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TheBusinessJournal

Thankyouforbeingsuch

The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce has released their 18 edition of the Discover Hanover® magazine, available to read digitally and via print Discover Hanover serves as a guide for locals and tourists alike, encouraging them to explore the area. th

“Discover Hanover® 2026 is the first magazine I’ve published, and I had an absolute blast producing it ” Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, Ava Kidd, commented. “Whether you’re local or completely unfamiliar with the area, there is

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Federalupdate

A

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO WINNING FEDERAL ECONOMIC

DEVELOPMENTGRANTS

ByAvaKidd

For many small businesses and nonprofits in Hanover, federal economic development grants can provide criticalfundingtogrowoperations,modernizeservices,andstrengthenthelocaleconomy Thisguideoutlines the essential steps to securing federal economic development grants, along with expert tips, common pitfalls, andrealstoriesfromtheHanoverbusinesscommunity

Step1:IdentifytheRightFundingOpportunity

Federal economic development grants are typically posted as Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) through platforms such as Grants.gov and agency-specific portals like the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). These grants commonly support job creation, workforce development, technology upgrades,anddowntownrevitalization

Tip:ManyHanoverbusinessesgainearlyexperiencethroughlocalorregionalgrants,whichhelpspreparethemfor federalapplications

Step2:ConfirmEligibilityandCompleteregistrations

Beforeapplying,ensureyoumeeteligibilityrequirements,includinganactiveSAM.govregistrationandUnique Entity ID (UEI), clear financial documentation, and alignment with economic development goals. Some programsrequirematchingfundsorpartnerships.

Tip:Registrationstepsalonecantakeseveralweeks.DelaysinSAM.govactivationareoneof themostcommon reasonsapplicantsmissfederaldeadlines.

Step3:Prepareastrongapplication

Competitiveapplicationsincludeaclearprojectnarrative,measurableoutcomes,arealisticbudget,andletters ofsupport.

Tip:Federalreviewersfavorapplicationsthatdemonstratereadiness Rushedproposalsoftenlackclarity,data,or alignmentwithagencypriorities

Step4:Writeadirect,data-drivenProposal

Successful proposals closely follow NOFO language and include an executive summary, project description, impactmetrics,andbudgetjustification.

Tip: Avoid generic language. Federal reviewers score applications based on how precisely they address the program ’sstatedpriorities.

hanoverareachamberofcommerce 4

Step5:SubmitEarlyandMonitorCommunications

Submit applications before the deadline to avoid technical issues After submission, monitor email for confirmation and follow-up requests.

Tip: After submission, save confirmation receipts, monitor email for follow-up requests, and be prepared to clarify budget or project details

Step6:ManagetheGrantandReportResults

Winning a grant is only the beginning Grant recipients must meet ongoing reporting requirements, including financial and performancetracking.

Tip:Stronggrantmanagementbuildscredibilityforfuturefunding

AvoidThese CommonPitfalls

Misseddeadlinesor incompleteregistrations

Unclearorunrealisticbudgets

Vagueimpactstatements

Reusedproposalsthatignore programpriorities

Successful applicants treat grants as long-term investments, not one-time opportunities. Many Hanover businesses first build grant experience through smaller or regional programs like the BLOOM Grant Program before pursuing federal funding. These early wins help organizations understand eligibility rules, reporting requirements, and proposal structure, all of which carry over to federal grants. The path to funding success is builtonpreparedness,clarity,anddemonstratedimpact.Evenmodestgrantscanencouragegrowthbylayingthe groundworkforlargeropportunities.

ByAvaKidd

Federal labor market data points to a stabilizing national economy, but local indicators reveal mounting workforce pressure in York County. Key second-quarter data (York County Intel Report, September 2025) highlightshowdemographicshifts,laborshortages,andhousingconstraintsareshapingthelocaleconomy,as wellaswhatitmaysignalforthebroaderregion.

