WELCOME to all prospective Volvo/Asheville Transferees!
My name is Harry Snyder and I am the Volvo Relocation Coordinator with Wolfe & Company Realtors in Carlisle, PA. I shall attempt to tell you about the areas around the plant location in Shippensburg, PA in which you may choose to live.
We call the area, Central Pennsylvania, for short and we are situated in the Cumberland Valley with mountains (small ones) to the North and South. We're a largely rural and agricultural area, nicely prosperous with 4 main population centers or towns.
SHIPPENSBURG: Shippensburg is located in the scenic Cumberland Valley of South Central Pennsylvania, directly on the line between Franklin and Cumberland counties and has a population of approximately 8,000. With the nearby Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-81, it is just a short driving distance from many metropolitan centers, including Philadelphia (2 hours), Pittsburgh (4 hours), Baltimore (2 hours), Washington D.C.(2 hours) and New York City (4 hours). Settled in the 1730's, Shippensburg offers a desirable balance of industry, agriculture and education (including Shippensburg University). Shippensburg is proud to say that it was rated 27th in Norman Crampton's 1995 book, 100 Best Small Towns in America. www.shippensburg.org
CARLISLE: Founded in 1751, the Carlisle Borough is one of Pennsylvania's most treasured historic communities. Its history is rich, ideals are plentiful and diversity is abundant. The Borough of Carlisle is approximately five square miles and has a population of 20,000 (reaching 100,000 with a 10 mile radius of the Borough). Strolling through downtown, one is greeted by unique architecture, quaint shops and overall serenity. Carlisle's tree-lined streets invite residents and visitors alike to walk the same paths as those walked by the Commander of the Continental Army and President of the United States, George Washington; Declaration of Independence signer, James Wilson; Olympic medalist, Jim Thorpe; Battle of Monmouth heroine, "Molly Pitcher" and the list goes on and on! With a reputation as a growing and viable community, historic Carlisle continues to meet the ever-evolving economic needs of its citizens. Carlisle is home to beautiful Dickinson College, the Penn State Dickinson School of Law, The United States Army War College and the Central PA Youth Ballet. Carlisle's environment is a diverse mix typified by it's award winning restaurants, downtown theater, historic sites and multi-cultural events. www.carlislepa.org; www.carlislechamber.org.
MECHANICSBURG: Mechanicsburg, a rich agricultural region was settled in 1806. It sits in a broad zone between the South Mountain and the ridge-and-valley Appalachians. Mechanicsburg is home of Jubilee Day, the largest and longest-running one-day street fair on the east coast. There are approximately 60,000 people within 10 minutes of Mechanicsburg and it lies in the center of a regional transportation crossroads, with I-81, I-76, I-83, US Route 11, and US Route 15 passing in close proximity to the borough. www.mechanicsburgchamber.org
CHAMBERSBURG: (approximately 12 miles South of Shippensburg) is a Borough in the South Central region of Pennsylvania and lies 13 miles north of Maryland and the Mason-Dixon line. It's approximately 52 miles southwest of Harrisburg. Chambersburg's settlement began in 1730 when water mills were built at the confluence of Conococheague Creek and Falling Spring Creek that now run through the center of town. Its history includes episodes related to the French and Indian War, the Whiskey Rebellion, John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry and the American Civil War. The borough was the only major northern community burned down by Confederate forces during the war. Businesses are attracted to Chambersburg's excellent location. Chambersburg is within 500 miles of half the U.S. population. Combined with the educational opportunities of Wilson College and Shippensburg University as well as quality technology and vocational training, Chambersburg has the business climate to complement its scenic beauty, good cost of living, and choice of leisure time activities.Chambersburg population is about 18,000. www.chambersburg.org
Further north is the Capital of PA, Harrisburg, which offers more activities including the Harrisburg International Airport if you will be traveling a lot with your job. It is a commute of about 50-55 minutes from Harrisburg to the plant. Just ask Kellan Lowe in H.R. - he drives it every day! (www.flyhia.com)
Very conveniently, Interstate 81 runs through all these areas making for easy commuting.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
STATE PARKS: History and natural delights intermingle with the hand-plowed farm fields of the Amish and the scent of the Hershey Chocolate Factory. You can visit the birthplace of the only US president from Pennsylvania or enjoy the scenic views of the Susquehanna River and the first bald eagle sanctuary in the world. Click on this link to find information on any of the 17 State Parks in our immediate area!
