Tag Archives: Strawberry Square

February News Digest

January 30, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Passes 2024 Budget

Harrisburg has solidified a spending plan for 2024, one that anticipates impacts from inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic.

In late December, City Council approved a $109.4 million general fund budget, which includes investments in infrastructure and public safety. The budget does not include a property tax increase.

In total, the balanced budget equals $150.7 million, including the general fund and the $21.1 million neighborhood services fund budget, among others.

The budget specifically prioritizes projects such as street paving, upgrades to city parks and the hiring of several new police officers. The plan also factors in the spending of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money on projects like renovating the Hall Manor pool and funding affordable housing development, one-time funds that boosted this year’s budget number.

Council passed the budget after making a few minor amendments to the original proposal, mostly reducing raises for city employees that they felt were not deserved or adequately explained by the administration. Council voted 5-1 to approve the budget, with council member Shamaine Daniels voting against it.

Additionally, in 2024, the city has raised residents’ monthly trash bills by $3.23, making the cost $35.57 per month. According to city Business Administrator Dan Hartman, the fee hike is needed to offset inflation and continuously increasing expenses such as tipping fees, wage increases, vehicle costs and fuel prices.

Area Officials Sworn In

Kicking off the new year, many recently elected officials took office in January.

Harrisburg City Council and Dauphin County officials were sworn in at separate ceremonies, including newcomers to council and to the county’s board of commissioners.

During a ceremony at city hall, Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Hanif Johnson swore in council president Danielle Bowers for a second term, alongside Crystal Davis, a new council member. The third member, Lamont Jones, also a newcomer, attended the ceremony, but was officially sworn into office at the county courthouse earlier.

Soon after the ceremony, council held its reorganizational meeting, unanimously electing Bowers to serve as council president for another term. In a vote of 4-3, council chose Ausha Green to serve as vice president for a second term, as well.

On the same day, Dauphin County swore in several public officials.

Incumbent county commissioners George Hartwick, a Democrat who has served for 20 years, and Mike Pries, a Republican who took office in 2010, again took the oath of office.

In November, Democratic challenger Justin Douglas was elected as the third commissioner, replacing Chad Saylor, and flipping the board to Democratic control for the first time in over a century.

Douglas attended the county’s ceremony but was sworn in at a separate ceremony earlier that morning in Conewago Township, where he lives.

Catherine Hershey Schools Taking Applications

A major, cost-free childcare and early education center in Harrisburg is now accepting applications for enrollment.

Last month, the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning opened the application process for its Harrisburg location, which is being developed at N. 6th and Muench streets.

The center is an arm of the Milton Hershey School and will offer free care and education to 150 low-income and at-risk children, from 6 weeks to 5 years old. It will focus on providing kindergarten readiness programming and family support.

The 45,000-square-foot complex has been under construction for over a year and is expected to be completed later in 2024, at which time it will open to students.

It will be open weekdays, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., employing a play-based curriculum to enhance a child’s overall development and early education.

The Harrisburg location will be the second Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning in central PA. The first opened in Hershey last year, and another in Middletown is slated for 2025. Three additional schools—in Lancaster, New Danville and Elizabethtown—are expected to open in 2026.

Harrisburg Police Mark New Hires, Promotions

Five Harrisburg police officers were promoted and two others were brought on board during a ceremony last month at Whitaker Center.

During the hour-long event, Mayor Wanda Williams administered the oath of office to the new officers, Zachary Donmoyer and Solomon Myers.

“One of my great honors, as mayor, is that twice a year I get to stand in front of all of you and give this solemn oath to our new officers,” Williams said. “I know that, with each young man or woman who raises their hand to protect the city of Harrisburg, our city is just a little bit safer.”

Donmoyer and Myers will now enter HACC Municipal Police Academy to begin their training.

Deputy Chief Dennis Sorensen, who retired from the bureau last month after a lengthy career, announced the officer promotions. They are:

Sgt. Antwyn Chatman
Cpl. Andrew Cortelazzi
Cpl. Anthony Cummings
Cpl. Farida Kingsboro
Cpl. Chad McGowan

During his remarks, police Commissioner Thomas Carter also noted the recent decline in homicides in Harrisburg. In 2023, the city had 13 homicides, the lowest number in a dozen years and 10 fewer than in 2022.

