West Shore Home, a technology-enabled home improvement company headquartered in Mechanicsburg, has acquired Alabama-based bath remodeler C&C Enterprises, which operated as New Bath Alabama.

CPBJ recently sat down with a few young Pennsylvania business owners who haven’t let their youth stand in the way of their dreams. Ranging in age from 12 to 25, these entrepreneurs opened up about ageism, hard work and the advantages of being your own boss.

Like the rest of the state and the country, the situation remains dire for the retail, restaurant, hospitality, accommodation, tourism and recreation sectors. Industries that are hiring include healthcare, construction, warehousing, distribution and manufacturing, all of which were having problems finding workers before the pandemic.

Merchants in the business district say the change – a goal of the Grow Lebanon 2020 economic development plan – will strengthen the city’s economy by bringing not just the city’s workers closer, but others as well. 

CPBJ talked with Matthew Whipple, Vice president of risk management and senior counsel with Wohlsen Construction Company, bout the construction industry in 2021 and lessons learned in 2020.

The cost of construction materials— especially for lumber and other wood products— will remain elevated in 2021 after having more than doubled during the pandemic, a situation that eventually could lead to a slowdown in building activity in central Pennsylvania, several observers said recently.

COVID-19 has changed life as we know it. The home office became the new workspace, video conferencing replaced in-person meetings, events shifted to virtual delivery, and parents became homeschool teachers while trying to balance career demands.

Jeremy Young spoke to the journal about Lancaster’s economic development in recent years and how as a result of the pandemic, the city saw what he refers to as “the greatest amount of privately led investment planned and announced in the community’s modern history in a short span of time.”

More commercial logistics development is coming to Berks County.

Ever since the pandemic took hold, corporate executives have been pondering what to do about their office leases, how much space they would need going forward and whether their staffs can be productive working from home long term. 

The school recently broke ground on a $10 million student apartment complex in the 200 block of Springettsbury Avenue, across the street from the campus.

It’s still a busy residential real estate market in the Harrisburg area, with home sales in October up 14% over last year.

The foundation for the first of two 110-unit apartment buildings was laid this week as part of the ongoing construction of the North Cornwall Commons in Lebanon.

Surabhi Kejriwal, associate vice president and real estate research leader for Deloitte, said 2020 has been one of the most interesting years she’s seen on the economy and in commercial real estate.

Through September, building permits for single-family homes are up 8% for the year in the Harrisburg-Carlisle metro area, a clear sign of strength for the residential construction industry.