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.usHERSHEY, PA: The sweetest place on earth and a town built on Chocolate! Nestled in the lush green rolling hills of Central Pennsylvania, is a town where streetlights are shaped like Hershey's Kisses and the air is filled with the aroma of chocolate. Everywhere you look you'll see inspiring reminders of the accomplishments of the remarkable man who started it all. In 1903, Milton S. Hershey returned to the place where he was born, and built the world's first modern chocolate factory. He soon opened "Hershey Park" as a place of relaxation for his employees and their families. He built a "real home town" around his factory. He started an orphanage and school, and endowed it with his entire fortune. During the Depression, he created jobs by building a community center, theater, stadium, arena - and a spectacular European-style grand hotel, the Hotel Hershey. Today, The Hotel Hershey is among the finest hotels in the world. Hershey Lodge is "Pennsylvania's Largest Convention Resort." Hersheypark is "the cleanest and greenest theme park in America." There's also ZooAmerica, Hershey's Chocolate World, Hershey Gardens, professional sports including the Hershey Bears, world-class theatre and concerts - plus attractions you won't find anywhere else. www.hersheypa.com ; www.thehotelhershey.com ; www.hersheypark.com ; www.hersheybears.com ; www.giantcenter.com .
GETTYSBURG, PA: Gettysburg, home to the Battle of Gettysburg (1863) of the American Civil War, draws in large numbers of tourists every year to visit the historical sites around the small community as well as the battlefield itself. Gettysburg has many activities and tours to offer to vacationers and tourists that are interested in the Gettysburg area and the history of the community and the battle. A narrated tour via a double decker bus and tours of the Jennie Wade house are two examples. Ghost tours are also popular with tourists, profiling various locations reported to be haunted. One of the most popular times to visit Gettysburg is in the Summer and early Fall months, about June through October. A popular attraction in Gettysburg is the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg which is held every summer for the three days around July 4th. Events include tours, ghost stories and reenactments. http://www.mainstreetgettysburg.org/
HARRISBURG SENATORS: Harrisburg, PA is home to the AA Minor League baseball team for the Washington Nationals, the Harrisburg Senators. The Senators have been phenomenally successful... over the past 12 years they have sent up more than 100 players to the Major Leagues. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com
SKIING IN PA: Ski resorts in Pennsylvania largely center in three geographic areas -- the Poconos of eastern PA, the Alleghenies of the western PA, and the South Mountain region of PA near Gettysburg and Harrisburg. As a result of their plentitude, they must compete fiercely, exploiting the best situations to the advantage of guests. http://www.skiingwv.com
LANCASTER, PA: Many folks are drawn to Lancaster County for the Amish community, but soon discover and enjoy all the other things to see and do when they visit Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Escape from the stress of a fast-paced life and linger in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where there's no fast lane. Great heritage - great food - great shopping - - be sure to put Lancaster County on your "day trip" list!! http://www.padutchcountry.com
WOLFE & COMPANY REALTORS
Wolfe & Company Realtors has a long association with this plant, first with Ingersol Rand and now with Volvo. Historically, about 60-65% of transferees have chosen to reside in the Carlisle or Mechanicsburg area, about 30-35% in the Chambersburg area and 5-10% in or around the plant in Shippensburg.
Our process for assisting all employees will usually begin with a notification from Xonex Relocation alerting us to your intended visit. I, or an associate, will contact you to arrange dates and times. Typically we will offer a tour of these areas. Wolfe & Company will give you the tour of Shippensburg and the Carlisle./Mechanicsburg areas and we will be assisted in the Chambersburg area (12-15 miles South of Shippensburg) by Sam Small of Re/Max Realty of Chambersburg who will give you that tour. This procedure has worked well because each realty office has the experience in and particular market knowledge of these individual markets. Tours will require 3-5 hours to complete. Once you decide where you'd like to live, a Realtor from that area will be assigned to assist you. Usually it will be the agent who has given you your tour.
The Wolfe & Company Website is www.wolfecompanyrealtors.com. From this site, you can link up to the Central Penn Multi-List to see every listing in a selected price range within the entire multi-list system You will also find a "Local School Finder" on our site which will navigate you through the school systems in our area as well as their ratings. Central PA has good schools, both public and private. Our public school students take PSSA (student assessment) exams in 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th grade. The schools are evaluated using these test scores.
For Chambersburg homes you can search the Metropolitan Regional Information System (multi-list for Chambersburg and South). Go to www.mris.com. There are Shippensburg homes in each multi-list.
