• Bold Gold Media Group’s Northeast PA based FM rock station, ‘The River 105 & 103.5’ made radio history recently by surpassing 1,000,000 Likes on Facebook, @TheRiverNEPA. The River has become the most followed social media page based within Northeast PA and one of the most followed radio station social sites in the United States. Although The River is based in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre market, its social following has exceeded that of radio stations based in larger markets such as New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. Known for its rock music news, humor, arts and entertainment updates and local information, the station’s online following has seen rapid growth locally, regionally, nationally, and more recently, internationally. Bold Gold Media Group owns and operates 14 full power radio stations throughout the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Northern Poconos of Pennsylvania and the Catskills/Hudson Valley region of New York. 

• The Ken Pollock Auto Group will hold a car seat safety check in conjunction with the PA State Police on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 2-5 p.m., at its Tire and Auto Center, located at 88 Wyoming Valley Mall Blvd, Wilkes-Barre. 

• The Danville Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, will hold its grant awards breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 8:30-10 a.m., at the Meadows Community Center at the Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community. This event annually celebrates the investments made to community organizations through the work of the DACF. Local nonprofit organizations will be presented with 2019 grant awards during the breakfast. Reservations are required but there is no cost to attend (see printed invitation). To reserve your seat, please contact Katie Simpson by email or at 570-752-3930 by Oct. 2.

Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are excited to return to Pennsylvania! They plan to film episodes of the hit series American Pickers throughout Pennsylvania this November.

American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on the History Channel. The hit show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them.

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, the Pickers want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. The pair hopes to give historically significant objects a new lease on life, while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way.

Mike and Frank have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them. American Pickers is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to:

americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST.

facebook: @GotAPick

The annual Bloomsburg Fair preview luncheon was held on Wednesday, Sept. 4, during which new exhibits, vendors and changes for this year’s event were announced. This year’s fair, which runs from Sept. 20-28, will once again feature several Chamber members as vendors, as well as, for the third consecutive year, a special day for the Ronald McDonald House of Danville.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, for each regular priced $8 admission ticket sold, $1 will go to benefit the RMHD and its mission of providing a “home away from home” for parents and families of children that are being treated for cancer or other serious illness. This marks the third straight year that the Fair is partnering with RMHD for this promotion.  

WBRE-TV, which put together the news report below on fair preview day, will once again have live broadcasts from the fair all throughout fair week. 

For the first time in the event’s history, there will be a fair queen, which is being sponsored by First Keystone Community Bank. Nicolette Cusate, a Danville native and recent graduate of Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech, was named the inaugural fair queen. 

In addition to First Keystone, several other Chamber members are also fair sponsors, including: Geisinger, PenTeleData, First Columbia Bank & Trust, Renco Ace Hardware, AO Rent, Mahindra of Bloomsburg, PPL Electric Utilities, Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln, Safelite Auto Glass and Lamar Advertising. 

Nearly 900 vendors are also signed up to attend and participate at the fair. They include Chamber members the Columbia Montour Area Agency on Aging, the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau, Geisinger, J.A. Aten Beef Jerky & Best Bar-B-Q Sauce, Luzerne County Community College, Mahindra of Bloomsburg, On Fire Promotions, Penn College, Renco Ace Hardware, Steph’s Subs, Town of Bloomsburg and Wesley United Methodist Church. 

As part of its annual Community Open House held on Sunday, Sept. 8, Camp Victory also held a ribbon cutting for its newly expanded and refurbished Welcome Center. The Welcome Center was expanded earlier this year as additional offices and a small camp store were added. The new addition includes space for two administrative offices and a store that sells Camp Victory t-shirts, pins, and other souvenirs. Other parts of the building were also refurbished and refreshed.

Camp Victory saw a record turnout of more than 400 people come out to the event to take part on rock wall climbing, zip lining, paddle boating and several other activities throughout the campground. Check out Camp Victory’s Facebook page for photos from the event.  

“From April to October, we are so happy to host thousands of special campers – kids with cancer, autism, diabetes, heart disease, spina bifida and more, all have their own week to come to summer camp and just enjoy being kids,” explained Kate Pacacha, Camp Victory’s resource development associate. “Everything here is accessible to all abilities.

