurdles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic tested our resilience and underscored the need for adaptability, pushing us to innovate with online ordering, delivery services, and eventually, our first drive-thru—a concept previously uncharted by açaí bowl ventures. This adaptation wasn’t merely a response to a crisis but a strategic evolution to meet our customers’ changing needs, ensuring convenience without sacrificing the quality of our offerings.

The early days of Oola Bowls were filled with trials and learning curves. From perfecting the recipe to understanding the logistics of sourcing açaí, each challenge was met with a shared determination to bring our vision to life. Our efforts to engage with the community included bringing the food truck to local events and passing out bowls, creating a buzz and introducing people to the concept of açaí bowls. This direct interaction allowed us to receive immediate feedback and foster excitement around Oola Bowls.

As we look to the future, our vision for Oola Bowls extends beyond Lancaster County. We’re driven by a desire to share our concept with a broader audience, expanding up and down the East Coast while maintaining our commitment to balance, taste, and community. Our expansion efforts are bolstered by strategic partnerships and a minority investment from Catalyst Insight Group, which will facilitate our growth and bring invaluable expertise to scale our operations effectively.

Reflecting on our journey, the lessons we’ve learned are manifold. The importance of community support, the value of resilience in the face of adversity, and the impact of

kindness and positive interactions cannot be overstated. As we continue to grow, our mission remains unchanged: to offer a product that enriches lives and fosters community connections.

Oola Bowls stands as a testament to the power of a simple idea, nurtured by a community that values health, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Our story is not just about açaí bowls; it’s about the bonds formed, challenges overcome, and the collective journey towards a healthier, more connected community. As I reflect on our journey, I’m filled with gratitude for Lancaster County—the place where our dream found its roots and continues to flourish. LT

BY JOE FERDERBAR, Co-Founder of Oola Bowls Contact Joe at joe@oolabowls.com

Discovering better commutes for happier employees.

Rebranding for the future:

Commuter Services of PA announced a meaningful brand evolution and relaunch of transportation services in Lancaster and surrounding counties! The program has been a trusted regional transportation resource, helping people navigate their commutes. Moving forward it will be known as “Commute PA: Greener Trips. Cleaner Air.” The rebranding with a new modern logo, colors, and tagline embodies Commute PA’s commitment to an easier green commute experience. This transformation is driven by their dedication to serving commuters, local employers, community organizations, and stakeholders while fostering a connected and thriving community.

Transportation sparks economic growth

Commute PA is a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program aimed at reducing congestion, conserving natural resources, and improving safety and mobility at a regional level. TDM programs work to develop strategies to improve overall efficiency in transportation systems by influencing travel behavior and promoting options such as carpooling, vanpooling, biking, walking, telecommuting, and public transit. Commute PA’s team provides a turn-key approach for employers and organizations in the region

to help create positive commute experiences for their employees and members of the public. This wide array of programs and services is available for free and will help improve atendance, enhance productivity, reduce parking costs, save on payroll taxes, achieve sustainability goals, and facilitate greater access to transportation options in the hope of removing barriers for commuters and travelers. Providing access to transportation resources helps to connect people with jobs in their community, which in turn helps to improve the economic impact of business because they are fully staffed.

Commute PA staff will develop a custom plan and implement programs based on business needs and location. Some options that can be customized include carpool/vanpool programs; transit information services; and providing bicycling/walking resources and education.

By working with Commute PA, employers across their area footprint of Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties can tap into additional services to improve employee recruitment and retention while navigating the challenging and competitive aspects of workforce development.

Impact through collaboration

While atending Lancaster Metropolitan Planning Organization meetings and maintaining open communication with Red Rose Transit, local active transportation commitees, and PennDOT, the Commute PA staff stays connected on emerging transportation trends in the Lancaster area. Being actively engaged with key stakeholders and educating them on how to access transportation services and tools helps everyone commute smarter. By helping the community find reliable, cost-effective, and safe solutions to ease regional travel obstacles, all participants can attract top talent for local businesses, find better suitable employment opportunities, and create a more sustainable and equitable transportation system for all.

“Looking

Lancaster 2023 Highlights

• 50,258 green trips were tracked within Lancaster County using Commute PA while 781,156 miles were reduced from county roads.

• Coordinated a Regional Bike Share Commitee and promoted the Bike It Lancaster bike share program.

• Eurofins was one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters for the 7th year.

• Franklin and Marshall College won College Month for another year, tracking 700 green trips in October, and took first place in the Bike Month competition, tracking 294 bike trips in May.

are active, community-minded decision makers with disposable income.”

