Fiber Optics Headquarters To Occupy New 10-Story Building In Allentown

English: City of Allentown from east side (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

York-based United Fiber & Data will occupy a new 10-story building behind the Butz Corporate Center in the 800 block of Hamilton Street in Allentown.

The building will rise behind the existing Butz structures, and have three floors of parking garage and four stories of office space topped by three stories of apartments and condominiums.  It’s a long-planned third phase of the Butz headquarters, located across 9th Street from the PPL tower.

Details are being announced this morning.

From its new Allentown headquarters, United Fiber & Data will run a new 300-mile fiber optics network serving clients from New York to Virginia.  The company will occupy a just-completed Butz building on Hamilton until Butz completes the new structure in spring 2015.

Read more:  http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-allentown-niz-butz-fiber-optic-20130517,0,5580943.story

Penn Cinema Partner Plans York Theater

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting York County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cinema entrepreneur Penn Ketchum is heeding the advice of 19th century American newspaper editor Horace Greeley.

“Go west, young man.”

Ketchum, managing partner of Penn Cinema, intends to develop a small, luxury two-screen movie theater in York city.

But he said Friday that he has no intention of going south into Lancaster city and doing the same kind of project there.

Ketchum’s $750,000 venture in York was disclosed Thursday by York Mayor Kim Bracey in her State of the City address.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/848107_Penn-Cinema-partner-plans-York-theater.html#ixzz2T2FcRToY

York Mayoral Candidate Pulled Off The Ballot

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting York County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  If you don’t want to live in the City of York, why the heck would you want to be the mayor??????? I would think there should be a residency requirement for the mayor.

A controversial York city mayoral candidate likely won’t appear on the Democratic ballot this spring, after a county judge ruled that he does not meet residency requirements.

President Judge Stephen P. Linebaugh on Wednesday granted a petition to set aside nomination papers for Joe Beltrante, the mayoral hopeful who nonetheless maintained in court that he had “absolutely no desire” to live in the city.

That means Beltrante will not compete against incumbent Mayor Kim Bracey and York City Council President Carol Hill-Evans in the May primary, unless he first chooses to appeal the decision.

Beltrante said Wednesday afternoon that he’s not yet decided whether or not he will appeal.

Read more:  http://www.ydr.com/politics/ci_22883422/york-mayoral-candidate-pulled-off-ballot

York’s State-Of-The-Art Housing Complex To Open In April

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting York County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

York, PA - The sawdust floated down like late-winter snow, but officials said by summer the city will have more than two dozen state-of-the-art housing units and a bright new view along South George Street.

George Street Commons, a collaborative effort between the City of York, the Y Community Development Corporation and Ohio-based developer PIRHL is nearing completion, according to Kevin Schreiber, the city’s community and economic development director.

Residents could begin to move in to part of the $10 million, 28-unit site along East College Avenue as early as April, he said.  It should be completed by August.

“This is a really strong, good city project, a good, mixed-use development,” he said, walking the muddy construction site on Friday.  ”There’s a lot here we’re excited about.”

Read more:  http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_22615510/yorks-state-art-housing-complex-open-april

Norristown Makes FBI’s 100 Most Dangerous Cities List

Location of Norristown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Our research reveals the 100 most dangerous cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the number of violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.  Data used for this research are 1) the number of violent crimes reported to the FBI to have occurred in each city, and 2) the population of each city. See our FAQ on how we rank the most dangerous cities

Norristown ranked number 68

Other Pennsylvania cities on list list include:

Philadelphia at number 50

Harrisburg at number 30

Chester at number 19

York at number 18

Nearby New Jersey cities:  Camden was number 2, Atlantic City was number 7, and Trenton was number 29

To see the entire list, click here:   http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/crime-rates/top100dangerous/

HACC Placed On Accreditation Warning Status

The accrediting organization overseeing Harrisburg Area Community College has placed the system on warning status.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education found HACC was lacking in three of its 14 criteria during the five-year periodic review.

But HACC and Middle States officials emphasized the system, which includes a York campus, is not in any immediate danger of losing its accreditation, which allows a college to grant diplomas.

The periodic review, done halfway after HACC was given its 10-year accreditation, helps make sure a college is fulfilling its obligations, said Middle States spokesman Richard Pokrass.

HACC had issues in the areas of Institutional Assessment, which deals with how well a college can monitor and show it’s doing everything it says its doing; Assessment of Student Learning, which deals with a collegetracking classroom learning and having a system to improve instruction; and General Education.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/787730_HACC-placed-on-accreditation-warning-status-.html#ixzz2DjFwCK3s

Bon-Ton September Revenue Figure Rises

Department store operator Bon-Ton Stores said Thursday that a key revenue figure rose 0.6 percent in September as it tightly managed its inventory and marketing efforts.