The ceremony also took note of several long-tenured officers who recently retired. They are:

Deputy Chief Sorensen, serving 32 years
Capt. Milo Hooper, serving 27 years
Lt. James Galkowski, serving 27 years
Sgt. Robert Minnier, serving 23 years
Sgt. Teresa Covey, serving 23 years

William Penn Demolition Canceled

Harrisburg’s William Penn building is no longer slated for demolition.

At a January Harrisburg School Board meeting, Receiver Dr. Lori Suski officially reversed her previous decision to raze the vacant, blighted school building.

In June, she approved a contract with the Gordian Group to tear down the building, at a cost of $6.8 million. However, since then, community members voiced opposition to the decision, causing Suski to halt the demo and form a task force to discuss alternative options.

At a previous meeting, task force members voted on a motion to recommend to Suski that the building be saved.

Last month’s board meeting solidified that plan, with Suski instead approving the Gordian Group to clean out debris and remove asbestos from the building. The agreement also includes constructing a fence along the front façade to protect the public from falling debris.

A fire, determined by the city’s fire bureau to be caused by arson, damaged William Penn in December. As part of the proposal, the Gordian Group will also clean out and secure the fire-damaged area.

With Suski saving the building from demolition, the district will continue to weigh options for future use of the property.

Area Homes Sales Slip, Prices Steady

Harrisburg-area home sales slipped while the median sales price inched higher in December, according to the latest monthly report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 492 homes sold in December compared to 528 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price rose to $259,275 from $250,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 245 houses sold, a decrease from 274, as the median sales price climbed to $243,500 from $225,000 the prior December, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had 210 home sales, a drop from 229, as the median price decreased to $284,950 versus $288,900 in December 2022, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, sales totaled 30 homes, an increase from 21 compared to the prior December, as the median sales price rose to $220,000 from $206,500, GHAR said.

The pace of sales was steady, as “average days on market” rose in December to 23 days versus 22 days a year ago, according to GHAR.

So Noted

Amanda Carter last month was appointed the interim executive director of the LGBT Center of Central PA, replacing long-time director Amanda Arbour. The center also announced the appointments of Michael Tschop as the center’s new director of finance and grants and TL Waid as the new GLO site director, replacing Carter in that post.

Don McKenna last month was named the president of Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Since last July, he has served in the role on an interim basis and, before that, as president of Hampden and Holy Spirit medical centers.

Got Jerk Island Grill and Juice Bar has opened at 1313 N. 2nd St. in Harrisburg, the former location of Ted’s Bar and Grill. From the restaurant, chef Kenny Henny serves authentic Jamaican cuisine while colleague Jomo Bunsie concocts a variety of creative, fresh-made juice drinks.

Justin T. Webb was appointed last month as the new chief financial officer for Mid Penn Bancorp. Webb has been with the bank since 2012, previously serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Nesta Hemp Shop debuted last month at 9 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, in the retail strip known as the “Shops at 3rd,” adjacent to Strawberry Square. Owner Carmelia Rameau offers a large selection of CBD products, supplements and body care items, as well as dispensary-grade THC products that do not require a medical card.

The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, a membership-based advocacy organization of early care and education professionals, has relocated their Pennsylvania headquarters to a 2,800-square-foot, fourth-floor office in the Lerner Tower in Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg. They previously were located in the Harrisburg Transportation Center.

Changing Hands

Benton St., 542: K. Moore to J. Garcia & D. Rodriguez, $183,000

Benton St., 704: J. Marrero to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $75,000

Boas St., 420: K. & D. Borelli to S. Rubenstein & H. Choi, $139,000

Briggs St., 1500: G. Stevenson to Kemetic State LLC, $581,000

Camp St., 651: J. Medina to Bencosme Realty LLC, $80,000

Chestnut St., 1605: P. & G. Devita to V. Ledesma, $82,000

Derry St., 1323: Best By LLC to Vernon St Apartments LLC, $175,000

Derry St., 1628: Rivas Property Investments LLC to A. Moscoso, $142,000

Derry St., 2008: BCR-2 Properties LLC to K. & J. Simonetti, $145,000

Derry St., 2431: A. Williamson to G. Singh, $95,000

Division St., 423: D&F Realty Holdings LP to Archie Group LLC, $88,000

Ellerslie St., 2332: J. & M. Weaver to Builders Property Management & Marketing Group LLC, $55,000

