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Manny Martinez is the president and owner of Copa Wealth Strategies. Our podcast revolved around foundational strategies to make better financial decisions for the future of yourself, your loved ones.

Lebanon County – The Lebanon Transit Authority (LTA) is set to implement significant changes to its bus services across Lebanon County, aiming to adapt to community needs and foster increased ridership. The adjustments come after a thorough local transit study conducted in October 2022 and public input sessions in June 2023, as the LTA responds to the evolving landscape of the county.

In the 2022-2023 period, city ridership reached 45,000, county ridership stood at 32,000, student ridership reached 4,200, and free rides for seniors totaled 55,000. Despite these figures, overall ridership has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, prompting the LTA to reassess and improve its services.

Route changes and updates, detailed on the LTA website (https://lebanontransit.org/changes/), are designed to align with areas of recent development in the county. One notable change is the elimination of the casino route, a decision made to streamline services and enhance efficiency.

The adjustments were shaped by valuable insights from a customer survey conducted during the aforementioned study. According to the survey, customers expressed general satisfaction with the bus service, operators, and prices. However, there were concerns about the frequency of weekend services and the absence of night services. The survey also revealed that the majority of riders are working-age adults and older individuals, with half of them having annual incomes below $25,000.

Mike Ritter, who recently joined the LTA, shared how these changes are not just about reconfiguring routes; they reflect the commitment of the LTA to being responsive to the community's development and cultivating new ridership. They want to explore new places and extend their services to meet the needs of the people they serve.

While specifics about the transit study and public input sessions are not available, the LTA encourages residents to visit their website for comprehensive information. Looking ahead, the LTA aspires to expand its services to more areas, including parts of ELCO, providing an even broader coverage for the residents of Lebanon County.

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Welcome to a groundbreaking episode of "City Change Makers"! Today, we're diving deep into a transformative initiative that's not just reimagining Philadelphia's economic landscape but is set to impact thousands of lives in the city. It's all about the 10k Independents Project, a visionary plan that's poised to add 50,000 good jobs to Philadelphia's workforce over the next decade.

In this episode, we explore the core pillars that make up the foundation of the 10k Independents Project. These pillars are not just steps but guiding principles that prioritize the growth and progress of individuals and small businesses within the city. The first pillar, "Inspire new paths to a good career," is all about shifting the narrative from "starting a company" to "creating a sustainable job for yourself." It encourages individuals to explore entrepreneurship as a viable path.

The second pillar, "Move Independents from surviving to thriving," focuses on helping 10,000 Independent workers reach a point of sustainability. Sustainability, in this context, means consistently providing for themselves and their families and investing in their future and community. The project actively curates and connects small business owners with the resources they need to achieve sustainability.

The third pillar, "Prioritize hiring and growth to benefit our neighborhoods and communities in need," aims to help 2,000 of the 10,000 Independents transition to employers. This approach to growth is designed to create a stronger and more equitable business community, serving the citizens of Philadelphia better.

But how does the math add up? The 10k Independents Project breaks down the numbers, celebrating the 8,000 Independents who sustain themselves and estimating that 2,000 will become employers, each potentially hiring an average of 20 employees. This adds up to a grand total of 50,000 jobs – a conservative estimate based on existing data, with immense potential to transform the city's workforce.

We also delve into the economic impact of this project, which is not just about creating jobs but also about cultivating a reasonably-paid, culturally-competent, and local-oriented workforce. This has the potential to empower communities, drive change, and harness the true potential of Philadelphia.

One of the remarkable aspects of this initiative is that it's funded and owned by the community it serves. In 2023, a member-funded professional association will be added to the core of operations, ensuring transparency and voting power for the community members.

To make this initiative even more inspiring, all those behind the 10k Independents Project are Philadelphia-based individuals who are deeply connected to the city and are building their independent businesses. They're not just thinkers; they're doers who have earned the trust of their community through their dedication and contributions.

Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of the 10k Independents Project and learn how this cooperative model aims to put the power of change into the hands of its member-owners. This episode is an invitation to be part of a transformative movement that's shaping the future of Philadelphia. The 10k Independents Project: funded by us, owned by us, and designed for us.

To learn more about this project, tune in here https://10k.city/roadmap/