NEW MEMBER HIGHLIGHT- Grey Medical Advocate LLC
Grey Medical Advocate LLC is your ally in navigating healthcare. Empowering individuals and families to confidently manage complex healthcare systems. Whether you're dealing with insurance denials, overwhelming medical bills, or the confusing processes of Medicaid or Social Security Disability, they are here to help. A few services include, Medical Billing Review, Medicaid Applications, Renewals, & Appeals, and Community Health Education.Member News ~ May 8th, 2025
MARC WATERCRAFT RENTALS RETURN FOR THE 2025 BOATING SEASON
The Montour Area Recreation Commission is pleased to announce that unpowered watercraft rentals at the Montour Preserve will return for the 2025 boating season (May 1 – October 31, 2025). Visit their website for more details.
Michelle Mae Mentoring Offers Quantum Biofeedback
Check out the live free demonstration on May 18th at 2pm. Visit the Michelle Mae website for more details.
Villager Realty Applauds Accolades of Agents in First Quarter of 2025
Congratulations to Jill Baker, Jessica Herman, and Cory Poticher! Check out the story here.
Service 1st is in Search of Volunteers for PFEW
Volunteers will be interacting with students during their budgeting simulation and offering their real-life perspective on the process of making financial decisions. There is no prior experience needed. To learn more click here.
Swift Kennedy & Associates May Newsletter- Out Now
Live Well, Work Well Newsletter highlights boosting your mental health daily, spring cleaning your routine and reducing processed food in your diet. Read the newsletter here.
Chamber Travel Information Meeting
The Columbia Montour Chamber is excited to partner with Collette for our first Chamber Travel Experience. We will be hosting an interest meeting on June 11th at 6pm in the Mulberry Mills conference room. To learn more about the trip: Click Here
Camp Victory Hosts 19th Annual Golf for Victory Tournament
Camp Victory invites community members, businesses, and golf enthusiasts to its 19th Annual Golf for Victory Tournament, happening on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Bucknell Golf Club in Lewisburg, PA. With a 1:00 PM shotgun start—rain or shine—this tradition brings the community together in support of Camp Victory’s mission. Golfers and sponsors can register online or learn more here.
Montour Night Out Set for June 11 at Danville Middle School
Danville, PA – Area residents are invited to attend Montour Night Out on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Danville Middle School on Route 11. This free, family-friendly event aims to strengthen community ties and foster positive relationships between the public and local emergency service providers. Read More
Did You Miss Last Week's Member News? Here's News That's Still Timely
New Growing Greener Grants Available for Local Environmental Projects
This week, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the opening of a new application round for the Growing Greener Plus Grant Program.
This program provides vital funding – the largest single investment of state funds for these purposes – to address critical environmental concerns like clean water, watershed restoration, flood mitigation, and more. For more information visit the DEP's website.
Senator Lynda Culver Announces Opportunity for Veterans to Serve on State Commission
Applications are currently being accepted for a Veteran Member-at-Large position on the State Veterans Commission for a four-year term beginning this July (July 27, 2025 – July 27, 2029). The application deadline is 4:00 PM on Monday, June 2, 2025. Interested individuals can find the application and email submission instructions on the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) website or contact their offices here.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Stay tuned to the CSIU's social media as they recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Also recognizing May for Menthal Health Awareness is CMSU Behavioral Health & Developmental Services. If your business wishes to participate in the "Shine a Light for Mental Health" program, contact 570-275-4962 to receive a free green light bulb.
First Keystone Community Bank Launches 5th Annual Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9, 2025)
15th Annual Journey Bank Teen Start Musical Competition Set for June 1st
For the fifteenth year running, Journey Bank will roll out the red carpet for 14 talented high school student finalists as they take the stage to perform unforgettable movie hits in this year's "Movie Hits & Oscar Glitz" themed show. All ticket proceeds are donated back to the music departments of each finalists school. Learn more here.
Bloomsburg Children's Museum Announces May Programming
See what the museum has to offer this month by visiting this link.
McBride Memorial Library Story Time Resumes in June
McBride Memorial Library Story Time will resume on Thursdays in June.
Ken Pollock Ford Announces 2025 Car Show
Kenn Pollock Ford prepares for their Car Show on September 14th, 2025 from 10am-3pm. View the flyer here.
Bloomsburg Rotary Gears Up for Their Annual Golf Tournament.
The tournament will be held on August 13th, and proceeds will support AGAPE's Backpacks for Kids Program. Registration forms with payment in full are due by August 1, 2025. Click here to view the registration form.
