Pennsylvania’s hospitals fueled $143 billion in total economic impact and supported one in nine jobs in the state last year, according to a new report released this week by the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP).

The madness of this year, 2020, has revealed an acute need for leadership.  Great leaders recognize that certain leadership qualities are being tested now like never before, and the strength of the following qualities will have extraordinary impact far beyond the direct setting in which one currently leads:

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.

Carlisle-based Sadler Health Center announced on Tuesday that it has finished a new expansion to increase its examining capacity by 21%.

Every year since 2012, the 24-hour Extraordinary Give online donation marathon organized by the Lancaster County Community Foundation has galvanized the public.

Pennsylvania businesses whose operations and revenue were adversely affected by the pandemic could have access to $145 million in grant funding, pending approval from the state legislature.

Following a devastating year for the live event industry, Lititz-based set construction, design and production company ATOMIC expanded its services to include contract manufacturing and production.

State lawmakers praised the coming of the $900 billion federal stimulus package approved by the Senate and Congress this week but noted that much more must be done before the nation recovers from its public health and economic crisis.

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.

Lyft announced it would provide 60 million rides to and from vaccination sites for low-income, uninsured and at-risk communities as vaccines roll out. 

Regional transportation authorities Rabbittransit and Capital Area Transit announced plans to merge to create one midstate transportation authority.

York Indoor Golf & Training Center plans to open a new facility in Lancaster early next year.

Community First Fund plans to open a credit union in Lancaster County this summer for those underserved by other lending institutions.

Pennsylvania is not among the states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic that will initially join the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI)—a regional effort to reduce pollution from vehicles. But observers say that state leaders might join later, after more details are worked out.

Lancaster General Hospital has closed its Duke Street emergency department entrance as it begins a multi-year, $182.5 million expansion to the department.