In response to the heightened needs of area nonprofit organizations and its mission to enhance the quality of life in the region, the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation is pleased to announce a second grantround available for Disaster Relief Funding. Established in 2011, the purpose of the Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund is to support nonprofit organizations affected by disasters in Lower-Luzerne, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. The grantround is designed as a flexible response to provide relief for a variety of unexpected costs. The Foundation is specifically interested in helping organizations maintain their operations and respond to increased demand from clients during this critical time. While many CSCF funds have contributed to these Disaster Relief efforts, the grantround can create an even bigger impact with contributions from community members. To join the Foundation in this initiative, visit here to make a secure online donation. Grant requests ranging from $500-10,000 are currently being accepted. Additional funding may be considered on an individual basis. This is the second grantround from the Disaster Relief Fund in 2020. The grant application has been updated. If your organization applied in the first grantround in April and wishes to apply again, you must submit a new application for this grantround. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit and government organizations are eligible to apply and the requested funding must be invested within the CSCF service area of Lower-Luzerne, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. Individuals are not eligible to apply. To discuss your organization’s eligibility, please contact the Foundation. Grant applications must be completed and submitted through a web-based program. Interested applicants can access the grantround guidelines and applications by visiting www.csgiving.org. Grant requests must be submitted online by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. For grant-related questions, please contact Christine Orlando, CSCF Senior Program Officer, at 570-752-3930 ext. 2, or corlando@csgiving.org.
In Pennsylvania and across the country, child care is identified as one of the top barriers to employment. In the changing landscape of workforce development, businesses want to better understand how child care affects their bottom line and Pennsylvania’s edge in the national and global marketplace. The effects of COVID-19 mitigation mandates have created new challenges for an already economically fragile childcare system. As childcare and the workforce struggle to regain their interdependent stability, public and private actions are imperative.
The Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission in partnership with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation will be discussing these issues at the 2020 Early Learning Economic Summit. The event will be held via webinar from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8th. The Summit offers a shared learning opportunity for business leaders and policy makers to:
- Learn recent Pennsylvania research on child care’s economic implications
- Understand the challenges working and recently furloughed families face
- Explore concrete recommendations designed for public-private action
- Discover private-sector, best practices supporting the childcare system
- Acquire tools for business assessment of workforce child care needs
On Tuesday, June 9, 2020, the “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” (WSCM) student video program will conclude its seventh season with the “Best of PA” Statewide Awards Event. Due to the unprecedented challenges presented by social distancing, this year’s event will stream ‘live from home’ on YouTube, and will include 22 teams competing for first, second and third place awards.
A five judge panel, representing eastern, central and western Pennsylvania, viewed 22 entries, representing 13 regional contests across Pennsylvania, to select the statewide award recipients.
“We are so proud of the students and so excited we will still be able to celebrate the Best of PA videos, even with all that is going on,” said Karen Buck, Manager of Workforce Initiatives Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC). “The continued success of the What’s So Cool program validates its value to both STEM and STEAM education and really highlights the necessity for these initiatives, both statewide and nationwide, to help plan for a robust economic future.”
The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” Student Video Contest, which originated in the Lehigh Valley and is the brainchild of MRC, has garnered over 3,000,000 combined votes by the public during regional online voting dates since its inception in 2013, and more than 50% of Pennsylvania school districts have participated in the program.
The WSCM Student Video Contest gives students the opportunity to interact with local manufacturers as they gain new perspectives about careers and technology, record their
experiences and present them in an educational and “cool” way through documentary video production. The “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” program includes a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved lesson plan that is in use across the Commonwealth. The contest was created to generate excitement that draws students toward considering manufacturing career paths to create a 21st century workforce.
This season’s original 16 participating regional contests in Pennsylvania were Berks Schuylkill, Central Susquehanna, Chester Delaware, Lehigh Valley, North Central, Northeast, Northern Tier, Northwest, Philadelphia Region, Pittsburgh Central, Pittsburgh East, Pittsburgh North, Pittsburgh South, PA Forest & Oil, South Central, and West Central.
