CongresshaspassedHR1 widelyreferredtoasthe“BigBeautifulBill” whichextendsmanyofthe taxcutsfirstenactedunderthe2017TaxCutsandJobsAct(TCJA).SignedintolawbyPresidentTrumpon July 4, 2025, this legislation is designed to provide long-term tax certainty for both individuals and businessesbymakingkeyTCJAprovisionspermanent,whilealsointroducingafewnewmeasuresthattake effectstartinginthe2025taxyear
The$10,000SALTdeductioncap,firstimplementedundertheTCJA,istemporarilyincreasedtoroughly $40,000forjointfilers(withatieredamountforsinglefilers)from2025through2029.Thisincreasedcapis subjecttoaphase-downforModifiedAdjustedGrossIncome(MAGI)above$500,000forjointfilers(and $250,000formarriedfilingseparately)beforerevertingbacktothe$10,000limitin2030 Themortgage interest deduction cap of $750,000 in new home debt is now permanently set, providing clarity for homebuyersandrealestateinvestors Additionally,mortgageinsurancepremiums(PMI)associatedwith acquisitiondebtmaynowbetreatedasdeductiblemortgageinterest.
Similarly,PittsburghRegionalTransitisfacingapotential35%reductioninserviceanda9%fareincreasedue to financial constraints The agency has requested to redirect nearly $107 million from the Public TransportationTrustFundtocoveroperationalexpensesandavoidthesecuts.
property taxes from these large facilities could help support schools and local services. Businesses like restaurants,contractors,andtruckingfirmsmayalsosee moreactivityasdemandrises.Communitycollegesand trainingprogramscouldstepintoprepareresidentsfor ongoingmaintenanceandtechnicalroles,butthereare also challenges that affect everyday life Data centers consume massive amounts of electricity and water, putting pressure on local utilities York and Adams Countiesarefacingchallengeswithenergyavailabilityas demandoutpacesthe capacityof theiragingelectric grid. Residents have experienced outages linked to substation fires, extreme weather, and older infrastructure that can’t always handle peak loads.Ruralareas,inparticular,oftenseelongerrestorationtimesandweakerservicereliability. Utilitiesareworkingtoaddresstheseissuesthroughgridmodernizationprojects,includingreplacingold copperwireswithhigher-capacitylines,installingsmartequipmenttoisolatefaultsfaster,andbuildingnew substationsliketheEastGermantownprojectinAdamsCounty,slatedforcompletionin2026.Theseupgrades areaimedatstrengtheningreliabilityforthousandsofcustomersandpreparingtheregionforfuturegrowth Astheseconversationscontinue,transparencyandplanningwillbecritical.Localgovernmentswillneedto workcloselywithdevelopers,utilities,andresidentstomakesuretheprojectsfitcommunityneeds Ifdone right,YorkandAdamsCountiescouldgainnewopportunitiesinthedigitaleconomywhileprotectingthe resourcesandqualityoflifethatresidentsvaluemost
GovernmentShutdown:WhatItMeansforLocalBusiness
ByAvaKidd
In headlines, the federal government’s shutdown can seem like more of a Washington-DC problem. But for smallercommunitieslikeours,therippleeffectscanbereal especiallyforlocalbusinessesthatrelyonfederal systems, contracts, or consumer demand While essential services like Social Security, law enforcement, and maildeliverycontinue,severalareasof thelocaleconomycouldexperiencestrain:
The Small Business Administration is expected to halt new loan approvals, making it harder for local entrepreneurstoaccesscapitalforexpansionorstart-ups.
When you advertise with the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, you’re not just buying ad space you ’ re building community connections. Our publications and digital platforms reach engaged business owners, residents, and visitors who value supportinglocal.
Whether you’re looking to grow your brand, promote events, or strengthen your reputation, Chamber advertising puts your message where it matters most right in front of decisionmakersandloyalHanoverlocals.
Aboutus
Mission:
The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce delivers value to its members and advances the interests of the business community.
The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization that prospers through its partnerships with area schools, businesses and organizations. It is through these types of collaborations that the Chamber is able to provide its members with the tools they need to succeed in the Hanover area.
Over 90 percent of the Hanover Chamber’s membership is comprised of small businesses with 25 employees or less More than half of the businesses that join the Chamber do so for the advertising and promotional opportunities; 38 percent join for networking. The Chamber serves these members by providing an array of quality products, programs and services, including health insurance, property and casualty insurance, educational workshops, networking and marketing opportunities, workforce development, and employment screening services.
Business. Community. Commitment.
LetterfromthePresident
Sarah Messer, President of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce
It is with great excitement that I introduce the very first issue of The Business Journal, the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce’s new quarterly publication. Previously, our Chamber Connection newsletters served for many years as an important tool for keeping members informed and engaged.
As our organization and community have grown, so too have the ways we share stories, celebrate achievements, and spotlight the
people who make Hanover thrive. Thank you for being part of this next chapter with us your continued support and engagement are what make our Chamber, and our community, so vibrant.
Sincerely,
Sarah Messer Chamber President
HanoverAreaChamberofCommerce
2025-2026BoardofDirectors
CYNTHIASIMPSON
ChairoftheBoard-Utz QualityFoods
TOMALLISON
Allison’sPlumbing, Heating&HVAC
DREWLITTLE
ConewagoValley SchoolDistrict
DR.JOHNSCOLA
HanoverPublicSchool District
SHAUNHOFFMAN
Leonhardt ManufacturingCo Inc.
Staff
ASHLEYHERSHEY
Secretary/TreasurerBrownPlus
JONHARRIS
M&TBank
LONISMITH
HanoverAutoTeam
AUBREYANNEOCHS
WellSpanHealth
BRANDONWINGERT
L2BrandsLLCLeague&Legacy
STACYPITTA
Campbell’sSnacks
SARAHMESSER
PresidentoftheHanoverArea ChamberofCommerce
JACOBTAYLOR
DirectorofMemberand CommunityRelations
HOLLYLAPIDUS
AdministrativeCoordinator
MICHAELKELLY
PastChair-ACNB Bank
ELIZABETHJOHNIDES
EdwardJones
AVAKIDD
MarketingandEventsCoordinator
KELLYMCDONALD
UPMCHanover
DR.JAYBURKHART
SouthWesternSchool District
LegislativeRoundtable
TheHanoverAreaChamberof Commerce's Legislative Roundtables are quarterly events designed to foster direct dialogue between localbusinessleadersandelectedofficials.
Hanover Borough officially opened its new PublicAdministrationFacilityat33Frederick Street with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April23,2025,followedbyguidedtoursand thefirstBoroughCouncilmeetinginitsnew ADA-compliantCouncilChambers.
The$11millionprojectrenovatedtheformer TrueNorth Wellness Services building to include updated administrative offices, community spaces, a commercial-grade kitchen,andmodernAVtechnology.