The Women's Center Hosting Brain Trauma Event
The Women's Center of Columbia and Montour Counties will be hosting a brain trauma event on June 20th. This is a free event covering brain injuries and held from 9:00 - 3:30 at the Hub at Mulberry Mills. Click here to register spaces are limited.
Just Announced: The Impact of Tariffs on Small Businesses Event
From increased production costs to shifting supply chains, small businesses face both challenges and opportunities in this changing economic landscape. Join the SBDC for a panel discussion on June 4th. Sign up here.
Bloomsburg Rotary Hosting E-Cycling Day May 17th
The Bloomsburg Rotary is hosting an E-Cycling Day on May 17th at rear parking lot of Agape from 10:00 am - 12:00pm. Get a full list of accepted items here and the event is welcome to all!
Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center hosting Golf Tournament
Join the Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center for the Richard Kriebel & George Hasay Memorial Golf Tournament on June 14th. Learn more here.
Registration is Open for Camps at Camp Victory
Camper Registration is now open, and Camp Victory and its partner camps are looking for campers to register for a summer full of unforgettable experiences. Visit campvictory.org/partnergroups for registration information about each camp.
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 in an hour, in order to proceed to her job as a school bus driver, but only after her sister arrived to watch our kids. Kali would get home from the bus, and Kenna would go off to her job as a bank teller. On days when I need to be out the door earlier than my wife, this is what we do - a childcare juggle that depends on family and accommodates a part-time job.
The irony of this particular morning of course was that my early meeting was at the Capitol in Harrisburg, advocating for childcare solutions. That’s right - we needed childcare so I could go talk with the legislature about childcare. Join me in smirking broadly, won’t you?
This problem isn’t even remotely close to falling on our family alone. A recent report by Ready Nation and the PA Early Learning Investment Commission shows that 70% of Pennsylvanians struggle with access to childcare. 61% struggle with affordability, and 51% with the high costs.
In Columbia County, 92% of children under five years old who are eligible for childcare are unserved, and in Montour, that number is 71%. (Neither are acceptable numbers.)
We’re in a full-blown childcare crisis.
I know what you’re thinking - people throw around the word “crisis” a lot these days. The problem is, the numbers don’t lie.
Childcare staff wages are low across the Commonwealth, averaging $12.43 per hour, and turnover is high. In Montour County, staffing issues have closed five classrooms, and 120 youth sit on waiting lists. 100% of providers have confirmed that the staffing shortage affects their facility. In Columbia County, an additional 55 children are waitlisted, with two classrooms closed and six open positions available.
In the Capitol, I was joined by Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver and State Representative Michael Stender, and together we had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Kathryn Edwards, a labor economist, who shared that the PA economy cannot right itself regarding labor force participation without public intervention. I was pleased to be joined later this morning by Representative Leadbeter and share some thoughts.
Before a bipartisan commission on Early Childhood Education, Dr. Edwards highlighted the importance of public investment to support childcare providers directly. My colleagues Bob Carl (Schuylkill Chamber) and Laura Manion (Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry) reiterated that there is broad support from our coalition of 55 Chambers for such investment. In reiterating, Ms. Manion shared her own story, saying that last year, she paid a whopping $2,200 per month in childcare, albeit in the most expensive county in our state.
Costs are a problem here, too. Too often, families keep a spouse out of the workforce entirely, arguing that it doesn’t make sense to pay someone else to watch their kids when wages become a net zero.
It’s such a problem that there are statistics that estimate the drag on our economy at $6.65 billion per year.
Working parents annually lose $16,490 in lost earnings and reduced participation in the workforce due to childcare issues. Businesses lose $3,200 per worker in reduced revenue and turnover costs, and taxpayers lose $4,230 per working parent in federal and state/local taxes.
This issue is as big as any we’re facing in Columbia and Montour Counties, and given the housing issues we’re also facing in Columbia and Montour Counties (estimates place the numbers at 1,000 fewer homes than the market demands), the transportation woes especially in the rural most parts of our community, and our worker shortage, we must consider that future growth depends upon investments that attract and support working families. How else can we attract businesses and investment if we cannot support the community we have now?
Dr. Edwards highlighted the top question on our bipartisan commission’s minds. How can they (legislators) steward resources effectively and invest in childcare wisely? After all, historically, support intended for providers which is paid first to families has translated into the cost of childcare going up per family by precisely as much as said public support. On the surface, paying to providers doesn’t seem to solve the rural issue and is feared to be a slippery slope, where rural families who “figure it out on their own” won’t see any help and the Commonwealth once bringing tax dollars to bear, may be forced to perpetuate the support indefinitely.
