Central Penn Business Journal

Lancaster-based Fulton Financial Corporation completed its merger with Blue Foundry Bank, expanding its presence in New Jersey and offering full access to Fulton Bank services. The merger and the subsequent conversion of Blue Foundry Bank’s systems onto Fulton Bank’s banking platforms became effective on July 11. Former Blue Foundry Bank customers now have access to the full suite of Fulton Bank products, services and financial centers.

Organic Remedies of Carlisle is transitioning to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). An ESOP is a retirement benefit that holds company stock. As the company grows and realizes success, the value of the shares’ increases. The stock is allocated to employees over time at no cost to them, and when the employees retire or leave the company, the company buys those shares back from them.

Six years ago this month, I sat down to write my very first article for Central Penn Parent. It was called “Being Sober in a Wine Mom Culture,” and I had been sober for about a month. I remember thinking — well, if this doesn’t stick, I can always say I tried. One little experiment, and I’ll never have to write about it again. I genuinely wasn’t sure I could do it.

McGrew Management Company in York County has named Joseph Muth chief financial officer to lead financial operations and capital planning. Based in Seven Valleys, McGrew is the management holding company for McGrew Auction Company, Crownstone Equipment, Iron Road Logistics, Eby’s Lawn & Garden and related brands.

The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is launching Season 10 of its Shelf Confidence podcast. The podcast focuses on trends, innovation, and issues shaping the food and beverage industry. Season 10 premieres July 30 with new episodes released Thursday mornings on PFMA‘s social media channels, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, the PFMA website and all major podcast platforms.

The National Federation of Independent Business has released its “State of the States” report, examining economic activity among Pennsylvania‘s small businesses. The report shows that overall business metrics in Pennsylvania are mostly in line with those small businesses in other U.S states. The top issue in Pennsylvania is taxes, which scores 4 points worse in the state than in the U.S., according to the report.

The Pennsylvania legislature passed the 2026-2027 fiscal-year budget over the weekend, and it was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The $50.8 billion state budget represents a 3.7% increase from last year. It does not include any tax increases or new revenue sources and leaves untouched the state’s $8 billion Rainy Day Fund, Shapiro said. “From day one, my Administration has been laser-focused on delivering results for the people of Pennsylvania — and what we’re doing is working,” said Shapiro.

If you do your job well each day and for a long time, that doesn’t mean that everyone who could benefit from your expertise and experience is aware of your efforts. Penn State Health realized that dynamic exits, so it set out to raise awareness about its treatments for cancer. “We are really the only true academic medical health system in central Pennsylvania,” said Stacy Beers, vice president of marketing at Penn State Health, which operates the Milton S.

New prescription drug transparency requirements that take effect during the next few years are giving employers more visibility into how prescription drug pricing works. For business leaders who manage pharmacy benefits, this is a meaningful shift. But more data doesn’t automatically mean more clarity. “Employers may get access to data they’ve never had before,” said Gary Petruzzelli, Vice President of Pharmacy Strategy and Services at Capital Blue Cross.

State schools in Pennsylvania will be seeing a small tuition increase for the upcoming school year, but it might not happen depending on the state legislature’s budget negotiations.