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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Benner Township residents voice safety, traffic concerns about proposed campground
About 50 people gathered at the Benner Township Municipal Building on Thursday night, mostly in opposition of a proposed campground project that would be located at the Bellefonte Airport. Airport manager John Elnitski is seeking a conditional use permit for a 30-acre campground site located at 225 Snowbird Lane. The site would have as many as 60 RV spaces and 40 'tiny home' spaces. Elnitski said he envisions the campground as an economic driver for Bellefonte, especially during Penn State football weekends. After a two-hour public hearing that included Elnitski's updated proposal and comments from more than a dozen residents, the Benner Township supervisors did not make a ruling because 'there was too much information' to make a decision. Elnitski filed two conditional use permit applications in 2021, but they were both denied by supervisors who said it didn't meet all the required ordinances. The Elnitski family appealed the second application's decision in court, but the case was ultimately dismissed. On Thursday, Elnitski claimed his updated proposal now meets all ordinances required by the township, including the necessary amount of recreation space. He remarked, 'a lot of conditional uses don't have this kind of detail.' Still, those who would live near the proposed campground voiced their concerns, including those relating to traffic, safety, noise and water systems. Jordan Strassburger, an attorney representing Benner Township supervisor Kathy Evey (who recused herself from the vote because she owns property on Snowbird Lane) and her husband, Jared, butted heads with Elnitski over his previous conditional use permit applications. Strassburger argued that Elnitski hasn't significantly changed his proposal to address public concerns. Elnitski told him, 'I'm tired of playing the game.' 'I don't think this is a game,' Strassburger said. 'They're concerned that this is the third time that you submit an application that you keep losing, and it's not going to change the actual modification of the neighborhood ... you haven't addressed any of that.' Al Leonori, who would live directly behind the proposed campground, raised concerns that people could climb over the 6-foot tall fence on the perimeter of the campground and enter his backyard. He also said the light pollution and 'party atmosphere' from campers would disturb the locals. 'A campground run well in the right setting is a beautiful thing — this is in a neighborhood,' Leonori said. 'I'm all for progress, but you're isolating yourself from your neighbors. I mean, this is a horrible idea. It's angering everybody.' Sandy Witt, who is involved with a neighboring horse farm, said the noise of the campground would disturb visitors and the horses themselves. Kathy Evey brought up logistical concerns, arguing that Snowbird Lane is a private road and that Elnitski doesn't have right of way to Raymond Lane, meaning visitors shouldn't be able to use those streets to go to the campground. Bob Kuhlman was the only resident at the meeting who defended the plan. He said he believed the Bellefonte Airport would remain recreational and warned about the possibility of something like an Amazon warehouse being built there instead. 'I believe it will stay a recreational airport as long as (the campground) is there, and if he doesn't get that, Lord only knows what might come down the pipe,' Kuhlman said. The Benner Township supervisors will have until Sept. 21 to make a decision on the conditional use permit for the proposed campground. Solve the daily Crossword
Entrepreneur
31-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Investing in a Greener Future
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Clean energy is no longer just a government target or a topic for climate reports. It has become a global economic driver and a fast-growing space for innovation. What was once viewed as a specialist sector is now central to how countries plan for growth, security and long-term resilience. For UK founders, this presents a moment of real opportunity. Whether your business is in technology, logistics, finance, construction or professional services, understanding clean energy finance is now part of building a future-ready company. As the world transitions toward low-carbon systems, the ability to navigate this space will separate those who can scale sustainably from those left behind. Over the last 15 years, I've worked across public and private sectors. I've helped shape major infrastructure deals in the UK as the Project Finance Advisor for the UK Cabinet Office and Infrastructure Project Authority, and led the design of energy investment strategies in Mongolia, where we are actively positioning the country as a green energy exporter for Asia. What I've learned is that clean energy is not an isolated sector. It cuts across industries, borders and policy frameworks, which means opportunity is everywhere for those who know how to engage with it. Clean energy is part of the mainstream economy This is a critical mindset shift. Clean energy is not a side project or a corporate social responsibility box to tick. It is a core driver of economic transformation. Global investors are now treating renewable energy, battery storage, grid infrastructure and green hydrogen as long-term, high-quality assets. These are not speculative bets, they are increasingly seen as stable investments that align with