The best solution, suggested Dr. Edwards, is a multifaceted approach, that deals with the current crisis via direct support to providers who by investing as they see fit in wages and more can shore up their facilities and the resources currently at-risk. “No regulatory change, no alleviation of licensing requirements or loosening of staffing requirements (which ensure child safety) for these facilities can singularly solve this problem.”
Consensus in the industry seems to agree that recruitment and retention investments are a key next step, and families may continue to benefit by keeping alive and or growing a childcare tax credit program which we advocated for last year. Unfortunately, these investments won’t go far enough in solving the issue - they represent a tourniquet to stop the proverbial bleeding.
In addition to public sector help, we’ll need to work together to find opportunities for private sector engagement - like the recent “family care room” created at Wellspan Evangelical Community Hospital, which serves as an on-site program which services five or fewer families at a time. Staffed by former childcare workers who had found part-time jobs in custodial services at Evangelical (making more than they ever did in childcare), the program is on-site and small, and falls outside the licensing requirements due to the on-site access to parents and guardians.
Today, I applaud the Chamber members who do the hard work of serving our children, and encourage all of our members to continue to voice the challenges they face as well as the creative solutions they have to address big issues like this. For now, please know your Chamber is working closely to bring your voices to our elected officials, and to assist you wherever possible in stabilizing and growing our workforce, which will continue to be at risk if we do not address the high costs of the gaps in early childhood education.
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 a level of confidence that has served me well in my academic and professional journey. These programs truly prepare students for the realities of the working world, and I am better off for having taken part.
In my case, I was not required to take an SAT to get accepted to college. I decided to pursue the path of cooperative education. In the fall of my senior year, I learned that I needed three classes to graduate. If I followed a traditional education track, I had two choices. I could fill the rest of my schedule with random classes, gaining more credits than required to graduate, or I could take four study halls. Thankfully, a third, non-traditional option became apparent -- cooperative education.
Today’s high school system is seeing a major shift in the education style for upper class students. The change taking place is prioritizing real-life experience above classroom learning. The co-op landscape focuses on providing high school students with entry level positions that set them up for future success.
Co-op can be the answer to the age-old problem…. that’s right, we may have found the solution to senioritis.
Co-op programs provide students with the opportunity to leave the school campus and gain real-world work experience with local employers. These programs offer a range of benefits, including reducing employer training costs, increasing company visibility, and strengthening the local economy.
The Chamber Builds Vibrant and Sustainable Communities
The Chamber Foundation recognizes the significance of bridging the gap between education and industry and is committed to connecting businesses and students to hands-on learning experiences.
Currently, six Chamber Foundation partner school districts and over 22 Chamber member businesses are working together to expand career opportunities for the next generation. The impact of this collaboration is transformative for all. Let’s take a look into three local school districts that are capitalizing on this flexible path.
Cooperative Education in the Danville Area School District
In the Danville Area School District, ten different Chamber members are helping students gain hands-on experience in their fields of interest. Geisinger offers potential nursing students the chance to work on various hospital floors, where they learn to monitor vital signs, collaborate with healthcare teams, and provide patient care. Another student rotates through outpatient clinics in both Danville and Bloomsburg, assisting with patient check-ins, transportation, and front-desk operations in an Ambulatory Clinical - quite the opportunity if you ask me!
Local financial institutions, including Journey Bank, Service 1st, and MC Federal Credit Union, provide students with firsthand experience in banking by teaching them how to assist customers with deposits, withdrawals, and financial transactions.
At Bloomsburg University (Athletics Dept.), students interested in sports management gain insights into the competitive sports industry, learning social media marketing strategies and sports media operations. Meanwhile, Bason Coffee offers an immersive experience in both the production facility and retail store, allowing students to develop customer service and business operation skills. Frosty Valley Resort introduces students to the inner workings of business management, golf course maintenance, and equipment repair. The Montour Area Recreation Commission provides students with an opportunity to learn about trail and park management while participating in pollution cleanup efforts.
Danville School District itself also gets in on the action. The school offers students the opportunity to work with onsite educators in assisting with reading circles, writing activities, and classroom bulletin board creation. Those interested in the automotive industry can gain hands-on experience at Steve Shannon Tire & Auto Center, where they develop transferable skills for a career in auto mechanics.
