Grow your business in Adams County.
Agriculture
Since Adams County’s beginnings, farmers have driven the local economy and produced quality food for an ever-expanding world population. Today agriculture remains at the heart of our economy as one of the county’s two leading economic drivers. The anchor of Adams County’s unique agriculture industry is the Historic South Mountain Fruit Belt – America’s Orchard. The fruit belt boasts more than 20,000 acres of fruit orchards. A thriving fruit industry has existed here for more than a century, and an impressive network of supporting agribusinesses like equipment dealers and processing plants has grown to support its needs. Fruit growers sell their produce directly to consumers at farmers markets and farm stands, to local manufacturers that distribute value-added products like juice and applesauce across the world, and to distributors that ship quality fruit near and far.
Agriculture In Adams County
Penn State Cooperative Extension – stats; economic impact of Agriculture in Adams County
Ag Tours – Gettysburg Wine & Fruit Trail; Hollabaugh Bros.; Mason Dixon Farms
(1800 Mason Dixon Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325/P. (717) 334-4056/ masondixonfarms@embarqmail.com)Farmers Markets – Adams County Farmers’ Market Association and Gettysburg Farmers’ Market Association
Farm Families Rejoice – Elimination of Inheritance Tax article written by Alex Chiaruttini, environmental attorney at Stock and Leader.
Act 46 Article by Stock and Leader.
Tourism
Millions of people from around the world visit Gettysburg and Adams County each year for its rich Civil War history, breathtaking countryside, outdoor recreation, family fun and the dozens of national events taking place in all corners of the region.
Economic Impact of Tourism - Gettysburg and Adams County, Pa.
Annual Visitation
Gettysburg National Military Park 1 million
Adams County 3.7 million
Visitor Demographics*
Average length of trip 2 days
Percentage of International Visitors 3.2%
Average age 52 years
Average spent on trip $540.45
Visitors spent $691.2 million in 2016.
55.7 percent of visitors spend the night on a trip to Adams County, with 42 percent staying more than one night. 23.9 percent of those visitors are spending three nights or more.
60 percent of Adams County visitors are repeat visitors, meaning they’ve traveled to the destination before.
7,850 jobs supported by tourism in Adams County
$810 average amount in taxes each resident benefits from tourism
85.6 percent of visitors are here for leisure, meaning that the Gettysburg area is part of a family vacation.
*Research conducted by California University of Pennsylvania’s Tourism Studies program
Rooms in Adams County
Hotels and Motels 2,349
Inns and Guest Houses 319
Campground Tent/RV Sites 1,867
Campground Cabins 141
Marketing
Destination Gettysburg spends 80 percent of its budget on marketing the destination to visitors. Its marketing efforts include a website (www.destinationgettysburg.com) that receives more than three million page views annually, a visitors guide that is distributed to over 300,000 people, along with media, social media and sales efforts.
Adams County’s Lodging Tax
Current Rate: 5 percent
Distribution: Adams County receives the first 4.5% as an administrative fee. The remainder is then split between the county government (12.5%), qualifying local municipalities (12.5%) and Destination Gettysburg (75%). Qualifying municipalities are those that have both lodging properties and a full-time police department.
Amount Collected in 2018: $2,566,314
In 2018, Destination Gettysburg received a total of $1,853,189. The Adams County government received $408,178 and $308,865 was distributed to qualifying municipalities.
Note: Adams County’s lodging tax was created by the Pennsylvania State Legislature in 2001 and updated in 2012.
Amusement Tax
In Adams County, the Amusement Tax is levied on museums, attractions, campsites and tours in numerous municipalities. In many cases, this tax is split between the local government and the local school district. This tax, similar to the lodging tax, is heavily supported by tourism and the more than 3 million visitors to Adams County.
Information courtesy of Destination Gettysburg
Environmental Resources
Protecting our environment and natural resources of Adams County is important to us. Please see our resources below to help you in your business planning process.
For a complete list of county recycling information, click here
Governmental Affairs & Resources
Congressman John Joyce representing the people of the 13th District of Pennsylvania
Senator Doug Mastriano representing the 33rd District in the Pennsylvania Senate
Representative Dan Moul representing the 91st Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Representative Torren Ecker representing the 193rd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry serves as the frontline advocate for business on Capitol Hill in Harrisburg
