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Free Website Assessment Offered to Members

January 21, 2020

Members can get a free assessment of their website thanks to the newest offer in the Chamber’s member-to-member discount program. Carnegie Agency will review the digital foundation of websites. There are two aspects of the assessment for usability. First, the aesthetics of the site based on the user experience and second, how it is viewed by search engines like Google. By updating default settings, businesses can be better positioned to display at the proper search ranking with the correct description for customers and prospects. To get started on the process of having a more effective website, contact Carnegie Agency at info@carnegieagency.com or 412-983-8191.

This and other member-to-member offers are listed on the Chamber website. There is no additional cost to participate in the program. If you would like to offer a discount or special promotion to fellow Chamber members, send the information to Fred Gaffney at fgaffney@columbiamontourchamber.com or 570-784-2522.

Member News – January 22, 2020

January 21, 2020
  • Have you made a deliberate effort to ensure succession planning in your business? NEPIRC and NEPA SHRM will present a Talent Succession Planning workshop on Tuesday, March 10 from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn in Wilkes Barre. The workshop will discuss how to ensure leadership continuity in key positions, retain and develop intellectual capital for the future and encourage individual advancement. Benefits of the succession planning include: disaster-proofing your business, identifying qualified future leaders, and long-term business planning. For more info and to register, visit their website.

  • The Town of Bloomsburg is reaching out to Bloomsburg homeowners who need home repairs such as roofing, electrical upgrades, furnace repair and window replacement. The Town is building a waitlist of qualified candidates that meet grant specifications. These grants could cover 100% of the costs if the Town would successfully be awarded.  Please contact Stacy Anderson at SEDA-COG at 1-800-326-9310.
  • Early Bird Sports Expo this weekend: The 32nd annual Early Bird Sports Expo is this Thursday through Sunday (January 23-26th) at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. Show hours and a list of participating vendors are available at earlybirdexpo.net. The Broadt family, organizers of the event for the last 13 years, have announced that this will be the last year for the Expo. The Early Bird Sports Expo was started in 1988 by Tom and Mary Lou Austin.

  • The Montour Area Recreation Commission recently recognized a number of organizations and individuals who helped support MARC’s efforts to preserve and enhance public spaces in Montour County, including Hess Fields and the Montour Preserve. Among those recognized was USG as Corporate Supporter of the Year. Dr. Frank Maffei, Chair of Pediatrics for the Geisinger Women and Children’s Institute (right), was recognized as MARC’s Community Health & Wellness Advocate of the Year.

    Bob Stoudt, MARC Director, also talked about a brighter future for MARC and the Preserve thanks to new revenue being generated, in-part, by an increase in the Montour County room tax. The rate was increased from 3% to 5% as of January 1, with the new revenue supporting MARC programming. Stoudt thanked the Montour County Commissioners and Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau for working to create this new revenue stream. Geisinger has also made a five-year commitment to the organization of $25,000 annually.

    Dr. Frank Maffei, Chair of Pediatrics for the Geisinger Women and Children’s Institute (right) was recognized as MARC’s Community Health & Wellness Advocate of the Year. Presenting the recognition was Bob Stoudt (left), MARC Director.

     

Non-profit Security Grant Program (NSGP) Announced

January 20, 2020

A federally-funded program managed by Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

View Fact Sheet

The purpose of the Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is to provide funding support for physical security enhancements and other security related activities to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of a terrorist attack. NSGP seeks to integrate the preparedness activities of nonprofit organizations with broader state and local preparedness efforts.

To be eligible for the NSGP grant, applicants must:
•Be registered/recognized as a 501(c)(3)organization as described in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
•Be a Church, Mosque or Synagogue exempt from501(c)(3)
•Be physically located within the state of Pennsylvania.
•Be at a high risk of a terrorist attack.

Non-profit organizations may only apply for the grant through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). Once the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 Notice of Funding Opportunity is released from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the 2020 application, instructions and deadline along with other necessary information will be posted on PEMA website at www.pema.pa.gov.

In-person and Web-based application workshops are scheduled in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia from February through March 2020. Please monitor the website to register for the NSGP upcoming events.

PFEW – An Incredible Opportunity for Local Students, and for You!

January 17, 2020

We hear it all the time – “I can’t find great employees!”

With the improving economy, many of our members are having trouble finding people with the knowledge and skills they need to help their business grow and thrive. One program designed to address this need is Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW). This award-winning summer economics education program has benefited our local students for over 40 years. PFEW immerses rising high school juniors and seniors in the world of business, allowing them to experience firsthand what you face each day. Offered by the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, PFEW was founded to teach students about the American private enterprise system and help students develop skills that make them the great employees and employers of the future. PFEW annually holds five week-long sessions in July and August on the campuses of Lycoming College and the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, serving nearly 2,100 students and 200 volunteers each year.