Emerald St., 248: M. Nolan to M. Luciano, $146,000

Forster St., 1839: Tender Loving Care Healthcare Services to GZL Corp., $56,000

Fulton St., 1419: A. Skerpon to D. Brown, $182,500

Fulton St., 1719: M. Biscoe to R. Hall, $199,900

Grand St., 915: A. & A. Zlogar to T. Wadlinger, $134,000

Green St., 1218, 1222: J. & S. Bircher to Harrisburg Dream Homes LLC, $215,000

Green St., 1325: S. & E. Rairigh to R. Wesch, $177,900

Green St., 2023: Z. & S. Smith to S. Latanishen & N. Krak, $259,000

Hale Ave., 400: H. Vo & H. Ngo to V. Miller, $139,900

Herr St., 1712: E. Arriola to Y. Monegro & R. Sanchez, $140,000

Hummel St., 236: D. Boyle to Atabalero Investment LLC, $60,000

Hunter St., 1715: A. Donaldson to Side by Side 365 LLC, $50,000

Jefferson St., 2243: Krista Moulds Trust to K. Harris & D. Haskins, $125,000

Kensington St., 2015: Gary Neff Inc. & City Limits Realty to A. Rahman, $66,000

Kensington St., 2316: B. Kelley to T. Dieu, $95,000

Kittatinny St., 1249: J. Ebersole to 1249 Kittatinny LLC, $69,000

Market St., 1226: Upscale Properties LLC to O. & S. Williams, $245,000

Market St., 1837: M. & S. Richards to D. Dumelice, $136,500

Market St., 1901: G. & C. Lutz to N. & T. Celestin, $210,000

Melrose St., 732: A. Eckert to P. & A. Sjardijn, $245,000

Mercer St., 2455: N. Dung to K. Weldeghebrial, $122,500

N. 2nd St., 1112: Fancy Homes Harrisburg LLC to D. Miller & R. Finley, $172,000

N. 2nd St., 2539: E. & A. Stockstill to K. On, $265,000

N. 2nd St., 2701: K. Sheets & K. Hancock to Z. & S. Smith, $525,000

N. 4th St., 3231: J. Grant to Family Tree Holding LLC, $127,100

N. 5th St., 3017: C. Skotedis to T. Fisher, $269,500

N. 6th St., 1410: S. Finkenbender to Chaitradhi Group LLC, $183,000

N. 6th St., 2211: 608 N Third LLC to Ministry Int IPDA Inc., $204,500

N. 6th St., 2240, 2284, 2290, 2292, 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2306, 2307, 2309, 2311, 2313, 2315, 2317, 2319, 2321, 2323, 2325, 2327, 2329 & 595, 597, 599 Emerald St.: Redevelopment Authority of Harrisburg to JMB Gardens LLC, $55,000

