Making connections is at the heart of Adams Economic Alliance’s work in your community. Every day, our team engages with community leaders, stakeholders, and the public to determine what is most needed here and how we can help bring those visions to life.
One of the projects I am most excited to be a part of is the Adams County Technical Institute expansion project. You might have been hearing about this initiative for some time (in one case, 50 years!). Rest assured, progress is being made, and many smart people are having open dialogue with the community’s best interests and the students’ futures in mind.
In 2023, Crabtree Rohrbaugh and Associates, an architectural firm in nearby Mechanicsburg, presented a free feasibility study to ACTI’s Joint Operating Committee (JOC). The JOC is the school’s governing body that is comprised of one member and one alternate member from the five participating school districts–Gettysburg, Fairfield, Bermudian Springs, Conewago Valley, and Littlestown.
The study examined Adams County and the region’s workforce data and concluded ACTI is not only a valuable resource to prepare employees who will live and work here, but the school must expand to meet current and future needs. Specifically, ACTI should add a second Allied Health program, as well as programs focused on automechanics, HVAC, advanced manufacturing, welding, automotive collision, and agriculture.
The JOC and other community members, including many employers, answered the call and said “Yes! Let’s do this!” Next, the ACTI Authority was formed, another group comprising one member from each school district. I won’t bore you with a deep analysis of Pennsylvania law, but basically, the ACTI Authority is needed to borrow money for the project. However, the authority does not work in a vacuum–any potential bond must be fully backed by all school districts. Additionally, ACTI’s budget must be approved by all five school districts after it is recommended by the JOC.
The Alliance’s involvement in the ACTI expansion project is focused on two areas. First, we are helping the school look for land in Adams County. The Adams County Office of Planning and Development, another partner in this project, shared valuable insight on the location of already existing infrastructure.
Ideally, the school will be built on 25-30 acres; however, 40-50 acres may be needed when considering areas of the property that might not be buildable due to bedrock, wetlands, forestation, or other topography challenges. Six sites have been submitted to Crabtree Rohrbaugh for review. When they submit their feedback, the JOC and the partner districts, which again are comprised of people you elect to office, will deliberate and make a decision.
GMS Funding Solutions and Novac Strategic Advisors are another part of this process as they will help research and apply for potential grants available.
Beyond the expansion project, Adams Economic Alliance is a member of the Adams County Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee. I am the proud chair of this committee, which brings local business and education leaders together to discuss career and technical education in Adams County. We solicit feedback from industry experts on existing programs and solicit ideas on how we can improve in the future.
ACTI is not just a concept of a good idea, it has proven results you may already benefit from. Many employers, such as Conewago Enterprises, Battlefield Harley Davidson, and Cottage Creperie hire its graduates. Sara Parrish, owner of Sweeter than SAP bakery in downtown Gettysburg, is a proud graduate of ACTI’s Culinary Arts program.
Expanding ACTI, with the help of all our community partners, will only enhance the quality of life in an already great place to live.
Kaycee Kemper is vice president of Adams Economic Alliance, which comprises three organizations: The Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), the Adams County Industrial Development Authority (ACIDA) and the Adams County General Authority (ACGA). For more information, see adamsalliance.org; follow us on Facebook (Facebook.com/AdamsAlliance); X, formerly Twitter (@AdamsAlliance); Instagram (@adamscountypa); and LinkedIn (Adams Economic Alliance), or contact us at 717-334-0042.