Funding for the regional pilot contests is provided by the PA Department of Community & Economic Development. Funding for the statewide Awards show is provided by Platinum Sponsor: Nestlé Waters North America, Gold Sponsors: PA Manufacturing Extension Partnership and RETTEW, and Silver Sponsors: Catalyst Connection, MANTEC and Chester County Economic Development Council. Regional Program Partners: Catalyst Connection, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Chester County Economic Development Council, Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, Innovative Manufacturers’ Center, Manufacturers Resource Center, MANTEC, North Central Workforce Development Board, Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission, Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, NWIRC, and The Foundation of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce.
For more information regarding the “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” Student Video Contest please visit: WhatsSoCool.org/BestofPA, www.WhatsSoCool.org, or follow on Twitter.
- Geisinger will be hosting Back to Business Town Hall- part two, on June 4th from 11 am-12 pm. This event will feature Dr. Stanley Martin, Infectious Diseases; Allison Hess, VP, Health & Wellness; Brion Lieberman, VP, Human Resources. Register for the event here.
This Virtual Meeting will be taped and added to their business resources landing page. On the landing page is a place for businesses to submit questions. The email will go to Geisinger’s Community Wellness staff and they will respond. Any questions that they answer will be published to the page. - The Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation announces grant opportunities for local nonprofit organizations serving the greater Bloomsburg area. Grants will be awarded from the Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation Fund and the Hartman/Robbins/Stroup Fund. This competitive grant round begins now and will continue into July. Approximately $10,000 is available. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit and governmental organizations are eligible to apply and 100% of requested funding from the above noted funds must be invested within Bloomsburg and surrounding areas. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Grant applications must be completed and submitted through a web-based program. Prior to beginning the grant application process, applicants are encouraged to watch a short tutorial. Interested applicants can find the tutorial and instructions for completing grant application online by visiting csgiving.org, clicking on “Receive” and then “Apply for a Grant”. Look for information under the heading “Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation”. Grant requests must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on May 28, 2020.
- The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation announces their new online donation platform has officially launched. This update will enhance the overall donor experience and better connect people to funds that support causes that they care about in the community. As usual, other forms of donations will still be accepted via mail or by stopping by the Foundation office. Much work has been put into this new system, and they look forward to the efficiencies and functionality it will bring to donors, fundholders, and staff! Visit csgiving.org and click on the donate leaf to view the new page. Please contact Katie or Kara with any questions.
Your Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan was approved, now what? The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center is hosting a free webinar on June 2nd at 10 a.m. to help business owners maximize loan forgiveness. Jeffrey Berdahl, CPA, Shareholder with RLB Accountants, will discuss the following topics: general rules of the program, program updates, tips for forgiveness, how to track your expenses. A Q&A session will follow the presentation. Click here to register.
Facing a projected $5 billion revenue shortfall, lawmakers in Harrisburg are working on a short-term state budget. The Legislature has also advanced a number of bills to support businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Information on these efforts will be provided by our elected officials at the Chamber’s annual State Legislative Program, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities.
Senator John Gordner, Representatives Kurt Masser and David Millard, and Alex Halper with the PA Chamber of Business & Industry are scheduled to participate.
The program will be held Thursday, June 11th from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. via Zoom. This event is typically held annually as a breakfast program, but due to the current situation, this year’s program will be virtual. Cost for the program is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Register for the event online or by calling the Chamber office at 570-784-2522. The Zoom meeting link will be emailed upon registration confirmation.
With content provided by the PA Chamber of Business & Industry
The PA Chamber signed on to a U.S. Chamber-led letter last week with chambers of commerce from throughout the nation, urging Congress to pass timely, temporary and targeted liability relief legislation without delay.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania healthcare professionals on the front lines of combating the virus, and critical businesses, including those producing much-needed personal protective equipment have been operating without liability protections in place. This unprecedented situation has left employers vulnerable to frivolous lawsuits, a trend which, if unchecked, could endanger economic recovery and the return to work for millions of Americans.
