Human Interest - Bristol Borough

From PRN Newswire: Business Owners Remain Optimistic About Economy, According to PNC Survey

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2024

staff

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ –– PNC’s latest semi-annual survey of small and mid-sized businesses, which concluded Aug. 6, indicates that business owner optimism remains high, lending support to PNC’s forecast of a soft landing for the U.S. economy.

A majority (56%) of business owners are highly optimistic about the national economy, inching above the 55% of last spring and up significantly from 34% a year ago. Six in 10 (62%) are optimistic about their local economy. Global economic optimism (39%) is little changed from four in 10 last spring.

In the latest wave of the survey, now in its 22^nd year, three-quarters (76%) are optimistic about the prospects for their own business, consistent with the measure six months (79%) and a year ago (77%) but remains significantly higher than the survey’s historical average optimism of 39%. And while recession concerns have crept into the economic rhetoric, only-one third (33%) of business owners think the impact of the U.S. economy on their own business is major, with the majority feeling the impact is either minor (43%) or of little or no impact (24%). There are no significant differences in the level of recession concern by region or across revenue or industry categories.

“These findings are consistent with PNC’s forecast for continued economic expansion through the rest of 2024 and in 2025,” said PNC Chief Economist Gus Faucher. “While there’s increased uncertainty around the economy, positive sentiment like this demonstrates that the fundamentals remain solid. With small- and mid-sized business owners feeling very optimistic and the labor market remaining solid, recession concerns in the fall of 2024 are overstated.”

There’s a growing appetite amongst business owners for financing and new loans. A survey high 29% of business owners anticipate requesting a new loan or line of credit in the next six months. Three in 10 expect capital spending to increase in the next six months, a significant jump from last spring (21%). Top areas for planned investments or improvements are human resource practices, products/services and technology.

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“We’re seeing businesses act based on their optimism. They’re anticipating an increase in demand, making investments and boosting inventories, both positive signs for the economy,” Faucher said.

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of businesses expect an increase in demand for their products or services in the next six months, up sharply from 56% last spring and matching expectations from a year ago. To meet demand, a survey-high of four in 10 (41%) owners expect the level of inventory to increase in the next six months.

The number of businesses planning to raise prices in the next six months (61%) increased significantly from spring (47%), second only to the survey high recorded in Spring 2018. Among businesses expecting to increase customer prices, 38% expect to raise them by 5% or more, the highest reading since 2010.

Other findings in the survey include:

Workforce Woes: Nearly two in 10 (18%) business owners expect to increase the number of full-time employees in the next six months. But more than a third (35%) of businesses that regularly hire employees are finding it is harder to hire qualified candidates, a return to 2023 levels following a respite last spring.
Rebounding Inflation Fears: Over four in 10 (42%) owners expect U.S. consumer prices to increase by 5% or more in the next year, a record high for the survey. Inflationary factors also dominate concerns when it comes to risks to the business for the next six months. A majority of businesses are feeling the impact of inflation in supplier prices, while nearly half are experiencing inflationary pressures from employee compensation.
Concern About Political Uncertainty on the Rise as the Election Looms: As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election draws closer, concern about the impact on business is building. More than two-thirds (68%) of owners are at least moderately concerned about the risk U.S. political uncertainty poses to their business, up significantly from six months ago (45%).

Full national and regional survey results are available at pnc.mediaroom.com.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

Methodology
The PNC Economic Outlook survey was conducted by telephone from 71/2024 to 8/6/2024, among small and mid-sized business owners/leaders with self-reported revenue of $100,000 to $250 million. 500 interviews were conducted nationally. Sampling error for the nationwide results is +/- 4.4% at the 95% confidence level. The survey was conducted by Artemis Strategy Group (www.ArtemisSG.com), a communications strategy research firm specializing in brand positioning and policy issues. The women-owned firm provides communications research and consulting to a range of public and private sector clients.

