Adams County Business April 2024

40 Years of

Learning!

WE’RE ROOTING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Members 1st provides you the tools and services you need to successfully run your business, but what truly sets us apart is our commitment to personalized service.

YOUR BUSINESS CAN BENEFIT FROM:

SPEND: Visa® Debit Cards, Visa® Credit Cards and Checking Accounts

SAVE: Savings Accounts, Money Markets and Interest on Lawyer’s Trust Accounts

BORROW: Commercial Loans, Lines of Credit and Equipment Financing

BUSINESS SERVICES: Cash Management, ACH Origination, Merchant Services and Group Health Insurance

REVITALIZE YOUR BUSINESS AND VISIT US AT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH!

MEMBERS1ST.ORG/BUSINESS-SERVICES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Isaac Bucher, Chair*

Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium

Bryan Johnson, Vice Chair* SMB Associates

Wesley Warehime, Treasurer* Aero Energy

Sarah Sidenstricker, Secretary* Members 1st Federal Credit Union

Stacey Schlosser, Immediate Past Chair* Biggerstaff’s Catering

Darlene A. Brown Individual Member

Michael Cogliano, Sr. WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital

Lisa Duffy UPMC Hanover

Shawn Eckenrode Adams County Technical Institute

John Husser* ACNB Bank

Sharon Kebil-Whisler M & T Bank

Jessica Knouse

Thirsty Farmer Brew Works

Judy Morley, PhD

The Gettysburg Cookie Co.

Kelly Mower Graphics Universal, Inc.

Alicia Stanley* Helix Strategies, LLC

Karen Tavenner

RE/MAX Quality Service, Inc.

Carrie S. Stuart, President*

The Chamber of Gettysburg & Adams County *Denotes Executive Committee Member

CHAMBER STAFF

Carrie S. Stuart, President carries@gettysburg-chamber.org

Maura Herron, Manager of Member Services maurah@gettysburg-chamber.org

Edith Cimino, Operations Manager edithc@gettysburg-chamber.org

Annie Burns, Communications Specialist annieb@gettysburg-chamber.org

BRIEFS

The bolded businesses in Business Briefs are Chamber members. Submit news to news@gettysburg-chamber.org by the second Tuesday of each month for inclusion in the following month’s publication.

Barley Snyder is pleased to announce attorney George C. Werner has been named General Counsel of the firm. He will be responsible for protecting the firm’s legal interests, maintaining its operations within the scope established by law, and providing guidance on risk management and related liability issues. Werner has been an attorney at Barley Snyder since 1980, concentrating his practice in complex civil and commercial litigation and risk management. In his new position as General Counsel Werner has shifted his practice from client service to exclusively representing the firm.

The team at UPMC Central PA Surgical Oncology has performed one of the most innovative procedures for advanced, metastatic cancer of the abdomen. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion or HIPEC is a type of advanced cancer therapy that requires skilled surgical oncologists and is only performed at leading cancer centers. UPMC Central PA Surgical Oncology’s first HIPEC procedure was performed at UPMC West Shore by Samer AlMasri, M.D., assisted by his partner, Chu, as well as Mohammad Haroon Asif Choudry, M.D., a surgical oncologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh. The patient, a 72-year-old man, is recovering well at home.

The Adams County Arts Council is pleased to announce the recipients for the 2024 STAR (Serving the Arts Regionally) Grant awards cycle. This was a competitive year with 19 applications and over $30,000 in requests. With the help of a panel of community members, $17,600 has been distributed to numerous artists, schools, and nonprofit organizations to support a variety of arts programming in Adams County. The STAR Grant program is funded by the Adams County Commissioners, the Borough of Gettysburg, and the Robert C. Hoffman Charitable Endowment Trust.

Adams Electric Cooperative’s board of directors voted in February to return $2.7 million in patronage capital credits, known by co-op members as “Ownership Rewards”, which brings the amount returned for all years to nearly $55 million. Issued as a check mailed in March, Ownership Rewards are a benefit of being a current or former member-owner of an electric cooperative. For

more than 50 years, members have received a return on their investment in Adams Electric Cooperative based upon their share of the cooperative’s net profits. Members who move off co-op lines will continue to receive Ownership Rewards until their investment is completely returned. Recipients may choose to donate these rewards back to other cooperative members in need, through the co-op’s Project Helping Hand (PHH) program.