PFEW participants form teams of approximately 18 students and one volunteer adult business mentor who become the simulated management team of an under-performing manufacturing company in direct competition with other student companies. Each company must determine, through 12 business quarters, their selling price, marketing costs, production levels and budgets, banking needs, R&D costs and more. In addition, teams must develop a marketing strategy, create a print and media campaign, and design a website. Sound familiar?

The Chamber and Foundation have proudly supported PFEW for many years, and we encourage members and civic organizations to consider sponsorship for our students and, if possible, volunteers for the sessions. Every student attends PFEW on a fully tax-deductible $625 sponsorship (the actual value of which exceeds $1,500) which is provided by a local firm, foundation, civic organization, or individual. PFEW is an approved Educational Improvement Organization through the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Sponsorship donors are prominently recognized in several publications circulated throughout the state, and each student wears the name of their sponsor on their photo ID badge throughout the week. Students write their sponsors after graduation to report on what they have learned.

If you would like to learn more about either award-winning program and how you can get involved, please visit the Foundation’s website, www.pfew.org, or contact Scott Lee, vice president of marketing & development for the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education at (814) 833-9576 ext. 8, or scott@pfew.org.

Picture Caption: Company Advisor Joanie Norelli (far right), customer manager small format for PepsiCo, takes a break on the quad with her team, Solaris, a power tool company, on a sunny Wednesday.

Welcome New Member: Something Blue Weddings and Events

January 17, 2020

More than 420 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 Something Blue Weddings and Events to help us fulfill our mission.

Something Blue Weddings and Events is an award winning, full service wedding planning and coordinating company that works diligently to cater to event needs, alleviating as much stress as possible. They work to save clients time and money, all while guiding them through the planning process. Once the planning is complete, they carefully orchestrate the event to ensure that each element of the client’s vision comes together. For more information, visit their website. http://www.somethingblueforyou.com

State’s Unemployment Compensation Tax Rate Reduced to Lowest Level in 30 Years

January 16, 2020

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

In early January, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that Pennsylvania business owners will see a reduction this year in their Unemployment Compensation taxes, which will save them an estimated $552 million in 2020.

The elimination of the 1.1 percent UC tax rate interest that took effect on Jan. 1 makes the current tax rate the lowest since 1979.  It follows the repayment of the state’s UC bond debt, which was made possible through Act 60 of 2012 (a UC reform law that the PA Chamber championed) and included provisions to refinance the state’s federal UC loans through bond sales.   The 1.1 percent interest factor was put in place from 2013 through 2019 to help repay the bonds.  This refinancing of UC debt saved employers approximately $57 million in interest costs.  In addition, the fund’s solvency percentage as of July 2019 was 181 percent – the highest level since 2001.  The fund is considered solvent when its level reaches two and a half times (or 250 percent) the average annual benefit payout over the last three years.

In a press release issued by the governor’s office, PA Chamber President Gene Barr celebrated the lower rate as a way to help employers pay down some of the highest UC rates in the country and ensure that the UC fund can remain intact as a financial safety net for individuals who lose their job through no fault of their own and are actively searching for work. “The Great Recession put the state’s UC Fund in financial crisis, threatening this important program and forcing us to borrow billions from the federal government,” Barr said. “We were proud to work with a bipartisan coalition of legislators and the Corbett administration to shore up this critical safety net and refinance the federal loan, which employers were still responsible for paying off but under more favorable terms. We are pleased employers can start off the New Year with a lower UC tax rate and thank Governor Wolf for recognizing the need to drive down business costs in PA.”

As part of its member-driven 2020 legislative agenda, the PA Chamber continues to pursue reforms to the state’s UC system that will promote fairness in the law for employers, control costs and further ensure the solvency of the UC Trust Fund.

Annual Award Nominees Announced

January 15, 2020

The Chamber of Commerce will recognize outstanding individuals at its Annual Meeting, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities, on Tuesday, February 18th. Awards will be presented in five categories. Nominees for the awards are as follows:

Small Business of the Year – Sponsored by First Columbia Bank & Trust
Altera Life
LIVIC Civil
Marr Development
Wild for Salmon

Large Business of the Year – Sponsored by DRIVE
Atlantic Broadband
AUTONEUM
Bloomsburg University
Service 1st Federal Credit Union

Community Progress – Sponsored by Atlantic Broadband
Bloomsburg Area School District
DRIVE
First Columbia Bank & Trust Co.
Frosty Valley Resort
Pretty Petals & Gifts by Susan
Service 1st Federal Credit Union

Nonprofit of the Year – Sponsored by PNC Bank
AGAPE Love from Above
Danville Child Development Center
United Way of Columbia & Montour Counties

Outstanding Citizen – Sponsored by the Berwick Industrial Development Association
Ronn Cort, SEKISUI SPI
Lisa Makara, Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital
Barbara Warunek, Columbia County

Help us to celebrate all of the nominees by attending the Annual Meeting at The Barn at Frosty Valley. Register online or by sending in the invitation with payment by February 10.

Windows 7 is End of Life – What to do now?