• Eurofins captured first place in September’s Car Free Month with 1,733 green trips, as well as our Earth Month Challenge with over 1,000 green trips tracked.

• For the second year in a row, the County of Lancaster beat other county government locations throughout the region in our Clash of the Counties event. Employees reduced 357 trips!

Ready to streamline commutes and empower your employees? Call us at 1.866.579.7433 or visit CommutePA.org to discover how our programs can benefit your business. LT

BY MATT BOYER, TDM-CP, Executive Director, Susquehanna Regional Transportation Partnership

Art, Innovation, and Economic Growth: A Blueprint for Tomorrow’s Workforce

How clearly can you see your future?

Your next job? Your career trajectory?

The growth of your business?

As educators, our jobs are to prepare students for this unknown, giving them a solid foundation for jobs and career opportunities that don’t exist yet. Current research models predict that today’s students will have an average of 17 different jobs and five different career paths in their lifetimes. This means continual learning and upskilling throughout your working life. The most desirable highwage jobs require employees with creativity and higher-

order problem-solving and communications skills. So, to set students of all ages up for success, we nurture their talents and teach them to be agile and adaptable, creative and curious. We foster mindsets of innovation and entrepreneurship as we believe in transformational opportunities sparked by creativity. It’s what we witness in our students as they enter the doors of the College, welcoming them to The Creative Life. It’s what we see in our communities as we offer hands-on workshops and creative

partnerships. We are here to encourage and cultivate talent and dreams when we ask all learners to see differently as they chart their own futures. Helping students learn entrepreneurial skills is a practice that begins the first year at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. With the work of the Career Services team, students have opportunities like Business Bootcamp, which uses a “Shark Tank” model of crafting business ideas and presenting them to local business owners. Students gain experience in marketing, business development, leadership, finance, and legal issues in forming and growing a business. A team of faculty and staff mentors guides students to success during their time at the College, working in partnership with local business leaders to create internship and mentorship opportunities. These relationships often extend postgraduation, keeping this talent in the community to foster economic growth.

The College’s focus on career development has manifested an internal internship site called The Agency. Here students from all majors can gain practical experience in collaborating and shepherding projects from ideation to production. Students take on both internal projects for the College as well as design and branding efforts for area nonprofits. Additionally, for the past 16 years, the College’s annual Designathon event has benefited the county’s nonprofits with free creative services. The work of our students and alumni is visible throughout the county, in storefronts and gallery walls, on company websites, apps, social media, spaces, experiences, the human, non-human design solutions videos, and corporate apparel, in the visualization of data and processes, and in the myriad businesses they’ve created. Our artists and designers imagine the unimaginable, make the complex more comprehensible, and create an emotional power that moves us to delight and wonder.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment of the Arts state that the arts contributed $28.6 billion to Pennsylvania’s economy in 2021 with more than 165,000 full-time people working in the arts. Nationwide, arts and culture provide more than $1 trillion in value added to the U.S. economy or about 4.4 percent of the U.S. GDP and 4.9 million jobs. These figures do not yet include the growing number of young professionals working within the traditional models of creatives with the “gig” model. The creative sector is also giving us clues to the workforce of the future, where the amount of money you make is important, but more so is the quality of a work-life balance and the happiness factor of the life you create.

The market value of products is increasingly determined by a product’s uniqueness, performance, and aesthetic appeal, making creativity a critical competitive advantage to a wide array of industries. We see this as our graduates embark in careers in packaging and product design, as they employ their skills in the consumer, corporate, and government landscapes, and as they serve as catalysts for positive change.

The College recently entered a partnership agreement with our neighbor Rock Lititz and the Academy of Live Technology to educate and train the next generation of live experience creatives with access to cutting-edge technology and an international network of industry professionals. This partnership blends the best of our faculties and heritage with the incredible competencies, technical expertise, innovative tools, and vision of the world’s leaders in live experience design and production. It empowers our students with a strong art and design background, real-life problemsolving skills, and world-class mentorship.

We know the future economy will be based on creativity and innovation. Tomorrow’s industries, not just the creative industries, but all industries, even those that are not yet imagined, will look to the creative sector for the talent to fuel their growth. Our graduates will be in high demand, and we anticipate the economic impact of this creative workforce and the expanding industry in our community will continue to distinguish this region as a place for creatives to thrive. As we look to the future, of not only providing a workforce for the demands of the future, how might we further expand the idea of cultivating the creative industries of the future here within our own backyards? LT

BY MICHAEL MOLLA, President, Pennsylvania College of Art & Design

Contact Michael at mmolla@pcad.edu

At Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, our mission is to spark creativity within everyone. Welcoming learners of all kinds in a vibrant, inclusive community, we provide a comprehensive range of educational opportunities including bachelor’s and associate degrees, certificates, and professional credentials, as well as enrichment and lifelong learning programs for all ages. We believe creativity enriches experiences and transforms communities, and we believe creatives design the future.