N. 6th St., 3153: Normans Realty Service Inc. to S. Rosas, $132,000

N. 12th St., 29: Soloman Investment LLC to ILL Holdings LLC, $53,000

N. 12th St., 53: N. Padilla to Dreams2Reality Services LLC, $69,000

N. 13th St., 506: Blue Lion Real Estate LLC to E. Baret, $160,000

N. 15th St., 236: D. Boyle to P. Nunez, $55,000

N. 15th St., 1623: M. & B. Jackson and D. Smith to R. & A. Smith, $215,000

N. 17th St., 120: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to F. Rodriguez, $75,000

N. 17th St., 803: Sky Resort Rentals LLC to Rosaruth Properties LLC, $67,500

N. 19th St., 27: A. Paredes to N. Diaz, $135,000

N. 19th St., 29: A. Paredes to A. Leon, $85,000

N. Cameron St., 101 Rear: R. & S. Otto to R&J Cameron LLC, $400,000

Park St., 1912: Lancaster Real Estate Fund LLC to Balaci Properties LLC, $84,900

Penn St., 1103: Equitable Builds LLC to A. Kittel & S. Lamaster, $225,000

Penn St., 2212: A. & T. Bobb to HBG Apts LLC, $91,000

Reel St., 2725: C. & D. Huffer to C. & E. Clemons, $125,000

Reily St., 333: ADS Investments LLC to P. Haile, $121,500

Royal Terr., 129 & 131: D&F Realty Holdings LP to R. Gertz, $129,500

S. 15th St., 220: J. Doller & H. Ford to First Choice Home Buters LLC, $52,000

S. 16th St., 30: D. & R. Wieand to T. Kea, $105,000

S. 16th St., 545: PBBO Real Estate LLC to Awesome Tenants LLC, $50,000

S. 17th St., 540: M. & G. Garcia to D. Montes, $71,400

S. 25th St., 729: Y. Suero & T. Nikuary to Waters Properties LLC, $320,000

S. 28th St., 728: M. Marcus to C. & D. Aversa, $147,000

S. Front St., 589: 30X30 Investments LLC to E. & P. Pettis, $250,000

Pine St., 215: Musalair Trust to 215 Pine St LLC & Pine St Properties LLC, $375,000

State St., 1514: Inder Group Estate LLC to M. Singh, $115,000

State St., 1626: Best By LLC to Vernon St Apartments LLC, $195,000

Walnut St., 104: N&R Properties LLC to Charming on Walnut LLC, $102,600

Walnut St., 106: N&R Group LLC to Charming on Walnut LLC, $167,400

Walnut St., 1212: T. Roberts to Wright Restoration Properties LLC, $100,000

Wiconisco St., 631: M. Ayyad to C. Smith, $82,500

Wiconisco St., 632: R. Perdomo to W. Scales, $128,500

Zarker St., 1932 & 2021 Holly St.: D. & R. Requa to Z&E Holdings LLC, $139,000

Zarker St., 2035: V. Dickey to J. Tippitt, $115,000

Harrisburg property sales, December 2023, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Education association moves into new offices in Strawberry Square

January 4, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Strawberry Square

A Harrisburg-based educational association has a new home downtown.

The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) has taken 2,800 square feet on the fourth floor of the Lerner Tower in Strawberry Square, according to building owner Harristown Enterprises.

“PennAEYC is excited to move to Strawberry Square,” said association Executive Director Jen DeBell. “Our new space improves our capacity as our organization grows and positions us for continued success in our work on behalf of children, families and early childhood professionals.”

The association is a membership-based advocacy organization of early care and education professionals in the commonwealth.

PennAEYC remains in the same general downtown Harrisburg neighborhood, having moved from space inside the Harrisburg Transportation Center.

In a press release, Harristown noted a number of educational organizations with a presence in Strawberry Square, including Best Friends Daycare, Capital Area School for the Arts, Temple University Harrisburg and the UPMC School of Nursing at Harrisburg University.

“We’re thrilled to have PennAEYC as our neighbors in Strawberry Square,” said Harristown President and CEO Brad Jones. “This location, even closer to the Capitol, will allow them to concentrate on what they do best—advocate for kids and the professionals who care for them.”

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Arts-focused high school, CASA, receives charter renewal from Harrisburg School District

July 19, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

CASA, located in downtown Harrisburg

A Harrisburg charter school got the green light to continue its educational mission for the next several years.

The Harrisburg School District receiver, Dr. Lori Suski, at a meeting in June, approved a five-year charter renewal for the Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA) in downtown Harrisburg.

The school, located in Strawberry Square, first received its charter in 2013, which was renewed in 2018. CASA’s most recent renewal will extend to 2028, when the school will require renewal again.

“Students at CASA feel safe, valued, and like they are a member of a community”, stated Tim Wendling, CASA principal and CEO. “For many of CASA’s students, the school allows them to find their niche and thrive, both academically and artistically. It is a place where high school students can truly create themselves and that is why CASA is vital to central Pennsylvania.”

CASA, an arts-intensive high school, enrolls 200 students from nine counties and 30 school districts, at no cost to students. The school offers art education in the disciplines of dance, visual arts, film and video, theatre, creative writing and music.

According to the school, CASA’s performance scores, as measured by the state, have consistently ranked among the highest in central Pennsylvania, ranking the school among the top five charter high schools in the state.