Cooperative Education in the Central Columbia School District
Central Columbia School District has 12 Chamber businesses participating in its Co-op program. Journey Bank and Geisinger offer similar opportunities to those available in Danville. The NEPA Vascular Institute trains future medical professionals by involving students in patient care, including taking vitals, logging visits, and assisting in minor procedures.
Skilled trades are well represented in Central’s program. Dent Plumbing & Heating and AR Sokol Excavating introduce students to careers in plumbing and excavating, where they learn about maintenance plumbing and machinery upkeep. Animal lovers can gain hands-on experience at Bloomsburg Veterinary Hospital and EOS Therapeutic Riding Center, working closely with animals in clinical and therapeutic settings.
Students with an interest in aviation are welcomed at Bloomsburg Airport, where they learn about runway inspections, fuel management, and radio communications. Creative minds can find opportunities at Exclusively You, where they participate in mannequin styling and retail operations. Bloomin’ Bagels II offers students experience in food safety, efficient inventory management, and customer service. Meanwhile, Bloomsburg Carpet introduces students to manufacturing processes, including packaging and material management. The well-known nonprofit AGAPE Bloomsburg provides students with the chance to assist in distributing essential community resources.
Cooperative Education in the Berwick Area School District
Berwick Area School District’s cooperative education program currently involves six students working in various industries. Three students are gaining experience in healthcare at Geisinger in Danville. One student works at the Columbia County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, where they assist visitors, answer phone calls, and maintain records. The Berwick Golf Club hosts two students, one of whom learns about restaurant operations, while the other works in the pro shop, helping golfers with membership enrollment and networking with community members.
The Impact of Cooperative Education
By partnering with local businesses, these co-op programs are equipping students with real-world skills that will serve them well in their future careers. Whether students are pursuing careers in healthcare, finance, trades, or nonprofit work, these opportunities provide invaluable hands-on experience.
One of the most impactful aspects of co-op is the confidence and independence students gain. I remember stepping into my first professional role, unsure of what to expect, but quickly realizing how much I was learning. These programs foster personal and professional growth that extends far beyond the classroom. For many seniors, co-op is the ultimate cure for “senioritis”, reigniting their motivation and showing them the value of their final year by connecting school to real-world purpose.
Allow us to Connect You
We want to help support this initiative, businesses interested in joining this shift in education are invited to reach out to Tonya Smith, our Foundation Director. Tonya would love to act as a liaison between businesses and school districts. Feel free to contact her by email at foundation@columbiamontourchamber.com or call at (570) 784-2522 By investing in Cooperative education, Chamber member businesses are not only shaping the workforce, but also strengthening their own teams with skilled and motivated young professionals.
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community.
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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 world saturated with marketing messages, word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful business growth tools. Yet asking for referrals can often feel pushy or awkward.
The good news: it’s possible to spark more referrals—organically—without ever making a direct ask.
Here’s how to build a referral engine that runs on generosity, excellence, and subtle nudges.
Wow Your Customers
It all starts with the experience. When customers are truly impressed—whether through speed, attention to detail, or delightful service—they naturally want to tell others.
Prioritize consistency and small touches that surprise people. It’s these micro-moments that turn satisfied customers into raving fans.
Make Sharing Easy
Equip your customers with materials they’ll actually want to pass along. This could be helpful blog posts, visual guides, short videos, or checklists—anything that reflects your expertise and is easy to forward.
Think of these as “conversation starters” your customers can use to talk about you without the awkwardness.
READ MORE: Customer Referrals Are Contagious by Harvard Business Review
Seed the Idea Gently
You don’t need to ask for referrals outright—but you do need to make it known that they matter.
In your email signature, on your invoices, or in post-project wrap-ups, include a line like:
"Many of our best clients come from referrals. Thank you for spreading the word!"
This keeps referrals top of mind while preserving the tone of appreciation.
Give to Get
Referrals are a two-way street. Proactively refer your clients, partners, and vendors when you can.
When others see you championing their work, they're more inclined to do the same for you. This builds goodwill and a sense of mutual investment.
READ MORE from Forbes on the power of reciprocity in business
Recognize Your Champions
Gratitude is a multiplier. When someone sends a new client your way, acknowledge it right away. A handwritten note, a small gift, or a public thank-you can make your advocates feel valued—and likely to refer again.
The goal isn’t to incentivize; it’s to appreciate. Recognition cements the behavior you want more of.
Bottom Line
You don’t need a slick script or a referral program to grow through word-of-mouth.
