From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

Numerous media outlets last week reported details on a new overtime eligibility rule expected to be proposed in the near future by the U.S. Department of Labor. 

The proposal would update the so-called “white collar exemption” rules, which dictate when an employee is exempt from overtime rules requiring time-and-a-half pay for any hours worked over 40 in a week.  Currently, an employee may fall under the white collar exemption if he or she earns less than $455 per week.  The proposed rule reportedly increases the “salary test” threshold to $679 per week.  The rule is also expected to stipulate that nondiscretionary bonuses and incentive payments, including commissions, may satisfy up to 10 percent of the salary test, provided such bonuses are paid annually or more frequently.

This proposal follows a 2016 rule proposed by the Obama Administration to increase the salary threshold to $913 per week and require regular increases thereafter.  This proposal was widely opposed by the employer community, which cited significant costs and the prospect of being forced to shift employees from earning a salary to ‘clock in, clock out’ hourly-based wages which reduce flexibility and may actually lead to less take home pay.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce led a lawsuit opposing this rule, which was ultimately struck down by a federal court.

• Currently, and running through April 4, the United Way of Columbia and Montour County is again offering free basic tax help to low and moderate-income residents in the community. This program will be held Tuesdays and Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 130 W. 3rd St., Bloomsburg (use the rear entrance). No appointments are necessary, only drop-offs and walk-ins will be accepted. For questions, call the United Way at 570-784-3134 or email, and see the flyer for additional information.

• Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center will present a free six-week educational series titled “Six Weeks to Better Health” beginning today, March 13 and running each of the next five Wednesdays after that from 12-1 p.m. at the Hospital’s Conference Room 1 and 2, located at 701 East 16th St., Berwick. The final session in the series will be held from 5-6 p.m. on April 17. Titles of each session are: Living with High Blood Pressure; Why Do I need a Colonoscopy?; Living with Joint Disease; Solutions for Leg Pain and Swelling; Dealing with the Symptoms of Menopause; and Advanced Directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). For more information, see the flyer, and to RSVP, call 570-759-5337. 

• The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, through its special FARMERS CARE project, made its annual donation of food, household items and monetary donations to the Ronald McDonald House of Danville recently.
  

  Students from local Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters made the delivery of donated good and funds to the Ronald McDonald House of Danville recently.

  FARMERS CARE demonstrates how Pennsylvania’s farmers care about their communities by collecting donations to support those in need. The total amount of food, households products and monetary contributions that have been donated to RMHD over the past 21 years is in excess of $378,000, including over $21,000 this year alone. Members of the PFB from the following counties conducted the 2019 drive for RMHD: Montour, Northumberland, Union, Snyder, Columbia, Lycoming, Bradford, Sullivan, Clinton, Tioga, Potter and McKean. 

• For The Cause is inviting area nonprofits, their boards and their prospective donors to a free 90-minutes conversations on smarter giving and fundraising strategies on Wednesday, March 27, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Teen Center, located at 1130 Sixth Ave., Berwick. They’ll discuss how to recognize donors, maximizing gift impact potential, minimizing taxes, and more. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by March 22 by email. For more information, see the flyer.

• Bloomsburg University’s Professional U program will host a Marketing, Management and Communications Career Connections Expo on Thursday, March 28, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Kehr Union Ballroom on the BU campus. Any employer looking to recruit business or communications students would benefit from participating. Employers interested in participating should call 570-389-3791 or email. 

• Employees of all Chamber members are invited and welcome to attend Bloomsburg University Professional U’s Don’t be Fooled by the Fork networking dinner on Monday, April 1, at 6 p.m. at Monty’s on the BU Upper Campus. This dinner is an opportunity for BU students to practice professional networking and dining etiquette in a social setting among alumni and professional volunteers. Chamber members are welcome to join this event as role models and table hosts, and impart your wisdom to current students as they learn how to conduct themselves in a professional dining situation. There is no charge to attend this event and the meal is complimentary, however donations are appreciated in the form of a plate sponsorship ($40) or table sponsorship ($280). Register and make any voluntary donations online by March 22.

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, Skatetown Hysteria, to help us fulfill our mission.

Skatetown Hysteria is a family-fun center located in Bloomsburg at 2845 Skatetown Rd., just off Route 11 and just behind the Press Enterprise building. It features roller skating, laser tag, a ballocity ball pit, ultimate inflatable, bumper cards, a video arcade and full snack bar. It features various specials, and is a top destination for birthday parties and also has a fundraising program to assist organizations with fundraising needs. It is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m., Fridays from 6-10 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 12-6 p.m. For more information, visit its website or Facebook page, call 570-784-3580 or email.