At the same June school board meeting, Suski approved a five-year charter renewal for Sylvan Heights Science Charter School, located on S. 13th Street in Harrisburg. The school first received its charter in 1998.

For more information about Capital Area School for the Arts, visit their website.

For more information about Sylvan Heights Science Charter School, visit their website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

The Pet Pamperer: New shop brings grooming services to downtown Harrisburg

June 29, 2023 | by Rachel Lindsley

Alexandra Lauch grooms Ivy.

Harrisburg pet owners shouldn’t be afraid of the “ruff” summer heat this year.

A fresh haircut is just a walk away, as Unleashed Grooming Company recently opened in Strawberry Square.

Veteran Alexandra Lauch discovered her pet care career while deployed in Afghanistan with the National Guard, continuing her education when she returned home in 2011. Now, with more than 12 years of experience at five different salons, Lauch took the next step and opened her own business last February.

“Before we opened, there was not a pet grooming service within walking distance of Harrisburg city,” she said. “Once we found this location in the Shops at Strawberry Square, everything started to fall into place.”

Lauch and her fellow groomer, Amanda Mumford, pride themselves on making their salon a healthy, safe environment for pets to enjoy pampering and be unleashed, literally. While other groomers use crates to contain clients before and after appointments, Lauch has an open-floor policy that alleviates the normal stresses of grooming services.

Gray Harvey and his two golden doodles, Fletcher and Rideau, live in Midtown and love that Unleashed Grooming is a quick walk from his house. Rideau was previously afraid of the hair dryer and did not enjoy going to the groomers.

“Lexi took the time, over several visits, to help acclimate him to the sounds and equipment, and now he doesn’t mind it at all,” Harvey said.

Lauch said that she appreciates that some pets have a hard time with the tools of the trade, like nail trimmers, bathing and blow drying.

“These sounds can be alarming, especially for rescue animals who may have had a difficult past,” she said. “That’s why we make our clients feel as comfortable as possible before, during and after their appointments by allowing them to roam around the salon and get to know one another.”

Since opening day, Unleashed Grooming Company has served more than 100 clients from small to large dogs, cats and more. Grooming packages vary from basic to premium products, ranging from $40 to $120 based on the breed and size.

“All of our haircare products are hypoallergenic and range from affordable to premium options with varying scents such as our signature rose,” Lauch said. “We also have medicated and scent-free options for pets with sensitive skin types.”

Services include baths, blow drying, haircut, nail trimming and ear cleaning. Additional services such as de-shedding, flea and tick treatment, teeth cleaning and more are available.

Don’t have time to wait around for your furry friend? Unleashed Grooming Company offers express service where they block time to solely focus on your canine, so they are ready when you are. Lauch and Mumford also keep owners informed and updated throughout the day by sending before and after photos.

Harrisburg resident Mary Balchunis is thankful that Unleashed Grooming Company opened near her house. Balchunis rescued a mini poodle, who was previously nervous to go to the groomer.

“Lex and Amanda do such an amazing job making Ellie feel comfortable and taken care of,” Balchunis said. “They created a dog-friendly environment that keeps us coming back. Ellie always looks beautiful with her haircut, bow and collar.”

Unleashed Grooming Company is located at 3 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, in the Shops on 3rd, part of Strawberry Square. For more information, visit their Facebook and Instagram sites. To book an appointment, call or text 717-440-8597.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

New wellness boutique set to debut this week in downtown Harrisburg

June 6, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

The interior of C.R. Blooms

A new wellness boutique is getting set for its grand opening, ready to improve the complexion of downtown Harrisburg.

On Wednesday, C.R. Blooms will celebrate with a ribbon cutting for its new location at the Shops on 3rd, along the first block of N. 3rd Street.

According to owner Carmelia Rameau, the wellness boutique will offer facial treatments and wellness products, including teas, handmade Indian silk robes, cleansers, facial masks and more

“I am excited to bring my facial and wellness services to the downtown and surrounding areas and look forward to encouraging wellness and self-care to a new audience in this region,” Rameau said.

The 860-square-foot storefront is the heart of downtown Harrisburg, on the 3rd Street side of Strawberry Square and across the street from Whitaker Center.

