As the calendar turns from one year to the next, I always take time to reflect. The saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun, and at the Adams Economic Alliance, that certainly feels true. No two days ever look the same. Yet amid the constant motion, we have been fortunate to rely on a few steady constants—ones that form the foundation of our organization’s success.
Those constants are our dedicated volunteer board members, our trusted community partners, and our investors who understand the long-term value of economic development. As we look ahead to 2026, we would like to pause and offer a heartfelt thank-you to one of those pillars. For 36 years, Barb Hartman of Coldwell Banker Bigham Realtors served the Alliance in multiple leadership roles. Her dedication, insight, and commitment have left a lasting impact on both our organization and the broader Adams County community.
We are also deeply grateful to the many businesses and organizations that renew their membership with us year after year. Serving our investors and the residents of Adams County remains at the core of our mission. Our goal is simple but important: to help make Adams County a better place to live, work, play, and prosper.
Economic development is often a long-term endeavor. It involves planning, permitting, infrastructure improvements, and collaboration across municipalities, much of which happens behind the scenes and takes time to come to fruition. These efforts can span years and require patience, dedication, and shared commitment. That is why we value volunteers like Barb so deeply, along with investors who recognize the lasting benefits of sustained economic development.
While the long-term impact is significant, investors also benefit in meaningful ways today. As an Alliance investor, businesses gain access to marketing opportunities, networking, training, and a variety of business-support resources. One tangible benefit available to all investors is free access to our 1,500-square-foot conference rooms at 1300 Proline Place in Gettysburg.
In 2025 alone, those conference rooms were used for 72 meetings and events. Adams County businesses utilized the space 11 times for investor meetings and employee CPR training. Local nonprofit organizations used the rooms 21 times to collaborate on issues such as community health, veteran services, and attainable housing. The space also hosted health and safety training for home healthcare workers, further supporting our local workforce.
If you are interested in becoming an investor, using our conference room space, or getting involved with the Adams Economic Alliance, we encourage you to contact Wendy Kemper at gro.ecnaillasmada@eciffo or call 717-334-0042.
You can also learn more by attending our Annual Membership Meeting, which will be held virtually on January 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. We invite you to join us as we honor Barb Hartman for her 36 years of service and look ahead to the continued growth and success of Adams County.
