(5/2025) It has been almost three years since the Adams County Board of Commissioners, Adams County Planning Department, Destination Gettysburg and the Adams County Economic Alliance collaborated to highlight Adams County’s attributes to the Pennsylvania Ag Discovery Center (PADC) search committee. The process concluded with Adams County being selected from a pool of several surrounding counties. A feasibility study was done, an executive director was selected, and the search for a suitable location along the Route 15 corridor commenced. Unfortunately, the search for a suitable location got bogged down for a variety of reasons.

I finally have good PA AG Discovery Center news to report! I was pleased to attend the March 20th Mt. Joy Township meeting, with PADC Executive Director Tom O’Connor, to announce that a location for the center has been identified in open fields to the south of the Gettysburg Outlets. A contract between the parties has been executed. The area had previously been identified as Phase 2 of the Outlet Project and has the necessary infrastructure to support the project. Beside the stand-alone appeal, the PADC should bring fresh energy to that area of Mt. Joy Township.

Given the potential benefit to both Adams County’s Agricultural & Tourism communities, at the Commissioners April 2 public meeting, the Board approved providing $190,000 of dedicated pillow tax funds to support the scoping and land development of this site. The main goals of the PADC are to highlight Pennsylvania’s broad range of Agriculture, make the public aware of the many careers in agriculture, and to educate youth to the importance and scope of the industry. I have said many times that this is a big deal for Mt. Joy Township, Adams County and Pennsylvania!

As of 2023, over 7 million Vietnam Veterans live in the United Sates and abroad. Adams County is home to approximately 2600 Vietnam Veterans. It wasn’t until 2017 that The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act designated March 29TH as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Unlike other conflicts such as WWI, WWII, Korea, and the Gulf War, soldiers returning home from Vietnam, were sometimes greeted with anger or hostility and received a lack of recognition. On March 29 it was my pleasure to attend the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Program at the Gettysburg VFW. Among other recognition, Vietnam Veterans in attendance were presented Vietnam War Pins by retired Colonel Doug Mastriano. A selection of patriotic music was thoroughly enjoyed by the attendees. The program concluded outside with a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.

We are proud to report that Adams County received the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget. As taken from the release: "It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff in meeting the highest principles of government budgeting. Budget documents must be rated proficient in all 4 categories, and in the 14 mandatory criteria within those categories to receive the award." Creating a superior budget is a Team Effort with many processes. A shout out to Department Directors, Department of Office and Budget, Treasurer, Controller and County Administration for their efforts to make and keep Adams County a fiscally superior County!

At the Destination Gettysburg Annual Meeting, Gettysburg artist Wendy Allen received the Jim Getty Award for her service, support and facilitation of the tourism industry in Adams County. Besides her art, Wendy is best known for her conception and administration of 100 Night Of Taps program, that takes place in the Soldiers National Cemetery each evening between Memorial and Labor Day. Buglers come from across the country to volunteer to have the honor of playing Taps in the National Cemetery. The playing of Taps in the cemetery is proceeded by a National Park Service Interpretative Program. According to GNMP Chief of Interpretation Chris Gwinn, 100 Night of Taps has been rated as the favorite program by visitors for the past 7 years. Wendy best described the experience simply as "Good for the Soul." There is no doubt it is a moving experience! Having received the award in 2023, I can attest that it is both a proud moment and humbling to receive this award.

Several new additions to Adams County local tourism industry were introduced at the meeting. Renovation and expansion of the Barn Resort, along with the acquisition of All Star Resort by the same owners promises to energize the Greenmount corridor. The site acquisition of property for the Pennsylvania AG Discovery Center is a hot off the press exciting new development. The renovation and revitalization of the historic train station on North Washington Street will bring excursion trains back to Adams County. Regular and theme runs will go 10 miles to Aspers, and charter runs can go 25-miles to Mt. Holly Springs. Five original Barnum & Bailey Circus cars from the 1950’s are being restored for service. Trains are expected to begin running late this summer.

It’s not just about the battle anymore! It is quite evident that tourism opportunities in Adams County are stimulating, varied and expanding continuously, enhanced by forward thinking businesses and collaboration with the folks at Destination Gettysburg!

Being just 1 of 67 counties in Pennsylvania, and recently receiving the Terry Barham Claims Experience Award for the lowest Workman’s Comp experience in the State, is quite an achievement that has multiple benefits. As the saying goes, "It takes a village", or in this case folks from several departments within the County and a good claims staff at CCAP to manage the County’s Workers’ Comp claims. But in acknowledging this award, we would be remiss if we did not recognize the time and effort that Human Resources puts into following up and managing each and every work injury experienced by County employees. They balance the best interests of the injured employee with the County’s need to return injured workers to productivity. Human Resources has a material impact on helping the County achieve the experience mod of 0.617 that resulted – illustrating once again that Adams County is not just #1 because our name starts with an A! This is good news for County taxpayers!

Congratulation to Butler Township. I was pleased to attend their groundbreaking ceremony April 18 for their new complex just outside Biglerville. It was a 7-year process, but the project will soon come to fruition aided by state grants facilitated by Senator Doug Mastriano and Sate Representative Torren Ecker.

No matter what you do, get out there and experience all the historical, recreational, agricultural, natural and cultural opportunities that beautiful Adams County has to offer!