Cornell Williams, Jr. of Bloomsburg receives his $20 Gift Certificate at Reflections Redux on Feb. 27.

Downtown Bloomsburg businesses began offering a special “Thank you” to customers the first week of February.

Through a contribution from the Duane and Susan Greenly Foundation, participating businesses have been presenting $20 gift certificates to random customers.

One gift certificate has been given away every Monday through Friday since the program’s start on February 4. Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. is administering the giveaway program.

The winners of the first month’s Giveaway are David Willis of Girardsville, Mike Huber, Bloomsburg, Emily Ferguson, Sinking Springs, Mr. Golden, Bloomsburg, Joelle Witner, Sugar Loaf, Kara Walsh, Millville, Kat Allegar, Rohrsburg, John Richardson, Catawissa, Helmut Doll, Danville, Daniel Smith, Saylorsburg, Chad Francis, Bloomsburg, Colleen Kane, Elysburg, Mike Takach, Orangeville, Elaine Pongratz, Bloomsburg, Tiffany Zucal, Bloomsburg, Carly Magill, Bloomsburg, Julie Sitler, Stillwater, Cornell Williams, Jr., Bloomsburg, and Jennifer Alaniz, Berwick.

This giveaway program will continue throughout 2019. For more information on the program, contact Mike Zarrett of Towne Camera by email.

A large group of local professionals were joined by a large group of Bloomsburg University students from the Ziegler Institute for Professional Development for an evening of networking and taking in a new art exhibit on its opening night at BU hosted the Chamber’s February Business After Hours at the Gallery at Greenly Center on Thursday, Feb. 28.

The 2019 Student Exhibition Series, which is currently on display at the gallery, is a juried show of three outstanding current students (pictured at right) that receive a professional experience in the gallery, the same as any professional visiting artist. In addition to checking out the new displays, which run through April 16, attendees also had an opportunity to meet several BU administrators, faculty and staff and learn about the university’s Professional U program, which connects students with alumni, employers, and opportunities integrating the academic experience with professional experience in “real world” settings. 

BU art students (l-r) Sarah Foster, Rowan Shaffer and Hannah Sheppard, whose work is on display at the Gallery at Greenly Center through April 16.

Business After Hours provide regular opportunities to build business relationships while learning about the services offered by other Chamber members. The next Business After Hours will be held at Hamilton Dental Care, located at 2 Audubon Ct., Bloomsburg, on Wednesday, March 20, from 5-7 p.m.  

The Chamber’s annual golf tournament will be held on Thursday, May 30, at Rolling Pines Golf Course & Banquet Facility. Beginning this year, the Chamber is also adding a Spring Social to this event in an effort to be more inclusive to the many non-golfers among our membership, as well as provide an additional opportunity for members to make business connections — all in a casual and relaxed environment.

For more information about the Spring Social as well as the golf tournament, including registration and sponsorship information, visit the event page or see the registration or sponsorship flyers.

Making headlines statewide last week were comments regarding the minimum wage by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, at the Pennsylvania Press Club.  Corman admitted that discussions over an immediate increase to $12 an hour with an eventual increase to $15 would be a non-starter in the Republican-controlled General Assembly.  However, he did acknowledge that the issue is heating up and that a conversation “needs to happen” in the coming months.  While he offered no specifics, he called on those who favor an increase to propose “a reasonable plan so we can move this forward.”  Following Corman’s remarks, House Republican spokesman Mike Straub said that House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, is open to discussing the issue but believes “the focus should be on other policy changes, including workforce development changes, that can help lift residents into better-paying jobs.”   And while Gov. Wolf’s spokesman J.J. Abbott said the governor still believes that his minimum wage proposal is fair for workers, he added that “every part of the budget is subject to negotiations with the legislature, and we would certainly welcome a discussion about the minimum wage.”

The minimum wage issue was also highlighted at several House and Senate budget hearings last week, including at hearings for the Departments of Human Services and Health.  DOH Secretary Rachel Levine voiced support for a minimum wage increase in her testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee.  According to a story by Capitolwire, Levine told members that a wage increase would help improve health care outcomes, claiming at one point “poverty adversely affects health … and that’s why it’s so important for the legislature to work with the governor, in terms of minimum wage, to help bring people out of poverty.”