Pressureontheyorkcountyworkforce

Local indicators signify growing strain

Looking Ahead

On a more local scope, these trends highlight the importance of workforce development, talent retention, and housing availability. As retirements accelerate and housing costs rise, workforce development, talent retention, and housing accessibility will be central to sustaining regional economic growth. Addressing labor supply constraints will be critical to sustaining economic growth as retirements accelerate and competition for workers intensifies.

York Economic Intel Report (September 2025)

Pennsylvaniaupdate

existingemployeesinjob-relatedskills.

Funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, WEDnetPA connects employers with approved training providers such as community colleges, universities, and private trainers Theprogramhelpsbusinessesupgradeemployeeskills,improveproductivity,andstaycompetitiveina rapidlychangingeconomy.

Through WEDnetPA, qualified companies can receive up to $2,000 per employee in training support, depending on program guidelines and available funding. Employers can use these funds for a wide rangeof trainingprograms,including:

1.Technicalandadvancedmanufacturingskills

2 Informationtechnologyandsoftwaretraining

3.Workplacesafetyandcomplianceprograms

4.Leadershipandsupervisorydevelopment

5 Communication and other essential workplace skills

Toqualify,companiesmustoperateinPennsylvaniaandtraineligiblefull-timeemployeeswholiveinthestate. Trainingmustfocusonimprovingjobperformanceorpreparingworkersforadvancementwithinthecompany Since its creation, WEDnetPA has supported training for more than 1.3 million employees at over 22,000 Pennsylvania companies. For employers in York and Adams counties, the program offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen their workforce while reducing training costs As businesses continue to adapt to newtechnologiesandworkforcechallenges,WEDnetPAprovidesanimportantresourceforbuildingskillsand supportinglong-termgro

FUTURE

ByAvaKidd

As technology continues to reshape nearly every industry, developing digital skills has become essential for both workers and employers. Pennsylvania’s PASmart initiative was created to help meet this challenge by connecting students, educators, and workers with career information, training opportunities, and resources thatsupportthestate’sevolvingworkforce

LaunchedbytheCommonwealthtostrengthenSTEMeducation,computer science training, and workforce development, PASmart focuses on building thedigitalskillsneededintoday’seconomy.Theinitiativesupportsprograms thathelpstudentsexplorecareerpathwayswhilealsoprovidingworkerswith accesstodigitalliteracyandtechnologytraining

ForruralcommunitiesinYorkandAdamscounties,theseeffortscanplayan important role in expanding workforce opportunities. Reliable broadband access and digital training programs are increasingly necessary for participating in modern industries, from advanced manufacturing and logisticstohealthcareandremoteprofessionalservices.

Local workforce organizations, school districts, and community colleges are helping bridge the digital skills gap by offering technology-focused training, career exploration programs, and resources that connect residents to indemand skills. Expanding broadband infrastructure across rural areas also remains a key part of ensuring that residents can fully participate in online traininganddigitallearningopportunities.

For local employers, these investments offer long-term benefits. Businesses increasingly rely on workers who are comfortable with digital tools, data systems, and advanced technologies. By strengthening digital literacy and expanding training opportunities, programs like PASmart help build a workforce that can adapt to changing technologies and support economic growthacrosstheregion.

Why Digital skills matter

92% of jobs now require some level of digital skill.

Nearly 1 in 3 workers lack foundational digital skills needed for today’s workplace. Computer science and technology occupations are among the fastestgrowing job categories in the U.S.

As Pennsylvania continues investing in digital skills and workforce development, initiatives like PASmart will playanimportantroleinpreparingourcommunitiesforthejobsof thefuture.

county/localupdate

Across York and Adams counties jobs exist but for many residents, non-wage barriers still block steady work. Transportation limits, childcare availability,tighthousing,andpatchybroadbandall shave workers out of the labor force and frustrate employers trying to hire. The picture is measurable: labor-forceparticipationsitsnear65.7%inYorkand 63.6% in Adams, while December 2025 unemployment was modest (roughly 4.1% in York and3.7%inAdams).Thoseheadlinefigureshidethe practical barriers that keep people from taking or keeping jobs, and local leaders are responding with concrete,collaborativefixes.

