• Higher operating costs related to cleaning and social distancing requirements, including costs related to outside contracting associated with managing social distancing, limited occupancy, and cleaning;
• Infrastructure improvements including renovation, new construction, or adaptive reuse directly related to COVID-19;
• Equipment purchases that improve the availability of quality fresh food, such as additional refrigeration to manage volume, or personal protective equipment such as plexiglass dividers;
• Inventory (higher cost of goods, higher transportation or delivery costs, or procuring Pennsylvania-grown produce, meat, and dairy products, or loss of product);
• Innovative food access technology such as mobile or pop-up markets, or mobile EBT reader technology;
• Costs to expand access to Pennsylvania grown or processed produce, dairy and meat products or provide stable market access for Pennsylvania farmers that have lost or limited markets; and
• Other one-time or increased expenses incurred related to COVID-19.

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf signed S.B. 637, legislation that helps Pennsylvanians with criminal records re-enter the workforce by reforming the process by which they can obtain an occupational license:

“Pennsylvania oversees the administration of more than 250 types of processional licenses – that’s 250 potential opportunities for individuals to find meaningful employment and help to close an existing jobs skills gap. Previously, the rules varied in terms of when a criminal record could prevent issuance of an occupational license and impede someone from entering into careers for which they were otherwise qualified. Under the new law, licenses may only be denied if the job applicant’s record is related to the occupation they’re pursuing – the same standard that employers follow if a job applicant has a criminal record. In addition, the new law requires agencies to determine and publicize the types of criminal records that relate to certain licenses – with language we suggested to ensure that the employer community’s perspectives are being sought in the process.”

“Providing this uniformity and clarity in the application of the occupational licensure law will help people make informed decisions related to the education and training opportunities they pursue. It will further help to ensure that good candidates are not being denied entry into their chosen career path based on a bad decision for which they’ve already paid their debt to society. Helping otherwise qualified people earn occupational licenses is one part of the Pennsylvania Chamber’s multi-pronged strategy to address our state’s workforce crisis, and we applaud Senator John DiSanto and Representative Sheryl Delozier for sponsoring bills in their respective chambers; as well as all lawmakers and the governor for their support of this important legislation.”

On July 4, President Trump signed into law a bill extending the deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan to August 8. This modification gives businesses an additional six weeks to apply for a PPP loan. If you have already received a Payroll Protection Program loan, you may not receive a second loan. If you have not received a loan through this program, however, you may be eligible for a PPP loan.

EIDL applications, which include the advance of up to $10,000, are also still being accepted.

The first round of the COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program is also open for small businesses through July 14th.

Links to additional information on these programs and the applications are available on the Chamber’s website.

The Chamber of Commerce and Bloomsburg University are again offering a program to help develop and sharpen skills for leading in today’s workplace environment.

The five-module management and leadership certificate program is appropriate for existing leaders, managers, and supervisors; or those who are new or emerging in any business sector. Dozens of individuals working at area employers have completed the program.

Professional course materials include activities and other learning enhancement components to help each participant individualize their learning experience. The five, three-hour modules are: supervisor effectiveness; effective communication for managers; conflict management; navigating a multigenerational workforce; and being a great mentor or coach. Participants will receive a certificate from Bloomsburg University upon completion and will have identified personal development goals to provide to their employers.

Online sessions are scheduled to begin September 22^nd and be held bi-weekly. Complete program details are available on the Chamber’s website. Applications are due no later than Friday, September 4^th.

The program qualifies for WEDnet funding. For eligibility information, visit wednetpa.com or contact Jennifer Williams at Bloomsburg University at 570-389-4004.

On July 7th, the Chamber and Bloomsburg University‘s Zeigler College of Business co-hosted a webinar to assist small businesses with recovery.  Dr. Todd Shawver, Dean of the Zeigler College of Business, also discussed how Bloomsburg University’s Small Business Recovery Program (SBRP) is available to provide individualized consulting services to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. 

Topics discussed included: SBRP’s free services, business planning, accounting, social media marketing, and pursuing business financing.  

If you were unable to attend the webinar, a recording is available on YouTube. Information on the Zeigler College of Business’ Small Business Recovery Program is available here.

More than 435 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and the region. Increased membership allows the Chamber to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives. The Chamber welcomes Orilie’s Medical Supply.

Orilie’s Medical Supply is an online medical supply store, that is Veteran owned in Danville.  They have access to 20,000+ items on their website, offering cleaning supplies for the home and office, to a variety of medical and healthcare specialty items.  To learn more about Orilie’s Medical Supply visit their website or Facebook page.  

