Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority
Why do feel it’s important for your business to support our area’s nonprofits?
LCSWMA is an organization centered on PEOPLE—those we employ and those we serve. Our PURPOSE is to protect those people, along with our beautiful environment. The way LCSWMA fulfills this purpose is something we great PRIDE in—an award-winning waste management system that minimizes landfilling, generates renewable energy, and creates opportunities to improve the places where we live, work and play.
While the core of our business is managing trash and recycling, LCSWMA also believes in supporting our community by improving the environment, health, economy and livability for the benefit of those who live, work and visit this amazing place. At the core of this perspective is our belief that, when businesses adopt a community mindset, everyone benefits. To us, thoughtfully investing into the communities where our operations are located makes good business sense, because vibrant communities yield strong local economies that, in turn, positively impact our business.
Why do you support this particular nonprofit and what does your business do to benefit the organization?
One example of this philosophy at work is through LCSWMA’s support and partnership with the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA). Located adjacent to our Susquehanna Resource Management Complex in Harrisburg is a trailhead for the Capital Area Greenbelt. This amazing trail is one of the many assets Harrisburg has to offer. But LCSWMA also recognizes that trails and green spaces increase property values, boost local businesses, and make communities more attractive places to live.
So, doing business for good makes sense for LCSWMA, and we hope other businesses consider how they can adopt a similar mindset in support of the Harrisburg community.
Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA)
Describe your organization and the importance of corporate or foundation support to further your mission.
Our local area is just such a wonderful place. When a place is more inviting to walking and cycling, it is a better place to live, work and play—made possible locally in a great part by our natural beauty.
The Capital Area Greenbelt is a 20-mile looping trail surrounding and connecting our beautiful capital city area communities, providing local residents and visitors with opportunities to walk, hike, cycle, skate, jog, fish and walk their dogs, while enjoying flora and fauna and appreciating nature. While parts of the trail are shared with roads, most of the loop is a dedicated path. The Greenbelt, as it is commonly referred to by locals, passes along the Susquehanna River through Reservoir Park, Riverfront Park, Five Senses Gardens and Wildwood Park and Nature Center. In addition to parks, the Greenbelt passes attractions, including the grave site of John Harris Sr. (the namesake of the city of Harrisburg), the Governor’s Mansion, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, The National Civil War Museum and several more.
The Capital Area Greenbelt Association advocates, maintains and supports the Greenbelt trail, a 100% volunteer organization with over 400 members. We work in coordination with the city, four adjoining municipalities, HACC, Dauphin County and PennDOT, plus many neighborhoods.
Operational funding comes from membership dues, donations and the high-profile annual Tour de Belt family bicycle event, now in its 21st year. Attracting close to 1,000 riders, all proceeds go to support the trail. Although virtual in 2020 and 2021, it is the largest local bike event.
The Greenbelt is more than just a local trail system—it also serves as a tourist destination for people who visit the region from outside the area. Business benefits from tourism dollars spent in our stores, hotels and restaurants. Additionally, The Greenbelt is an important element in the transportation network of the capital city area.
For 2021, what is your greatest need for corporate or foundation support?
The Capital Area Greenbelt needs the support of local businesses. In the long term, Harrisburg’s businesses are investing in the economic development of our region by attracting and retaining a skilled workforce who want to live, work and play in a region with a high quality of life. From a tourism perspective, corporate support would expose businesses to the 100,000 to 300,000 people who visit the trail annually.
COVID-19 has changed our lives in many ways. One is by encouraging more outside leisure activities along and with small groups. Preserving these beautiful venues for our future generations takes ongoing efforts made possible through local companies working alongside willing nonprofit volunteers. As a top tier sponsor of Tour de Belt, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority is a neighbor, friend and valued community asset.
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