Learn more at pcad.edu.

During

An

For

FIVE YEARS OF Places2040: Making It Happen

What Is places2040?

Just over five years ago, the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners adopted places2040 as the comprehensive plan for Lancaster County. This plan is a road map that leads us toward the future we all want to see.

Although the Lancaster County Planning Department produced the plan, it’s a plan for the entire community, and reflects years of dialogue and engagement with public, private, and nonprofit partners. Local residents, municipal officials, utility authorities, and school districts helped to shape its goals. The department also worked with regional, countywide, and city organizations we call our “Partners for Place.” The Lancaster Chamber is among them.

Traditionally, comprehensive plans focus on categories like housing, economic development, and agriculture. Places2040 takes a more holistic approach, because each of these issues affects the others. We can’t solve land-use and transportation challenges in isolation. Likewise, we’ve learned that no single organization, municipality, or individual can address any of these issues on their own.

That’s why places2040 focuses on five integrated concepts called “big ideas.” Their purpose is to help Lancaster County remain a great place in the future. The five big ideas are:

• Creating Great Places

• Connecting People, Place, & Opportunity

• Taking Care of What We Have

• Growing Responsibly

• Thinking Beyond Boundaries

The most crucial aspect of the plan is its emphasis on “Thinking Beyond Boundaries.” It’s not just one of the big ideas, but the tagline for the entire plan! Rather than trying to solve planning challenges within each municipality or school district, the plan looks at the county the way a visitor would. It encourages us to see communities, corridors, and landscapes as a whole, rather than splitting them up in traditional ways.

Making the Vision a Reality

So, five years on, how are we doing?

The good news is, the vision in places2040 is becoming a reality. We’re seeing more cooperation and dialogue about what we all agree on – protecting and enhancing Lancaster County’s unique sense of place.

Over the past five years, we’ve made some serious progress in implementing the plan’s big ideas. We’ve worked with our planning partners to make places2040 a model for collaborative planning. We’re also taking a new look at the countywide growth area boundaries that were established over 30 years ago. Finally, we’re facilitating “small-area” plans that reflect our placebased planning strategy.

Regional Planning

To facilitate collaborative planning, we’ve worked with our municipal partners to develop and adopt several regional (multi-municipal) comprehensive plans consistent with places2040 (see map of regional plans). This effort has helped local governments save significant time and money. The first plan of this type was the Southern Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan completed in 2022. Most of the region’s municipalities adopted this plan, a testament to local leaders who took a proactive role in the process.

We completed the Comprehensive Plan for the Cocalico Region in 2023, and Northwestern Lancaster County is poised to adopt a new plan this year. We’ve also initiated similar plans in the Manheim Central Region, the Pequea Valley Region, and Eastern Lancaster County.

REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANS LED BY LCPD

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

Growth Area Recalibration

The second major effort to implement places2040 focuses on recalibrating growth area boundaries. Urban and Village Growth Areas (see growth area map, page 24) include and surround Lancaster City, the county’s boroughs, and larger villages. Through our regional meetings with municipal officials, we’ve presented countywide analysis of buildable land, potential redevelopment areas, and other factors. That data will help all of us make more informed decisions about potential changes in these boundaries.

Recent population projections show the county’s growth rate is slowing, so it appears we’ll have enough land within growth areas to accommodate the population expected by 2040. However, one acute need may inspire a conversation about potential boundary changes. The lack of industrial-

zoned land makes it difficult for many Lancaster County businesses to expand. If parcels adjacent to existing boundaries are well suited for industrial use – and infrastructure can be provided – it might make sense to include some of this land in growth areas.

Development Pattern

While the location of growth is a key factor in growth management, so is the development pattern

If we’re successful, we’ll make efficient use of the buildable land remaining within growth areas, while at the same time encouraging the redevelopment of underutilized land. It’s especially important to study where development/redevelopment opportunities intersect with priority transportation corridors and existing “nodes” of activity.

Facilitating positive change in these locations could make a big impact on the issues we’re facing with housing, transportation, and industrial development. With more housing types, mixed-use development, and road and trail connections, our urban areas could become more vibrant places to live, work, and do business.

We’ve taken that same approach with small-area plans highlighting places with untapped potential to bring jobs, housing, and transit together in new ways. The Lancaster Train Station Small-Area Plan and the Bridgeport Crossroads Transportation & Land Use Study demonstrate how we can accommodate future growth more efficiently and effectively. We’re also working to provide new connections such as the Lancaster Heritage Pathway, a multi-use trail that will eventually link the Park City area with Leola.