It is with great excitement that Junior Achievement of South Central PA announces that Allison Kierce has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer. Kierce has been an invaluable asset to the organization, demonstrating unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and a profound commitment to the mission. Her strategic vision, has significantly contributed to the growth and success of initiatives throughout the region. This is a major step forward in the JASCPA succession plan with Tom Russell continuing his tenure as CEO.

For the second straight year, CPA and advisory firm RKL LLP won a 2024 Best of Accounting Award for client satisfaction. The honor from B2B directory ClearlyRated is based on input and ratings received in the firm’s latest client survey. In the survey, RKL earned a world-class Net Promoter Score (NPS) far surpassing the accounting industry average NPS of 39 percent. Clients were asked to rate on a scale of zero to 10 how likely they were to refer RKL to a friend or colleague. In addition to a high volume of positive scores, RKL also earned a multitude of positive testimonials, which can be viewed on the firm’s ClearlyRated profile.

Barley Snyder is excited to announce attorney Natalie Alexander has been admitted to the Adams County Bar Association- a professional organization with approximately 65 lawyers focused on improving the legal profession, the administration of justice, and the lives of the Adams County citizens. Alexander joined Barley Snyder in September 2023 as the newest attorney in its Gettysburg office. She is a member of the firm’s Business and Real Estate practice groups. Alexander is a graduate of Pennsylvania State Dickinson Law and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland.

The Gettysburg Foundation’s interactive children’s history museum, Children of Gettysburg 1863, has been named one of the top ten best children’s museums in the nation. Designed for families and groups with children and youth in grades K-5, the museum is Gettysburg’s most family-friendly museum adventure. This accolade is chosen by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the United States. Children of Gettysburg 1863 is a winner in USA Today’s 2024 10Best Reader’s Choice travel awards for the category of best children’s museum. The museum has ranked eighth among 20 children’s museums across the country.

Gettysburg National Military Park (NMP) has been awarded a combined $429,000 to help combat catastrophic forest loss and study the effects of climate change on inland and river

landscapes. Funding for these important projects and studies will be provided through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).The IRA became law on August 16, 2022. It provides the National Park Service with a historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs.

Commuter Services of PA launches a meaningful brand evolution, rebranding as “Commute PA: Greener Trips. Cleaner Air.” This reflects their commitment to providing transportation solutions for commuters within their nine-county radius. A vibrant fresh look marks the new era. A modern logo, colors and tagline embody Commute PA’s commitment to user-friendliness and an easier green commute experience. The color palette is evocative of the colors of the Earth and provides the feel of sustainability. The familiar “Commute PA” moniker takes on broader meaning to help with any kind of trip, whether for work, school, or personal/leisure.

and neighbors.

Our incredible teams make it possible to support the communities we serve. We design exceptional care around every person, and our wealth of locations and programs ensure our communities can depend on us.

WellSpan is proud to support

The Chamber of Gettysburg & Adams County. wellspan.org

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Adams County Christian Academy

Kristen Zell, Head of School 717.334.9177 | acca@adamscountychristian.org | adamscountychristian.org

Let’s meet Kristen Zell from Adams County Christian Academy!

Kristen Zell started as the Head of School at Adams County Christian Academy in June of 2021 after feeling like her background in elementary education and business could benefit the school. Her responsibilities are to ensure that the school is headed in the right direction and her track record shows that. In the past three years, Zell has continued to see an increase in interest and enrollment numbers.

“The first year I started we had 50 students enrolled. The following year, we saw that number jump to 70 and now the past two years we have had 85 students enrolled,” she said. “This is the first time in 10 years that we have students enrolled in every grade.”

A lot of that increasing success, Zell attributes to the faculty and staff the school has. For 85 students, the school has 25 staff members teaching the core subjects and extracurricular classes like sewing, gym, music, and gardening.

“We have a fantastic staff with over 200 years of teaching experience combined,” Zell said. “They are the ones that are creating these students that we want to go out into the world. So, I try to support the teachers in any way I can.”

