The Archive

The Critical Role of Child Care in Boosting Economic Development and Supporting Small Business Employment Access to quality child care is crucial for economic growth and small business sustainability, reducing employee absenteeism, and boosting productivity. Employers, including big brands like Patagonia, are finding innovative ways to offer childcare solutions, enhancing hiring and retention. Small businesses…

Resources for you to prepare for the upcoming storm from PPL and Columbia County Emergency Management.  

FAR 31 Allowability: Marketing Expenses Versus Bid & Proposal Costs Source: McKonly & Asbury When it comes to A&E Firms undergoing a FAR Overhead Rate Audit, understanding allowable costs is essential. Among the various cost categories, marketing expenses and Bid & Proposal (B&P) costs play critical roles. However, distinguishing between the two can be challenging.…

Protecting Businesses from Cyber Threats Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Businesses in communities nationwide face growing and ever-evolving cyber threats that risk disrupting our everyday lives, with severe consequences for our economy. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the Threat Intelligence Forum, where experts from industry and government discussed how the public and private…

State Fiscal Office Warns of General Fund Surplus Depletion Source: PA Chamber of Business and Industry Pennsylvania’s nonpartisan Independent Fiscal Office recently issued a research brief that updates its revenue projections against expenditures based on the FY 2024-25 enacted budget. And, according to the IFO, spending is now outpacing revenue and the revenue estimate for…

State Budget Included Several Pro Business Victories Source: PA Chamber of Business and Industry Pennsylvania’s recently enacted state budget includes several pro-business victories including eliminating Pennsylvania’s Startup Tax by raising the cap on net operating losses, modernizing our permitting processes, and advancing workforce initiatives. These provisions will help attract new economic opportunities, expedite project approvals…

New Member Highlight-Next Gen Marketing Group Next Gen Marketing Group is the passion of company president Suzanne Campo! She enjoys collaborating with small businesses to enhance their brand through professional photography, short-form videos, and content creation tailored for social media marketing. Next Gen Marketing is thrilled to join the Columbia Montour Chamber and enthusiastic about…

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Emotional intelligence (EQ) is critical for effective leadership, involving skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Leaders with high EQ can manage relationships and team dynamics better, fostering a culture of trust and teamwork. Improving self-awareness is the first step to enhancing EQ, essential for…