“We are thrilled to welcome C.R. Blooms to downtown Harrisburg,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square. “Strawberry Square and the Shops on 3rd are a center of activity, and this boutique adds to the growing health and beauty corridor along N. 3rd Street and will offer unique wellness options unavailable elsewhere in downtown.”

C.R. Blooms is located at 7 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website or their Facebook or Instagram pages.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

M&T Bank launches multicultural small business lab to support local entrepreneurs

April 4, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

M&T Bank and Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Harrisburg University officials announced the Capital Region Multicultural Small Business Lab at a press conference in Strawberry Square.

A group of local entrepreneurs soon will get the chance to grow their small businesses and maybe even win some money in the process.

M&T Bank on Tuesday launched its Capital Region Multicultural Small Business Lab, a program designed to guide and support new multicultural businesses.

The second annual program, in partnership with the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Harrisburg University (CIE), launches on May 10. The lab will offer up to 50 participants education on business planning, establishing credit, accessing capital, marketing, branding and networking.

“We truly see this program as a catalyst for our community,” said Nora Habig, M&T Bank’s regional president for central and western Pennsylvania, during a press conference held near the recently opened CIE in Strawberry Square.

The application for the program opened on Tuesday and will close on April 18. Eligible participants will include those who are Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx or Asian American and reside in the greater Harrisburg area. Their business must also be no older than three years, and the business revenue must not exceed $350,000.

Qualified applicants will be enrolled in the free program on a first-come, first-served basis, according to M&T Bank.

The seven-week program will offer classes each Wednesday evening at Harrisburg University and will conclude with a pitch competition. The winners will receive grants, $6,000 for first place, $4,000 for second place and $2,000 for third place, from M&T Bank.

The small business lab first launched in 2022, providing programming and resources to 40 entrepreneurs. The program also received the 2022 Catalyst Award from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC for its impact on businesses in the area.

Last year’s pitch competition winner, Joy Boudreau, was highlighted in our 2022 feature story.

According to M&T, the return of the lab coincides with the recent growth in the number of ethnically and racially diverse businesses in Harrisburg. Of the 39 new city-based businesses that started over the past year, 22 are owned by Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx or Middle Eastern entrepreneurs, according to city officials.

A 2022 program participant, Joseph Evans-Carter, owner of wellness company JEC + Associates, shared how the lab helped him kick-start his business.

“I would highly recommend it,” he said. “This gives you someplace you’re able to grow in.”

For more information or to apply for the Capital Region Multicultural Small Business Lab, visit their website.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Great Start: HU Center for Innovation cuts ribbon on new home in downtown Harrisburg

March 15, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

CIE Executive Director Jay Jayamohan and HU President Eric Darr, joined by Harrisburg area officials, led the ribbon cutting for the new center today in Strawberry Square.

In Harrisburg, great ideas have a new place to take root.

On Wednesday, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, an affiliate of Harrisburg University, officially opened on the first floor of Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg.

“Everybody who was lucky enough to be born in this country should be starting a company–or at least doing a side hustle,” CIE Executive Director Jay Jayamohan told a large group of supporters and officials before the ribbon-cutting. “So, CIE is here for all of those people.”

The center is home to 11 startup founders enrolled in its business incubator program, with most of the enterprises minority- and women-owned. The new space offers founders—the entrepreneurs who are invited into the incubator—residency to develop their business ideas for up to 18 months, financial assistance, coaching and student interns, according to HU.

“Economic development and support for businesses have always been part of HU’s mission,” said Dr. Eric Darr, HU president. “The center is accessible and for anyone who has an idea. It can be anybody who just has a concept but doesn’t know where to start. We hope, by having founders come to the Entrepreneurship Center, it creates new companies and jobs throughout the Harrisburg region and beyond.”

Jayamohan and a network of entrepreneurs and innovators mentor the incubator’s founders in the center. They help them form corporations and connect them with funding resources, find pro-bono attorneys for their intellectual property, help them flesh out ideas, provide support staff, and connect them with technology and software development partners.

“The multi-faceted goal of CIE is not only flipping the script on what you must ‘look like’ to be an innovator, but to build a replicable model to create a positive economic change in small cities and towns,” Jayamohan said. “This will not happen without the support of the larger community and so we are excited for our new space and have entrepreneurs and innovators from the community continue to be an evangelist for the work we do.”