When asked how the Christian academy stays competitive with public schools and charter schools she said that it gives families another great option to consider and allows them to pick what best fits their family and their needs.

BIZ BUZZ

“Education in general right now is the most flexible I have ever seen it,” she said. “What we offer here is the freedom to love the students and pray with them. That is something you can’t put a price tag on.”

Even with the challenges and ever-changing nature of the education system, Zell loves what she does, getting to be a part of the kids’ lives and doesn’t see that changing anytime soon.

As a member of The Chamber, how does the chamber help you?

Going to chamber programs helps me meet people and get the word out about our school.

How do you (the school) give back to the local community?

When I came on board at the school this is something that I focused on. I didn’t always want us to have our hand out asking for donations from the community, I wanted to give back to the community as well. In the fall we collected shelfstable food and made over 100 meal kits and dropped them off on doorsteps.

When you’re not working, where in Adams County do you like to spend your time?

I’m a Civil War dork and I love it! I used to have this cassette tape that you played in the car and drove through the battlefields listening to. I have been to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center many times.

Opened in 1984, Adams County Christian Academy is a Christian school where students learn how to view the world through the lens of scripture. The school helps cultivate faith, commitment, excellence and service in students preparing them for entering the work-force or college. The school teaches students Pre-k through 12th grade.

ADVOCACY UPDATES

BILL WOULD ALLOW CASH AS PAYMENT FOR SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

PA STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAN MOUL

Recently, I attempted to purchase a ticket to a high school sporting event and was informed he school no longer accepted cash as a form of payment. I was stunned. Next, I wondered how many others like me showed up to see their kids or grandkids play ball and were turned away in the same manner?

I have since learned that several schools across our Commonwealth are now rejecting cash as a form of payment for school-sponsored activities. Instead, spectators are required to use credit or debit cards. Worse yet, some schools conduct ticket sales exclusively online or through an app. This is a disturbing trend, particularly if it disenfranchises older Pennsylvanians and others who may not use credit cards or computers. Even if they do, they may not trust that their bank account or personal information will be safe.

Anyone willing to pay with the legal currency of the United States, should not be denied entry to a schoolsponsored activity, simply because they do not have a credit card or access to the internet to purchase a ticket. Therefore, I am preparing to introduce legislation that will require cash to be included as an acceptable form of payment for admission to school-sponsored activities in Pennsylvania.

REPEALING PENNSYLVANIA PREVAILING WAGE LEGISLATION

BY COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIM MARTIN

Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Legislation was enacted in 1961, 63 years ago, to protect local construction workers from out-of-state competition. This applies to all governmentally related construction contracts over $25,000. In 63 years, that figure has never increased, not even for inflation. In today’s economy that figure likely places more that 95% of government construction under prevailing wage. It is estimated that today’s construction under prevailing wage will costs taxpayers 10% to 20% more. Therefore, it is not unrealistic that area school building projects will easily have $3 million to $4 million of added costs because of complying with prevailing wage. That increase will likely be covered through a higher millage rate.

It is time for the 1961 outdated prevailing wage legislation to be repealed. To support this action the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania has made repeal of this law a top priority. They will be advocating with their legislators to vote to repeal this costly piece of legislation. Please contact your legislators and join Pennsylvania County Commissioners across Pennsylvania to take action to alleviate an unnecessary tax burden. I am confident that repeal of prevailing wage would keep more dollars in our pockets.

Senator

Representative

Representative

#FreshFaces

Kegerreis Outdoor Advertising is a regional billboard company with over 2,600 displays in 7 states including hundreds of faces in Adams County and the surrounding areas.  By staying true to a simple philosophy of hard work and integrity, Kegerreis Outdoor Advertising, LLC has grown into the 10th largest billboard company in the country. Kegerreis offers six billboard advertising products and works closely with local businesses and national brands to reach their target audiences efficiently and effectively.

Sales Manager

mike@kegerreis.com

717.729.2992

What you love about the Adams County community:

I moved from Franklin County to Adams County in 2011.  Over the years my wife and I have enjoyed the scenic rolling hills filled with orchards and visiting local breweries, wineries, and restaurants.

Fun fact:

Outside of work, you’ll find me watching Penn State football or golfing.

