By Christopher K. Passante- 03/09/12
The sheer number of cities, boroughs and townships in Central Pennsylvania resemble a patchwork of communities hemmed in by farmland, woods and streams or sit seam to seam against the next municipality. Despite their like situations, it’s not...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 02/24/12
The late cultural critic and media theorist Neil Postman often would ask three questions when weighing change: What problem does this change address; whose problem is it; and what are the problems that this change could bring?CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 02/17/12
It doesn't take keen observational skills or even quantitative analyses to understand the significance of the transportation industry in Central Pennsylvania. This regional logistics hub each week dispatches thousands of tractor-trailers onto...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 02/10/12
The relentless blitz of regional, national and international media reports coming out of the city of Harrisburg as it struggles to emerge from its financial crisis tells and retells the story of a destitute and leaderless city still on the verge of...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 02/03/12
How important is Southwest Airlines’ presence at Harrisburg International Airport?CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 01/27/12
As the Lancaster County Convention Center's bond reserve level continues to drop, business and county leaders are keeping a sharp eye on whether the county's visitors bureau actually will make up the deficit.CONTINUE READING
By - 01/27/12
Harrisburg City Council will hand in a formal request to U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith by hand early next week asking for an investigation into the city incinerator debt fiasco, Councilman Brad Koplinski said Thursday morning during an...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 01/20/12
Early next month, Gov. Tom Corbett will unveil his second set of budget priorities since taking office last year.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 01/13/12
It’s hard to trust the Harrisburg City Council’s judgment when it comes to the $54.3 million budget it adopted Dec. 29, which Mayor Linda Thompson vetoed Monday.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 01/06/12
We’ve all witnessed the financial boon professional sports teams bring to American cities — why so many cities vie for new NFL, NBA and MLB teams and Olympic Games. Central Pennsylvania, though absent major league franchises, is no...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 12/23/11
Hopes were high this year that freshman Gov. Tom Corbett and a GOP-dominated state legislature would rein in a renegade Pennsylvania budget, reduce the size of government, help businesses flourish and create the kind of meaningful economic reform...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 12/16/11
As we put the wraps on 2011 and once again start a new year with municipal budget plans that include staggering property tax increases and bone-deep cuts, we can only breathe a wistful sigh at the inaction of our state legislators who failed —...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 12/09/11
When longtime municipal bond attorney David Unkovic was approved Dec. 2 by a Commonwealth Court judge as Harrisburg’s receiver, the hands of a clock that were stuck on 2009 finally had been set free.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 12/02/11
The U.S. Supreme Court in 1992 ruled states do not have the authority to require out-of-state businesses to collect and remit sales tax unless they have a physical presence in the state in which they're doing business. They couldn't possibly have...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 11/18/11
The state legislature's longstanding apathy toward the struggles of third class cities has allowed 26 municipalities to stagger toward bankruptcy before ultimately falling into Act 47 status. Too many more are teetering on that precipice.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 11/11/11
Midstate government and business leaders have long understood the importance of redeveloping brownfield areas in our counties, cities and boroughs. Some have acted faster than others, but great initiatives are under way to again spur investment in...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 11/04/11
Report after report continues to reinforce that the commonwealth needs to once and for all get out of the business of selling wine and spirits.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 10/28/11
Long before Second Street or Old Uptown in Harrisburg could be redeveloped, a vision had to be given wheels. But vision alone doesn't restore blighted buildings, create impressive structures and attract commerce; a program to spur development does.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 10/21/11
More than a year ago, the Business Journal predicted Harrisburg, because of its continued ineffective leadership, indecisiveness and inability to work together, most likely would end up in bankruptcy.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 10/14/11
The Lancaster County Convention Center and Marriott at Penn Square, the dynamic downtown centerpiece that opened in 2009 and took more than 10 years and $177 million to build, was designed to initially operate at a loss that’s offset by hotel...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 10/07/11
In the face of today's challenging economy, we are witnessing an exciting increase in entrepreneurialism. And it might not be more prevalent than in our nation's young adults.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 09/30/11