The PA Chamber is spreading awareness about the real impact of minimum wage increases on the economy and workers.  Multiple real-world stories from our broad-based membership and a number of independent studies have demonstrated how mandated wage hikes lead to reduced hours and can lead to outright job loss, thereby hurting the very people they’re intended to help. Lawmakers should focus on policies that target support to families in poverty and improve job training programs that will allow individuals to obtain skills needed for career-oriented jobs.

• Currently, and running through April 4, the United Way of Columbia and Montour County is again offering free basic tax help to low and moderate-income residents in the community. This program will be held Tuesdays and Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 130 W. 3rd St., Bloomsburg (use the rear entrance). No appointments are necessary, only drop-offs and walk-ins will be accepted. For questions, call the United Way at 570-784-3134 or email, and see the flyer for additional information.

• Wild For Salmon will host a “Think Spring Tasting!” this Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at its retail store located at 521 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11) in Bloomsburg. Chef Josh will be demonstrating how to prepare garlic pepper smoked sockeye salmon deviled eggs and a delicious whitefish Pic-Cod-ta. There will also be other delicious fish-inspired dishes to try. There is no cost to attend. For more information, check out the Facebook event page. 

• Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center will present a free six-week educational series titled “Six Weeks to Better Health” beginning on Wednesday, March 13 and running each of the next five Wednesdays after that from 12-1 p.m. at the Hospital’s Conference Room 1 and 2, located at 701 East 16th St., Berwick. The final session in the series will be held from 5-6 p.m. on April 17. Titles of each session are: Living with High Blood Pressure; Why Do I need a Colonoscopy?; Living with Joint Disease; Solutions for Leg Pain and Swelling; Dealing with the Symptoms of Menopause; and Advanced Directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). For more information, see the flyer, and to RSVP, call 570-759-5337. 

• Bloomsburg University’s Professional U program will host a Marketing, Management and Communications Career Connections Expo on Thursday, March 28, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Kehr Union Ballroom on the BU campus. Any employer looking to recruit business or communications students would benefit from participating. Employers interested in participating should call 570-389-3791 or email. 

• Employees of all Chamber members are invited and welcome to attend Bloomsburg University Professional U’s Don’t be Fooled by the Fork networking dinner on Monday, April 1, at 6 p.m. at Monty’s on the BU Upper Campus. This dinner is an opportunity for BU students to practice professional networking and dining etiquette in a social setting among alumni and professional volunteers. Chamber members are welcome to join this event as role models and table hosts, and impart your wisdom to current students as they learn how to conduct themselves in a professional dining situation. There is no charge to attend this event and the meal is complimentary, however donations are appreciated in the form of a plate sponsorship ($40) or table sponsorship ($280). Register and make any voluntary donations online by March 22.

• Thrivent Financial, which is represented locally by North Branch Group/Thrivent Financial, was recently named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere for the eighth consecutive year. The Ethisphere Institute is a global leader in defining and advanced the standards of ethical business practices. Thrivent was one of 128 honorees spanning 21 countries and 50 industries to receive this award. 

• The Danville Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, is excited to announce the creation of a new designated fund.
  

  (L-R): Ken Ackerman, DACF board chair; Gary Visneski, DACF board member; Conaley Visneski; Kara Seesholtz, CSCF chief advancement officer; M. Holly Morrison, D.Ed., CSCF president and CEO

  Established by Gary W. and Conaley J. Visneski, in memory of her dad, the Ennis-Visneski Fund will provide grants to support the Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy program in the Danville Area School District. Leo E. Ennis had a heart for encouraging children of any age. The Visneski’s felt that the perfect way to honor his memory was through the Youth in Philanthropy program. Mr. Ennis thoroughly enjoyed volunteering as a Little League coach in Towanda for many years, and was known for his warm smile and friendly nature. Dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the greater Danville area, the Danville Area Community Foundation (DACF) thrives on the generous hearts of people like Mr. Ennis and the Visneski’s.

Service 1st Federal Credit Union will be the local sponsor for the Columbia Montour Chamber’s presentation of Leadercast Live on Friday, May 10, at the Central Columbia High School auditorium.

Leadercast Live is the largest one-day leadership event in the world, broadcast live each May from Atlanta to hundreds of host sites around the world. For the first time, the Chamber is making this inspiring and educational event available in the Columbia/Montour region. In 2019, the Leadercast Live stage will showcase leadership experts that will help attendees master the art and science of developing and leading healthy teams.

The cost for this event is just $75 for Chamber members and $95 for non-members, which includes lunch. Those interested in attending can register online or by calling the Chamber office at 570-784-2522.