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Member News – August 4, 2021

NEPIRC Launches Regional Manufacturer Job Board; Connects Job Seekers to Exciting Careers

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) recently launched the region’s first manufacturer job board to connect job seekers throughout northeastern, central and the northern tier of Pennsylvania with manufacturing firms that are growing and adding to their teams. To date, the job board (www.NEPIRC.com/ManufacturingJobs) represents over 60 manufacturers that are collectively offering more than 1,000 career opportunities.

NEPIRC created the job board in response to manufacturer roundtable suggestions and to simplify the way in which unemployed and underemployed individuals find, evaluate and apply for good-paying advanced manufacturing careers.

“With over 60 companies across seven counties already participating in this effort, and more joining in every day, there’s a manufacturing career opportunity for everyone and every skill level – from first-job applications to experienced professionals with industry certifications,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC’s President & CEO. “NEPIRC’s regional manufacturer job board is free to our area’s industrial firms, convenient for job seekers, and consistent with our mission of maximizing the growth, resiliency and strength of our area’s most significant economic driver – manufacturing,” he added.

According to the organization, NEPIRC’s job board is unique to the region in its design and industry focus and will be continuously updated as new manufacturers and career opportunities are added while other positions are filled with qualified new hires. NEPIRC will also support the job board on an ongoing basis through traditional media, social media platforms and engaging videos that accurately depict the advanced, high-tech nature of today’s manufacturers and industrial careers.

Manufacturers are encouraged to participate in the effort by contacting Chelsey Coslett, NEPIRC’s Manager of Marketing & Stakeholder Engagement at Chelsey@NEPIRC.com.


AGAPE Unveils New Facility in Bloomsburg

Dozens turned out on Saturday, July 31st to celebrate the expansion of a nonprofit, faith based program which helps people in Northeast PA in times of crisis.

It was dream that has certainly come true for AGAPE in Bloomsburg after twelve years of assisting the community.

“Oh its awesome, it was not in our wildest dreams,” said Executive Director, Eileen Chapman.

The 100 thousand square foot building will now help expand services to people in Columbia and Montour Counties.

But the new space wouldn’t have happened without some financial help.

“Clarks Associates Foundation bought the building for us at 1.5 and we had to raise another 1.1 million to match and we did that in a few months in efforts of Kirby Smith Consulting and its just been awesome, I didn’t know we could raise that money in three months and we did, its awesome,” said Chapman.

Pennsylvania Senator John Gordner also participated as an honored speaker. He presented a $200,000 grant on behalf of the Commonwealth to help with updates and meet building code requirements.

“Well they really came to a prominence during the flood back in 2011 they really were the go to community organization to get different things out, and then again when 2020 and the pandemic came around once again they were the go to organization to help so many individuals,” said Gordner.

The non profit says they are excited to fill the empty warehouse with food, clothing, furniture and much more to help serve the community.

“This side of the warehouse is for food and we have fresh express they come every Thursday and pick up food about 40-50 pounds. We do some intellectual classes and how to become self sufficient, we have a financial program other than the food the biggest program we have helping with rent utilities medic prescriptions and other things, but its hard again with the rental problem and we’re going to see more of it because today is the end of the no eviction statute,” explained Chapman.

At the end of the day, AGAPE is always looking for more volunteers.

“We have lots of volunteers that came here because they needed some help and they wanted to give back and they came and did some community service and they find that they enjoy helping people. That’s a big part of AGAPE and showing God’s love to one another,” said Chapman.

The nonprofit hopes to fully move into the building sometime during the late fall.


Celebrate Parks and Trails with a Walk with a Doc

PA Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), in conjunction with the national non-profit Walk with a Doc, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, Montour Area Recreations Commission, Danville Area Community Center, and Geisinger are coming together on Tuesday, August 24th at Hess Field to kick-off a state-wide celebration of our parks and trails in September.

As part of that celebration, physicians across the state are being encouraged to work with the Walk with a Doc organization to establish walking chapters with community members. Hess Field and recreation center is the kick-off location for the state.

Bring your co-worker, your children, your sports team, or your scout troop. Organizers want to ensure a great showing for Danville and the surrounding area. There is no long-term commitment. Please register in case of weather and to estimate the number of t-shirts. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/57py5jup.


Berwick Area United Way holding Celebrate Berwick this Saturday

Celebrate Berwick returns to Market Street this Saturday, August 7th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes kid-friendly activities, craft vendors, plenty of food, craft beer from Berwick Brewing, a dunk tank, and live entertainment. Additional details are available on Facebook

The event is sponsored by BIDA, First Keystone Community Bank, and the Community Giving Foundation


Bloomsburg Town Park holding annual Cake & Ice Cream festival this Thursday

The 64th Annual Ice Cream & Cake Festival with the Catawissa Military Band will take place this Thursday, August 5th from 5:00 p.m.- dusk. Come to the Bloomsburg Town Park and enjoy this traditional community event with food, games, music, entertainment and fun for all.

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