January 15, 2020

With content provided by MePush

As of Tuesday, January 14, 2020, Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008R2. While the common term is called “end of life”, computers running these operating systems will continue to work. However, Microsoft will no longer be sending important security updates for these operating systems. Businesses are strongly encouraged to update their computers.

If you are still running Windows 7, keep in mind the following:

1. Assuming that the software you run is still compatible with Windows 7, you should remain functional until you can upgrade.
2. A computer running Windows 7 may be able to run Windows 10.
3. It is important to NOT rush this upgrade. There should be an evaluation of systems and software before upgrading operating systems. 
3. The need to be vigilant about what is accessed and allowed to run on your systems is greater than ever. Because the operating system is end of life, you are at a greater security risk and will be more vulnerable until you upgrade.

Businesses are strongly encouraged to contact their IT providers as soon as possible to discuss updating/upgrading workstations and laptops running Windows 7, or servers running Server 2008R2.

Member News – January 14, 2020

January 14, 2020
  • Bloomsburg University Athletics recently announced “National Girls & Women in Sports Day,” which will take place on Saturday, January 25, beginning at 10 a.m. at Nelson Field House. The free event is open to all girls and boys K-8. The day begins with a basketball clinic at 10 a.m. followed by a speed and agilities clinic at 10:30 a.m. Then, an activities fair will take place at 11:15 a.m. with a pizza lunch to follow at 12 noon. Students will then attend the Women’s Basketball game vs. West Chester University beginning at 1 p.m. with an optional post-game autograph session. Learn more here.  Register by calling 570-389-3907 or email emccabe@bloomu.edu.

  • Shared Ride Offers Transportation Option for Seniors
    Looking for support with an aging parent? rabbittransit can help!

    rabbittransit offers seniors aged 65 and older safe, reliable transportation known as “shared ride” or paratransit. Shared ride is door-to-door bus service that groups together trips between multiple customers. Shared ride can be used for all kinds of trips, such as medical appointments, grocery shopping, hair appointments, banking, recreation, physical therapy, visits, adult day care and more! There may be a co-pay for each ride. The cost depends on many different factors. There is a mandatory application and reservation process to ride.

    Avoid the phone and schedule trips using our online tool at FindMyRidePA.com; there you can also edit or cancel planned trips. The new ticketless fare system makes it simple to just board and go. Pre-pay for trips online at rabbittransit.org or by calling customer service. You may pay toward your own account or on behalf of someone else.

    For more information on our shared ride service, visit rabbittransit.org today or call 1-800-632-9063.

  • The Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) is seeking input from the public in developing a five-year strategic plan. The first draft of the plan is available at https://montourrec.com/strategic-plan. Comments should be submitted by Friday, January 17th.

  • Penn State World Campus is hosting an MBA Informational Webinar. The webinar on Tuesday, January 28th at noon is intended for people interested in learning more about the Penn State Online Master of Business Administration program, led by Smeal College of Business faculty.

    Program staff and faculty will explain how completion of this MBA can offer valuable career benefits. This webinar can also help people decide if this program might be a good fit. Staff members will answer questions about curriculum, program concentrations, residency requirements, and the application process, including important application deadlines. Click here to register.

    Employees of all Chamber members, their spouses and dependents a 5% discount off tuition through the Penn State World Campus.

  • Providence Engineering Corp. Announces Promotions
    Barry Foreman steps into his new role of Executive Vice President of Providence Engineering after serving as Vice President of Engineering for 4 years. With a career spanning more than 4 decades, Barry has led the growth of Providence’s Warehouse & Distribution market, as well as the expansion of our design services across the United States. Barry’s depth of experience, engineering expertise and professional leadership are invaluable assets that will continue to benefit our firm and all the clients that we serve.

    Carol-Ann Denning has been promoted to Vice President of Engineering after serving as the Director of Engineering for 2 years. During this time, Carol-Ann led Providence’s team of 50 engineers as they provided design services across all markets. In addition, Carol-Ann strategically improved Providence Engineering’s technical deliverables and quality control processes. In her new role as Vice President of Engineering, Carol-Ann will continue to focus on Providence’s design deliverables to ensure that quality, timely and affordable solutions remain the hallmark of our firm.

Welcome New Member: Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak

January 13, 2020

More than 420 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 Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak to help us fulfill our mission.

Founded in 2002, Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak is a law firm with locations in Williamsport and State College, which specializes in elder law and helping its clients plan for the second half of life. Its mission is to provide protection in times of prosperity, security in times of uncertainty, and comfort in times of crisis. Its areas of practice in elder law include estate planning, long-term care planning, nursing home and Medicaid planning, wealth protection and tax planning, business succession planning and much more. It runs monthly seminars on a variety of pertinent topics related to elder law and offers free initial consultations. Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak is available to meet with clients and potential clients from Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville and surrounding areas, at locations in the Columbia/Montour region.

For more information, visit its website, Facebook page or call 570-322-2077.

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