both climate targets and commercial returns. Institutional investors, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds are actively building portfolios in this space. The environmental and social impact is important, but so are the financial fundamentals. These projects are producing returns, creating jobs and supporting energy independence. For UK founders, this means that if your product or service plays a role in supporting decarbonisation, energy efficiency or the broader clean economy, you are operating in a growth market. Capital is already flowing in, and demand is growing, so the moment to act is now. Public policy is creating new momentum In the UK, the alignment between policy goals and funding mechanisms is becoming stronger. The government's net zero strategy is backed by institutions like the UK Infrastructure Bank, and public-private partnerships are helping accelerate the delivery of climate-aligned infrastructure. This policy shift is opening new doors for founders. Businesses that help reduce emissions, digitise infrastructure, or create smarter, more sustainable systems can now find clearer routes to support. These may come in the form of grants, co-financing, tax incentives, or simply greater access to decision-makers focused on delivering impact at scale. It is rare to see this level of clarity between long-term policy goals and real-world investment tools. For entrepreneurs, especially those building in tech, sustainability, or infrastructure, this is a window worth paying attention to. You don't need to be in the energy sector to be part of this Some of the most promising innovation in clean energy is coming from outside the traditional power and utilities space. This is because clean energy is more than just generation and transmission, it includes everything from how buildings are heated and cooled, to how transport systems operate, to how supply chains are monitored. Founders in sectors like agriculture, logistics, retail and software are already creating tools that help track energy use, reduce emissions, or integrate renewable sources. It could be a data platform that helps companies report on their carbon footprint. It could be a startup working on smart insulation materials for homes, or it might be a digital service helping consumers manage their household energy use more effectively. The clean energy economy is broad, what matters most is that the solution addresses a real need, delivers measurable results, and can scale sustainably. The barriers to entry are lower than many assume, but the rewards for getting it right are growing every day. There is untapped opportunity in global partnerships One area that is often overlooked is the opportunity to scale internationally by supporting emerging markets. Countries with abundant renewable resources, like Mongolia, are increasingly looking to attract international expertise and capital to help build out their energy systems. This is where blended finance plays a key role, combining funding, concessional loans and commercial investment to reduce risk and get projects moving. UK-based founders with technical knowledge, digital solutions, or infrastructure experience are well placed to contribute to these efforts. These partnerships do take time and they require patience, cultural awareness and long-term commitment, but they also offer access to new markets and the chance to be involved with transformational projects on a global scale. Founders who are open to these kinds of collaborations often find that they can grow faster, diversify revenue streams, and play a leadership role in shaping how the global energy transition unfolds. Flexibility and resilience will carry you further than speed alone Clean energy is moving fast, but it is also complex. Technologies are constantly evolving, regulatory environments shift, and the needs of end users can change quickly. Founders who build their businesses around adaptability, rather than just speed, are far more likely to succeed. That means understanding that what works in one country may not work in another. It means designing solutions that can scale up or down depending on funding, policy or local infrastructure, and it means accepting that long-term value often comes from solving problems steadily and sustainably, not from rushing into markets without a clear plan. Resilience can be built into the core of a business. Whether through flexible financing structures, modular technology, or an agile operating model, founders who prepare for change will be better equipped to respond when challenges arise. This mindset, grounded in practical awareness and long-term thinking, is what sets resilient companies apart in the clean energy space. A final word for UK founders The global shift toward clean energy is one of the defining transformations of our time. It brings together climate action, economic opportunity, and international collaboration. For UK founders, there is a real chance to contribute to this transition in meaningful and commercially viable ways. You do not need to be an energy specialist to get involved. What matters is that your business is built to solve a real challenge, that it can evolve with the market, and that it aligns with the direction the world is already moving in. Clean energy is not just about emissions. It is about creating a fairer, more resilient, and more prosperous economy. Founders who recognise this will be better placed to lead in the years ahead, not just by building successful companies, but by building a better future too.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amid economic uncertainty, New Mexico's tourism businesses 'cautiously optimistic' for the summer season