Amid the chaos of Harrisburg's financial insolvency and its ineffective leadership, it's all too easy to lose sight of the city — not just as an idea, but as the reality that makes it dynamic, and even promising.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 09/23/11
The Pennsylvania General Assembly has much work to do in a short amount of time as legislators return to work this month and Gov. Tom Corbett and the Republican majority anxiously push their agenda items before the Dec. 15 holiday break.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 09/16/11
Eighteenth century theologian John Wesley wrote: Do all the good you can By all the means you can In all the ways you can In all the places you can At all the times you can To all the people you can As long as ever you can.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 09/09/11
Approaching any metropolitan area, motorists generally have to endure at least one strip of congested and unsightly commercial sprawl. Too frequently, the most-travelled gateway into a city winds through the worst of it.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 09/02/11
An unfortunate byproduct of a down economy and a state budget that promotes living within its means often appears in the form of local-option tax increases.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 08/26/11
It was the Roman playwright Plautus who said, “You must spend money to make money.”CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 08/19/11
While putting the finishing touches on last week's Top 100 Private Companies book, the stock market was as close to full-panic mode as it had been since 2008. Did we jump the gun discussing how Top 100 midstate business leaders were again looking...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 08/05/11
The Capitol View Commerce Center has been both an eyesore and painful reminder of how the public lost $17 million in a faulty public-private partnership orchestrated by developer David R. Dodd II. Dodd was indicted by the U.S. Attorney's Office on...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/29/11
Harrisburg has become a national poster child for debt-ridden cities. It's no one person's fault, and it wasn't merely one bad decision that brought the capital city to the precipice of bankruptcy. If that were the case, a fix would be much simpler.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/22/11
Swatara Township has witnessed an explosion in commercial growth, especially over the last decade; and along with periodic zoning changes and an uptick in the economy, it's again becoming a target for development.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/15/11
Few people will ever really know what it takes to start a business. But ask those who have taken the leap, and they'll generally discuss the white-knuckle ride, the sleepless nights, the remortgaging of the house, the borrowing of great sums from...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/08/11
No one is looking to skirt regulations created to stave off another financial collapse like that of 2008; however, many business groups and individuals have made several strong arguments against new rules trickling out of the Dodd-Frank legislation.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/01/11
Economic recovery is not instant, nor is it without pain or sacrifice. There is no wave of a wand, no snap of a finger or, in Pennsylvania's case, no stroke of the governor's pen on the next fiscal budget that will somehow transport us back to a...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 06/24/11
If the fear of God hasn’t been struck into the hearts and minds of Harrisburg city leaders after learning 12 sponsors last week endorsed Sen. Jeffrey Piccola’s bill to take over third-class cities at loggerheads over their...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 06/17/11
The 422-page solvency plan for Harrisburg unveiled by the state’s Act 47 team Monday leaves many questions unanswered. Specifically, where are the details on how to implement the plan and will city leaders be able to quickly compromise to...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 06/10/11
In business, competition often breeds stronger products and better services. But can a hot dog cart make a better restaurant? Maybe that’s what a host of Harrisburg restaurateurs should be asking themselves rather than crafting a petition to...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 06/03/11
Downtown businesses are an integral part of any township, borough or city's economy. A vibrant commerce center produces tax revenues, attracts residents and other businesses and fosters a sense of community. But promoting and investing in our...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 05/27/11
Central Pennsylvania has enjoyed the benefits of Keystone Innovation Zones since they were established by then-Gov. Ed Rendell in 2004. The funding for two KIZs, one in Lancaster County and another in Dauphin County, ran out last year. York...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 05/20/11
As of this week, there are no fewer than seven proposals in the state legislature competing to extract money from Marcellus Shale drillers. Not all the bills are created equally. But the proposal getting the most attention is Republican Sen. Joe...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 05/13/11
The Murata business incubator in Carlisle has helped sow the seeds of dozens of businesses and foster the entrepreneurial spirit in the midstate since it opened its doors in 1997. Owned and operated by the Capital Region Economic Development Corp.,...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 05/06/11
