(9/2020) Adams County offices are fully open to the public again and to this point operations are running smoothly. The only remaining exceptions to public access are the Adams County Adult Correctional Complex and the 2nd floor of the Department of Emergency Services Building housing 911. Throughout the pandemic, all county offices continued to provide service in-person, by email or telephone. Visitors are encouraged to consider remote service when possible to reduce exposure.

Upon building entry, both staff and visitors must have their temperature scanned and be wearing a mask. The number of clients allowed in an office at one time is limited. At this time those client limitations have not proven to be an issue for visitors. The Adams County Office of Veterans Affairs is taking walk-ins again; but also encourages appointments if possible. Appointments for Veterans Affairs can be made by calling Stan Clark or Todd Gardner at 717-337-9835

In July, Adams County received $9.3M of Federal CARES money, that was distributed to 60 counties with populations under 500,000, through Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Affairs. In Adams County we are calling this program the Fund for Adams Investment and Recovery (FAIR). The first application cycle for these funds opened on Monday, August 17. The Adams County Board of Commissioners is disbursing funding provided by the CARES Act through this program to provide assistance meeting eligibility, for those in need in the community.

Entities that are eligible to apply for FAIR include; small businesses with less than 100 full-time employees, tourism-related businesses regardless of the number of employees, behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment providers, non-profit organizations as defined by Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and municipal governments. At this time the county has received more than a dozen applications and are fielding numerous calls. In an effort to assist applicants as they apply to this program, here are the answers to the top 3 most frequently asked questions to date.

• Can the funding be used for payroll?

No, payroll is not an allowable expense through this program. Please refer to the eligible expenditures list for details.

• Can the funds replace the money my business lost due to the pandemic?

No, the funds cannot be used to replace lost revenue; but they can be used to pay for expenses such as rent, mortgage interest, and utilities. Documentation must be included to support these expenses, i.e. invoices, statements, etc.

• If I received money from the Payroll Protection Program or another program, am I still eligible for this program?

Yes, you are still eligible to apply for this program; but applicants who have not received other funding will take a priority over your application.

Please remember to upload all documentation including invoices or statements to support the amount of funding requested in the application. This is necessary for the Community Evaluation Team to review the application. Details are provided in the application process online.

FAIR applications will be accepted until September 17, 2020. Once all of the applications received in this first round are evaluated, it will be determined if another application cycle is warranted. Questions can be directed to the Adams County Office of Planning and Development at 717-337-9824.

The Presidential Election is right around the corner with an anticipated large turnout. Here are a few reminders for the upcoming election:

• The last day to change your registration or to register to vote is October 19, 2020. The application must be received in the county election office by the close of business on the 19th.
• The polls will be open on Election Day, November 3, from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. It is very important that you mail your absentee/mail-in application in early and return promptly. Except for overseas military, ballots must be received in the Election’s Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Being postmarked or mailed by that date does not conform to being received and your vote will not be counted. Electors who request an absentee/mail-in ballot and now choose to vote in person must bring both ballot and barcoded envelope to the polls on Election Day. Electors must sign a statement and the ballot will be spoiled (voided). They then will be able to go through the process and vote a regular ballot.

Make sure you get out there and exercise your right to vote – and if you are voting by mail remember - there is no need to wait to the last minute!

Kudos to the Adams County Veterans Affairs Office for again realizing an increase in awards to Adams County veterans this past fiscal year. Pennsylvania Department of Veterans Affairs reported that $2,785,669 in 156 new claims was awarded to Adams County veterans for the fiscal year that ended on June 30. This figure represents a 5.5 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. This is quite an accomplishment considering the Adams County Veterans Affairs Office was not able to see veterans in person for almost 3 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2014, awards to Adams County veterans has increased every year from $568,300 in 2014 to this year’s $2,785,669. Director Stan Clark and Assistant Director Todd Gardner are always willing to help any veteran, and occasionally they get requests for assistance from veterans outside the county. Government should provide excellent service. Thank you, Stan Clark and Todd Gardner for the superior service you provide to Adams County veterans!

Those Adams County peaches will soon be over so grab some at your local produce market or orchard - and get those peaches along with watermelons, sweet corn and cantaloupes while you can. As a side note - due to the dry conditions the peaches are extra sweet this year! Also, while on the subject of eating - many of our local restaurants need your support to get through these difficult times – so when you think hungry, consider patronizing a local eatery.

No matter what you do, get out there and experience all the historical, recreational, agricultural, natural and cultural opportunities that beautiful Adams County has to offer!