Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale industry has been expanding at breakneck speed, spurring action from counties anxious to enact state impact fee ordinances, creating new work for law firms and boosting business for drilling suppliers. Central Penn Business Journal's Marcellus Shale Guide examines the impacts and the opportunities.

Lebanon County is fast becoming a vibrant and diverse business community, and last year Lebanon was named the sixth best-performing small metro area in the country by the Milken Institute. With this growth, comes the successful blending of old and new. From world-class manufacturers to home-based businesses, this community has transformed itself into an economy that many employers, families and individuals are proud to call home.

More than 30,000 first responders and health care workers are trained at HACC’s Shumaker Public Safety Center annually. And after more than 20 years, the community has simply outgrown this facility. HACC recently committed to a $15 million expansion and renovation for the Public Safety Center, and this is also the college’s single largest capital project ever undertaken. Learn more about what the facility currently offers and how the expansion project will take public safety training to a whole new level.

While the residential market seems to be stabilizing, commercial contractors are seeing positive signs this year in both construction and leasing. The Central Penn Business Journal's spring 2012 issue of Construction & Real Estate goes behind the numbers to explain these trends and provides snapshots of 10 major projects on the drawing board in Central Pennsylvania.

More than 43,000 residents call the 5.2-square-mile city of York “home.” And every day, nearly double as many visitors come to work in, learn and tour the city. There are so many reasons to spend time in York, whether it's to visit Central Market York, see a show at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center or dine at one of the many restaurants. It's a diverse and welcoming community that could very well be your next home. See for yourself!

Gas, electricity and green are the trio that power Central Pennsylvania. The past year saw a Marcellus Shale law passed after years of debate,companies working to reduce stress on the area's electricity grid and a biomass industry quietly booming. There's never a shortage of excitement in the midstate's energy industry. Read all about it in the spring 2012 issue of Currents.

Join Mid Atlantic BX in honoring its members in the 40th annual Craftsmanship Awards, a program that helps recognize the top employees in the commercial construction industry throughout the mid-Atlantic region. In addition, the Safety Awards give credit to industry leaders in workplace safety. Rounding out the competition are the Craftsmen of the Future awards, which honor senior students from area vocational-technical schools, who represent the next generation of tradesmen.

Join us in celebrating 27 Central Pennsylvania businesses and their notable anniversaries — from five years to 145 years ― in this sixth annual edition of Milestones. These companies have stories of impressive business ideas, hard-working employees, and incredible displays of perseverance and leadership, all of which we're sharing in this publication. After all, you just might be able to capture some ideas for your own business.

Even though the Farmers' Almanac forecasted a brutal winter and Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter, it looks like spring in Central Pennsylvania. From a commercial real estate perspective, warmer weather has kept the market in motion and out of hibernation. Agents are becoming more bullish, and things are staying the same or moving forward — not backward. So come check out the more than 2.1 million square feet of commercial, industrial and retail space available locally.

If you look at Central Pennsylvania’s nonprofits, you’ll notice that they’re not sitting around waiting for funds to fall in their pockets. Quite the contrary, they’re actively fundraising, networking and getting the community involved in their causes. See how 22 organizations are doing this, and how we can reach out to show our support. Also featured in this publication are the unique approaches and forward-thinking ways of the finalists and winners of our 2012 Nonprofit Innovation Awards.

When it all comes down to it, life's a roller coaster. The key is staying on track despite all those ups and downs. So who do you turn to when you need a lawyer? The 2012 edition of Central Pennsylvania's Best Lawyers(r) will get you acquainted with the top local attorneys in every specialty - from antitrust law to workers' compensation law. Are you starting a business? Did you receive a legal notice from an employee? Were you hurt in an accident? Rest assured that there is a highly competent attorney in this guide who can cater to your needs. You'll also find a roundup of advice and insight...