Why We Plan

Lancaster County is a growing, changing, and dynamic place. The goal of places2040 and the work of Lancaster County Planning – both the Commission and the Department – is to manage growth in a way that protects what we love while helping to sustain our economy over the long term. If we want to retain the characteristics that make Lancaster County a unique and special place, we need to plan ahead!

BUILDING BEYOND WALLS

Access to adequate housing has long been viewed as a basic human right and is considered an integral factor for the enjoyment of other economic, health, and social benefits. It is commonly accepted that the well-being of both individuals and families is substantially affected by the stability and quality of their housing.

While the connection between housing and social wellbeing is widely recognized, the positive economic impact housing developments have on the local community is often overlooked and understated when projects are being considered. The ability to attract new companies while sustaining a vibrant and growing community where businesses can thrive requires a robust and stable workforce. Employers’ abilities to attract and retain workers relies on having quality, affordable housing, and inclusive neighborhoods. It is incumbent upon community leaders to create an environment where the supply of housing adequately meets current and future workforce demands. This means adding housing stock of different types and price points.

Multifamily development, especially in close proximity to employment centers, helps reduce the amount of land needed for housing and shortens commutes, allowing families to spend more time together. Since apartments are

a higher-density housing type, they can accommodate more people per square foot than lower-density single-family homes. As part of a mixed-use development, apartments support the retail and commercial businesses, improving residents’ quality of life with walkable amenities. Highdensity residential development also promotes open space conservation.

Opponents to higher-density projects believe the myth that apartment developments put undue pressure on local school systems and raise homeowner taxes. In fact, we have found that multifamily projects place far less pressure on school systems than single-family home developments. Our recent projects in Lancaster County have school-aged children living in less than 2% of new units. These developments add to the tax base without bringing a commensurate cost to the local school and municipality.

While not as traffic intensive as retail and commercial uses, it’s not uncommon for multifamily projects to support offsite road improvements, as well as local and regional trails for bike and pedestrian use. Connectivity with regional trails is sound environmental, recreational, and transportation planning. Mixed-use developments often incorporate roadway, public parks, and infrastructure improvements that benefit the entire community. For example, the Crossings

Photo courtesy of High Real Estate Group and PhotOle. This is The Crossings at Conestoga Creek, with The Crossings residential featured in the background.

at Conestoga Creek project included $11M of roadway and signal enhancements that improved traffic flow and reduced wait times along the busy Harrisburg Pike corridor by 33%.

To further demonstrate the economic impact housing has on a community, a study by the National Association for Home Builders (NAHB) found that a 100-unit multifamily development project in a typical suburban market results in the creation of 49 jobs, $2.9M in recurring income, and $0.8M in annual tax revenue for the local municipality. This is in addition to $12.4M and 170 jobs related to the initial construction activity.

Growth is not always thought of positively by neighbors, but when considered with the greater good of the community in mind, the direct and indirect economic benefits attributed to new multifamily developments help to create a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. LT

BY BRAD MOWBRAY, Senior Vice President, Managing Director - Residential Division High Real Estate Group, LLC

MARCUS MILLER & JONATHAN BUTLER

LEE RITENOUR & DAVE GRUSIN and KIRK WHALUM

WEST COAST JAM! RICK BRAUN, RICHARD ELLIOT, PETER WHITE and the WEST COAST HORNS

BRIAN CULBERTSON: THE TRILOGY TOUR

CELEBRATING WOMEN

New Developments by Willow Valley Communities are Re-Energizing Lancaster’s South Gateway

In March of 2016, Lancaster City Alliance published a very forward-thinking Request for Proposal for “The South Queen Street Gateway Center Redevelopment.” The RFP called on real estate developers to step forward to bring new life to the intersection of Queen Street and Vine Street, just steps away from the City’s vibrant core, anchored by Central Market, Penn Square, the Lancaster Marriott, and the Lancaster County Convention Center.

Around that time, Willow Valley Communities was also looking to expand its retirement living operation, anticipating build-out on the organization’s existing 210 acres in Willow Street – just five miles south of downtown Lancaster. With over 2,600 residents originating from more than 40 U.S. states and multiple countries, Willow Valley Communities is the nation’s largest single-location destination retirement community offering active living – “age qualified” for those 55 and above – plus a full continuum of care. continued

As the 2016 RFP stated, “Three major sites occupy the remaining corners and all have recently become available for redevelopment creating a unique and exciting opportunity for the City and the appropriate development team(s). While each site is owned separately, the owners share the same vision for this critical section of Downtown and the City; a vibrant mixed-use development with active first-floor uses are key in the goal of expanding Downtown to the south.”

