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Weekend sports events estimated to bring $550k to York County

More than 2,000 participants and spectators are expected this weekend for sporting events brought to York County in collaboration between Explore York and York County and the White Rose Pickleball Association, Tyrant Wresting, and Sport York.

An estimated economic impact of more than $550,000 is expected to be generated by these events.

“We’re happy with the growth we’ve seen from year one and look forward to making this an annual event and hosting many other successful pickleball tournaments,” Laura Wagner, president of Explore York, said in a statement.

More than 200 amateur pickleball players are expected to participate at the Memorial Park Complex in York for the 2nd White Rose Open Pickleball Tournament Saturday and Sunday. The regional tournament will be played at Veterans Memorial Park on the outdoor pickleball complex located at 941 Vander Avenue.

The format will be round robin play amongst the following age/skill divisions: 18-39 (3.0 & 3.5), 40-59 (3.0 & 3.5), 60+ (3.0 & 3.5) & 18+ (4.0+). Participants may play down in age and age divisions may be combined at the tournament director’s discretion based upon registrations. Medals will be awarded to the top three places in each bracket.

The Tyrant Nationals Wrestling Tournament will be held at the York Expo Center, 334 Carlisle Ave., this Saturday and Sunday. Competing will be elementary, middle, and high school teams will come from multiple states including Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.

More than $10,000 in NIL (name, image, likeness) deals will be awarded.

Shapiro appoints diverse leaders to Pa. Workforce Board

Revamping the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board, Gov. Josh Shapiro has appointed a diverse group of more than 40 members to help guide his Administration’s goal of creating opportunities for workers and businesses. 

Housed under the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I), the Workforce Development Board serves as the Governor’s private-sector policy advisory board. Shapiro said in a statement that Pennsylvania needs to invest in and expand its workforce to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.  

“This diverse group of experienced leaders representing labor and business across every Pennsylvania industry will help us make smart investments to produce the results that we all want – a thriving economy where workers have access to stable careers with family-sustaining wages and employers have the talent they need to continue growing their businesses while supporting communities across the commonwealth,” said Shapiro. 

L&I Secretary Nancy Walker said workforce development is about solving the challenges of today while seeking to figure out the solutions that might work tomorrow.

“I look forward to working with the governor’s appointees to the Workforce Development Board on all the smart, innovative ways we can invest in the workers of Pennsylvania to overcome our challenges and achieve a people-driven, dynamic economy,” said Walker.

Individuals appointed to the Pennsylvania Workforce Development Board include the following:

Among those representing labor are Robert Bair, PA Building & Construction Trades, president (Dauphin County); Angela Ferritto, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, president (Dauphin County) and Matthew Yarnell, SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania, president (Dauphin County).

Individuals representing business include Brian Funkhouser, Buchart Horn, CEO (York County); Shea Zwerver, Flagger Force, workforce relations manager (Dauphin County); Marguerite A. Kline, County of Berks, human resources manager (Berks County); Kait Gillis, Nour Coffee Shop, owner (Cumberland County); and Michael Shirk, The High Companies, CEO (Lancaster County).

Among those representing local government and community organizations are Don Cunningham, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, president and CEO (Northampton County) and John J. Sygielski Ed.D, H.A.C.C., president (Dauphin County).

Representing the Shapiro Administration are Walker; Jason Kavulich, secretary of aging; Russell Redding, secretary of agriculture; Laurel Harry, secretary of corrections; Frederick Siger, secretary of community and economic development; Khalid Mumin Ed.D, secretary of education; Akbar Hossain, secretary of policy and planning; Valerie Arkoosh, MD, MPH, secretary of human services; and Ryan Hyde, director, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Area land, water preservation efforts gain grant funding

In support of land and water preservation efforts in York County, the York County Community Foundation (YCCF) announced Thursday more than $176,000 in grant funding. 

To build on the work of existing watershed improvement programs, the Codorus Watershed Fund works to develop strategic direction and action plans. The fund leverages new public and private investments to improve the Codorus and its environment. The Codorus Watershed Advisory Committee is overseen by volunteers who steward the grant funds to ensure the highest environmental impact.

“We are pleased to partner with and support organizations that are doing important work in the area of environmental stewardship,” YCCF Board member and Chair of YCCF’s Codorus Watershed Endowment Advisory Committee Matthew Poff said in a statement.

The grants include the following funding and projects:

  • $150,000 to the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay for its Expanding Corporate Sustainability Initiative. This initiative seeks to implement best management practices on farmlands to improve the health of local waterways. 
  • $21,700 to Crispus Attucks York for its Codorus Corridor Summer Enrichment Program. This program seeks to enhance summer learning opportunities for York City School District students using the Codorus Creek Greenway project. 
  • $4,980 for the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association Greener Codorus Initiative. The initiative is an annual maintenance program along the banks of the Codorus Creek in York City to maintain the vegetation along the creek.

“We understand the connection between a healthy and sustainable environment and a vibrant community with opportunities for our residents and business community to both thrive,” said Poff.

York organization receives WIC grant of more than $500k

The Community Progress Council of York announced Friday it is one of 36 organizations nationwide, and the only one in Pennsylvania, to receive a WIC CIAO grant.

The grant amount is $550,000 and is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.

The grant’s purpose is to support efforts to develop, implement, and evaluate outreach strategies to increase awareness, participation, and benefit redemptions in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and reduce disparities in program delivery.

“With the WIC CIAO grant, we have an incredible opportunity to identify new ways to connect families with young children to nutrition support and other resources available through WIC and through Community Progress Council,” Robin Rohrbaugh, president/CEO, Community Progress Council, said in a statement.

“We are excited to share our plans to hire WIC Community Outreach Navigator positions, dedicated to promoting WIC throughout York County, in various languages and locations.”

CPC’s project, along with the new Navigator roles, will utilize a mobile outreach vehicle unit to expand partnerships with Head Start, grocery stores, food pantries and other organizations within the maternal and child health sector to meet people where they are and connect them to comprehensive, integrated services.

CPC’s project supports the organization’s mission to empower individuals and families to make progress in education, income, employment, housing, and other goals to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency.

“We look forward to celebrating this achievement with representatives from our community and to thank the USDA and other WIC CIAO funders,” Rohrbaugh said.

Tidal Wave Auto Spa opens first Pa. car wash in Hanover

Express car wash company Tidal Wave Auto Spa opened its first Pennsylvania location June 28 in York County, at 1895 Baltimore Pike, West Manheim Township.

This expands the business’ footprint to 22 states. Tidal Wave Auto Spa offers single-wash options, unlimited wash memberships, discounted membership options for families, and fleet plans for commercial customers with multiple vehicles.

“We’re thrilled to add Pennsylvania into our footprint … with the opening of our new Hanover location,” said founder and CEO Scott Blackstock. “… We’re excited to bring our convenient and industry-leading express wash to Pennsylvania and look forward to opening an additional location in Somerset in the coming months.” Tidal Wave Auto Spa, based in Thomaston, Georgia, also offers a fundraising program for local schools, churches, civic groups, sports teams and more.

Tracing its roots to 1999, the company opened its first express car wash in 2004 in the metro Atlanta area.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer