York County Archives - Central Penn Business Journal

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.

Sojourn Noir receives grant to promote Black tourism in York

Sojourn Noir, a Black tourism initiative, received $75,000 from the Tourism Grant Program of York County to create inviting spaces and experiences throughout York County where Black travelers feel respected and welcomed.

The grant was approved last month at the Explore York Board of Directors meeting.
Sojourn Noir promotes and seeks to bring Black tourists to York, an area with culture, history, and a diverse community of makers, Explore York said.

According to a piece from MMGY Global, “The Black Traveler: Insights, Opportunities & Priorities,” Black U.S. leisure travelers accounted for more than 500 million overnight stays, contributing more than 100 billion tourism dollars, or 13.1% of the U.S. leisure travel market in 2022.

That same research shows 42% of respondents stated they felt unwelcome in a destination they visited.

“We aim to create a welcoming haven and a culturally representative environment in York County. It is beyond time to change,” said Joanne Wilmore, founder and CEO of Sojourn Noir

Sojourn Noir said it looks to combat negative historical trends and narratives and create new and positive opportunities for Black travelers in York County by encouraging Black travelers to explore experiences, activities and adventures they have been historically denied access or safe passage to and increasing the cultural competency of businesses and tourism bureaus to provide good experiences.

“We support their mission and vision and look forward to a long-standing partnership with Sojourn Noir as we work together to increase tourism equity and inclusion and create funding opportunities within our community,” said Laura Wagner, Explore York president.

Specific outcomes of the Sojourn Noir project will include culturally focused training; targeted, digital marketing; business outreach; and representation at Black leisure travel conferences.

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.

Voith Turbo $5M expansion project to create new jobs

Voith Turbo North America said it will add jobs after a $5 million expansion project is completed at its Manchester Township, York County facility.

The company broke ground Wednesday on the project that will add 10,000 square feet to its existing 69,700-square-foot facility. In addition, 17,000 square feet of existing warehouse space will be converted into a manufacturing workshop. A portion of the warehouse storage will be moved to an offsite location.

The expansion and warehouse conversion will result in new workshop space for increased manufacturing and service work.

“We are seeing an increase in manufacturing needs in many of our customer markets, but the main growth is related to the rail industry,” said Garrett Goll, director of sales, Voith Turbo Rail Business North America.

Through the expansion, Voith rail operations at the York workshop will transition from a mostly service-based disassembly and reassembly business to new business manufacturing, Goll said. The location will be able to support higher volume rail products like gear boxes and couplers.

Voith Turbo said the project will result in several new jobs including workshop technicians; Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinists; project managers; engineers; field service technicians; and support and quality control positions. More jobs are expected to be added in the future to support Voith Turbo’s strategic plan.

“Voith Turbo opened its first U.S. location in Appleton, Wis. in 1975,” said Ralf Dreckmann, president, Voith Turbo North America. “Today, we are breaking ground on a project that will continue to bring more American-made manufacturing opportunities to the skilled workforce right here in our community in York, Pa.”

Construction on the expansion is expected to be complete by the Spring of 2024.

WellSpan health acquires Jacobus practice

Jacobus Medical Center has joined WellSpan Health.

The addition of the practice at 55 N. Main St., Jacobus, York County, now known as WellSpan Family Medicine – Jacobus, is a continuation of WellSpan Health’s expansion in York County.

“We are excited to be able to expand access to primary care services to WellSpan patients in and around the Jacobus community,” said WellSpan Chief Physician Executive Dr. Anthony Aquilina. “Our integration with Jacobus Medical Center aligns with our strategies to grow as a value-based organization and offer additional access and convenience for our patients.”

The family medicine practice has been serving the Jacobus community since 1980. Dr. Kieren Knapp, the practice’s sole provider, will continue to see patients as he and his team join WellSpan Health.

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.

York Habitat for Humanity names executive director

York Habitat for Humanity has a new executive director.

Natasha Kukorlo took the helm of the organization on July 1, the board of directors announced.

Kukorlo started with York Habitat in 2015 as the volunteer coordinator. She moved on to become volunteer services manager and most recently the associate director. She has a decade of nonprofit and ministry experience in York County, York Habitat for Humanity said.

“The work we do at York Habitat is beginning to break the poverty cycle, and that’s important to me,” Kukorlo said. “We empower York County families to become self-reliant through financial education classes, trainings, workshops, and, in the end, homeownership. Only together can we begin to make the world a better and more affordable place to live.”

York Habitat for Humanity said volunteerism has been a big part of Kukorlo’s life. She lived in Ecuador as a volunteer with Mission Corps, where she taught English and coordinated volunteers to build churches in the community. She came to York in 2011 when her missionary visa expired, and while she initially hoped to return abroad, Kukorlo saw the opportunity to minister here.

“Natasha has been a wonderful asset to York Habitat, and she’s the right person to lead this organization forward,” said Patrick Ball, who has served as interim executive director since April 2021. “She has been monumental in the work to build equity for York County residents, and I look forward to seeing her continue that mission.”

Two PIDA loans approved for business growth in York County

The state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) approved two low-interest loans through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) to support business growth in York County.

Rick Siger

DCED Secretary Rick Siger today said loans were approved for CAM Innovation, Inc., and Covington Property Holdings LLC.

CAM Innovation, Inc., through the York County Economic Development Corp., was approved for a one-year $350,000 PIDA Export Line of Credit at a 4.50% fixed interest rate to assist in the fulfilment of a recently executed contract with Egyptian Railway and Maintenance Services (ERMAS).

The contract with ERMAS is for six pieces of machinery, which will replace machines provided by CAM in the 1980s. The PIDA Export Line of Credit will be used to pay for materials, labor, and administrative support costs for the machines to be manufactured in Hanover. The overall project will take approximately nine months, DCED said.

Covington Property Holdings LLC, through the Adams County Economic Development Corp., was approved for a 15-year $558,000 loan at a 3.50% interest rate to acquire a 71,562-square-foot multi-tenancy building located at 1601 West King Street, West York Borough.

The single-story brick and block building consists primarily of warehousing and manufacturing space, DCED said.

The borrower will be leasing 66,000 square feet of the building to Covington Enterprises, Inc., a manufacturer of plastic injection molded products for the medical, electrical, sporting goods, transportation, and military industries.

Covington Property Holdings will also sublease 44,000 of the 66,000 square feet to Artsy Couture, a print lab that specializes in premium-quality photo solutions for professional photographers, mass retailers, and production organizations.

The remaining space will be occupied by Covington Enterprises, Inc. The total project cost is $1,395,000.

Siger said PIDA provides low-interest loans and lines of credit for eligible businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs, as well as for the development of industrial parks and multi-tenant facilities.

Loans can be used for: land and building acquisitions; construction and renovation costs; machinery and equipment purchases; working capital and accounts receivable lines of credits; multi-tenant facility projects; and industrial park projects.

“A PIDA loan is one of our key economic development investment tools to help generate business growth and create new jobs here in the Commonwealth,” Siger said. “The Shapiro Administration is working hard every day to transform Pennsylvania into an economic powerhouse, and PIDA is giving businesses the resources to help make that happen.”

York County farm sells for $2.61M; farmhouse and barn moved

A 58-acre farm in Newberry Township, York County has sold for $2.61 million.

Bill Rothman, partner of RSR Realtors, Lemoyne, said the property was sold to Red Mill Crossings of Ephrata, whose parent company, Landmark Homes, plans to build 450 garden apartments.

Rothman, who represented the buyer and seller, Red Mill Associates of Baltimore, said the plan includes between 15 and 20 buildings that will house the apartments.

The property, near Valley Green Mall, has been planned for the past six years and is now close to breaking ground, Rothman said.

The farm’s original barn and foundation have been moved to the Williams Grove Park for use as an office for the Williams Grove Historic Steam Engine Society, Rothman said. The original farmhouse is in the process of being moved there as well.

“The log structure is well over 100 years old, so they are carefully taking it apart, numbering the pieces and rebuilding it at the Mechanicsburg location,” Rothman 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

Walgreens to close 150 stores nationwide

Walgreens announced it will close 150 locations across the country by Aug. 31, 2024.

Scott Goldberg, director of Global Corporate Communications, said CFO James Kehoe, announced the store closing plan during a quarterly earnings call June 27.

The company, which has stores in Berks, Franklin, Lancaster and York counties, declined to say which stores would be affected.

During the call, Goldberg said Kehoe explained that the closings are part of a cost savings move after a recent organizational restructuring, which includes transforming its headquarters and eliminating more than 500 positions, or about 10% of its corporate and U.S. support office workforce.

Walgreen’s earnings fell in the third quarter to $118 million compared to $289 million in the same quarter a year ago. Walgreens said that was partially due to lower demand for COVID-related services and a weaker respiratory season.

“As we expand as a leader in healthcare, we are focused on best meeting the needs of patients and customers in communities we serve by creating the right network of stores in the right locations,” Goldberg said. “When faced with the difficult decision to close a particular location, several factors are taken into account, including our existing footprint of stores, the dynamics of the local market, and changes in the buying habits of our patients and customers.”

Walgreens operates nearly 9,000 stores nationally.

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Tag: York County

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

Shapiro appoints diverse leaders to Pa. Workforce Board

Area land, water preservation efforts gain grant funding

York organization receives WIC grant of more than $500k

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