The three referenced sites were LNP’s former print production facility (owned by LNP Media Group); Southern Market

Center (owned by the City); and the Swan Hotel with adjacent parking lot and carriage house (owned by Lancaster County Convention Center).

Initially, Willow Valley Communities was only interested in the LNP site, envisioning a new, mixed-use residential tower with first-floor restaurants and retail, consistent with the vision expressed by Lancaster City Alliance.

“The day we toured the LNP site, we also had a chance to tour Southern Market, and we could immediately

see the potential of it,” said John G. Swanson, then CEO of Willow Valley Retirement Management, now CEO of Willow Valley Development Corp.

“Restoring Southern Market would not only make this area more appealing for area residents and visitors, including Willow Valley Communities’ current and future residents, but more – it would give us the chance to bring a major city asset back to life,” Swanson said. Notably, the Southern Market building,

c. 1888, was the first building designed by the late and muchcelebrated architect, C. Emlen Urban.

Swanson added that the COVID pandemic and fall-out impacts on building-material supply and pricing slowed development of the organization’s Queen and Vine Street interests. “Southern Market was in significant disrepair, but the building already existed, so we could move forward there sooner,” Swanson said.

Working with another local nonprofit, Lancaster Equity Community Development Corporation, Willow Valley Communities accelerated plans to bring Southern Market back to prominence – reenvisioning it as a modern food hall and community hub. The new Southern Market opened in January 2022 with the food hall as its centerpiece, featuring regional and international cuisines from ten up-and-coming chefs, plus a full bar, coffee shop, community rooms, and two additional restaurants facing Queen Street. Southern Market also houses short-term and long-term office spaces available for rent, including shared amenities.

“Southern Market is in its second year of successful operation,” Swanson said, “and you can’t help but feel excited when you are here, seeing the way it is enjoyed by so many.”

Those who saw it before the restoration know it’s come a long way. “Two years later, Southern Market is thriving,” said Marshall Snively, President of Lancaster City Alliance and the author of the group’s 2016 RFP. “It’s a favorite destination, bringing new life to a once underutilized but critical area of the City. It has also set the stage for what is yet to come.”

At

Queen and Vine, the significant “what’s next” for Willow Valley

Communities will be the mixeduse building on the former LNP site. Fully entitled for 146 residences – age qualified 55+ – the building, known as Mosaic by Willow Valley Communities, will rise 20 stories and will also feature restaurants and retail open to the public.

Presales for Mosaic residences are underway. “You have to be an early adopter to see the vision and opt in to a community that doesn’t exist yet,” Swanson said, while acknowledging that he and his wife, Amy, are among Mosaic’s reservation holders. Mosaic is similar, Swanson said, to other urban retirement living options like The Mather Tysons (Washington, D.C.), and The Clare (Chicago, IL), but different in that it will benefit from Willow Valley’s large local scale, as well as Lancaster’s distinction as a Best Place to Retire in the U.S. (#1 in 2023, #3 in 2024).

According to Oxford Economics, Willow Valley Communities supported $156.6 million in total annual economic impact in 2019 – and it supported 2,262 total jobs, ranking it among the top 15 employers (or top 1%) in Lancaster County. Upon completion of its downtown expansion, WVC operations

and resident/visitor spending is expected to generate a total annual economic impact of more than $173.2 million in a future stabilized year.

James Burton, CEO of Rural City Beer Company, sees the potential effect on his new Lancaster City business. He said, “As a new business in Lancaster City, the prospect of having such an impactful project just a few blocks away is very exciting. Not to mention the potential for more foot traffic and hopefully, thirsty residents!”

Robin Sarratt, Vice President of LancasterHistory, is delighted that Mosaic will be across the street from The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy. She said, “We are so excited about Mosaic coming to the already vibrant neighborhood, but especially for giving us the opportunity at The Stevens & Smith Center to engage future volunteers. Volunteers are among our greatest assets at the organization and it will be such a wonderful boost for us to have them living right across the street!”

Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace said, “Willow Valley’s investment to reimagine Southern Market is a remarkable addition to Lancaster. The space serves as an incubator for small businesses which I’m pleased reflects

our great diversity and the food hall is a gathering space for many. The Mosaic property will rise above the city’s downtown core and it is my hope that the development and its residents add economic vitality in support of our local, small businesses and, of course, enhance the City of Lancaster’s tax base.” LT

TWENTY YEARS OF STORMING

Clipper Magazine Stadium Brings Community, Baseball Excitement

Clipper Magazine Stadium opened its doors to the public for the first time on May 11, 2005. Since then, the facility has brought joy, community, and excitement to the people of Lancaster County.