Read more:  http://www.mcall.com/business/mc-bonton-revenues-20121004,0,6859466.story

Bon-Ton Eliminates COO Role

The Bon-Ton Stores said Friday it will eliminate the position of chief operating officer, terminating Barbara J. Schrantz effective Sept. 14.

The York-based department store chain made the announcement in a one-sentence filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Schrantz joined The Bon-Ton in 2005 as a senior vice president, becoming an executive vice president in 2009 and COO last year.

The company did not immediately explain the move or say who will assume Schrantz’s duties.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/725367_Bon-Ton-eliminates-COO-role.html#ixzz25Q5yxy5V

Distilling New Life Into Lancaster City Sites

In the window of the Fulton bar there is taped a copy of the judge’s injunction that shuttered the business in October.

But recently, a second sign was added at the dark 637 N. Plum St. bar. The orange notice refers to Monday’s Zoning Hearing Board meeting.

Blocks away, a similar orange notice is posted in the former Señorita Burrita, at 227 N. Prince St.

The applicant in both cases is the same.

Robert McGrath, owner of the four-store Roburrito’s chain in York County, is coming to Lancaster in a big way.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/625865_Distilling-new-life-into-Lancaster-city-sites.html#ixzz1ryrlpdyv

 

YorKitchen Expanding Business Opportunities

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting York County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  This is an awesome concept!

While running her stand at Central Market recently, Donna Lott dashed into YorKitchen to decorate a cheesecake.

Lott, who owns Hattie’s Gourmet Cheesecakes, outlined the half-chocolate, half-vanilla cake with white frosting. Earlier, she had adorned it with a yellow bunny with a pink belly.

Last year, Lott was an accountant. Now, she owns a baking business. She does all of her baking at YorKitchen, a business incubator run by NutriCore Northeast Inc., an initiative of the York County Economic Alliance.

Lott stores her ingredients and cakes on a shelf, and in a refrigerator and freezer that she rents at the licensed commercial kitchen – 1,200 square feet of stainless-steel ovens, tables, grills, fryers and utensils.

Read more: http://www.ydr.com/ci_20357583/yorkitchen-expanding-business-opportunities

York-Based Bon-Ton Pays New CEO $5.7 Million

The Bon-Ton is in the red, but its new president and chief executive officer will be in the pink.

Brendan L. Hoffman will start with a $5.7 million compensation package, consisting of annual salary, various bonuses and restricted stock.

The York-based retailing chain disclosed the pay Wednesday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In the filing, The Bon-Ton said the former Lord & Taylor CEO will begin with a $1 million salary.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/575163_Bon-Ton-pays-new-CEO–5-7-million.html#ixzz1kih3jxG3

York-Based Bon-Ton Store’s Bonds Being Shunned By Investors

Investors are shunning Bon-Ton Stores Inc.‘s bonds – a bad sign for the York-based department store chain with seven stores in the Lehigh Valley.

In contrast, other retailers have recently gained from rising consumer confidence in the U.S.

Bon-Ton’s $480 million of 10.25 percent notes due in March 2014 lost 2.8 percent last month, the worst performance of any bonds in the Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. High Yield Super Retail Index, which climbed 1.7 percent overall. Moody’s Investors Service put its Caa1 rating for the securities on “negative outlook” on Dec. 1, citing the company’s “persistent underperformance.”

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/business/mc-allentown-bontton-20120103,0,3027398.story

York City Residents Worry About 17 Percent Tax Hike

Image via Wikipedia

York City home and business owners will pay 17 percent more in property taxes this year following the Saturday morning conclusion of a long and bitter debate over the city’s financial future.

That’s on top of an 11 percent increase this year. By far, city residents pay more in property taxes than residents of any other York County municipality.

For the owner of a $50,000 house, the tax bill will increase by $149.50 to a total of $1,018.50.

Read more: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_19659779

Pittsburgh Ranks 37th In Best-Performing Cities List

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The Pittsburgh metro area fell five spots but remained in the Top 40 in the 2011 Milken Institute Best-Performing Cities Index measuring economic and job growth.

Pittsburgh was ranked 37 on the 2011 list compared to 32 in 2010. This year’s No. 32 was York-Hanover, Pa; the only other Pennsylvania city in the top 50 was Philadelphia, at No. 49.

Pittsburgh was 30th in the United States when it came to one-year job growth during the recession years of 2009-10, and 60th in terms of five-year growth from 2005 to 2010. It was 50th in terms of job growth from June 2010 to June 2011, the Milken Institute said.