The Columbia Montour Chamber’s Visionary Member Spotlight highlights PPL Electric Utilities.  For over 100 years, the company has provided essential energy services to more than 10 million customers in the United States and the United Kingdom. The company continues to make significant investments to improve the electric delivery system, by replacing aging facilities and building new ones to meet growth in demand and reliability.  

Beyond their line of work, PPL Electric Utilities has contributed much to our community. The company supports Chamber events as well as activities the community enjoys from the Future Career Expo and Parent Pathway Night, to the Chamber’s Annual Meeting, and many other civic and non-profit causes. PPL Electric Utilities is also engaged in a number of initiatives to strengthen the workforce and enhance the communities in our region. 

The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is proud to call PPL Electric Utilities a member for many years. We look forward to serving them for many years to come.

Berwick Industrial Development Association Presents Two Berwick High School Graduates with Scholarships 

L to R: Kelly O’Brien, B.I.D.A. Executive Director, Dann McGann, B.I.D.A. Board President and Megan McLaughlin

Berwick Industrial Development Association (B.I.D.A.), is committed to improving the economy of the region through marketing and managing its industrial assets, the retention, expansion and recruitment of business and industry; and contributing to community revitalization efforts. In line with our mission, B.I.D.A. created a vocational post-secondary educational scholarship program.

This year, B.I.D.A presented two Berwick High School graduating seniors with scholarships. 

Jendyn Knorr will attend BU in the fall as an early childhood education major while Megan McLaughlin will join her on campus as a nursing major. Both students were highly involved in civic engagements, participated in school clubs and organizations, maintained employment, all while keeping a GPA above 94% overall. Their hard work and dedication were recognized immediately.

This unique scholarship program was created as a way to recognize our local students and promote continuing education in various trades; and as a retention program to encourage our students to stay in school and stay local.

B.I.D.A will continue our efforts to assist local employers to build relationships with our local schools, and advocate for careers in the trades and in-demand job opportunities. For more information on the B.I.D.A. Vocational Education Scholarship email info@bida.com or call 570-752-3612 ext. 1.

Bloomsburg University Foundation Establishes Community Impact Fund

The Bloomsburg University Foundation recently established a Community Impact Fund to provide funding in support of student professional experience projects. The projects will benefit the Town of Bloomsburg and communities throughout Columbia County with marketing studies for nonprofits, special projects for the town, engagements within field of study, and more.

Professional experiences help students apply what they are learning in the classroom, establish a professional network and obtain career experience in a workplace while earning a degree. Faculty mentored research or internships, study abroad, creative performance activities, service projects and attending a professional conference are all considered professional experiences.

“This endowment provides our friends and supporters the unique opportunity to support our students and benefit the community at the same time,” said BU President Bashar W. Hanna. “Through these valuable experiences outside the classroom, our students learn more about themselves and the world, further develop their professional networks and career paths, and gain meaningful work experience.”

To help offset some of the cost of participating in these experiences, Bloomsburg University Foundation offers Professional Experience Grants (PEGs).

PEGs from this fund are to be used exclusively for projects and/or initiatives supporting community needs within the boundaries of Columbia County.

As part of the fund’s establishment, an allocation committee comprised of five representatives – three from Bloomsburg University and the Bloomsburg University Foundation, one from Columbia County, and one from the Town of Bloomsburg has been formed.

The committee will meet three times a year (two for fall and spring allocations and one for a fund review). Initial work has focused on setting up the process and an online application, with the first funding round application period to be announced and launched in early summer 2020.

Current fund committee members include, Jerome Dvorak, executive director, Bloomsburg University Foundation; Heather Feldhaus, interim associate vice provost for research and sponsored programs, Bloomsburg University; Dan Knorr, director of external and government relations, Bloomsburg University; Bonnie Crawford, Bloomsburg town councilmember; and Chris Young, Columbia County Commissioner.

The first application period for funding consideration will open June 22, 2020 and close July 31, 2020. Applicants may be internal to Bloomsburg University – students, faculty, and staff – or may be external organizations, non-profits, and businesses.

Professional experience projects for this round of funding are envisioned to be completed within the fall 2020 academic semester. A prepared or existing collaboration between Bloomsburg University students/faculty and a community sponsor is encouraged but not required. Applications are available online at giving.bloomu.edu/impact-grant

Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital Blood Drive in Honor of John R. Thomas

Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital will be holding a blood drive on Wednesday, July 8th from 1:00-6:00 pm at the Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg.  This blood drive is in honor of John R. Thomas. 