A large portion of the future economic growth of a city such as Harrisburg depends on its ability to redevelop large tracts of blighted row homes, abandoned buildings and vacant lots. Without the tools to revitalize old neighborhoods and commercial...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 04/29/11
Tens of thousands of southbound motorists tend to rubberneck a little each day just past Interstate 81's Exit 45. They're looking at the array of field artillery and helicopters that greet visitors to the U.S. Army War College in Middlesex Township.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 04/22/11
A foe to business again is rearing its ugly head — this time in the form of a recommendation from the bankruptcy law firm charged with helping the Harrisburg City Council shed its estimated $280 million debt caused by a faulty retrofit of the...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher Passante - 04/18/11
Depending on whom you ask, or more appropriately, which political party you ask, the arguments for and against keeping Pennsylvania's state liquor store system intact are convincing.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 04/15/11
The Marcellus Shale already has brought thousands of jobs to the commonwealth; however, Stan Saylor, House Majority whip from York County, is one of many legislators who believe mere extraction of natural gas represents only half the job-creation...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 04/08/11
The Harrisburg City Council appears to be building one bridge while burning another. Council members earlier this week claimed they wanted to digest a much-anticipated report from bankruptcy adviser Cravath, Swaine & Moore as well as discuss it as a...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 04/01/11
Why should a defendant in a civil case be responsible for paying the entire judgment when it's only partially liable for an accident? The question has been pondered for years in the commonwealth, which has one of the worst legal systems in the...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 03/24/11
Approaching two weeks since a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a major tsunami struck Japan, financial leaders in the midstate and around the world still are waiting to see how the shockwaves will affect their economy. The catastrophic March 11 tsunami...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 03/18/11
Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year was never going to be popular; crafting a responsible spending plan that forces the government to live within its means was necessary. With a budget deficit of more than $4 billion and...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher Passante - 03/14/11
Is it a surprise to anyone that Harrisburg City Council President Gloria Martin-Roberts did not file for re-election in the May 17 primaries?CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 03/11/11
Harrisburg's leadership is foundering in what is its most critical juncture since entering Act 47 status in December. And it's not simply because it's finally formulating a plan to help the city emerge from its economic abyss; the Act 47 public...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 03/04/11
There has been a good deal of debate over the Main Street Fairness Act, a federal bill aimed at leveling the playing field between traditional and online retailers.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 02/25/11
Businesses reliant on public tax dollars to buoy their operations say they're sinking as state allocations continue to ebb. The hospitality industry is no exception.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 02/18/11
When Mayor Linda Thompson took office 13 months ago, she pledged to immediately work on a plan to make Harrisburg solvent, to work with businesses to grow the city's economic base and to unite residents and city leaders.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 02/11/11
The city of York is inching its way to a compromise in overhauling its 16-year-old zoning ordinance. The latest revision is better for business.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 02/04/11
When Gov. Tom Corbett outlined his reform plan late last week, many in the business community nodded their approval. The freshman governor's plan aligns well with the business sector; however, talking about a plan and implementing it are two...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 01/28/11
Another good sign for Pennsylvania's strengthening economy came in the form of a Pennsylvania Tourism Office announcement this month: The commonwealth's hotels sold a record 27.5 million rooms last year, according to the CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 01/21/11
By the time this edition hits the street, the U.S. House most likely will have voted on a resolution to repeal the federal Affordable Health Act rushed into play by Congress and President Barack Obama last year.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 01/14/11
While most of the public's attention has been focused on the financial woes of Harrisburg, other third-class cities in the midstate also have been busy battling their own economic demons.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 01/07/11
On July 2, 2010, the Dow dipped to a frightening 9,614 points. Although a far cry from April 3, 2009's 6,705 - the lowest point of the Great Recession - let's hope last summer's plunge was the double dip many economists and business leaders feared.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 12/31/10
As we're heading into a New Year with a new governor and legislature, we're hopeful we'll be heading out of a period of economic turmoil once and for all. That, however, can't be done with wishful thinking alone; it's going to take unpopular...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 12/17/10
