Posts by tacrayton

The High Cost of Early Childhood Education Chris Berleth, President The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce At 4:45 am this morning, as I left home to head to the Capitol, with my kids still sleeping soundly (thankfully), and my wife starting to stir, no doubt at the smell of coffee. She’d be out the door…

The Senioritis Solution: Co-op Cures Columbia Montour County By: Amber Hughes, Intern of Communications and Marketing at the Chamber  As someone who participated in a Co-op program during high school, I can personally attest to the value of these experiences. Through my own Co-op placement, I gained professional skills, built connections with mentors, and acquired…

The Referral Revival: 5 Proven Ways to Get More Word-of-Mouth Without Ever Asking Wow your customers. Exceptional service sparks natural buzz. Seed the idea. Subtle cues make referrals more likely. Give to get. Reciprocity drives more introductions. Make sharing easy. Equip clients with shareable content. Recognize your champions. Public thanks reinforces behavior. 615 words ~ 3 min. read In a…

President’s Message: A Breakout Year? Elementary, My Dear Chamber One of the things I love about Sherlock Holmes is his uncanny ability to predict the future – not by some supernatural power or mystic charm, but by his acute observation of the reality around him and the deductions that he makes from careful interpretation of…

Central Columbia Students Showcase Skills at 2025 Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Challenge BLOOMSBURG, PA – The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce proudly hosted its annual Sea, Air, and Land (SEAL) Challenge on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Central Columbia’s Blue Jay Academy. Designed to foster innovation, leadership, and real-world problem-solving, the…

Congress Delivers Regulatory Relief Source: US Chamber of Commerce Costly CRA-Eligible Regulations Should be Repealed With the unprecedented cost of regulations during President Biden’s Administration—$1.8 trillion in total—many of which occurred toward the end of the previous Administration, there remain dozens of CRA-eligible regulations that could be repealed. In particular, the  US Chamber is focused…

Last Week in the Legislature 4.30.25 Source: PA Chamber of Business and Industry House lawmakers returned to Harrisburg for legislative session last week and advanced several proposals affecting Pennsylvania businesses, including legislation related to data privacy, legal liability, cryptocurrency, and waste management. Here is a recap of last week’s legislative action most relevant to employers:…

Legacy and Longevity: A Playbook for Owner-Operators Who Think Long-Term  Smart business owners know: legacy starts long before exit. Growth rooted in values builds staying power. Your wisdom is an asset—document it and pass it on. Deep community ties are part of your long-term equity. Succession is strategy, not retirement.  616 words ~ 3 min.…

Ready. Set. Scale. Source: CO by US Chamber of Commerce As the new year approaches, certain consumer trends are expected to continue in 2025, while others may have run their course. In this installment of CO–’s premier event series, Ready. Set. Scale., small business experts discussed what they can expect from consumers in the new year…