By focusing on service excellence, subtle cues, generous networking, and authentic gratitude, you create an ecosystem where your customers want to talk about you.
Organic referrals are not just a bonus—they’re a reflection of how well you’re doing the fundamentals.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike.
Member News ~ May 1st, 2025
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis Announces Main Street Matters Grant for Berwick
Yesterday, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis visited the Coblentz Corner project and announced in a press conference at the B.I.D.A. Eagles Building the awarding of a Main Street Matters Grant for that project. Check out the announcement here.
Town of Bloomsburg Announces the Awarding of Two Main Street Matters Grants
The Town of Bloomsburg has announced two grant awards through the 2024-2025 Main Street Matters funding round. $50,000 awarded for the SR-11 Main Street Road Diet Plan and $50,955 for the Market Street Square Revitalization Project. The 2020 Walk Bike Bloomsburg Connectivity Master Plan was used as the foundation for the grant application.
New Growing Greener Grants Available for Local Environmental Projects
This week, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the opening of a new application round for the Growing Greener Plus Grant Program.
This program provides vital funding – the largest single investment of state funds for these purposes – to address critical environmental concerns like clean water, watershed restoration, flood mitigation, and more. For more information visit the DEP's website.
Senator Lynda Culver Announces Opportunity for Veterans to Serve on State Commission
Applications are currently being accepted for a Veteran Member-at-Large position on the State Veterans Commission for a four-year term beginning this July (July 27, 2025 – July 27, 2029). The application deadline is 4:00 PM on Monday, June 2, 2025. Interested individuals can find the application and email submission instructions on the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) website or contact their offices here.
AGAPE Promotes Jamie Barreca to Life’s Challenges Caseworker
In her new role, Jamie will work directly with clients seeking help with rent, medical costs, and other essential needs. Congratulations Jamie!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Stay tuned to the CSIU's social media as they recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Also recognizing May for Menthal Health Awareness is CMSU Behavioral Health & Developmental Services. If your business wishes to participate in the "Shine a Light for Mental Health" program, contact 570-275-4962 to receive a free green light bulb.
First Keystone Community Bank Launches 5th Annual Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9, 2025)
15th Annual Journey Bank Teen Start Musical Competition Set for June 1st
For the fifteenth year running, Journey Bank will roll out the red carpet for 14 talented high school student finalists as they take the stage to perform unforgettable movie hits in this year's "Movie Hits & Oscar Glitz" themed show. All ticket proceeds are donated back to the music departments of each finalists school. Learn more here.
Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's?
A local Attorney is working with Congress to address the need for care. Check out this news segment on WTAJ's evening news to hear from Attorney Julie Steinbacher about this critical issue.
Bloomsburg Children's Museum Announces May Programming
See what the museum has to offer this month by visiting this link.
McBride Memorial Library Story Time Resumes in June
McBride Memorial Library Story Time will resume on Thursdays in June.
Ken Pollock Ford Announces 2025 Car Show
Kenn Pollock Ford prepares for their Car Show on September 14th, 2025 from 10am-3pm. View the flyer here.
Bloomsburg Rotary Gears Up for Their Annual Golf Tournament.
The tournament will be held on August 13th, and proceeds will support AGAPE's Backpacks for Kids Program. Registration forms with payment in full are due by August 1, 2025. Click here to view the registration form.
LCBC Hosts Global Leadership Summit
Don't miss the early bird deadline for this year's Global Leadership Summit, register before May 7th to receive the best price. To register or learn more, click here.
Service 1st 2024 Annual Meeting Celebrates Credit Union’s 50th Anniversary with a Special Citation Presented by Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver
During the meeting, highlights from the past year were shared, and awards were bestowed on the credit union. Senator Culver then presented Tracy Shirk, Chairperson, Service 1st Board of Directors, and Mike Thomas with a special citation for their continued community support and focus on financial education over the past 50 years. To read more, click here.
What’s So Cool About Manufacturing? Video Contest
Announces 2025 Central Susquehanna Awards
The Innovative Manufacturers' Center (IMC), Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Advance Central PA and The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce the award recipients for the "What's So Cool About Manufacturing?" (WSCM) Central Susquehanna student video contest awards. The ceremony was held April 23rd at The Venue at Liberty Valley in Danville, PA
Did You Miss Last Week's Member News? Here's News That's Still Timely
SBDC Hosts 'Starting A Small Business' Seminar
Aspiring entrepreneurs in Columbia County are invited to attend The First Step: Starting a Business in Pennsylvania, a free in-person seminar hosted by the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The event will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, from 9 to 10 a.m. at The Hub at Mulberry Mill, 160 W. 6th St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815. For more information, click here.
PPL Electric Utilities hosting open house at CMVTS
PPL Electric Utilities is hosting an Open House on electric reliability improvements in our area on May 8th. Learn ways to save energy and manage your electric bills. This is a free event to discover how we’re investing in the future of your electric service. Learn more.
The Women's Center Hosting Brain Trauma Event
The Women's Center of Columbia and Montour Counties will be hosting a brain trauma event on June 20th. This is a free event covering brain injuries and held from 9:00 - 3:30 at the Hub at Mulberry Mills. Click here to register spaces are limited.
Opening Weekend at Knoebel’s
April 26 & 27 - The weekend we’ve all been waiting for, Knoebel's is opening! Learn more.
Higher Information Group Announces New Partnership
Higher Information Group (HIG) is excited to announce a new partnership with Duplo USA Corporation, the leading provider of innovative print finishing solutions for the print and graphic arts industry. Learn more.
Just Announced: The Impact of Tariffs on Small Businesses Event
From increased production costs to shifting supply chains, small businesses face both challenges and opportunities in this changing economic landscape. Join the SBDC for a panel discussion on June 4th. Sign up here.
Check Out Upcoming PATHS Trainings
Pennsylvania Training for Health & Safety, also known as PATHS, offers free lifesaving training and educational materials. As we enter Spring, it is critical to educate participants on topics such as crime prevention, the safe use of electrical extension cords, basic ventilation practices, and boating safety. Click here to view the training objectives and register.
Weis Center Receives 2025 Green Business Award
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts has received the 2025 Green Business Award! Congratulations and see Lisa Leighton, Marketing and Outreach Director, receiving the award on Earth Day!
Downtown Bloomsburg Inc. Hosting Renaissance Jamboree
A completely outdoor event held in downtown Bloomsburg on Main and Market Streets on April 26th, Renaissance Jamboree features hundreds of craft vendors and delicious food from non-profit organizations in Columbia, Montour, and lower Luzerne counties. Enjoy FREE entertainment, kiddie rides, and games. Free parking with shuttle service will be available from the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. Get more details.
Columbia Child Development Program – Head Start Gearing Up for 60th Birthday
This year marks the 60th year of children having the opportunity to succeed through Head Start Program. Click here to learn about Head Start in Columbia County and current advocacy efforts happening.
PA Chamber Hosting Educational Tax Credit Webinar
The PA Chamber is pleased to partner with educational tax credit experts on a free upcoming webinar, “How Businesses Can Utilize Pennsylvania’s Educational Tax Credits.” Join us from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 8 for an overview of various educational tax credit programs. Registered today.
Bucknell SBDC hosting National Small Business Week event
Celebrate National Small Business Week with the Bucknell SBDC and the presentation of the Eastern PA Entrepreneurial Success of the Year Award on May 8th. RSVP by April 29th here.
Bloomsburg Rotary Hosting E-Cycling Day May 17th
The Bloomsburg Rotary is hosting an E-Cycling Day on May 17th at rear parking lot of Agape from 10:00 am - 12:00pm. Get a full list of accepted items here and the event is welcome to all!
Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center hosting Golf Tournament
Join the Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center for the Richard Kriebel & George Hasay Memorial Golf Tournament on June 14th. Learn more here.
SEDA-COG MPO to host Public Meeting ON Electric Vehicles
The SEDA-Council of Governments Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEDA-COG MPO) is partnering with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to sponsor an Electric Vehicle (EV) Community Charging Station public meeting. The event will happen May 8 from 1 - 3 at the Shamokin-Coal Township Library, 210 E. Independence St. Shamokin. Event free, registration requested: https://bit.ly/scevreg.
Registration is Open for Camps at Camp Victory
Camper Registration is now open, and Camp Victory and its partner camps are looking for campers to register for a summer full of unforgettable experiences. Visit campvictory.org/partnergroups for registration information about each camp.
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 that observation.
I’m no Sherlock Holmes. If you need confirmation, all you need to do is ask my darling wife, and she’ll be happy to tell you that I barely notice when the garbage needs to go to the curb. Needless to say, when I manage to make a prediction that comes true, I like revel in it a little. Today is such a day!
In the January edition of Business Matters, your Chamber predicted that 2025 would be a breakout year for workforce development, especially through programs that fall under the purview of the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber. I’m pleased to report that that prediction is coming true, and may be observed by you in the buzz of activity of the last week and a half (which I’ll happily bring to your attention!)
First and most recently, I had the opportunity to attend a press conference in Berwick this morning that discussed the announcement of the use of Main Street Matters (state funding) monies to develop Coblentz Corner. While we were delighted to welcome Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, it was a young high school senior who stole the show and the hearts of the crowd. Ava, a member of For the Cause Teen Center’s Youth Action Board and a graduate of the Academy of Young Entrepreneurs (a program which was created/founded as a community service project by Leadership Central Penn participants), shared about her love for Berwick and the great promise that a teen center in the heart of the downtown poses for the future. She closed with, “While I won’t see this project [Coblentz Corner] completed while I’m away at university, I can’t wait to see it when I come home to Berwick.”
“Come home to Berwick.” That’s the sense of pride we want for our young people, and music to the ears of employers who hate to see our greatest resource leave. Ava, we hope that when you’ve learned all you can, you’ll come back to thriving downtowns and a great place to live, work, play, and do business, in the Columbia Montour region. Hat’s off to For the Cause for being such a great resource.
Secondly, the Foundation hosted its annual STEM program last week, with a new twist. Partnering with the Department of Defense and the Penn State University College of Engineering, the Foundation used a format called the “S.E.A.L. Challenge”. The Foundation purchased materials for the school districts who participated, and they in turn built a drone, which was then part of a challenge course. You would have been as impressed as I was to see the veritable “Breakfast Club” of students – from all backgrounds and walks of life, who put their skills to use to accomplish an incredible feat of engineering. Read more about this incredible program here, and encourage all of the school districts you can to come to the Foundation’s K-12 Summit this summer so that they can sign up. The materials, the scholarships, and the program challenge were completely paid for by investment in the EITC programs of the Foundation of the Chamber.
Tomorrow, 12 local managers and supervisors graduate from the Chamber’s Management & Leadership program, a workforce development partnership with Commonwealth University Bloomsburg and the Foundation of the Chamber. Last week, the Foundation’s Leadership Central Penn class wrapped up healthcare day, with a behind-the-scenes program centered around Geisinger’s local services and programs.
Next month, the Class of 2025 will present their ongoing community service projects and explain all they’ve done for the region. Dare we dream that these projects will have as lasting an impression as I witnessed in Ava’s remarks this morning? I sure hope so!
Regardless, there are plenty more stories to tell, and programs to experience.
With all of this information now before your eyes, I bet your answer to the question, “Was the Chamber right? Will it be a breakout year for workforce and employee development?” will be as simple as Mr. Holmes’ most famous response.
“Elementary, my dear Chamber. Elementary.”
Read more about our recent SEAL challenge here.
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 event brought an afternoon of exciting competition and career exploration to local students.
Junior and senior students from Central Columbia High School participated, working in teams to complete a series of drone-based missions that tested their critical thinking and collaboration skills. The winning team included Davin Ridall, Ethan Flook, Ramsey Kingston, Elijah Geedy, and Kyran Fernsler, led by teacher EJ Smith, with support from fellow educators Scott Osbourne and Jared Spade, and mentor Tom Gill, a retired physics teacher. Each winning team member was awarded a $100 scholarship from the Foundation and celebrated their victory with a pizza party.
"The Sea, Air & Land Challenge is a perfect example of how hands-on experiences can inspire and empower students. We're proud to work with educators, industry partners, and mentors to help students build skills for the future while having a lot of fun along the way," said Tonya Smith, Director of the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce.
Highlights of the event included an inspiring presentation by John Sibole, Director of Aviation at Eastern Mennonite University, who shared insights into aviation career pathways. Susan Zingaro, Sea, Air, and Land Challenge Central Coordinator, also contributed to the experience by leading the drone challenge course and ensuring every participant received a SEAL Challenge t-shirt as a keepsake.
The Sea, Air, and Land Challenge is an annual program organized by the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber to provide middle and high school students with hands-on, project-based learning opportunities that bridge education and workforce development.
Teachers and schools interested in participating in next year's SEAL Challenge or learning more about the Foundation’s youth programs are encouraged to visit https://www.columbiamontourchamber.com/foundation/.
The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce remains committed to preparing the next generation of leaders and innovators through programs like the Sea, Air, and Land Challenge, where students put their skills into action and connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.
