In April, Jonestown Bank & Trust Co. (JBT) joined Lebanon County, Lancaster County, and the entire nation in celebrating Community Banking Month with the Independent Community Bankers of America. JBT is the only community bank based in the Lebanon Valley.

The Hershey Company recently sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf saying thank you for his executive order banning agencies under his jurisdiction from discriminating against sexual orientation, gender, and identity. In 2015, The Hershey Company was awarded a perfect score by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2016 Corporate Equality Index, and was named one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” (Source: CPBJ.com)

The Annville-Cleona school board voted on April 6 to hire Cheryl Potteiger, superintendent of the Bellefonte Area School District in Centre County, as the new superintendent of the Annville-Cleona School District. She will begin her duties starting in late May. (Source: LDNews.com)

Lebanon Valley College received the largest gift in its 150-year history. Edward H. and Jeanne Donlevy Arnold donated $10 million to the college to help fund the construction of a health professions building which will open in 2018. The donation is a challenge grant, and LVC hopes to match the amount with subsequent donations. (Source: Lancasteronline.com)

The Lebanon County Commissioners approved the application for a $250,000 grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) for a project that would extend the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail into Jonestown. If the grant is approved the project would most likely be completed in 2018. (Source: LDNews.com)

The Lebanon County Commissioners approved a $1.3 million grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to continue to fund the Renaissance Crossroads program, an alternative sentencing program. This sentencing program provides intensive drug treatment to non-violent offenders rather than jail time. (Source: LDNews.com)

The Northern Lebanon Recreation and Parks Commission reported that it will close by the end of the year if they do not receive more funding or interest from the public. Since its founding, the commission has seen a decrease in funding from local municipalities and schools, resulting in a $30,000 deficit. Attendance at various programs and events has also been decreasing. (Source: LDNews.com)

Effective July 1, Junior Achievement of Central PA will merge with Junior Achievement of Southcentral PA. The organization will just be known as Junior Achievement, and will serve “14 counties, 95 schools, and over 350,000 students” with “a combined revenue of $1.9 million and a staff of 50.” Junior Achievement will focus on Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York. (Source: CPBJ.com)

Peggy Morcom, an attorney practicing labor and employment law, unemployment compensation, municipal and school law, and general liability, has joined the Buzgon Davis Law Office team in Lebanon. (Source: LDNews.com)

American Heritage Property Management, a division of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty, announced its continued growth with the addition of five new positions and promotion of three employees. Millie Andrews has been promoted from office manager to the newly created position of operations manager of the York office. Jessica Peiffer has been promoted from office manager to the newly created position of operations manager of the Elizabethtown office. Courtney Yost has been promoted from administrative assistant to the newly created position of office manager of the Camp Hill office. Marisa Seubert has been hired to the new position of marketing communications manager for AHPM. She will work in the Lancaster office. Teresa Gurreri, Monique Patton, and Heather Saylor have been hired as property managers for the York office. Lori Lintner has been hired as property manager of the Ephrata office. 

The American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Region has hired a new CEO, Jeri Sims. Sims formerly worked at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport as assistant executive director and director of development. (Source: CPBJ.com)

The Central Penn Business Journal released its 2016 Women of Influence award recipients. Winners included Janet Boyer, JLB Advertising & Public Relations; Oneida D. DeLuca, Pinnacle Health Medical Group Inc.; Catherine Grove, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP; Patricia Husic, Centric Bank; Angela McGowan, Rhoads & Sinon LLP; & Diance Tokarsky, McNees Wallace & Nurrick LLC.

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. Lebanon County Economic Development Corporation was recognized as the Association’s Partner of the Year. LVEDC works with area businesses and the community to strengthen existing businesses and create an environment in which new companies can flourish. In fulfillment of its mission, LVEDC met with over 60 businesses in the county and as a direct result created a county Workforce Alliance to build stronger connections so that businesses, educators and service providers can dialogue and find solutions for workforce issues in the county.

The United Way of Lebanon County extends a heartfelt “thank you” to the approximately 1,000 volunteers who gave of their time and talents during the 20th annual “Day of Caring” which took place Saturday, April 23.  From 9 a.m. to noon, hundreds of Day of Caring volunteers banded together and gave back to the Lebanon area by working on community projects for local non-profit and not-for-profit agencies, parks, playgrounds, and city and county facilities. An estimated total of 3,000 hours of community service took place on this one day alone! About 130 locations in Lebanon County received help from Day of Caring volunteers, and/or received donated personal care items such as shampoo, body wash, toothbrushes, etc. collected on Saturday morning through the “Basic Needs Drive” special project.

2016 marks a huge milestone for Debbie’s Staffing as they celebrate 30 years in business! As they express in a recently released statement, “We are proud to serve in the communities in which we reside, spanning across nine states and over 30 branch/onsite operations. Such an amazing accomplishment could not have been achieved without the dedication of our associates, the hard work and loyalty of our internal team, and the valuable partnerships we have developed with our clients. Our communities, associates, staff, and clients are what drive Debbie’s Staffing to live up to our motto of ‘Service First’! We want to take this opportunity to thank you all for being an integral part of our foundation and growth as we celebrate ‘30 Years Strong'!"

Centric Bank recently opened a loan production office in Lancaster County located at 350 Highland Drive in West Hempfield Township. William J. Kitsch, Centric Bank’s new market leader in the area, will lead the office. The new office will focus on catering to the local agribusiness industry. (Source: CPBJ.com)

Reilly Wolfson recently announced the addition of a new associate, Andrew J. Race. Race maintains a general practice of law with an emphasis on family law, personal injury, workers’ compensation and criminal defense. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law, graduating Magna Cum Laude. While a student at Widener, Race completed various internships with the Governor’s Office of General Counsel and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Race was admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania Bar in 2014.

Snitz Creek Brewery Inc. is opening a new tasting room at In the Net Sports Complex in the former location of BounceU. The new tasting room could open as early as June. (Source: CPBJ.com)

For the second consecutive year, Kountry Kraft, the custom cabinetry company founded in Newmanstown, PA, in 1959, has planted a Norway spruce tree at White Swan Park on North Sheridan Road to commemorate Arbor Day. The second annual Kountry Kraft Arbor Day tree planting is just a small part of the company’s strong commitment to the Newmanstown community where they have done business for more than 50 years. The company generously supports area charitable organizations with monetary contributions, product donations and staff time and talent.

On Saturday, April 30, State Representative Russ Diamond held his second annual community day at the Lebanon Valley Mall. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., residents of the 102nd District could take part in document shredding services, vehicle identification number etching, a food bank collection, prescription drug collections, and other community services. (Source: LDNews.com)

For the month of May, Lebanon Picture Frame & Fine Art Gallery presents, “May Flowers,” a springtime-inspired group show featuring works by Monica Baebler, Karen Beall, Margaret Seidenberg-Ellis, and Bob Chaundy.

On April 26, The Hershey Company announced its acquisition of Ripple Brand Collective LLC based in Congers, NY. This company owns the barkTHINS brand. (Source: CPBJ.com)

Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) recently unveiled its latest development, a new “direct current fast charging station.” The electric car charging station has two ports, and will be accessible 24/7. Blink Network worked with HIA on the charging station, and HIA will receive 7 percent of the station’s net revenues. (Source: CPBJ.com)

PinnacleHealth System recently opened a new office at 4310 Londonderry Road in the Bloom Outpatient Center in Lower Paxton Township for its Women’s Cancer Center. (Source: CPBJ.com)

North Lebanon Township’s board of supervisors approved plans for construction of a Hampton by Hilton hotel. The hotel will be located on the 1600 block of East Cumberland Street. (Source: LDNews.com)