The primary tenant of Clipper Magazine Stadium, of course, has been the Lancaster Stormers, known, until just recently, as the Barnstormers. Over the years, the club has won over 1,200 games, reached the playoffs eight times, brought four championship trophies to Lancaster, and hosted two All-Star Games.

Lancaster has had four Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year honors, three Players of the Year, two Managers of the Year and two Defensive Players of the Year.

Stormers fans have been able to watch former World Series performers like Cody Eppley and Michael Martinez on their own club and Major League legends such as Carl Everett and Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez on the other side.

Hall of Famers Tim Raines, Sr. and Gary Carter have operated in the visitors’ dugout as managers as has star left-hander Tommy John. Meanwhile, Lancaster has

had its own cavalcade of Major League celebrities like Tommy Herr, Rick Wise, Von Hayes, and Butch Hobson in charge of the Stormers.

Other players, not so well known nationally, have become local legends. Ross Peeples arrived as a young pitcher for the inaugural season, appeared in 374 games as a Barnstormer, joined Hobson’s staff as the bench coach and became the manager in 2017. The Georgia native has become a Lancaster fixture, known around the stadium as “The Mayor.” Blake Gailen, the 2012 Atlantic League Player of the Year, used his seven-year, record setting time in Lancaster as a springboard to other stops in his career, including a trip to the Tokyo Olympics with Team Israel.

The Stormers have also allowed local players to excel. From Eric Ackerman, through Aaron Herr and Pete Andrelczyk, and, more recently, Joseph Carpenter and now Kyle Hess, have all gotten the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities in front of the home crowd.

More than five and one-quarter million fans have been able to enjoy the spring and summer, rooting for the team on Prince Street. Last year’s figure reached nearly 243,000 with another 15,000 on hand for Lancaster’s four playoff home games.

As anyone who comes to the stadium knows, the facility is hardly dormant while the Barnstormers are away or getting their off-season revitalization. Management and the Lancaster community keep the property abuzz throughout all seasons. With the addition of artificial turf for the spring of 2024, the number of outside events is likely to increase in the future.

Clipper Magazine Stadium has served as host to concerts, with acts like Kenny G and Bryan Adams entertaining the crowds. Soccer and football have both been played on the field over the years. There have been a winter slide and an ice rink. More recently, when the Barnstormers have not been home, the field has been filled up with local teams in a

kickball league.

On numerous summer Saturdays, area artisans are able to display their wares at expos around the concourse. The Farm Show and the RV Show have become annual major events on the stadium grounds.

The ballpark has been home to weddings, graduations and even a few Celebrations of Life. It has been the site of a Fete en Blanc.

Each year, the holiday season has become special on Prince Street. The Christmas Spirit Light Show draws ooh’s and aah’s

from carloads winding their way through the course created in the parking lot and field at Clipper Magazine Stadium. At the same time, Christmas Tree Lane on the concourse is absolutely breathtaking. Both events benefit a number of different charities.

Speaking of charities, the stadium hosts a number of food drives, clothing drives, fundraising walks and runs. The annual Rep. Sturla backpack giveaway takes place prior to a Sunday afternoon game late in the summer.

Clipper Magazine Stadium is meant to be a major community center. It has served its purpose. Plans are to expand that purpose as the stadium reaches its 20th season. LT

BY DAVE COLLINS, Radio Broadcaster, Lancaster Stormers

Contact Dave at DCollins@LancasterBarnstormers.com

Small Business is Good Business

The economic impact of small business on our community can transform lives for the better. We know that many entrepreneurs and small businesses owners are women and people of color. What better way to energize our community than by lifting up others in support of their small business? You will help to increase economic security for our community and bring new perspectives, innovation, and fresh faces to the business community.

Big ideas are welcome here because supporting our entrepreneurs creates jobs that hire a local workforce and can transform strangers into neighbors. Need proof? Lancaster City, nationally certified as a Welcoming City, has a robust small business climate that serves its visitors, workforce, and the City’s diverse neighborhoods. This connects the community in ways that could never happen if residents and visitors had to go elsewhere for shopping, dining, entertainment, and basic services. Even with this success there’s still opportunity for business growth, not just in the City, but across Lancaster County.