CHAMBER CHAT

Awards Nominations

The Chamber is making preparations to host the annual Awards Reception to honor outstanding members throughout the community. This program shines a light on those who strive to make Adams County a better place to live and work. Nominations were accepted for Nonprofit of the Year, Small Business Person of the Year, Educator of the Year, Family Owned Business, and Environmental Stewardship. The Awards Committee will now review and evaluate all nominations based upon the award criteria provided.

The awards will be presented during the Awards Reception from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, at The Lodges at Gettysburg. If you would like to come out and show your support to these incredible community members, please register by calling 717.334.8151 or online at gettysburg-chamber.org by April 29.

Calling Volunteers!

Are you looking for ways to help The Chamber and be more involved? We are looking for volunteers to help with the 20th Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival on September 7 & 8 at Granite Hill Camping Resort! Things to know about volunteering: shifts are 3 hours each, sampling is not permitted before your shift, and you may pick your area/shift time preferences, but we cannot make any guarantees.

As a thank you for volunteering, you will receive a t-shirt and free general admission ticket, which includes a souvenir glass, unlimited samplings for those over 21, and live entertainment.

For more information about volunteering at the 20th Gettysburg Wine and Music Festival, contact Annie Burns, Communications Specialist, at annieb@gettysburg-chamber.org or call 717-334-8151.

THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF SECURITY AWARENESS TRAINING FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES

“To err is human.” – Alexander Pope

Written by Shannon McCleary, TREYSTA Marketing & Account Manager

We have all made mistakes. Doing so is what makes us human – it is how we learn and grow. However, many small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) make the mistake of ignoring cybersecurity. Yet, did you know human error played a significant role in 95% of all security incidents1?

This staggering statistic highlights the importance of security awareness training (SAT) for SMBs. SAT aims to equip employees with the knowledge and skills needed to protect themselves and their organization from cyberattacks and data breaches.

Cybercriminals are more likely to target SMBs due to their lack of cybersecurity. It leaves SMBs vulnerable to attacks that can lead to significant financial loss, damage to reputation, and even business closure. Sadly, risks to your business are everywhere. From phishing attempts and ransomware to a simple employee mistake, cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought.

“A cyberattack won’t happen to me!”

You may say, “A cyberattack won’t happen to me!” Technology is everywhere – and so are hackers. Unfortunately, it is no longer if an attack will happen but when Cybercriminals no longer discern between large and small targets. Everyone is at risk, from a one person business up to a giant corporation. If you have money, cybercriminals want it. Underestimating this risk can lead you to a false sense of security. Does your business have a plan in place – particularly when the average cost of a breach is $3.31 million2?

The fact is the cybersecurity landscape for SMBs in 2023 revealed concerning trends: SMB employees faced 350% more phishing attacks compared to those in larger corporations3. Additionally, 73% of SMBs experienced a cyberattack or data breach4, and nearly half of all cyberattacks targeted businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees5. Alarmingly, 42% of SMBs lacked a plan to respond to cyberattacks6, underscoring the critical need for enhanced security measures and training within these organizations.

Security awareness training empowers employees to act as a first line of defense for their organization. Doing so promotes a safer and more secure working environment. In fact, using security awareness training can reduce cyber risks up to 70%7. Security awareness training is crucial for employees because it educates them on recognizing and responding to cyber threats.

The importance of security awareness training for SMBs cannot be overstated. It is not merely an IT issue but a business necessity that plays a critical role in safeguarding your organization’s future. By investing in security awareness training, SMBs can strengthen their cybersecurity posture, protect their assets, and build a resilient foundation for sustainable growth.

Shannon McCleary is the Marketing & Account Manager for TREYSTA technology management, located in Gettysburg and York. Questions? Please reach out to her at marketing@ teamtreysta.com.