The coalition letter expressed that the pandemic has driven the need for Congress to provide a safe harbor – one that “truly holds bad actors accountable, but that protects those employers who are working to follow public health guidance.” Specifically, the letter asked that the protections cover:
- Businesses that work to follow government guidelines against COVID-19 exposure claims
- Healthcare providers and facilities on the front lines of the COVID-19 response
- Manufacturers that have repurposed production and distribution to provide PPE, sanitizers, and other needed countermeasures
- Companies that have donated their stock of supplies to hospitals and medical professionals
- Public companies that could face securities lawsuits, including those driven largely on stock price drops resulting from the global pandemic under the spurious assertion that management failed to warn investors.
The full letter is available here.
Governor Tom Wolf signed House Bill 327, now Act 21 of 2020, allowing the temporary sale of cocktails-to-go from bars, restaurants or hotels with a liquor license. The law takes effect immediately.
“This new temporary rule creates more business for bars and restaurants when they need it, helps to meet customer demand and supports social distancing,” said Governor Wolf. “As we approach the holiday weekend, I encourage all Pennsylvanians to remember to drink responsibly.”
The law applies to bars, restaurants and hotels that have lost 25 percent of average monthly total sales during the COVID-19 emergency. The beverages must be sold in containers with a secure lid in quantities from 4 oz. to 64 oz. before 11 p.m. An additional seal is required on the straw opening of a lid. Within 60 days, bars and restaurants must use a transaction scan device to verify a consumer’s age if the person appears to be younger than 35 years of age.
“Our local restaurants are working hard to feed our communities during this difficult time,” said Rep. Perry Warren. “Act 21 both streamlines the process for residents to decide whether to permit alcohol sales in a ‘dry’ municipality and allows restaurants to add another product for their customers for curbside pickup and takeout during this crisis. I thank Governor Wolf and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this bill.”
The temporary rule expires after the COVID-19 disaster emergency ends and a business reaches 60 percent capacity.
Pennsylvania’s open container law applies.
View additional information from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
- Comfort Keepers Offers Donations to Non-profits for Marketing Help
Non-profit organizations in Columbia County have the opportunity to earn a $1,500 donation from Comfort Keepers Home Care. The company works with groups to place at least 100 yard signs throughout the area for a period of three months. Check local ordinances before placing signs. Interested organizations should contact Kim Noel at kim.comfortkeepers@gmail.com.
- Free Outdoor Community Internet at Bloomsburg Public Library
The outdoor area around the Bloomsburg Public Library is now a Community Hotspot that provides 24/7 access to the Internet. In partnership with Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC), the Library will open its free WiFi service beyond the building. The Library invites the public use the Internet from the Library Lot or benches along Pine Street.
Free WiFi attracts thousands of users to the Library each year and hundreds of users borrow mobile hotspots from the Library. However, the coronavirus crisis put a stop to these popular services since the Library was required to close in mid-March 2020. With a new outdoor access point donated by ITDRC, the Library will be able to extend its free WiFi network beyond the interior of the building to the outdoor area. Signs on the lawn provide the name of the network – Homework Hub. There is no password.
“Closing the digital divide and providing 24/7 free public Wi-Fi in downtown Bloomsburg is essential during the transition from stay-at-home restrictions to the time when the library can again welcome visitors inside the building,” said Library Director, Lydia Kegler. Access to the Library’s free WiFi network will remain open even after the community returns to normal activities under the Green Phase. “We are excited to provide ongoing support for our community and their need for free, safe access to the Internet in the evening and on weekends. Despite the fact that many students and individuals in our area have Internet-enabled devices, many cannot afford the monthly Internet access fees,” added Kegler.The Town of Bloomsburg made available several benches for people to stop at the library and enjoy the mini-park setting outside the library. During the Yellow Phase of the coronavirus crisis, the Library Director, Lydia Kegler, urges all visitors to maintain social distancing, whether they enjoy a bench or stay in their car.
Sara Blakely, founder of SPANX is donating $5 million to female entrepreneurs to help their business, families, and employees to alleviate the pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Red Backpack Fund will provide 1,000 female business owners with $5,000 in funding each. In addition to the funding, each woman will also receive a “lucky” red backpack and a free annual All-Access Pass to all 80+ MasterClass instructors including Blakely’s class on entrepreneurship.
The next application rounds will open on June 1, July 6, and August 3.
Click here to learn more.