DISCLAIMER: This report was prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as specific advice or recommendations. Any reliance upon this information is solely and exclusively at your own risk. NOTE: The sum of percentages may not add to the total due to rounding.

Related Topics:PRNewswire The PNC Economic Outlook survey

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Cops, Courts & Fire -Bensalem Township

NJ Man Has Aggravated Assault Charges of Police Held Over for Trial

Published

2 days ago

March 7, 2026

Jo Ames & Jeff Bohen

A Millville, New Jersey man accused of stealing a vehicle and subsequently striking a Bensalem Police officer last year, when attempting to flee a traffic stop had all of his charges held over for trial at preliminary hearing last week.

Late last month Magisterial District Judge Michael W. Gallagher ruled there was enough evidence presented by the Commonwealth to sustain two felony counts of aggravated assault, felony fleeing, felony theft and related offenses filed against Devit Sanchez of New Jersey.

According to the probable cause, on Friday, August 8, 2025, Bensalem Township Police conducted a stolen vesicle investigation at the Sunoco Gas Station, located at 1432 Street Road, The stolen vehicle was identified as a 2020 Acura ILX. white in color, bearing NIN97NMP, The vehicle is listed in NCIC as stolen out of Mount Laurel, NJ. Police were alerted to the stolen vehicle traveling in the area of Bensalem Twp.

Police saw the stolen vehicle at the gas pumps of the Sunoco Station and a male entering the driver’s seat.

Officers pulled behind the stolen vehicle af the gas pumps and another Bensalem officer pulled in front of it, and the driver reversed the allegedly stolen vehicle rammed a patrol car causing the officer’s head to hit the interior roof.

Sanchez then fled the Sunoco Station at a high rate of speed traveling Eastbound on Street Rd. Bensalem officers pursued the vehicle that fled onto Northbound I-95 exceeding speeds of over 100 mph. The pursuit was eventually terminated and the vehicle got away.

Surveillance footage from the Sunoco Gas Station was obtained by the Bensalem Police, court records show.

Investigators circulated the video surveillance to other police agencies and to the public depicting the stolen vehicle and driver. Through investigation, a suspect was developed, identified as Sanchez, according to the probable cause.

On October 7 , Police conducted an interview with Sanchez in which he allegedly admitted he was the driver of the stolen vehicle in this incident that hit an officer’s police car and fled.

An arrest warrant was issued on January 27 for Sanchez and he was arrested on Feb. 2.

Sanchez remains in County Jail unable to post bond although a county judge reduced his his bail to half of the original set, to 10 percent of $100,000.00

He is scheduled for a formal arraignment in Doylestown on March 13 and is legally represented by the Bucks County Public Defender’s Office.

No trial date has been set as of publication time

Cops, Courts & Fire -Bristol Borough

Bristol Borough Police Reports: 67 Year-Old Man Charged with Aggravated Assault, Local Man Charged for Fleeing Police

Published

2 days ago

March 7, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Bristol Borough Police Reports Feb 1 to March 2, 2025

02/01/2026

7:47am, 1000 block of Beaver St, Juvenile cited for disorderly conduct

2/4/2026

Dwight Ransom, age 67, of Bristol Boro, Arrested 1900 Block of Trenton Ave, Bristol Boro, for Aggravated Assault, Terrorist threats, Simple Assault, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Mischief, Harassment.

11:00 am, 700 Block of Point Street, Kevin Lawrence, age 35 of Bristol Boro, cited for Public Intoxication

02/05/2026

12:10pm, 1801 Wilson Avenue, Juvenile cited for disorderly conduct

2/11/2026

7:20 pm ,Walter Minnichbach, age 45 of Bensalem, cited for Harassment

02/15/2026

2:19 am, Bath Street and Bristol Pike, Joseph McCloskey age 42 of Bristol Boro, cited for fleeing or attempting to elude police officer

2/27/2026

Brandon Pirollo, age 31 of Bristol Borough, arrested on a warrant and arraigned and given unsecured bail at $5,000.