Contact:
Tonya Smith
Director, Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce
foundation@columbiamontourchamber.com
The Sea, Air, and Land Challenge is a national program sponsored by Penn State University that encourages middle and high school students to build solutions to real-world Department of Defense problems. For more information about the SEAL Challenge program, visit https://seaairland.psu.edu.
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 on the disapproval of several actions including three from the Environmental Protection Agency that let California set unattainable standards and ban gasoline and diesel cars and trucks. California's regulatory programs would increase costs for businesses nationwide by mandating the adoption of technologies that are not yet commercially viable at scale. Another regulation limiting consumer choice that the US Chamber supports disapproving is the Department of Energy’s regulation that eliminates certain cost-effective hot water heaters from the marketplace.
The US Chamber is also calling for the disapproval of three Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulations that stifle innovation and risk access to important financial and healthcare services. One CFPB regulation the US Chamber supports disapproving would undermine credit markets and limit access to affordable healthcare, especially in rural communities. Two other CFPB CRA disapprovals that the US Chamber supports have passed out of both Chambers of Congress and await the President’s signature. The first of those that the US Chamber supports disapproving would effectively prohibit bank overdraft products, blocking access for middle-class consumers to these protections. The second that the US Chamber supports disapproving would stifle innovation by limiting the ability of web-based retail businesses to send online payments.
Congress should also disapprove the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) regulation imposing needless restrictions on businesses and their ability to offer competitive products and services that help keep consumer prices low. The US Chamber supports disapproving an FTC regulation that would interfere with more than a billion recurring subscription agreements. Companies across the economy providing everything from internet, home security services, to lawn care and home meal kits, would be limited in their ability to offer these popular promotions.
The Bottom Line
Regulation is important to protect the health, safety, and cost to American consumers. But right-sizing regulatory policy through the CRA prevents regulatory overreach, by promoting a balanced approach that considers the broader economic impact on businesses and consumers.
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:
Data Privacy (H.B. 78; Neilson)
The House of Representatives unanimously advanced House Bill 78 last week.
This legislation would regulate the collection and use of consumers’ personal data by providing consumers with certain rights and requiring businesses to protect and limit the collection of personal data.
The PA Chamber believes a national framework for data privacy regulation would be preferable to protect consumer data, promote transparency, and provide regulatory certainty in the marketplace. Congress, however, has not yet advanced consumer data privacy legislation and in the meantime, 20 states have adopted a patchwork of data privacy laws. We have advocated that if lawmakers are to advance data privacy legislation at the state level, that they look to states such as Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Texas, which crafted their laws with input from the business community.
Noted in the PA Chamber of Business and Industry's memo that they will continue to advocate for improvements, particularly with respect to the threshold for covered businesses. The legislation now heads to the Senate for potential consideration.
Limited Liability for Food Donations (H.B. 615; Khan)
The House of Representatives also unanimously passed House Bill 615 last Wednesday.
This legislation would amend the Donated Food Limited Liability Act to expand the current immunity from civil and criminal liability to apply to the donation of food that has exceeded the manufacturer’s recommended label date but is still fit for human consumption.
This legislation is a commonsense update of the Donated Food Limited Liability Act to ensure businesses are able to donate food that may be past the manufacturer’s “best by” date but is still safe to consume. Doing so will reduce food waste and support non-profits who rely on these donations to serve people in need.
The PA Chamber for Business and Industry supported this bill, which now heads to the Senate.
Cryptocurrency Reporting Requirements (H.B. 1210; Vitali)
The House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee voted on party lines to advance House Bill 1210 last Wednesday.
This legislation would impose new onerous reporting requirements for “crypto-asset” mining operations and direct the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a related study.
While we support transparency and responsible energy usage, the bill imposes additional regulations that could discourage investment in Pennsylvania. Crypto mining and blockchain technologies are a growing part of our ever-evolving technology industry and our economy.
We opposed this bill (CLICK HERE for for the PA Chamber of Business and Industry's memo), which now moves to the full House.
Food Processing Residuals (H.B. 586; Friel)
The House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee also voted 15-11 to advance House Bill 586 last Wednesday.
This legislation amends the Solid Waste Management Act, making several changes to the way that Pennsylvania handles food processing residue (FPR).
Employers potentially impacted by this legislation worked with lawmakers to draft amendments that address several concerns with the underlying bill. The amendments clarify procedural requirements, including classification, land use, and disclosure requirements (CLICK HERE for the PA Chamber of Business and Industry's memo).
The bill ultimately passed out of Committee without any amendments being adopted, and now moves to the full House, where we will continue to advocate for improvements.
Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of BusinessTM.