Read more: http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2011/12/19/pittsburgh-37th-best-performing-city.html?ed=2011-12-19&s=article_du&ana=e_du_pub

Functionality And Beauty Are The Hallmarks Of StudioVB In Midtown Harrisburg

One of the many new businesses springing up in Midtown Harrisburg is StudioVB.  The interior design studio is co-owned by husband and wife team Logan and Valerie Betz.  Valerie is the Interior Designer and Logan is the Business Manager.

Valerie and Logan have beautifully renovated their own historic Midtown row house and are part of the emerging arts scene that is attracting hip, young professionals, who want the convenience of city living, to Midtown Harrisburg.

Valerie has two degrees, one in Fine Arts and one in Interior Design.   Valerie studied at the New York School of Interior Design and worked for several prestigious design firms in New York City before returning to her native Harrisburg.

Valerie’s love for design has grown into a passion and a great appreciation of the relationship between efficient functionality and beautiful design. She has a particularly strong talent for clean lines, small spaces, combining textures, and refined details.  In addition to being an interior designer, Valerie is a skilled artist.  Being a designer and an artist is a winning combination.

StudioVB is small enough to give you the personalized attention you deserve, yet large enough to tackle a full-scale interior design project.  No project or budget is too small.

StudioVB offers services such as:  interior design, home staging for sale, DIY design plans, re-design, green and sustainable design, e-design, event design, home organization and fine art.

StudioVB wants to help you with your design dilemma in an efficient and affordable way.  They want to make the most of your living space, while adding beauty and functionality to your life and home.

StudioVB serves Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Carlisle and Lebanon.  They will also consider projects across Pennsylvania and in surrounding states.

To learn more about StudioVB:

Internet:  http://studiovbdesign.com/

Voice: (717) 884-8243

StudioVB, LLC

218 Verbeke Street

Harrisburg, PA  17102

Studio hours are by appointment only

Monday – Friday from 10am until 6pm

Please call to schedule an appointment.

Urban Gardens In York City

Here’s an awesome article from York City Limits blog about urban gardening. 

http://www.yorkblog.com/yorkcitylimits/2011/04/urban-gardens-sprout-in-york.html

York PA: Home Of The Factory Tour

If you enjoy seeing how things are made then you should take a trip to York.  A number of manufacturers offer guided tours of their facilities.  A Washington Post Reporter visited York as was amazed.

This year, five factories and businesses are opening their doors and giving guided tours of their production facilities.  They include:  Sunrise Soap Company, Sweet Willow Creamery, Modern Landfill and Recycling Center and York County Resource Recovery.  Later this spring a fifth tour will be available at the Turkey Hill Experience (ice cream).  Tours were already available at Martin’s Potato Chips, Bluett Brothers Violins and Harley-Davidson Motorcycles.

Read the entire Washington Post article here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/made-in-york-pa/2011/03/31/AFYdeivC_story.html

Dumbass Of The Day Award: Man Stuffs Frozen Shrimp In Pants – Flees Store

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Sometimes you have to read something a second time to make sure you were not hallucinating!

A 37-year-old man in Dover Township, York County shoved a bag of frozen shrimp in his pants (first clue) and attempted to flee a grocery store with the ill-gotten gains (second clue).  When a store security guard tried to stop this Mensa member and upstanding citizen, the guard was attacked (third clue) by the customer.  The thief customer was followed into the parking lot and subdued by the battered security guard and a bystander.

Our award winner is being held on $10,000 bail over a bag of frozen crustaceans and some fisticuffs.  Somebody should have made a trip to Long John Silvers!

I hope the bag of shrimp was not returned to the freezer case!!!!

City Of York Mulling Fire Company Regionalization Option

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The City of York, PA has four fire stations and a staff of 67 firefighters.  However, like all municipalities, York is looking at ways to cut costs.  Kim Bracey, York’s Mayor, said she will not close/merge any fire stations or cut staff if it will cut response time.  However, Mayor Bracey said the Fire Committee is looking into options like regionalization and cooperative agreements with other fire services organizations, including volunteers.

Emergency services costs are a big-ticket budget item and Bracey said city government needs to be responsible stewards of the taxpayer’s money.  If working together as a regional fire department can achieve the same high-quality results, at a lower cost, that option needs to be explored.  It has worked for many police departments.  York County already has regional police departments.  The Fire Committee will present their fire/EMS modernization plan to the public on April 5^th.

The City of York has 43,718 residents (2010 census) and a land area of 5.20 square miles.  Mayor Bracey was the city’s Community Development Director before being elected mayor.

York’s Central Market To Hire Chief Operations Office

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This is a huge step in the right direction for York!  The Central Market will hire a Chief Operations Officer who will be responsible for bringing in new high-quality vendors and more shoppers. 

A new brewpub (Mudhood Brewing Company) is under construction and could open in April!  That will create more nightlife and help attract college students downtown!

Check it at out: http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_17438652?source=rss_viewed