Sources:

1IBM Cyber Security Intelligence Index Report; 2IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2023; 3Barracuda Network; 4Fortra 2023 Business Impact Report; 5Verizon SMB Data Breaches Deep Dive; 6CNBC; 7KnowBe

Lunch n Learn | February 22 Elsner Bell & Associates, LLC

Lunch n Learn | February 22 Elsner Bell & Associates, LLC

Lunch n Learn | February 22

Elsner Bell & Associates, LLC

Membership Mixer | February 15 Gettysburg Eddie’s

Membership Mixer | February 15 Gettysburg Eddie’s

Membership Mixer | February 15 Gettysburg Eddie’s

Ribbon Cutting | March 1 Agape Boutique

Ribbon Cutting | March 1 Agape Boutique

Membership Mixer | February 15 Gettysburg Eddie’s

State Legislative Breakfast | March 15 Gettysburg Hotel

State Legislative Breakfast | March 15 Gettysburg Hotel

Membership Mixer | March 14 iNet Technology Group

Membership Mixer | March 14 iNet Technology Group

Membership Mixer | March 14 iNet Technology Group

State Legislative Breakfast | March 15 Gettysburg Hotel

Membership Mixer | March 14 iNet Technology Group

State Legislative Breakfast | March 15 Gettysburg Hotel

Membership Mixer | March 14 iNet Technology Group

CHAMBER EVENTS

APRIL 2

Awards Committee | 9 a.m., Chamber Office

APRIL 9

Executive Committee | 8 a.m., Chamber Office

County Connections | 4-6 p.m., Lincoln Social Food Market

APRIL 10

LnL - Navigating and Buying Streaming Impressions in the Ever Changing Media Landscape | 12 p.m., Chamber Office

APRIL 11

Governmental Affairs Committee | 12 p.m., Chamber Office

APRIL 17

Wine Festival Committee | 11:30 a.m., Chamber Office

APRIL 18

LnL - Change Is Easy, Transition Is Hard! | 12 p.m., Chamber Office

Membership Mixer | 4-6 p.m., C.A.R.E. Property Services, Inc.

APRIL 23

Membership Orientation | 8:30 a.m., Chamber Office

APRIL 24

Ambassador Committee | 11:30 a.m., Chamber Office

APRIL 25

Chamber Board of Directors | 8 a.m., Chamber Office

COMMUNITY EVENTS

APRIL 4

Live Music with Nick Mich | 6 p.m. Gettysburg Eddie’s

717.334.1100 | gettysburgeddies.com

APRIL 5

Ken Burns: Lessons from Lincoln | 7 p.m. Adams County Historical Society

717.334.4723 | gettysburgfilmfestival.org

APRIL 13

An Evening with the Painting | 4-6 p.m. Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center

717.334.2436 | gettysburgfoundation.org

APRIL 19

Chill on the Hill Celebrate Spring! | 6 p.m. Hauser Hill Event Center 717.752.0277 | hauserhill.com

APRIL 20

Rebel’s Roost Antique and Vintage Outdoor Market | 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg 717.337.9705 | theoutletshoppesatgettysburg.com

APRIL 22-27

Living Library

The YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County 717.334.5716 | adamslibrary.org

APRIL 27

A Global Tasting | 7-10 p.m. Junior Achievement of South Central PA 717.843.8028 | jascpa.org

APRIL 27

Spring Blossom Event | 10 a.m. Hollabaugh Bros., Inc. Fruit Farm and Market 717.677.8412 | hollabaughbros.com

60

Monahan

40-49 Years

Home

Raffensperger, Martin & Finkenbiner, LLC

El Vista Orchards, Inc.

WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital

30-39 Years

Adams Oral Surgery, Inc.

Days Inn Gettysburg

Bettina T. McBeth, D.M.D.

Coldwell Banker Bigham, Realtors

Gettysburg Municipal Authority

Gettysburg Tours, Inc.

Met-Ed

Moritz Machine & Repairs, LLC

Pennsylvania Cancer Specialists Research Institute

Peters Funeral Home, Inc.

United Lutheran Seminary

Zeigler Bros., Inc.

Codori Memorials LLC

Spectra-Kote Corporation

Susquehanna Regional Transportation Authority dba rabbittransit

20-29 Years

Kenworthy Funeral Home, Inc.

Norma L. Calhoun, CPA

Belco Community Credit Union

KPI Technology

Pennsylvania Chamber Insurance

10-19 Years

Sites Realty, Inc.

Jo

Adams

TrueNorth

1382

Monday-Friday,