Relocation Information
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Relocation Information One University Avenue Suite 3015 717-796-5300 Mechanicsburg PA 17055 888-295-9989 Fax www.messiah.edu Email: [email protected] jobs.messiah.edu Messiah University Relocation Packet Page 2 Welcome to Messiah University and the local area. We are delighted that you will be joining our community, and look forward to your contributions as we work together to support the mission of Messiah University. We want to be a resource to you as you move to this region, so we designed this portion of our website to aid in your transition. We included a wide range of information to assist you as you settle into the area. You will find information on local entertainment and points of interest. With so many opportunities in the area, you will soon discover the resources and possibilities at your fingertips. Once again, we welcome you into the Messiah University community and wish you a smooth transition. If you have concerns or questions during your relocation process, please feel free to contact the Office of Human Resources & Compliance at: (717) 796-5300 or [email protected] Sincerely, Amanda Coffey Vice President for Human Resources and Compliance Messiah University Relocation Packet Page 3 Relocation Policy When first joining the University and relocating to the local area, Messiah will provide relocation and house-hunting assistance to full-time faculty and administrative employees relocating at least 50 miles. The University provides relocation benefits for employees who will be working full time for at least 39 weeks during the first 12 months of employment and does not provide relocation benefits for part-time, temporary, or one-year appointments. In the event that two members of the household are accepting employment at the University, the relocation allocation will be 150 percent of the benefit outlined below. Exceptions to the standard policy need to be approved by the appropriate Vice President or Provost. Based on the 2018 IRS Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), all house-hunting and relocation expenses are considered taxable benefits and must be reported as such through payroll. This will result in applicable payroll tax withholding based on the employee’s individual tax elections. The year-end W-2 will include any taxable gross wages and withholdings related to moving and house-hunting expenses. Relocation Expenses The University will also provide a one-time payment for moving expenses calculated at $7.00 per mile to a maximum payment of $5,000. Mileage will be calculated based upon the distance between the employee’s current home address and new home address via GoogleMaps or comparable mapping source. This payment does not require submission of receipts. This payment, less applicable payroll tax withholding, will be made on first available pay period after, but not prior to, the employee’s start date. Messiah University Relocation Packet Page 4 House-hunting Expenses Messiah University will reimburse the new employee up to $1,000, less applicable payroll taxes, for the cost for one trip to search for housing (i.e., house-hunting expenses) subsequent to accepting a job offer. Reimbursable expenses include the cost of airfare, car rental, hotel and meals. These reimbursable expenses are for the new employee and spouse (or travel companion) only. Receipts must be submitted to request reimbursement. This reimbursement, less applicable payroll tax withholding, will be made on the first available pay period, but not prior to the employee’s start date. The new employee is responsible for making all flight, hotel and car reservations. Receipts must be submitted to the Dean’s administrative assistant or VP’s assistant as appropriate. Table of Contents About Central Pennsylvania .............................................................................. Page 6 Moving to the Area ............................................................................................. Page 8 School Districts .............................................................................................. Pages 9-15 ♦ Area Private Schools ................................................................. Pages 12-15 ♦ Childcare ........................................................................................... Page 15 Tax Information ................................................................................................Page 16 Healthcare and Hospitals ................................................................................ Page 17 Local Utilities ................................................................................................... Page 18 Transportation ................................................................................................. Page 19 Entertainment and Recreation ................................................................ Pages 20-22 Local Restaurant Review ......................................................................... Pages 23-25 Grocery Stores ................................................................................................. Page 26 Benefits .............................................................................................................. Page 27 Trailing Spouses ...............................................................................................Page 28 Disclaimer: Messiah University does not necessarily endorse the products/services of the organizations listed in this relo- cation packet and has no financial interest in them. Messiah University is also not responsible for content on the links that lead to the websites of these organizations. This packet is offered only as a service to prospective/new employees of Messiah University. Messiah University Relocation Packet Page 6 About Central PA Messiah University is located on a scenic 485-acre Distance to Major Cities: campus in Grantham, Pennsylvania. Cumberland (from Grantham, PA) County and the surrounding area offer residents a Harrisburg 12 miles wide variety of entertainment, recreational, and Baltimore 85 miles leisure options while also boasting an extremely low Philadelphia 115 miles cost of living when compared to other large cities on Washington, DC 115 miles the east coast. The region’s central location means New York 180 miles that a weekend getaway or day-trip to a major city is Pittsburgh 200 miles Cleveland 325 miles only a few hours away. Boston 400 miles Source: Google Maps Messiah University Relocation Packet Page 7 Local Churches For a list of local churches in the greater Harrisburg area, please visit the Messiah University Ministries Database of Local Churches website. Climate Monthly Climate Data for the Greater Harrisburg Area: Month Avg Avg Mean Avg Month Avg Avg Low Mean Avg High Low Precip High Precip Jan 38°F 23°F 30°F 3.19 in. Jul 86°F 66°F 76°F 3.23 in. Feb 41°F 25°F 33°F 2.87 in. Aug 84°F 64°F 74°F 3.23 in. Mar 51°F 33°F 42°F 3.58 in. Sep 76°F 57°F 66°F 3.66 in. Apr 63°F 42°F 52°F 3.31 in. Oct 64°F 45°F 54°F 3.07 in. May 73°F 51°F 62°F 4.61 in. Nov 53°F 36°F 44°F 3.54 in. Jun 81°F 61°F 71°F 3.98 in. Dec 42°F 28°F 35°F 3.23 in. Source: U.S. Climate Data, Monthly Averages for Grantham, PA. and Harrisburg, PA Overall Climate Averages: Temperature: Precipitation: 53.5° F 41.5 inches of rain/year 36.9 inches of snow/year (Source: U.S. Climate Data : Public Information Statement, National Weather Service. State College, PA., Jan 1, 2010 ) Local Chamber Links For more local information, visit these links: Greater Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce West Shore Chamber of Commerce Messiah University Relocation Packet Page 8 Moving to the Area South central Pennsylvania provides a wide variety of housing options for families and individuals. Newcomers can choose to live in the urban downtown Harrisburg setting, a suburban area, such as Mechanicsburg, or in one of the rural areas across the region. The diversity and low cost of living attract many individuals, families, and businesses to the Greater Harrisburg Region. House and Apartment Resources Realtors: Moving Companies: Century 21 Ace Moving and Storage Coldwell Banker Allied ERA Mayflower Krista Greene (email) Prudential Olivia Carpenter (email) Wheaton World Wide Moving Ryan Reed (e-mail) Twila Glenn (e-mail) Oakwood Hills—Luxury apartments conveniently located near campus WCI Partners and Green Street Properties - The Olde Uptown Harrisburg Neighborhood Apartment Guides: http://www.apartmentguide.com/ http://www.apartmentlist.com/pa/Harrisburg#map Areaguides.net (This site has links to area attractions and other relocation needs.) Messiah University does not endorse any of the agencies listed above. Messiah University Relocation Packet Page 9 School Districts Central Pennsylvania boasts some of the top performing private and public schools in the state. Adams County Bermudian Springs Gettysburg Area Administration Office: Administration Offices: 7335 Carlisle Pike 900 Biglerville Rd York Springs, PA 17372 Gettysburg, PA 17325-8007 (717) 528-4113 (717) 334-6254 http://www.bermudian.org http://www.gettysburg.k12.pa.us Conewago Valley Littlestown Area Administration Office: Administration Office: 130 Berlin Rd 162 Newark St New Oxford, PA 17350-1206 Littlestown, PA 17340-1343 (717) 624-2157 (717) 359-4146 http://www.conewago.k12.pa.us http://www.lasd.k12.pa.us Fairfield Area Upper Adams Administration Office: Administration Office: 4840 Fairfield Rd 161 N Main Street, PO Box 847 Fairfield, PA 17320-9200 Biglerville, PA 17307-0847 (717) 642-8228