The Lebanon Valley Economic Development Corporation has reinvented itself over the years to meet the needs of the Lebanon County business community.
James Mentzer
James Mentzer is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. He has spent his professional career writing about agriculture, economic development, manufacturing and the energy and real estate industries, and is the county reporter and a features writer for LebTown.
James is an outdoor enthusiast whose hobbies include hunting, Ultimate frisbee, disc golf, spikeball and pickleball, biking, traveling and attending live concerts for a number of bands, including moe., String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic.
His published works include the books Pennsylvania Manufacturing: Alive and Well; Bucks County: A Snapshot in Time; United States Merchant Marine Academy: In Service to the Nation 1943-2018; A Century of Excellence: Spring Brook Country Club 1921-2021; Lancaster Development, Inc.: An American Story of Family and Infrastructure, and several other titles. He has also had business profiles published in Central Pennsylvania: Our Time Has Come, and an article in The Columbiad, a scholarly publication of Civil War Times Illustrated, concerning a little-known African American fort and battle along the James River in Virginia. Another book is currently in production for Morris Country Club in Morris, Illinois.
Posted inNews
County Commissioners propose $113.8 million budget with .20-mill tax increase
The Lebanon County Commissioners introduced its 2026 proposed budget with a .20 tax increase at its Dec. 4 meeting.
Posted inHistory
Hebron Moravian Cemetery receives historic designation from commonwealth
Pennsylvania designated the Hebron Moravian Cemetery, which contains graves from the Revolutionary War and French and Indian War, as a state historical site as the first step toward potential national recognition.
Posted inNews
Proposed mental health regs would cost Lebanon County $25 million annually
Proposed rule changes for mental health services would lead to closure of Lebanon County’s programs, due to costs and other reasons, according to county officials.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
Jubilee Ministries purchases Lebanon Rescue Mission’s Agape Shelter home
Lebanon Rescue Mission has sold its Agape Family Shelter property in Lebanon to Jubilee Ministries.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
Soup, soap, salvation: Lebanon Rescue Mission thankful for 80-year ministry
Lebanon Rescue Mission will keep an 80-year-old Thanksgiving tradition alive when it serves Thanksgiving Day dinner to its residents and local community members on Thursday.
Posted inNews
Commissioners approve resolution for rail trail to seek $711,000 state grant
Lebanon County Commissioners agree to apply for a $711,000-plus grant for Phase 6D of the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail project, among other actions, at their Nov. 20 meeting.
Posted inNews
North Londonderry Twp. approves tentative balanced budget for 2026
North Londonderry Township supervisors approved a balanced 2026 budget with no tax increase and voted to keep their independent police department rather than merge with a regional force.
Posted inNews
N. Cornwall Twp. authority authorizes loan for Expo Center construction project
Lebanon Valley Expo Center secured approval for $8.5 million in tax-exempt financing through the North Cornwall Township Authority to build a twin facility to its existing North Hall, with the authority bearing no liability for the loan.
Posted inEducation
Lebanon Co. Career & Tech Center receives healthcare clinic proposal
Lebanon County school administrators are reviewing a Penn Medicine proposal to launch an employer-sponsored healthcare clinic similar to 12 existing facilities serving more than 60 employers and 13,000 members across Pennsylvania.
Posted inNews
DA pushes for additional staff and new task force as budget shortfall looms
Lebanon County Commissioners have been asked to fund a new human trafficking task force along with hiring a new assistant district attorney as part of their 2026 budget, which is facing a $5 million-plus deficit.
Posted inNews
Bethel Township solar project stalls over sidewalk, curbing requirements
Lebanon 22’s solar farm developer argued that mandated street improvements would make the project financially infeasible, but Bethel Township planning commissioners pointed to similar requirements imposed on other developers including the school district and Bell & Evans.
Posted inNews
South Londonderry supervisors advertise 2026 budget with no tax increase
South Londonderry Township’s proposed 2026 budget keeps taxes flat for the 11th consecutive year while projecting $3.91 million in revenue against $4.15 million in expenditures.
Posted inNews
Bethel Twp. announces 2026 budget, pays law firm, discusses speed humps
Supervisors in Bethel Township unanimously approved a tentative 2026 budget without raising taxes and discussed installing speed humps on two roads where motorists exceed speed limits.
Posted inNews
PUC jurisdiction supersedes township ordinances in construction projects
Bethel Township officials receive answers to questions at their Nov. 13 meeting concerning legality of electric substation construction project being conducted by utility company.