“We are very fortunate to have an army volunteers and many generous donors, both individuals and companies, so we started having an annual open house to thank our neighbors for their support. We’re a very small, efficient staff – just two full-time year-round people, and four part-time year-round people. But we needed a little more room to grow. We work hard to keep costs to our campers at a bare minimum yet give them an incredible experience at a facility unlike any other in the state.”

WBRE-TV also came to the event and put together this news story.

From ChamberChoice

Effective Jan. 1, 2020, final regulations issued by the IRS, Department of Labor, and Department of Health and Human Services will permit employers to offer Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) that reimburse an employee for purchasing individual coverage and comply with the employer’s obligations under the ACA Employer Shared Responsibility rule.

Also effective Jan. 1, 2020, new regulations create a class of HRAs called Excepted Benefit HRAs (EBHRAs) that can be used solely to reimburse excepted benefits, including limited scope vision or dental benefits, up to an annual $1,800 inflation-adjusted limit.

Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA)

Effective January 1, 2020, employers of any size may offer ICHRAs that reimburse individual market premiums without violating the ACA provided they operate the ICHRA according to the following rules:

• The individual covered by the ICHRA must be enrolled in individual market insurance coverage and verify this enrollment to the employer.
• The employer (or plan sponsor) may not offer a choice between ICHRA and group health coverage to any given class of employees – a class of employees (or all employees) may only be offered ICHRA coverage or
traditional group health coverage, but not both.
• The ICHRA must be offered in a nondiscriminatory manner to all members of the same class; members of the same class must receive the same benefits as other members under the same terms and conditions.
• ICHRA participants must be able to opt-out of the benefit at least once annually (to preserve eligibility and access to the Premium Tax Credit for individual coverage, if applicable.
• The employer (or plan sponsor) must notify employees of the ICHRA option at least 90 days before the beginning of the plan year.

Excepted Benefit HRA (EBHRA)

Effective Jan. 1, 2020, new regulations confirm that employers may offer EBHRAs to employees if the employer offers the given class of employees traditional group health insurance. Therefore, employees offered an ICHRA or QSEHRA may not participate in an EBHRA. Additional rules include:
• The individual covered by the EHBRA must be offered, but does not need to have enrolled in, traditional group health coverage
• The EBHRA must not be considered an integral part of the group health plan.
• The EBHRA’s maximum annual reimbursement is capped at $1,800 (this amount is indexed to inflation, so employers can expect it to rise in the future).
• Employers (or plan sponsors) must make the EBHRA available to similarly situated individuals under the same terms and conditions.
• Coverage must be limited to excepted benefits, including:
i. Accident only coverage
ii. Disability Income
iii. Limited Scope Dental & Vision Plans
iv. Long Term Care Plans
v. Certain Health FSAs

ICHRAs and EBHRAs open up a lot of new opportunities to employers and may offer a way to reduce overall healthcare spending. However, given that neither of these HRA categories currently exists, there is limited guidance on to what degree these will result in cost savings and what additional compliance issues could be raised by the actual implementation of either option.

*This article gives a basic overview of recent regulation as in effect on the date of the article. Please be aware that the determination of the requirements and the application of these rules to each employer may differ due to a number of variables. Nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice.

From Central Susquehanna Community Foundation

The Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation (BACF) recently awarded $9,600 to local nonprofits during its competitive grantround, which included grants to six different Chamber members. The awards were granted through the Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation Fund. The Foundation focused its funding on organizations that invest in community programs ad projects within Bloomsburg and surrounding areas. Grant recipients received the awards during the BACF annual luncheon on Sept. 5.

This year’s grant recipients include:

• AGAPE Love from Above to Our Community – (W.I.N.) Women in Need, $700
• Bloomsburg Fire Department – Thermal Infrared Camera, $700
• Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Inc. – 2019/2020 Preventing Blindness in Our Community Initiative, $500
• Coalition for Social Equity – Organization Support in Honor of Isabelle Tarr, $1,000
• Columbia Child Development Program – Increase STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Materials for 2-5-year old’s, $750
• Wesley United Methodist Church (Community Friendship Meal) – Restock the 2019 Emergency Pantry, $700
• Eos Therapeutic Riding Center – Purchase new Copier/Printer, $1,000
• Exchange Arts, d.b.a. The Exchange – Bringing the Blues to Bloomsburg Town Park, $500
• Friends of the Columbia County Traveling Library – Filling the Gaps: Updating the Children’s Book Collection at the Traveling Library, $550
• Orangeville Public Library – Expansion of the Orangeville Library for Children’s Room Addition, $1,000
• Pennsylvania Pets, Inc. – Bloomsburg Area Spay/Neuter Program, $700
• The Arc Susquehanna Valley – Social Recreation Programs for the Differently Abled in Bloomsburg, $500
• The Children’s Museum, Inc. – Outdoor Classroom Improvements, $300

The Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, which helps administer BACF’s grant investments. Nonprofit organizations that provide programming in the Bloomsburg community and surrounding areas are encouraged to apply during the 2020 competitive grantround, which can be done online when the grantround is opened. 

2019 BACF board members included John Thompson, chair; Fred Gaffney; Paul Reichart; Rick Vanderpool; Kristin Austin; C. Cleveland Hummel, Lauren Martz, Fred Trump, Pam Young

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

As the summer comes to a close, the PA Chamber is looking forward to a busy fall as lawmakers return to session and we work on finalizing the details for the 35th Annual Chamber Dinner.

As I noted in last month’s column, workforce development and addressing the Commonwealth’s jobs skills gap continue to be a major focus for the Wolf administration, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and especially the business community. As a cornerstone of the PA Chamber’s mission, our organization – through our Start the Conversation Here initiative – has been working to bridge the gap between Pennsylvania employers’ current and future employment needs and the skills of today’s workforce. Pennsylvania’s diverse employment needs across a wide range of industries provide ample job opportunities. However, the state continues to have people without jobs and job opportunities without the people with the skills to fill them. Despite the good paying, in-demand careers that the skilled trades provide, they still tend to get overlooked by graduating students and their families. Over the past three years, we have been pleased to team up with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation as it works to help change the negative perception about skilled trades jobs – which are vitally important to the economy and must be filled in order to close the skills gap.

At the end of August we were pleased to announce that 24 Commonwealth students have been awarded a total of $75,000 in mikeroweWORKS Work Ethic Scholarships. Since 2016, the PA Chamber Educational Foundation – with the support of the Commonwealth’s business community – has helped contribute nearly $195,000 towards the work ethic scholarship program, and approximately 94 Pennsylvania students have been awarded work ethic scholarships to attend technical schools within the state. Several of this year’s scholarship recipients will be profiled in an upcoming issue of the PA Chamber’s magazine, Catalyst. The PA Chamber is currently raising funds to continue to support its Start the Conversation HERE initiative. More information on the PA Chamber’s far-reaching workforce initiative is available online.

This month also marks the start of the fall legislative session. Over the summer a number of issues that could impact the business community have been bandied about by the Wolf administration and lawmakers, including: charter school reform, regulating greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, a severance tax on natural gas, a minimum wage increase and property tax reform. We are urging lawmakers to continue the positive momentum of the state’s strong 2018-19 fiscal year by enacting pro-growth policies and cautioning against implementing policies that will increase the cost of doing business in the Commonwealth and hurt the state’s overall economic climate. With legislators scheduled to return to Harrisburg in mid-September, we are closely monitoring these and other issues that will have a strong impact on businesses across the state.

• This year will mark the fifth year that local organizations and communities have joined forces to help fight pediatric cancer and raise funds to benefit the ThinkBIG® Pediatric Cancer Fund. The Going Gold initiative, which began in 2015, continues to expand. To date, this initiative has raised $42,800. This year’s remaining Going Gold kickoff events are scheduled for tonight, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Marley’s Brewery & Grille in Bloomsburg; and Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at Brendan’s Towne Tavern in Lewisburg.

  

  Members of the Going Gold Committee recently announced events being held throughout September 2019 to raise awareness about pediatric cancer and support the ThinkBIG® Pediatric Cancer Fund.
  L-R: Colleen Phillips, Service 1st Federal Credit Union; Cassandra Niglio, ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund; Colby Wesner, ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund; Jace Rovenolt, Old Forge Brewing Company; Carol Tevis, ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund; and Kelly Miller Barrick, Lewisburg.