The state Supreme Court this month upheld a lower court's ruling to allow supermarkets that prepare food to sell takeout beer. That should make it very easy for Gov.-elect Tom Corbett to drive the final spike into the heart of a Pennsylvania law...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 12/10/10
A recession is a great time to start a business.The logic is that if you can make it in a tough economy, you'll have created a rock-solid business designed to perform under intense economic stress.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 12/03/10
Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson is taking a necessary hard-line stance against raising taxes and increasing spending in her proposed $56.5 million budget proposal for fiscal 2011.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 11/26/10
If the state legislature's passage last week of House Bill 2497 was its so-called first step in pension reform, then we're demanding the new administration take a giant second step when the Republican-controlled House and Senate are seated in...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 11/19/10
At most recent count, Harrisburg is up to a half-dozen consultants who have worked with or are working with the city to ensure it emerges from its financial crisis quickly with a plan that will keep it sustainable.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 11/12/10
How important is the Yorktowne Hotel to downtown York?CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 11/05/10
Each year for the past 15 years, the Business Journal has dedicated an issue to a special cut of people in the business community - those philanthropists and servant-leaders who've given their time, money and muscle to make the midstate a better...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 10/29/10
As Harrisburg readies to join the ranks of 19 municipalities that have stumbled their way into Pennsylvania's CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 10/22/10
It comes as no surprise that charitable giving is at a 20-year low.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 10/15/10
"The Big Apple," "the city that never sleeps," "I (Heart) NY". How many brands does a great city need?CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 10/08/10
The city of Harrisburg last week took a contentious step toward righting the ship that has for too long listed in a sea of debt.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 10/01/10
A proposed ordinance aimed at allowing businesses to set up shop in residentially zoned York city neighborhoods has gained traction among city planners recently and soon could be headed for passage.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 09/24/10
Downtown Lancaster has been an example of meaningful redevelopment in the midstate.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 09/17/10
Small business is the economic lifeblood of our region. Each year, the nearly 1 million small businesses in the commonwealth pour vast sums of money into local and state coffers, create thousands of jobs, keep local economies stable and provide an...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 09/10/10
The word "pain" and the degree to which it's being felt and by whom is the subject of the latest debate between Dauphin County and the city of Harrisburg.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 09/03/10
A fierce battle again is being waged in Gettysburg. But this time, it's not over secession; it's about whether the state Gaming Control Board should issue its 14th and final permit to a...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 08/27/10
For those politicians who haven't noticed, this country's in a recession. And despite a smattering of occasional positive economic indicators, we're teetering perilously on a double-dip and buried in a $13 trillion deficit.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 08/20/10
Dennis Yablonsky stood before the state House Local Government Committee on Tuesday to testify on the merits of two much-needed measures designed to clear sizeable bureaucratic hurdles from regional efforts and dramatically improve the business...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 08/13/10
National media have heaped a long and steady stream of CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/30/10
With the ink having recently dried on the $28 billion state budget without having solidified how a Marcellus Shale extraction tax would work, the same old lines drawn among Democrats and Republicans, environmentalists and drillers and an array of...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/23/10
It's encouraging to see the effort among businesses, industry groups, nonprofits, Dauphin County, the media and even the governor's office to help Harrisburg emerge from its enormous debt.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/16/10
There's been a lot of good news coming out of the local ballparks recently - and it doesn't include homeruns or no-hitters.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/09/10
An initiative to unify Central Pennsylvania's transit authorities is one of the most promising and important regional efforts that has surfaced here in years.CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 07/02/10
In the six months since Linda Thompson became Harrisburg's mayor, no meaningful plan to lift the city from its $288 million debt has been drafted, and the mounting trepidation and frustration among Harrisburg businesspeople over the city's lack...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 06/25/10
The state House of Representatives approved a token measure last week that would reduce benefits for newly hired...CONTINUE READING
By Christopher K. Passante- 06/18/10
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