02/28/2026

1:20 am, Bath Street and Bristol Pike, Mitchell Karsor, age 30 of Upper Holland, cited for disorderly conduct

3/2/2026

Justin Ross, age 32 of Bristol Boro, 200 block of Monroe Street, arrested for terroristic threats, simple assault, and harassment, summoned to court to answer said charges.

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Pig Iron’s Franklin’s Key Returns This Summer to Light Up Philly’s 250th

Published

2 days ago

March 7, 2026

staff

Credit: Pig Iron Theatre Company

Celebrated for its jaw-dropping special effects, imaginative stagecraft, bold costumes, and original score, Pig Iron Theatre Company’s Barrymore Award-winning production Franklin’s Key returns this summer following last year’s breakout world premiere that captivated audiences and critics alike.

Pig Iron remounts its hit sci-fi adventure June 11 to 28, 2026, at the intimate, 220-seat venue -Plays & Players Theatre- located at 1714 Delancey Street, Philadelphia.

Set across iconic Philadelphia landmarks and steeped in the city’s real scientific legacy, Franklin’s Key is an ideal cultural experience as the nation celebrates the Semiquincentennial. The show transforms Philadelphia’s history of invention, revolution, and curiosity into a thrilling live adventure, making it a natural fit for theater lovers exploring the city during America’s 250th commemoration. Fans of The Goonies, Stranger Things, Harry Potter, and National Treasure will enjoy the artistry and mystery of this thrilling live, immersive stage production. Last year’s debut generated strong audience demand, extensive press attention, and praise for its inventive storytelling and visual ingenuity. Broad Street Review called the show “visually mesmerizing,” highlighting its blend of history, science, and myth as “a timely look at who wields power and knowledge.”

Co-Director Dan Rothenberg offers, “This love letter to Philadelphia brings together sci-fi fans, history nerds, and science enthusiasts. We were so delighted to hear audiences say it was the one show that they could bring grandparents and kids to, and nobody felt left out. While the show offers adventure and humor that keeps younger audiences engaged, the intrigue of secret societies and a story rooted deeply in Philadelphia’s culture is sure to fascinate audiences of all ages. Our goal is to offer everyone a wild ride that makes history and science surprising and arresting and twisty.”

During the War of Independence, the British feared Benjamin Franklin could control the weather. Franklin’s Key asks: What if that were true? A mystery unfolds for audiences in an alternate reality where Franklin’s undiscovered technology has been hidden underneath some of Philadelphia’s most treasured landmarks for centuries. Set in present-day Philadelphia, Franklin’s Key follows two teenage prodigies: Temple (Jameka Monet Wilson), a self-taught scientist, and her brother Arturo (Alton Alburo), a gifted musician. The two uncover an ancient mystery, setting off a chain of events that draws them into a secret battle between rival factions seeking to harness the incredible yet volatile powers of Franklin’s long-lost technology. Aided by a cast of misfit friends, Temple and Arturo traverse hidden tunnels under the city, leading them from abandoned subway platforms to the iconic statue of William Penn atop City Hall and the building-sized organ inside the old Wanamaker Department Store. With time running out, the team must navigate a labyrinth hidden underneath Philadelphia, evade powerful enemies, and unlock the secrets Franklin left behind before his discoveries fall into the wrong hands.

Almost all of the original Barrymore Award–winning cast returns for Franklin’s Key, reuniting the celebrated ensemble that first brought the production to life and earned widespread critical acclaim in Philadelphia. Their return underscores the production’s impact and the continued collaboration at the heart of Pig Iron’s work.

Franklin’s Key runs approximately two hours with a short intermission and is recommended for children ages eight and up. Previews run from June 11 to 14, with an opening, invite-only performance set for Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m.

Ticket prices start at $45, with 20% discounts for patrons 18 and under or 65+, and group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Click here to purchase tickets. To book a group of 10 or more people, please email boxoffice@pigiron.org.

Click here for more information.