“What Have You Done for Me Lately?”

For most of us, the question doesn’t exactly bring out our warmest reaction. It can sound impatient or even ungrateful. But when you belong to a membership organization like the Chamber, it's a question we should expect and one that our members are justified in asking.

Your membership isn’t something we earn once. Because you’re investing in the Chamber, we believe you deserve to know how that investment continues to work for you and our communities.

That's why we've committed to sharing monthly dashboards highlighting the work the Chamber is doing on behalf of our members. Please know, these dashboards are not a comprehensive list – it doesn’t account for the connections made by all our volunteers, or by you, as you seek to maximize the return on your investment with your individual goals. No, our dashboards are our means of sharing with you the work that we’re doing under the Chamber’s five focus areas and thereby serve as evidence of our accomplishments as a mission-driven organization. As we approach the halfway point of our fiscal year (which runs from April through March), we thought it would be a good time to take a step back and look at what we've accomplished together over the past six months.

Engaged Membership

As of the end of August, the Chamber represented 389 members and has welcomed 26 new members since January 1. Our weekly communications continue to connect employers with timely information and resources, achieving open rates as high as 50.3% and click-through rates reaching 8.6%. Said another way, our weekly newsletters significantly exceed industry standards.

Supporting Local Employers

Direct support for local businesses remained a central focus. From June through August, the Chamber provided member businesses with $52,000 through our low-interest loan program, helping them complete capital improvements and invest in their future.

Advocating for Business

The Chamber continued to serve as a voice for employers at the local, regional, and state levels. Staff hosted monthly Government Affairs meetings with public officials and monitored issues affecting businesses, including the state budget, childcare, housing, tourism, healthcare and tax relief initiatives, education improvement tax credit programs, data center development, and regulatory reform.

We also participated in Pennsylvania Chamber Day at the Capitol, supported member grant applications, attended the Regional Rural Healthcare Summit, and engaged regional leaders on topics such as StopHopper microtransit and rural healthcare access.

Creating Connections

Building relationships remains one of the Chamber's most important roles. Over the past six months, members connected through remote office hours in Berwick and Danville, Membership Mornings, Business After Hours events, the Annual Chamber Golf Tournament, Municipal Appreciation Night, and the 7th Annual Nonprofit Mixer.

We were also honored to celebrate member milestones through ribbon cuttings and other special events for organizations including Ronald McDonald House of Danville, MPL Law Firm, MC Federal Credit Union, Mamoth, and Sholley Insurance Agency. The Chamber was proud to help mark the groundbreaking for the Bloomsburg Children's Museum.

Beyond events, countless personal connections and referrals were made by staff, Ambassadors, Board Directors and members through routine business communications, meetings, social media, the Chamber website, and more.

Developing Our Future Workforce

Workforce and leadership development efforts continued through the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber. Highlights included hosting the annual SeAL Challenge, the successful launch and execution of the 2026 Educator in the Workplace program, the annual K-12 Educators Summit, the graduation of the 2026 class of Leadership Central Penn, and the launch of the 2026-2027 program.

Additional efforts included the Foundation’s 13 youth-serving programs concerning financial literacy, STEM, durable skills development and an employability credential for high school students, and the relaunch of a two-county, eight-school district career fair, in partnership with Commonwealth University.

Strengthening Our Communities

The Chamber's work extends beyond business and into the health and vitality of our communities. The staff continues to support the work of Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc., the Blueprint Community efforts in Berwick, and the Danville Business Alliance. The bi-monthly Montour County Task Force and other community activities like Geisinger’s Community Health Needs Assessment presentation and the Community Giving Foundation’s Impact Breakfast, are just a few examples of collaborations focused on community health, economic development, and regional vitality.

Looking Ahead

We’re proud of our answer to that question “What have you done for me lately, ” but we’re not satisfied to rest on our laurels. Your continued engagement and support will allow us accomplishment even more in the months to come, as we continue to meaningfully advocate for local employers, connect members with valuable resources and relationships, advance workforce development initiatives, and support vibrant, sustainable communities throughout Columbia and Montour counties.

To discuss these efforts in greater detail, please do not hesitate to reach out to us directly at chamber@columbiamontourchamber.com or 570-784-2522. Thank you for your support!

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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce represents local employers in support of vibrant, sustainable communities throughout Columbia and Montour counties. Through five focus areas, including advocacy, member benefits, business connections, workforce development, and community strengthening, we work every day to help our members and region thrive. Learn more at www.columbiamontourchamber.com