Lancaster County's growth (Philadelphia, Reading, York: lawyers, homebuyer, construction)

[Wolfpacker]

Lancaster County is a place I visit a bit-though it has been awhile since I last visited-and always come away charmed by all it has to offer, along with a nice geographical location to a lot of nice areas that are a short drive away. One thing I've notice is their seems to be quite of bit of construction-from housing and residential developments to retail to commerce. Is the area growing as it may appear? Is the economy sound (relatively speaking, considering the overall national and even global economy)? Is Lancaster County going to continue to grow it's business base, and grow in general? I know tourism is a key player, but it seems like other industries and entrepreneurs might be making investments as well.

[mancat100]

It's growing. In the process, some of the world's most fertile and beautiful farmland is being lost forever.

[BTA88]

The Philly burbs are spilling into the eastern half of the county, particularly in Narvon, Brecknock, East Earl and Earl townships. When I moved to Bowmansville (Brecknock) in 2001, there were 3 developments in town, and a small strip of stores/bars/churches. Now there are at least 7 developments, more popping up every time I go back, and the town is spreading in all directions. Most of the people I know/have met in the developments started out in Philly or the burbs. I'll be shocked if Lancaster is officially part of Greater Phila by 2030.

The farms are quickly shrinking and drying up, as the land is more valuable than farming it. The small farmers/Amish out here can't compete with the corporate run, assembly line style mega farms in the midwest.

[pman]

Originally Posted by BTA88

The Philly burbs are spilling into the eastern half of the county, particularly in Narvon, Brecknock, East Earl and Earl townships. When I moved to Bowmansville (Brecknock) in 2001, there were 3 developments in town, and a small strip of stores/bars/churches. Now there are at least 7 developments, more popping up every time I go back, and the town is spreading in all directions. Most of the people I know/have met in the developments started out in Philly or the burbs. I'll be shocked if Lancaster is officially part of Greater Phila by 2030.

The farms are quickly shrinking and drying up, as the land is more valuable than farming it. The small farmers/Amish out here can't compete with the corporate run, assembly line style mega farms in the midwest.

to add insult to injury, megafarms receive almost all farm subsidies and have teams of lawyers to deal with the US regulatory environment. housing isn't economic growth.

[Wolfpacker]

Originally Posted by BTA88

The Philly burbs are spilling into the eastern half of the county, particularly in Narvon, Brecknock, East Earl and Earl townships. When I moved to Bowmansville (Brecknock) in 2001, there were 3 developments in town, and a small strip of stores/bars/churches. Now there are at least 7 developments, more popping up every time I go back, and the town is spreading in all directions. Most of the people I know/have met in the developments started out in Philly or the burbs. I'll be shocked if Lancaster is officially part of Greater Phila by 2030.

The farms are quickly shrinking and drying up, as the land is more valuable than farming it. The small farmers/Amish out here can't compete with the corporate run, assembly line style mega farms in the midwest.

Do the Amish get any property tax breaks on their land/farms?

[BTA88]

Originally Posted by Wolfpacker

Do the Amish get any property tax breaks on their land/farms?

From what I know, they get standard farming breaks, I think it's called Clean & Green. Other than that, I think they only get out of Social Security. I don't know about local/school tax breaks. They don't send their kids to public schools, so it'd be rather unfair if they had to pay school taxes, but when has the government been known to be fair?

[rainrock]

I was in Lancaster a couple weeks ago(weekday). We see our fair share of NY license plates close to Philly but I was amazed at how many NY license plates there were driving around Lancaster. Schoolday/workday so it wasnt tourists. With this latest natural disaster in N Jersey and NYC I can see Pennsylvania looking more and more inviting destination to alot of those 20 M people in NY metro who can get out.

[pman]

Originally Posted by BTA88

From what I know, they get standard farming breaks, I think it's called Clean & Green. Other than that, I think they only get out of Social Security. I don't know about local/school tax breaks. They don't send their kids to public schools, so it'd be rather unfair if they had to pay school taxes, but when has the government been known to be fair?

many counties engage in what's called tax farming, subsidizing new development in order to boost revenues in the short term (if the amish don't pay property taxes that might be particularly lucrative for government officials). of course, the federal incentives that help developments/homebuyers and subsidies to megafarms are probably the biggest factor. add to that that local food istribution systems are gone, the chains having nationalized everything. one thing that has been helping is rising food prices. a lot of local farms have turned to growing high quality food and selling it at good prices in Philadelphia and it's helping to raise revenue. rising gas prices are probably also a benefit since it raises the cost of getting low quality midwestern food to market.

[Wolfpacker]

Originally Posted by BTA88

From what I know, they get standard farming breaks, I think it's called Clean & Green. Other than that, I think they only get out of Social Security. I don't know about local/school tax breaks. They don't send their kids to public schools, so it'd be rather unfair if they had to pay school taxes, but when has the government been known to be fair?

Seems like state/county officials would want to try to protect these farms, and the culture of the Amish and Mennonites should try to be preserved as best as it can-considering it provides an economic impact in itself.

Originally Posted by rainrock

I was in Lancaster a couple weeks ago(weekday). We see our fair share of NY license plates close to Philly but I was amazed at how many NY license plates there were driving around Lancaster. Schoolday/workday so it wasnt tourists. With this latest natural disaster in N Jersey and NYC I can see Pennsylvania looking more and more inviting destination to alot of those 20 M people in NY metro who can get out.

Does Lancaster County act as a back office outpost for businesses in NYC, Philly, and New Jersey? A business and tax environment that is friendlier than New York and New Jersey, and a lower cost-of-living.

What is driving the growth in the county?

[BTA88]

Originally Posted by Wolfpacker

Does Lancaster County act as a back office outpost for businesses in NYC, Philly, and New Jersey? A business and tax environment that is friendlier than New York and New Jersey, and a lower cost-of-living.

What is driving the growth in the county?

No idea... There's not a whole lot to do there, but a lot of Philadelphians and New Yorkers are moving there to get away from the hubbub. I think we all know how that ends. It is a very convenient location in that it's less than 2 hours from Philly, Baltimore or DC, and only 3 hours from NY. I did the commute from Lancaster to CC, though, and it's unbearable. I can't imagine many people would want to drive all that way. Chester or Mont Co, or especially Reading, however are very doable.