John R. Thomas, 33 Degree M.S.A. Past Commander-in-Chief of Caldwell Consistory, Membership Chairman and Chairman of the Abbott Scholarships for the Valley of Bloomsburg.

As a Veteran of the US Army, John is very active in the Columbia County Veterans groups, Columbia County Historical Association, and has held several offices in Oriental Lodge in Orangeville.

As a community servant, John also served in the local fire services in both Orangeville and Espy for more than a quarter of a century.

An advocate for blood donation, John appreciates the opportunity to encourage donation and thanks all those whom give so freely of themselves to the cause.

To schedule your lifesaving donation, please call 800-B-A-DONOR or visit GIVEaPINT.org with code 8272 to participate. All donors need to make an appointment and are required to wear a mask.

Central Susquehanna Community Foundation Awards Second Round of Grants from Disaster Relief Fund in Response to COVID-19

The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation announced the second round of grants awarded from the Disaster Relief Fund in response to the current pandemic and resulting effects on the Central Susquehanna region. Grants totaling $160,677 were distributed to 51 local nonprofit organizations.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations to meet requests including essential items (personal care, cleaning supplies, medical supplies, nonperishable foods), meal prep and distribution, equipment maintenance, financial assistance and crisis services, educational programs, operational costs and human resource needs. These awards help provide continued services for clients across the region.

• Berwick Area Swimming Pool, Inc.
• Berwick Area YMCA
• Berwick Theater and Center for Community Arts
• Beyond Violence Inc.
• Bloomsburg Area YMCA
• Bloomsburg Public Library
• Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble
• By Grace Women’s Transition Home
• Camp Freedom, Inc. • Camp Koala
• Central PA Youth Ministries
• Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit
• Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Inc. (CSSS)
• Columbia Child Development Program
• Friends of the Columbia County Traveling Library
• Columbia-Montour Council, Boy Scouts of America
• Danville Child Development Center
• DIG Furniture Bank
• Eos Therapeutic Riding Center
• Father’s Hope
• Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA
• HandUp, Foundation
• Hummels Wharf Fire Company
• Lewisburg Children’s Museum
• Maria Joseph Manor
• McBride Library
• Merakey Foundation
• Montgomery House Library 
• Mount Carmel Public Library, Inc.
• Nescopeck Township Volunteer Fire Company
• Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center
• Orangeville Public Library
• Psychological Services Clinic, Inc.
• RiverStage Community Theatre
• Ronald McDonald House of Danville
• Setebaid Services, Inc.
• Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius
• Snyder County Libraries
• Sunbury’s Revitalization, Inc.
• Susquehanna Council, Boy Scouts of America
• Susquehanna River Valley Dental Health Clinic
• Susquehanna Valley CASA – Voices for Children
• The Arc Susquehanna Valley
• The Children’s Museum, Inc.
• The Dental Health Clinic
• The Good Samaritan Mission
• The Hope Center of Nescopeck, PA, Inc.
• The Salvation Army, Berwick
• The Salvation Army, Sunbury
• Transitional Housing and Care Center of Columbia and Montour County
• Union-Snyder Community Action Agency

The Disaster Relief Fund, which launched in 2011, provides support for disaster recovery efforts in Columbia, Lower-Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties. The Fund has continued to coordinate initiatives and grants to benefit local nonprofits during critical times through the generosity of community members, businesses, and other Foundation funds.

Grant decisions from the Disaster Relief Fund are made from an advisory committee composed of ten partner organizations and Foundation representatives. This was the second round of grants this year from the Disaster Relief Fund. In total, $368,105 was given to 78 organizations in 2020.

The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation (CSCF) is a 501(c)(3) organization that develops, manages, and distributes funds for charitable purposes in communities across the Central Susquehanna region. For more information, visit csgiving.org.

Leadership Central Penn, a program of The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber, is currently accepting applications for its 2020-21 class. LCP is a community leadership program for working professionals, and seeks to identify and educate citizens living and/or working in Columbia and Montour counties that exhibit leadership potential. Participants will be exposed to a wide variety of topics including education, human services, the justice system, local government, and business, integrated with leadership training. The goal of the program is to inspire people to be effective leaders within their organizations and communities.

Classes meet on the third Thursday of each month for a full day (approx. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) from October through May.  Area businesses and organizations are encouraged to nominate and sponsor employees. Individuals may also apply. The application deadline is July 31.

The 2020-21 class will be the 22nd since LCP’s inception in 1993. 

The cost per participant is $1295, with a $200 discount for employees of Columbia Montour Chamber members. The cost for employees of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations is $945.

Application

Program brochure