Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lancaster County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
5 issues in business jobs
Next Generation Farm Loans
Two young farm families get low-cost financing to buy farms in Ephrata and Reinholds — a $680K loan for a 66-acre poultry/crop farm and $682K for a 48-acre family farm bought from grandparents. County approval just enables tax-exempt financing; no county credit on the line.
Employee ownership in the local economy
The county celebrated its 27-plus employee-owned businesses, and Tandem Center director Drew Mousetis described how ownership helped him buy a home — with a new state Office of Employee Ownership just approved in Harrisburg.
Tourism growth in Lancaster County
The Office of Aging renewed its deal with Spooky Nook Sports to host the Senior Games in early May 2027, capped at $55,000 — the same max as last year, funded by state block grants and donations.
Penn State Health electronic health record financing
Up to $21 million in tax-exempt bond proceeds will fund a modernization of Penn State Health's electronic health record systems across Lancaster County, including the Lancaster hospital and outpatient offices. The county's approval is a federal tax-code formality and creates no county debt.
Youth Intervention Center union recognition request
Two county Youth Intervention Center employees, backed by AFSCME Council 13, publicly asked the commissioners to recognize their union and file a joint unit-clarification request with the state labor board. The board didn't act, but Commissioner Yoder promised to review the options.