There may not be any other municipality in Lycoming County with as much new business activity as Loyalsock Township.

The suburban community has introduced numerous commercial enterprises in the past year or so, with perhaps many more on the horizon.

At the same time, the township is doing what it can to keep up with the development and redevelopment with infrastructure improvements and other upgrades.

Bill Burdett, longtime township manager ticked off the list of new businesses either in place or coming to the community.

Restaurants such as Popeyes and Texas Roadhouse are soon set to open along the busy East Third Street corridor known as the Golden Strip.

A few of the other new businesses in the bustling commercial district include Crumbl Cookies, Mitchkicks, K Jewelers, Cutting Edge Kitchen & Bath, Don Waltman’s Market House Meats & Deli and Hobby Lobby.

“Every one of those new developments is a redevelopment of a previously developed site,” Burdett said. “We feel that is the best type of development you can have. You don’t have the expense of extending sewer and water lines to them and tearing up roads. You are taking an old site and improving it.”

The Heshbon area of the township is another spot of commercial development with Tractor Supply planning to open there.

“They just notified us about moving in,” Burdett said. “They hope to be submitting plans.”

The commercial development, he noted, is “good news for the economy and for creating jobs.”

Burdett sees the township has simply a great place to work and live given its location and efforts by leaders through the leaders to make it an attractive and viable community.

“We are a bedroom community from apartment buildings to small starter homes to three- and four-bedroom homes,” he said.

With green space, parks and even a community pool, the township affords recreation for families and others.

“We are partnering with PennDOT to connect the bike trail to Williamsport,” he said.

The parks are well maintained and receive a lot of use by the public, he noted.

Most recently, pickle ball courts were put in place at James Short Park..

The pool, open during the summer months, is also popular among residents. Most recent upgrades include adding a spray pool and renovating locker rooms.

“Schools are close. Park areas are right there. Restaurants are nearby,” Burdett said. “The outdoors are close by. We have a great interstate road system to allow you to access major metropolitan areas in a few hours.”

Township leaders through the years, he noted, have had the foresight and vision to bring services to the community that people need.

As an example, Burdett pointed to the senior center which opened a few years ago at the former Army Reserve Center.

“We realized we needed more programs for senior citizens. So we added on to that building for serving just senior citizens,” he said.

Important infrastructure improvements such as water line improvements, gas line extensions, and streets reconstruction have been under way to keep the community operating as it should.

“We are also partnering with the city and Williamsport Water & Sanitary Authority on stormwater to improve stormwater management,” he said. “We are partnering with the county on bridge bundling.”

A new box culvert on Sheridan Street over McClure’s Run was put in place, Burdett said, to help with flooding.

“I don’t think the Loyalsock School District gets enough credit,” he added. “Many people want to live here because of the district. It’s safe. They excel in academics. They also excel in athletics. Our arts and music and extracurricular activities are good.”

Over the years, township supervisors have strived to keep the tax rate low.

“The township supervisors understand that low taxes are important to the economy and the housing market and attracting people to the community,” he said. “They keep an eye on finances and making sure money we collect is spent wisely.”

Overall, the future is bright for Loyalsock, according to Burdett.

“Things are looking good,” he said. “We are really hustling to make things work. We really work together as a team. From different government agencies to the partnerships we have. We are not going to rest. You have to keep hustling to make things work.”