Commissioner Ray D'Agostino

10/15/2026

This month is also National Community Planning Month. At the Lancaster County Planning Commission meeting this week we acknowledged and appreciated the great work of the citizen volunteers on the County Planning Commission, local planning commissioners and the staff of the County Planning Department. Through their work, Lancaster County has remained an enviable place to live, work, play, build a business and raise a family. Balancing growth and preservation is a challenge, but Lancaster County has done quite well over the years. People from all over the country inquire about how we have been able to keep the essence of Lancaster County throughout the decades. Thank you to all, including our citizens, for being involved in the process and discussion.

10/15/2026

It was good to hear the annual update on tourism in Lancaster County from Discover Lancaster, the County’s official Destination Marketing Organization. Once again, they delivered good news regarding the County’s tourism industry, which generates over $3.5 billion in economic impact in the County. One indicator of how things are going is lodging. Through October of this year demand is up 5%, revenue up over 6% and the average daily rate for hotel stays is up nearly 2%. And another good indication of demand year-to-date is that website traffic for Discover Lancaster has increased by 21% over the same period last year to 2.8 million users and social media followers up significantly as well. Lancaster County has a lot to offer residents and visitors alike, with new attractions, shows, exhibits, lodging, events, etc. Find out more at www.discoverlancaster.com

10/14/2026

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We issue proclamations to raise awareness of important topics, issues and work being done in the County. We also take the opportunity to thank individuals and organizations working to make Lancaster County a better place by tackling challenging issues. This month is such an instance.

Domestic Violence is a crime and an affliction that affects not just individuals, but families and communities. There is no room for domestic violence in our community. People who are victims are not alone in Lancaster County and encourage them to reach out. We appreciate the work of the staff in the Victim/Witness division of the District Attorney’s office, law enforcement agencies and dedicated individuals in organizations that provide services.

10/13/2026

There is so much good work going on in Lancaster County to help people with disabilities find meaningful employment. We are grateful for the collaboration between businesses, community support organizations and our Behavioral Health & Developmental Services Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Department that provide employment opportunities to members of our community with disabilities. Speaking with employers and employees, you get a real sense of the pride, sense of meaning and accomplishment among everyone.

This month is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It was fitting that we gathered with BHDS, employers, community organizations and employees to show appreciation for this important collaboration. Stories of this work on an individual level, presentation of awards to employers and employees and fellowship were poignant.

10/12/2026

We celebrated the selfless and dedicated work of our firefighters during National Fire Prevention Week last week. Our volunteer and paid fire companies provide important information and education throughout the County that is valuable in preventing fires. We appreciate them! Please check your local fire department for specific information in your community. You can also check out the National Fire Protection Association at https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety

10/08/2026

Great to be with Lancaster County business leaders this morning at the Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce's Economic Forecast Breakfast. Appreciated hearing from the EDC, Fed Reserve, and local business leaders from Ephrata National Bank and Simon Lever provide different perspectives.

Bottom line takeaways, the Lancaster County economy is doing quite well! Our strength is in the diversity of industries, great local businesses and a solid workforce. Highlights included, nearly 12,000 jobs were added year-over-year, employee wages increased, the unemployment rate is lower than the state and national average at 3.2% (lowest it has been at this time of the year in many years), and the sentiment of businesses is mainly positive with over 70% expect the immediate future to be the same or better. Headwinds include finding skilled labor, increased energy and other operational costs.

10/07/2026

Check out our latest Lancaster County Newsletter! If you have not subscribed to receive it automatically, you can do so when you visit this edition of the newsletter or scan the QR code.

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10/06/2026

Look who has a featured article in the latest issue of Pennsylvania County News, the magazine of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania ...Lancaster County! Turn to the centerfold (pgs. 28-29) and you will see our article about our national and state leading agricultural preservation efforts here in Lancaster County.

Sustainable Pennsylvania: Preserving Land, Retaining Communities, Powering Innovation

10/06/2026

This week we recognize Juvenile Justice Week and appreciate members of our team that work with juveniles and family members in the justice system. The work is often difficult and challenging, but so important to our community. The Commissioners and Judges of the County Court appreciate the work of those in the offices of Juvenile Probation & Parole, Children & Youth Department and the Youth Intervention Center, as well as community organizations that work with children and families with the goals of safety, accountability, justice and transformation.

10/04/2026

Honoring our nation’s 250th birthday continued today in Lancaster County at the historic Bangor Episcopal Church in Caenarvon Township celebrating Patriot Sunday. The church was founded in 1722 by Welsh colonists who were invited to settle here by William Penn. It was named after the Bangor Cathedral in northern Wales. The service was dedicated to remembering and honoring the patriots who served during the Revolutionary War, with hymns, historical accounts and the reading of the names of the patriots, many of whom are buried in the churchyard.

After the service, the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated a new historical marker commemorating the patriots. Members of the Donegal Witness Tree NSDAR, the Lancaster County Chapter Pennsylvania Society Sons of the American Revolution and Pennsylvania Children of the American Revolution participated in the ceremony. As someone said during the event, “nothing really ends until it is forgotten. Whatever is kept in memory still endures.” Therefore, it is greatly appreciated for those that help us to continue to remember and honor those that fought and defended our freedom, in order that we may pass it on to succeeding generations.