To learn more about the CIE and the Entrepreneurship Center, please visit https://cie.harrisburgu.edu/. Click here to read our recent feature story about the center.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Senator Fetterman opens regional office in downtown Harrisburg

February 8, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg

It’s out with the old senator, in with the new one in downtown Harrisburg.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman has announced that he has taken office space inside Strawberry Square, opening his Harrisburg-based regional office on the fourth floor of the Lerner Tower.

It’s the same space previously occupied by former Sen. Pat Toomey, who retired last month.

“I am proud to share we opened our Harrisburg office last week,” Fetterman said, in a statement. “As lieutenant governor, I spent a significant amount of time in our state Capitol working to deliver for the people of Pennsylvania. I am pleased to continue that work as senator by providing top-notch constituent services throughout central Pennsylvania.”

The office is Fetterman’s second in the state, following the opening of a Philadelphia office. Additional offices in other parts of Pennsylvania will follow, according to Fetterman’s office.

The office will include a statewide constituent services headquarters and an outreach office for counties located in the central part of the state. The full address is 320 Market St., Suite 475E, Harrisburg, PA, 17101.

For more information visit www.fetterman.senate.gov.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Just Fur You: Pet groomer to unleash new shop in downtown Harrisburg

January 31, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

The future location of Unleashed Grooming Company.

This year is looking pretty “ruff” for downtown Harrisburg.

In February, Unleashed Grooming Company plans to open in a storefront near N. 3^rd and Market streets.

“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to bring dog and cat grooming services to the residents and employees of the downtown Harrisburg area,” said owner Alexandra Lauch, who has 11 years of experience as a groomer.

Specifically, the new business will open by the end of the month at 3 N. 3^rd St., in the Shops at Strawberry Square.

“Adding a pet groomer to the services that are already offered in the downtown makes this area even more attractive to the residents in this and surrounding neighborhoods,” said Brad Jones, president and CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square. “Many of the residential tenants in our pet-friendly rental units have dogs and cats, so this makes living downtown even more appealing.”

In addition to grooming services, Lauch will offer related pet care items for sale.

“With a more social environment, dogs will be excited to come to Unleashed Grooming Company, and owners will be happy knowing they are receiving quality care and services,” Lauch said. “I can’t wait to meet all the pets of downtown!”

Recently, several other businesses have opened or soon will open in the neighborhood, including Tamara Boutique and a new H&R Block tax preparation office. Meanwhile, Harrisburg University is finishing construction of its new academic building a block away.

For more information on Unleashed Grooming Company or to make an appointment, call 717-440-8597 and email [email protected].

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Founders Keepers: Hi-tech ideas hatch from HU’s business incubator

December 29, 2022 | by Deborah Lynch

Michael Hughes, Zack Schade, Dave Segal, Jay Jayamohan, MaDonna A. Awotwi, Shaina McDonald & Jamal Jones

Harrisburg University President Eric Darr had a big idea.

Certainly, it wasn’t his first one, as he’s guided HU from struggling to thriving, but it was an important one.

Economic development and support for businesses have always been part of HU’s mission. However, he wanted to institutionalize that mission, as well as focus on underrepresented communities. The result: the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at HU.

Less than three years in, the CIE has moved into accessible new digs in Strawberry Square and is home to nine founders in its business incubator program, 80% of which are BIPOC-owned and 50% women-owned. It also offers founders—the entrepreneurs who are invited into the incubator—residency space for up to 18 months, financial assistance, coaching and student interns.

That support is paying off. Several of the companies have raised a combined $3.6 million in investments. One, NAQI LOGIX, a thought-controlled earbud technology company led by Dave Segal, recently was valued at $100 million.

It took much more than a mission statement and Darr’s vision to reach this point. He needed to find the right person—someone who had been a founder, had connections outside the Harrisburg area, and could work in central PA. He found all of that in Jay Jayamohan, wooing him from D.C. to become the CIE’s founding executive director.

Jayamohan, who is from India, has a “typical immigrant story,” he said. He received his undergraduate engineering degree there before completing a master’s in management at George Mason University. He then worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers before he “stumbled into the world of startups.”

