Chamber News - Spring Edition

Chamber Happenings

Dear TACC Members,

We have had many exciting happenings in the region during this spring season, even though it may not feel like springtime outside. Many of our members are celebrating successful initiatives, and we are very excited for some new growth opportunities. This is a great time for the Tuscarora area.

Whitetail Resort: Our neighbors on the hill are currently underway with an $8.5 million expansion to their resort. This 31,000 square foot addition will be ready for the fall of 2016 and will bolster a full service restaurant, brick oven pizzeria, new Starbucks cafe, and 400 additional seats. Check out the Public Opinion ARTICLE for more information.

Atlas Copco Secoroc: The Franklin County Area Development Corporation is well on their way to construct a brand new 66,000 square foot facility for Atlas Copco. As previously announced, the company will be consolidating their Texas and Utah operations to Ft. Loudon. This consolidation will add around 50-60 jobs to our region. Eagle Construction is the general contractor for this project, and F&M Trust is a partner in financing. Check out The Herald Mail ARTICLE for more information.

Rutter's Farm Stores: The town of Mercersburg has been anxiously awaiting the construction of a Rutter's Farm Store at the old Bob Hoffman Chevrolet & Buick property. The former building has been demolished and crews are working diligently to prepare the site. Two weeks ago, the Mercersburg Borough Council approved the transfer of an additional liquor license into the borough. If all final approvals are met, this would give the convenience store the ability to sell six packs of beer. The type of license obtained would require Rutter's to give customers the ability to consume alcoholic beverages in their restaurant area, and would also allow them to serve spirits. However, representatives from the company have said that they only have an interest in six pack sales. On another note, the buzz out of St. Thomas Township is that the company is also exploring the possibility of constructing a store on the corner of Lincoln Way West and Hade Road. Check out the Public Opinion ARTICLE for more information.

Herbruck's Poultry Ranch: A few weeks ago, it was announced that an agricultural company based out of Michigan is exploring the possibility of an expansion in Montgomery Township. The Herbruck family is one of the nation's leading producers of eggs from cage-free hens. The poultry ranch is a fourth generation family egg producer. This expansion has the potential to create about 190 full-time jobs, with competitive health benefits. The Herbruck team has already met with many local community leaders, including the chamber of commerce. In the next few days, a team from the area, including myself will be flying to Michigan to tour their operation and ask questions. We are looking forward to this exploration. Check out the Q&A ARTICLE put together by the Herbruck's, as well as the ARTICLE from the Public Opinion for more information.

Respectfully,

Chris Ardinger

TACC Executive Director

APX Enclosures Honored with Manufacturing Award

For Immediate Release - The Manufacturers' Association:

Date: April 25, 2016

York, PA - The Manufacturers' Association, a growing regional trade association serving manufacturing, production and logistics in Pennsylvania and Maryland, recently honored the recipients of its 2016 annual Manufacturing Awards.

Presented as part of their awards segment at their April 20 â€˜Annual Eventâ€™ at The Pullo Center in York, the occasion provides an opportunity for the Association to publicly honor and recognize those member companies and partners making a difference in the regional economy, the lives of their employees and the local manufacturing sector.

Recognized as Manufacturer of the Year was APX â€“ York Sheet Metal. With a true regional manufacturing presence, APX has three companies located in Franklin County, PA and one in York County. The company has enjoyed an upswing in sales â€“ an impressive feat during what many consider to be challenging times in manufacturing. During the last few years, APX â€“ York Sheet Metal has expanded their workforce to meet growing demand, hiring new employees and growing their employment by nearly 15%.

The individual manufacturing and partnership awards for the evening were personally presented by Karl Rove, noted political strategist and best-selling author, who served as the Associationâ€™s keynote speaker for the 2016 gathering.

The Tuscarora Area Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate APX on their achievement. Well deserved!

(Photo: APX â€“ York Sheet Metal receives The Manufacturersâ€™ Associationâ€™s Manufacturer of The Year Award from Karl Rove, speaker for the Associationâ€™s 110th Annual Event April 20. Also shown above (from left) are John Lebo, outgoing Association board president; Tom Palisin, Association executive director; Mike Shupp, York Sheet Metal purchasing; Joel Bradnick, Operations Manager for APX Companies, receiving the award; Randy Smith, York Sheet Metal production; Andy Papoutsis, CEO & President of APX Companies; and Tom Baughman, incoming Association Board president.)

Tuscarora Educates Families On Nature

Courtesy of the Public Opinion:

MERCERSBURG - Mike O'Connor had something with him that had the audience's attention and interest at the third annual Tuscarora Wildlife Education Project Field Day Saturday.

He had two Labrador retrievers bred for competition and he was showcasing their abilities for visitors to the Charles Brightbill Environmental Center. First up was 13-week-old Murphy. Since Murphy is so young, he hasn't had quite the amount of training an older dog would, so his demonstration consisted of his ability to retrieve a rubber chew toy and bring it back to O'Connor.

After Murphy was Lager.

Lager, a 3-year-old retriever, has competed in competitions known as hunt tests and field trials. For a hunt test, dogs must follow hand and whistle signals and directions from the handler to watch and retrieve multiple birds thrown into the air. In this scenario, dogs are only competing against themselves while being judged. In a field trial, they are competing against other dogs, while performing the same exercises for a hunt test while being judged.

O'Connor had a few chew toys placed in various distances from Lager and led him to them using a whistle and hand signals that the dog recognized and was able to find the object with.

After a few demonstrations, O'Connor let a few of audience members give Lager a test run using the same signals that he had used.

Brothers Carl and Roy Schaich were two of those guest handlers. "It was cool how if they listened to you, they'll do what you told them," Carl Schaich said.

O'Connor began training dogs eight years ago when he graduated college. As a former athlete, he needed something to keep his competitive juices flowing. Working with the dogs "allows me to stay competitive," he said.

O'Connor's demonstration was one of the activities for visitors to experience at the Field Day. Charles Brightbill Environmental Center Director Sheila Snider said the idea for the Field Day came to her as she was contemplating ways to get more people to the Environmental Center and experience what it has to offer from an environmental standpoint.

"It's an opportunity for organizations that work with nature and animals to showcase what they do," Snider said.

The Schaich brothers were at the event with Boy Scout Troop 28, participating in the various activities as well as helping to promote the troop and get their name out to the public.

The other activities included building a bluebird box, and talks by a bee keeper and the Franklin County 4-H Seeing Eye Puppy Club. Visitors could also view a rocks and minerals display.

David Barr, 717-262-4752