Smart growth happens by supporting local, small businesses, but also when you create an environment that attracts entrepreneurs and allows them to thrive. Access to business resources such as mentoring, financial support, networking opportunities, and more. Small business is good business and in Lancaster County I hope you will join the members of Cultivate Lancaster in recognizing the need for a thriving, small business community. LT

BY ANNE WILLIAMS, Director of Communications, Lancaster City Alliance

Contact Anne at AWilliams@teamlanc.org

About Cultivate Lancaster

Cultivate Lancaster is Lancaster County, Pennsylvania’s hub for entrepreneur and small business resources. Cultivate offers a space for small businesses to identify resources they need, meet with business support organizations, and network with each other. Cultivate also provides a platform for organizations who support small businesses to empower, collaborate, and strategically work towards a more prosperous and vibrant small business economy in Lancaster County.

If you have any questions about attending, participating in, sponsoring, or otherwise partnering with the Cultivate Lancaster Entrepreneurship Coalition, contact Karen King.

Karen King,Cultivate Manager

(717) 823-3156

kking@cultivatelancaster.com

www.cultivatelancaster.com

LANCASTER’S RESOURCE HUB FOR ENTREPRENEUR AND SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES.

Cultivate offers a space for small businesses to identify resources and funding, meet with business support organizations, and network with each other.

• Resources for Your Business

• Local Calendar

• Small Business Funding STARTING A BUSINESS?

Find everything you need to know about starting a small business in Lancaster County, from organizations who can help you solidify your business idea to funding opportunities. Go to cultivatelancaster.com/startups to learn more.

Impact Update: Business Advocacy

New Statewide Economic Development Strategy

Governor Josh Shapiro and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger announced a new state-wide economic development strategy that will guide the next ten years of growth in Pennsylvania. The plan includes workforce strategies, economic investments that create regional success, support for innovation and entrepreneurs, and government accountability. It highlights five key industry sectors that will see new investments: agriculture, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, and technology.

In response to the announcement, the three chambers representing south-central PA issued a joint statement commending the decision to prioritize economic development investments: The Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, Lancaster Chamber, and the York County Economic Alliance would like to share our combined support for the establishment of a new statewide economic development plan announced by the Shapiro Administration. Our organizations and others across the Commonwealth have long advocated for a state-wide economic development strategy that drives business growth, workforce development, and community success. When we capitalize on our strongest asset - our communities - we are ensuring all Pennsylvanians have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. An updated plan will establish a roadmap that guides Pennsylvania into the future with alignment and coordination on investment. ·

The Lancaster Chamber is committed to fostering a positive business climate for all Lancaster County businesses. We work with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels to advance pro-business legislation and advocate for policies that elevate business and community success.

Get involved!

Corporate Transparency Act

On January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act went into effect, which means many small businesses – including corporations, LLCs, LLPs and some trusts, holding companies, and joint ventures – must report certain information to the federal government. Enacted in 2021, the act was passed to enhance transparency in entity structures and ownership to combat money laundering, tax fraud, and other illicit activities.

Important notices for your business:

• Reporting companies that are in existence on the effective date must file their initial reports within one year.

• Reporting companies created in 2024 have 90 days to file their reports.

• Reports must be updated within 30 days of a change to the beneficial ownership (e.g., through the sale of a business, merger, acquisition, or death, or 30 days upon becoming aware of inaccurate information previously filed).

Reports should be filed with the Financial Crimes Security Network. This is a confidential reporting system; the information you share will not be made public record or subject to Right to Know laws. ·

• Attend an Advocacy event to gain direct access to the elected officials, agency heads, and community leaders who influence decisions and make an impact on business.

• Read and share our weekly Impact Report e-newsletter, which shares legislative updates, business resources, relevant news stories, and upcoming government meetings.

• Volunteer on our Advocacy Committee to advise the Board of Trustees on policy position statements and assist with grassroots advocacy efforts. Learn more at lancasterchamber.com/advocacy.

Questions? Reach out to Kat DeSantis for more information and resources.

kdesantis@lancasterchamber.com

lancasterchamber.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 2024

Friday, April 5

Tuesday, April 9

Tuesday, April 9

Wednesday, April 10

Wednesday, April 10

Friday, April 12

Friday, April 12

Tuesday, April 16

Wednesday, April 17

Wednesday, April 17

Thursday, April 18

Friday, April 19

Tuesday, April 23

Friday, April 26

Tuesday, April 30

Tuesday, April 30

May 2024

Wednesday, May 1

Thursday, May 2

Tuesday, May 7

Friday, May 10

Tuesday, May 14

Tuesday, May 14

Tuesday, May 15

June 2024

Tuesday, June 4

Tuesday, June 5

Thursday, June 6

Thursday, June 6

Tuesday, June 11

Tuesday, June 11

Thursday, June 13

Tuesday, June 18

Tuesday, June 18

Ag Issues Forum: Marketing Products to Shifting Consumers

Young Professional Network: Lunch with Leaders

Membership 101: Engaging with the Chamber

Inspire 101: Connecting Your Business to Students [Virtual]