Take transportation Mean commute times run about 26 minutes in York and 28 minutes in Adams, with mobilitystillbeinglargelycar-dependent:morethan6%ofYorkhouseholdshavenovehicle Thatrealitymakes second-andthirdshiftworkespeciallyhardtoreach Public,philanthropic,andprivatepartnersaresteppingup: Rabbittransit recently expanded a vanpool program, RabbitWORKS, adding five 14-seat vans and partnering withemployerstosubsidizerides loweringmonthlyfaresforearlyparticipants UnitedWay-backedmobility programsandemployershuttlesarealsoreducingabsenteeismandwideningthepracticallaborpool,particularly whenpairedwithflexibleschedulingfrombusinesses.

Childcareisanequallyurgentconstraint Localassessmentsshowlargegapsinreliablecareforchildren,with estimatesthatroughlythreeoutoffourchildrenunderfiveinpartsoftheregionlackdependableoptions That shortageforcesparents disproportionatelymothersandsingleparents tocuthoursordeclinepromotions Oneorganization’sphilanthropiceffortsaregainingtraction:ECHOYorkhasdeployedroughly$1millionin start-up and upgrade grants and forgivable loans to expand family and home-based childcare capacity; one recipientuseda$48,000granttocreateanoutdoorclassroomthatbothincreasedcapacityandimprovedquality. Localphilanthropicpartnersandemployers includingUnitedWayofYorkCountyandWellSpanHealth are underwriting these pilots and helping translate short-term grants into sustainable staffing and recruitment supports.

Housingaffordabilitycontinuestoprovechallenging Forlow-incomerenterhouseholdsthesupplyofaffordable unitsisthin with31affordablerentalhomesper100extremely-low-incomerenterhouseholdsinYork This haspushedmanyworkerstoacceptlongercommutesorremaininunstablehousingconditions.To help increase

the supply of available units, organizations like the York County Development Corporation operate a Rural WorkforceHousingFund,whichprovidesloanstospurmixed-incomedevelopments.Countyland-bankingand targeted redevelopment efforts also aim to convert vacant lots in our region into buildable sites. Local partnerships are also a key part of the solution, such as in Adams County where Habitat for Humanity and Adams Technical Institute are producing an affordable home while giving students hands-on construction training.

Broadband is the final practical barrier. High-speed access is now a baseline requirement for remote work, training, and telehealth; York’s broadband subscription rate is high overall but gaps remain, and substantial portionsofAdamsstilllackadequateservice.Publicinvestmentisclosingthatgap:thecountybroadbandplanin Yorkcommitted$25millionofARPAfundstobuildamiddle-milefibernetwork(144milesofanenvisioned 333-mile backbone) and an urban wireless overlay that expands service to metro corridors including Hanover. Community-ledfixed-wirelessprojectsinAdamsarecomplementingcountyeffortstoreachremotetownships. Theresultingpublic-privateprojectswillprovideresidentswithmoreopportunitiestocompeteforhybridand remoteroles ifthemomentumcontinues.

What makes these wins possible is cross-sector cooperation. Employers are directly investing in solutions, nonprofitsandfoundationsareseedingpilotsandgrants,andeducationalinstitutionsarealigningskillspipelines with community facing projects. The combination of soft capital, flexible zoning, employer incentives, and federalgrantleveragehasalreadyproducedpilots butagreatdealofworkstillliesahead. For Hanover Chamber members the opportunity is practical: deepen partnerships, align investments to measurable outcomes, and share proven models across municipalities. With sustained coordination and a willingnesstomatchprivatecapitalwithpolicytoolsliketaxcreditsandzoningadjustments YorkandAdams canconvertthesepersistentbarriersintobridgestoemployment.

