Surveyors - Engineers - Landscape Architects
Home About Us Our Services Links Project Gallery
|
Surveyors - Engineers - Landscape Architects
Home About Us Our Services Links Project Gallery
|
|
Info. About the Region
Location Mount Joy Borough is in the western section of Lancaster County approximately 15 miles west of Lancaster City, the economic and social center of Lancaster County. Lancaster County is positioned in the eastern part of the United States, on the western fringe of a highly urbanized and industrial region, which runs from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. The county is part of the South Central section of Pennsylvania within the middle of the Susquehanna River Basin. The surrounding region includes portions of Lebanon, Dauphin, Cumberland, and York Counties. Lancaster Area Transportation Lancaster is on the main line of the Amtrak rail system connecting New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The Conrail Freight System is also available. From the air, the county is serviced by the Lancaster Municipal Airport, using US Air/Allegheny Commuter and Eastern Express Airlines. Additionally the County is bordered westwardly by a non-navigable river, the Susquehanna. The surrounding area provides several main thoroughfares includes Routes 30, 22, 272,, 743, 501, 283, 230, 462, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76). US 30 follows an east-west direction through the center of the county, crossing the Susquehanna River at Columbia and adjoining Interstate 83 at York, 23 miles west of Lancaster. To the east, Route 30 connects with the Downingtown Bypass and continues on to Philadelphia. US 222 to the northeast connects with Reading, Allentown, Easton, and intersects the Pennsylvania Turnpike just 15 miles north of the city. The southern sections of the throughway combines with PA 272 into Maryland, crossing the Susquehanna River at the Conowingo Dam for Baltimore and Washington. Also, PA 743 4uns to the northwest of Elizabethtown and connects with Route 322 at the city of Hershey, crossing under the PA Turnpike 5 miles north of Elizabethtown. Additionally, PA 501 runs north of Lancaster City, under the PA Turnpike, and connects with Interstate 78 for Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton to the east and Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Binhampton, NY to the north. US 283 is connected to Route 30, approximately 2 miles northwest of Lancaster City and runs northwesterly to Harrisburg and western Pennsylvania. Route 462 (Columbia Avenue) runs westerly from the center of Lancaster City to West Manchester, York County. Finally, PA 230 runs to the west of Elizabethtown, connecting with Middletown to the northwest. Economy The economy of Lancaster County is considered diversified, providing stability from extreme swings in the national economy during periods of inflation and recession. Several main sources of income include manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, retail, and wholesale trades. Notably, Lancaster County is the top agricultural county and leading non-irrigated county in the United States in the value of goods produced. The county's highways, railways, and air services provide for the efficient movement of goods to East Coast markets and Mid-Atlantic seaports. Over 110 million people live within a 500 mile radius of the county, representing half of all U.S. personal buying power. Lancaster County's industrial community has grown steadily since World Ware I. As of 1993, there were more than 70,000 employed in Lancaster County industries. In the past decade, over 130 new manufacturers and distributors have been added to the Lancaster communities. Factors attributing to the County's healthy industrial employment growth rate are the broad diversification of industrial operations and the large number of small plants that prevent economic dominion by few companies. Industrial diversification in the county has continued throughout its 250 year history. According to the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry, all 20 Standard Industrial Classifications (S.I.C.) are represented within the county. Farming has historically been the foundation of the local economy. More land area is devoted to farming in Lancaster County that in any other county in the state. the county ranks first in the state and eleventh in the nation in total value of agricultural production. Population Lancaster County is one of the fastest growing counties in Pennsylvania, and the only county to experience double digit growth in the last decade. Population estimates for the county indicate that there was a 16.7% increase between 1980 and 1990 compared with Pennsylvania's 1% increase and the nation's 10% increase during the same period. According to a 1997 population projection by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population for the county has increased to 447,521. Education The county includes 16 independent public school districts, each providing excellent educational programs. Additionally, there are a variety of private schools located in the area. Three vocational schools are also located in the County, providing opportunities for those interested in working in the trades or pursuing a technical education. On the collegiate level, Lancaster offers an excellent choice of institutions of higher education. Franklin and Marshall College, Millersville University, Elizabethtown College, and Lancaster Bible College all have a long-standing place in the community. Outside the county, Lebanon Valley College, Dickinson University, Harrisburg Area Community College, Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg, Dickinson School of Law, Widener University School of Law, and a branch campus of Temple University are easily accessible from this area. Climate The climate of Lancaster County is classified as "humid continental", with a dependable precipitation and a relatively long growing season. Winds affecting the county usually originate in the west, and the county normally experiences mild winders and warm summers. Health Care Lancaster County is fortunate to have some of the finest health care facilities and professional staff serving local communities and surrounding areas. The county and other surrounding areas also are home to a variety of general and specialized clinics. (This information was supplied by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission)
|
|
32 Mount Joy Street - P.O. Box 128 - Mount Joy, PA 17552-0128 - (717) 653-5308 Last Updated: 10/10/2008
|