Women in Business (WIB): Connect - Stumpy’s Hatchet House

Women in Business 2024

Empower Training Starts

Manufacturing Roundtable: Applying New Technologies

The Total Internship Management Workshop

Excellence Exchange: Essential Strategies for Workplace Challenges

Mixer - Certified Flooring

HR Roundtable: Navigating Difficult Discourse in the Workplace

South & East Consortium

Central Consortium

Northeast Consortium

Northwest Consortium

Small Business Series: The Art of Social Selling: Boosting Small Business ROI [Virtual]

Catalyst: Nonprofit/CBO Roundtable: Reaching Your Fundraising Goals

YPN: Cocktails + Connections at Conway Social Club

Regional Business Women’s Mixer

Lancaster Chamber Open House @115 East King

WIB: Lattes and Leadership - Communicating Your Passion

Membership 101: Engaging with the Chamber

Industry Tour: United States Golf Association USGA

Industry Tour - Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station

WIB: Women’s Roundtable – Building Financial Capacity

Energy Environment Health & Safety Peer Group: Looking Beyond Compliance

152nd Annual Dinner

YPN Skills Lab: Authentic Communication

Membership 101: Engaging with the Chamber

Wake Up to the Issues

Mastering the Art of Business Networking

June Mixer – Eden Resorts & Suite

Thursday, June 20 HR Roundtable

Tuesday, June 25

Wednesday, June 26

Thursday, June 27

Small Business Series [Virtual]

Get Connected: Facilitated Speed Networking

Selling Series: The Effective Sales Leader

5 YEARS (‘19)

Meals On Wheels of Lancaster

LINK Business - Pennsylvania East

Penn State Health

MainStreet IT Solutions

MAKE Films

The Farm At Eagles Ridge

Big Planet Apparel

10 YEARS (‘14)

That Fish Place - That Pet Place

Everest Care Management, Inc.

ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC

Aspire Ventures, LLC

International Paper

Brubaker Inc.

Simply Events Inc.

Building 24 Kitchen & Bar, LLC

The Works At Wyomissing, LLC

Slick Willy’s Karts & Eats, LLC

Savant Wealth Management

ROCK Commercial Real Estate, LLC

15 YEARS (‘09)

Benner Insurance Agency LLC

City of Lancaster

Greiner Industries, Inc.

Bomberger’s Store, Inc.

Martin Appliance

SC Poultry Services

Hess Tent Rental LLC

Tents For You

Kautz Construction

Cork Factory Hotel

We are so grateful for the support of these Lancaster Chamber Members, especially during this challenging business landscape. Please take note of our Members who are celebrating special milestone anniversaries with us.

20 YEARS (‘04)

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

BCF Group

Artful IlluminationDesign By Bill Simmons

Oregon Dairy Farm, LLC

EGStoltzfus

SunDance Car Wash & Laundry

Dermatology Associates of Lancaster, Ltd.

Calvary Fellowship Homes

Retirement Community

Lancaster Barnstormers

Longwood Gardens

First National Bank

Columbia Borough

Cornerstone Design - Architects

25 YEARS (‘99)

New Holland American Legion #662

Good Samaritan Services

York Fasteners, Inc.

12:34 MicroTechnologies Inc.

Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC

Flyway Excavating, Inc.

Truist

30 YEARS (‘94)

Strategic Resources Inc.

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Friendship Community

35 YEARS (‘89)

Pepperidge Farm, Inc.

Lancaster Farmland Trust

TriStarr

B&F Partners

Cash & Carry Electrical Supply

40 YEARS (‘84)

Keystone Wood Specialties, Inc.

Martin Paving, Inc.

David Miller/Associates, Inc.

Elizabethtown Area School District

Eastern Lancaster County School District

Astro Machine Works

Pequea Valley School District

Cocalico School District

Solanco School District

Warwick School District

50 YEARS (‘74)

Lancaster Truck Bodies

50 YEARS +

Rhoads Energy Corporation

Dutch Gold Honey, Inc.

JC Snavely & Sons, Inc.

Armstrong Relocation Company

Capital BlueCross

Penn Medicine Lancaster

General Health

The Standard Group

Bird-In-Hand Corporation

Westfield Insurance

Kegel’s Produce

Kingsway Realty

Blakinger Thomas

Lancaster Orthodontic Associates

Stauffers of Kissel Hill

Stoner, Inc.

Star Dental Division DentalEZ Group

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