  Each event will feature a proclamation, entertainment, and much more. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.  Going Gold shirts will be sold during the events for $15. In September, shirts will also be available at any Service 1st Federal Credit Union location, while supplies last. Marley’s and Old Forge have collaborated on a special brew called Gold Dust pale ale for this year’s Going Gold initiative. $1 from each pint of Gold Dust purchased throughout the month will be donated to this cause. Additionally, Rusty Rail Brewing Company is donating $1 from every goblet of their Fool’s Gold that is sold during September. All proceeds will benefit the ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund. Additionally, other events throughout the month of September will also benefit ThinkBIG, including at Chamber members Columbia Colonnade and Nickle Plate Bar & Grill. See the complete list of events and ways to support this initiative.

• Camp Victory will host its annual Community Open House on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 12-3 p.m. This free afternoon of family fun includes its rock climbing wall, zip line and paddle boats on the pond as well as hot dogs, ice cream, drinks, an arts and crafts project, a moon bounce, wagon rides and live music. at 1 p.m., there will also be a ribbon cutting to celebrate the recent expansion of the Welcome Center. 

• Service 1st Federal Credit Union held its 26th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, Aug. 23 at Frosty Valley Resort. During the tournament, Service 1st presented three local charities with donations totaling $60,000. “Every year, I am amazed by the generosity of our golfers and sponsors,” said Bill Lavage, President/CEO, Service 1st.  “To raise $60,000 to donate to three charities is wonderful.  A heartfelt thank you to everyone who was a part of our outing.” Funds raised were combined with those from Service 1st’s Eighth Annual Charity Duck Derby on Aug. 3 and were presented during the tournament to Bridges Out of Poverty, Geisinger’s Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, and the Mifflinburg Hose Company. Since 1994, Service 1st’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament has raised $513,500 to benefit area charities. This year’s tournament included 137 golfers, numerous volunteers, sponsors, and fellow credit unions.

• The PPL Foundation has awarded the Children’s Museum
  

  Standing with plans for renovations. (L-R): Tracie Witter, PPL Regional Affairs Director; Kathy Beidler, President Museum Board; Susan McGarry, Arch Central Architects; Diana Hughes, Member Museum Board; Mary Osborne, Treasurer Museum Board; Valynn Boy, Vice President Museum Board, Shawna Meiser, Museum Director

  $50,000 for improvements in ADA accessibility, exhibits, and building infrastructure. The funds will be used to enhance visitor and workplace accessibility through the addition of an entrance ramp and ADA compliant workstations and check-in desk. A rotating exhibit space is planned in the first room of the Museum. This space provided a secure and controlled environment which allows the Museum to obtain on-loan exhibits from other institutions and individuals. The funds will also improve the building’s HVAC system to increase efficiency and comfort of visitors.

More than 400 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and our region. Increased membership allows us to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. The Chamber welcomes its newest member, the Pennsylvania State Shotgunning Association, to help us fulfill our mission.

The PA State Shotgunning Association’s (PSSA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster national And international amateur competition in shooting sports, particularly trapshooting. Due to the very expensive nature of competitive shooting sports and limited facilities for participation, it is necessary to provide facilities and equipment to foster these sports. PSSA’s mission includes the promotion of American-style trapshooting, which is the preeminent trapshooting sport in the world. The PSSA is the governing body of the sport of American-style trapshooting in Pennsylvania. PSSA’s homegrounds are located in Elysburg and are home to the largest State Shoot in the United States and several events each year. For additional information, call 570-672-9747, visit its website, or email. 

A group from Kawneer that went through the first management & leadership certification program this past spring.

The program developed to help people build basic management and team leadership skills will begin sessions Sept. 17. This 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. The Chamber collaborated with Bloomsburg University to launch the program this spring with applications for the fall cohort due this Friday, Sept. 6.

Professional course materials include assessments, activities, and other learning enhancement components to help each participant individualize their learning experience. Participants will receive a certificate from Bloomsburg University upon completion and will have identified personal development goals to provide to their employers.

The five, three-hour modules are: supervisor effectiveness; effective communication for managers; conflict management; navigating a multi-generational workforce; and being a great mentor or coach.

For additional information, including a program application, see the informational packet, or call 570-784-2522. The program qualifies for WEDnet funding. For eligibility information, visit wednetpa.com or contact Jennifer Williams at 570-389-4004.