The end result was hardly a stumble. Jayamohan had created three start-ups with $22 million in venture capital. While one company failed, the others (both software firms) thrived, and he sold them both. He also got involved in startup centers at both George Mason and Georgetown universities.

Why teach? Because “50% of what you learn is completely useless when you go out and start a company,” he said. “It’s a whole different journey.”

That’s exactly where his experience benefits his HU CIE founders.

Just 30 months in, HU’s CIE program has had more than 250 applications, which Jayamohan said, “shows a huge appetite in the area.”

“I’m thrilled that Jay’s here,” Darr said. “The way it all kind of happened—to structure the CIE almost like a business within Harrisburg University. We gave Jay the authority to build programs to work with founders the way he wants to—the way he would as a founder.”

HU’s CIE invites applicants from the Harrisburg community and beyond. Of the nine founders currently in the program, only one is university-related.

“We hope, by having them come here, it creates new companies and jobs in this region,” Jayamohan said.

Jayamohan and his network mentor the incubator’s founders. They help them form corporations and connect them with funding resources. They help them find pro bono attorneys for their intellectual property. They help them flesh out ideas. They provide support staff. They connect them with technology and software development partners. They network.

In turn, founders who graduate from the incubator remain available as mentors to new founders.

“The center is for anybody who has an idea,” Jayamohan said. “It can be anybody who just has a concept, but doesn’t know where to start.”

Idea Is Born

Sharina Johnson was a military kid who moved a lot until her family landed in New Cumberland. After graduating from Dauphin County Technical School, she moved to Baltimore. She joined the Army Reserves while in high school. In 2004, she was activated and sent to Iraq for a year.

Coming home was difficult. She didn’t realize that she had PTSD. A highly functioning addict, she graduated from Morgan State University with a telecommunications degree. She slipped further into addiction. Finally, in 2018, she went into treatment. That journey sparked an idea, but a multicultural business event in 2021 featuring a presentation by CIE fueled it.

Today, Johnson is part of the incubator and has secured $100,000 from four investors for an application called “Arcana Recovery,” which will connect veterans with local resources. On a web platform, it will offer recovery support services, client management systems and data presentations. It will be able to track users’ moods. It also will include a wellness assessment that she hopes will be able to predict a relapse or spot people at risk for substance abuse.

Johnson hopes to launch her full product in June. Until then, she will continue to work within the CIE streamlining her product.

I Was Home

Segal, the NAQI founder, arrived similarly to the CIE—with “just a big idea and a few patents.” He said that his company wouldn’t be where it is without the CIE’s help with public relations, exposure and introductions to other big companies and investors.

Those introductions led him to a New York venture group that led him to Mark Godsy, now a co-founder and CEO of NAQI and one of the biggest biotech entrepreneurs in Canada.

“I basically said, ‘I’ll give you the keys to the car,’” Segal said about meeting Godsy.

Together, they have created an invisible, thought-controlled operating system that works with earbuds and head muscle contractions so users can control computers, wheelchairs and more.

“NAQI gives a silent, inconspicuous, invisible, multidirectional communication and navigation for everything,” Segal said. “Nobody would know what you’re doing.”

Segal’s “aha!” moment came in 2013 when he read about a soldier home from Iraq who was fitted with a thought-controlled prosthetic arm. It enticed him to Google “thought-controlled computing.” He started drawing patterns trying to figure out a thought-controlled OS. He got his first patent.

He had a concept and a patent, but his motivation came from a local man who was being treated at the Penn State Health Spinal Cord program. Now a close friend, this man, who is paraplegic, has joined development and executive meetings at NAQI to help inform their work.

“Meeting him changed the way I view all of this,” Segal said. “It happened for a purpose—he was my purpose.”

By the end of the first quarter of the year, Segal hopes to have a new design complete and a small run manufactured for user testing. His long-term goal is to complete an application programming interface that will allow other companies to integrate his OS into their products.

“Eric [Darr] has brought the region’s top innovative minds together with an open door to other start-ups. It’s almost like the Statue of Liberty—come in,” Segal said. “The moment I met the team at HU, I knew I was home.”

The Harrisburg University Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is located in Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.cie.harrisburgu.edu.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like

You May Also Like