HARMONY — Business leaders Thursday got a glimpse of the future in Zelienople, Harmony, Jackson Township and the Seneca Valley School District.

At the Zelienople-Harmony Chamber of Commerce annual State of the Union meeting at Stewart Hall, they heard from leaders from those governments who gave updates on what they want to accomplish.

Prior to the presentations, longtime member and Zelienople-Harmony Business Association leader Ethel Mae Hall received a plaque honoring her years of dedication to the chamber and the business community.

It was presented by Jennifer Ackerman, chamber executive director.

Here is what officials talked about:

Seneca Valley schools

Seneca Valley Superintendent Tracy Vitale said that one of her goals is to have the district ranked in the top 10 in the region’s best school districts.

In the past six years, the district’s ranking has risen to 16th from 32nd in terms of its academic excellence.

Vitale cited numerous academic accolades the district has received. Those includes a number one ranking in technology in the state, student SAT scores which are above the state and national averages, and recognition from the state Department of Education for a number of programs.

She also cited the 17 advanced placement courses available to students along with 11 college-in-high school classes that students can take to get college credits at a lower cost than in college.

Most recently, its middle school is up for nomination as a potential National Blue Ribbon School, an award honoring the best in public education.

Zelienople

Zelienople infrastructure projects are part of the borough’s to-do list.

Borough manager Don Pepe said the borough council is working on improving its infrastructure including producing a plan to repair curbs and gutters.

It also is working on a stormwater remediation plan that it hopes to complete in two months so it can get an estimate of costs and put a long-term plan in place to fund those projects.

Construction on the Main Street water line replacement will begin this year. That is a main distribution line through the downtown business district.

“It has to be done. It’s a 100-year-old line. Most of the work will be done in the evening,” Pepe said.

Harmony

Harmony council President Jack Shanks said despite the borough’s small size, there’s a lot going on and planned there.

The Zelienople-Harmony trail should be open by May or June. The 8.8-mile trail will connect with an existing trail system that will extend the system to 12 miles.

It also may connect to a trail system through some private property that leads to Hereford Manor Lakes that would extend the trail to 25 miles. A foundation is being formed to fund improvements and maintenance for the trail.

Also, a number of new events are scheduled for this year, including a Kentucky Derby Party/Dance on May 5, a Shamrock Shuffle running event on May 17, a bicycle tour in the fall, and an all-day bluegrass concert in mid-September with similar concerts planned in April and May 2013.

“For a little town, we’re doing a lot to bring people into this town,” said Shanks.

Jackson Township

Jay Grinnell, township supervisors chairman, is looking at zoning changes to promote growth.

He cited the Buncher project at the intersection of routes 19 and 528 which is designed for four phases on 118 acres.

Jackson’s Pointe flex park is under construction, while the project’s second phase, which could include retail, office, restaurants and a hotel, is set to come before council in March.

Grinnell added there has been “a lot of interest” created by the newly built exit/entrance ramps on Interstate 79.

He pointed out there’s a state Department of Transportation plan, which could start by next year, that includes improving Little Creek Road from the new ramps to Route 19 that will spur business growth in that area.