Main street hanover takes the initiative in revitalizing

Downtown

ByAvaKidd

Through small business support, community programming, and creative placemaking, Main Street Hanover is helpingstrengthentheHanoverborough’shistoricdowntowndistrict,encouragingresidentsandvisitorstospend moretimeinthearea

OnerecentinitiativeistheSprout&StrollStorefrontPlantMicro-Grant,whichprovidesfundingfordowntown businessestoaddplantersandgreeneryoutsidetheirstorefronts Whilerelativelysmallinscale,theprogramis designedtomakeanoticeableimpactonthestreetscape Byimprovingcurbappealandcreatingamoreinviting pedestrian environment, these storefront enhancements will help make downtown feel more vibrant and welcoming

Communityeventsalsoplayacentralroleinbringingpeopledowntown Themonthly2ndSaturdayseventseries invites residents and visitors to explore the district through themed activities, live entertainment, special promotions,andpop-upvendors Bycoordinatingactivitiesacrossmultiplebusinesses,theeventshelpdrivefoot trafficandintroducenewcustomerstolocalshopsandrestaurants

Artsandcultureaddanotherlayertodowntown’srevitalizationthroughFirstFridayArtWalks,whichshowcase theworkof localartistsandcreativespaces.Theseeveningsgivevisitorsthechancetoenjoyartwhilestrolling throughdowntownandsupportingnearbybusinesses.

Together, these initiatives highlight a broader strategy to make downtown Hanover a lively destination for shopping, dining, and community engagement. By focusing on beautification, events, and support for local businesses, Main Street Hanover continues to play a leading role in revitalizing the borough’s central business

ABOUTMAINSTREETHANOVER

The mission of Main Street Hanover is to expand the economic capacity of downtown Hanover, thus improving the business environment, enhancing the qualityofplace,andincreasingcommunitysynergy

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% of the Hanover Chamber’s membership is comprised of small businesses with 25 employees or less More than 50% of the businesses that join the Chamber do so for the advertising and promotional opportunities; 38% 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.

Interested in advertising opportunities? Reach out to akidd@hanoverchamber.com to learn how the Hanover Chamber can help you build community connections

HanoverAreaChamberofCommerce

2025-2026BoardofDirectors

CYNTHIASIMPSON

ChairoftheBoardUtzQualityFoods

JONHARRIS

M&TBank

DREWLITTLE

ConewagoValley SchoolDistrict

LONISMITH

HanoverAuto Team

CHRISWATSON

SchmuckLumber Co

BRANDONWINGERT

L2BrandsLLC-

League&Legacy

ASHLEYHERSHEY

Secretary/TreasurerBrownPlus

DUSTINLIPPY

Leonhardt

ManufacturingCo. Inc.

KELLYMCDONALD

UPMCHanover

JENNIFERSTETTER

BarleySnyder

CLAIRWEIGLE

ReamPrinting

ChamberStaff

JACOBTAYLOR

ExecutiveDirector

HOLLYLAPIDUS

AdministrativeCoordinator

MICHAELKELLY

PastChair-ACNB Bank

ELIZABETHJOHNIDES

EdwardJones

STACYPITTA

Campbell’sSnacks

TOMALLISON

Allison’sPlumbing, Heating&HVAC

KENKIRKPATRICK

KLKWelding

DR.JOHNSCOLA

HanoverPublic SchoolDistrict

DR.JAYBURKHART

SouthWestern SchoolDistrict

AUBREYANNEOCHS

WellSpanHealth

BENSHAW

HCMWealth Management

LegislativeRoundtable

The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Roundtables are quarterly events designed to foster direct dialogue between local businessleadersandelectedofficials.

NextLegislativeRoundtable: 2ndQuarter-May1st,2026

SnacktownStreetFair

Organized by the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, this one day festival in downtown Hanover, Pennsylvania, features artists, authors, craft and food vendors, live music, kids’entertainment,andmore!

AVAKIDD

MarketingandEvents Coordinator

MADISSONSENTZ

MarketingCoordinator