May 18—Tammy Stevenson and her coworkers from Virginia were curiously examining shelves full of alebrijes — colorful Mexican folk art sculptures or figurines — at Oaxacan Zapotec Traditions in Old Town on Wednesday when shop worker Havana Gallegos explained, "They're like a spirit guide." "I'm trying to find the goofiest one," Stevenson, 54, said before telling Gallegos it was a conference that brought them to New Mexico. "We absolutely love it," Stevenson said. Stevenson is among millions of tourists who visit the state each year. Tania Armenta, CEO of Visit Albuquerque, said tourism is "a vital economic driver" for Albuquerque, contributing more than $2 billion and 45,000 jobs to the local economy. However, the organization and tourism-based small businesses across New Mexico are anticipating a slower summer season compared to years past — a development they attribute to increased competition across destination hotspots and economic uncertainty. According to recent hotel stay data from Visit Albuquerque, hotel occupancy for the first quarter of 2025, January through March, was down by 3% compared to the first quarter of 2024. Economic uncertainty was a theme in data presented in a recent National Small Business Association report, showing that nearly two-thirds of small businesses say it is the top challenge their business is facing. Periods of economic uncertainty have historically pushed consumers to spend less, though data and research in recent years show consumers are increasingly spending more, even as inflation continues and proposed tariffs under the Trump administration pose many unknowns. But while they're spending, consumers are being pickier with their purchases and aiming to get more bang for their buck. Such is the case for George Cook, owner of Old Town's Covered Wagon souvenir shop, and Nancy Ouimet, owner of Santa Fe's Canyon Road Contemporary Art gallery. The two say visitor numbers seem to be on track as this tourism season gets underway, but visitors are gripping their wallets a little tighter than usual. "I do notice that people are buying lower-priced products. They're not spending big amounts of money," said Cook, who owns numerous tourism-based businesses in Albuquerque, Clines Corners and Taos. "They're still buying goods, but they're watching their money a little closer." Ouimet, who has owned the Santa Fe gallery for 15 years, said she's seeing a similar trend. Some people are still buying art, but "nobody is actually making purchases that are larger than, say, $3,000," she said. With gallery pieces priced from $50 to $50,000, Ouimet said visitors are happy to talk about the art, but few are making luxury purchases. "Visiting numbers are on par with what we had last year, but sales are way down," Ouimet said. Jesse Herron and Mike Silva, co-owners of TourABQ, said they expect the uncertainty to have more prolonged effects for their business' tourist season, which spans April through October — particularly for international travelers. "People are not going to be coming to America to take tours if they don't feel welcome, and they don't," Silva said, referencing strong immigration stances under the Trump administration. "We've definitely seen that already, and it's going to continue throughout the rest of the year," Herron added. Herron's prediction aligns with recent data estimating that the United States may lose $12.5 billion in travel revenue in 2025. The data, released by the World Travel & Tourism Council, shows that visitor spending in the U.S. is estimated to fall to under $169 billion by the end of the year, a 7% drop from last year. TourABQ is the parent company of many local tourism-based businesses, including ABQ Trolley Co., Albucreepy Ghost Walk, Duke City Pedaler and ABQ in a Box. While international visitors account for roughly 10% of tours offered by TourABQ, Silva said their international customers usually spend more and leave reviews more often than domestic tourists do. "The best years we've ever had as a company have been when we've had huge international tourism numbers," Silva said. "... Even if they were 10% of our ridership, that's 10% that's now kind of gone." In order to fill seats that otherwise would have been filled by international riders, the owners have implemented a new business strategy for this season: reviving and boosting tours geared toward locals and domestic tourists. While the owners are "cautiously optimistic" about this season, Herron said, how long they've been successful in business gives them confidence heading into this tourism season. "We're just going to continue to do what we do, which is showcase the best of what Albuquerque has to offer ... and just hope that people are still anxious to get out and see this city," Herron said. Armenta said Visit Albuquerque and the state's tourism department have many resources and tools available for supporting tourism-based small businesses, adding that she encourages business owners involved in the visitor economy to plug into those offerings. "We know how important this industry is to our community and (our) focus (is) on resilience as we move through this year," Armenta said. Business owners say the state's tourism economy hinges on two important actions: shopping local and sharing the city's experiences with friends and family. "The best way to be reminded what an amazing community that we live in is to get out and about and to be a visitor in your own community," Armenta said.
