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 members, four McDonald’s franchise locations in and around Columbia County, to help us fulfill our mission.
The McDonald’s in Bloomsburg, Berwick, Mifflinville and Elysburg are all owned by franchisee R&K Foods of PA, and we welcome all four locations as our newest members in the Chamber. These locations in and around Columbia County are just four of the more than 36,000 McDonald’s restaurants around the world, more than 80% of which worldwide and nearly 90% of which in the United States, are owned and operated by approximately 5,000 independent small and mid-sized businessmen and women as franchises. The McDonald’s in Bloomsburg recently debuted a new touch-screen kiosk that allows customers to place their own orders, which can then be brought directly to their table. The McDonald’s in Bloomsburg is located at 945 New Berwick Highway (Rt. 11), and can be reached at 570-784-3906. McDonald’s in Berwick is located at 10 Briar Creek Plaza, right in front of Giant and across the street from Sheetz just off Route 11, and can be reached at 570-752-2729. McDonald’s in Mifflinville is located at 435 West 3rd St., just off exit 242 on I-80 and can be reached at 570-752-4333. McDonald’s in Elysburg is located at 1 W Valley Ave (Rt. 487), right next to Sheetz and can be reached at 570-672-2890.
McDonald’s in Elysburg
McDonald’s in Mifflinville
McDonald’s in Berwick
McDonald’s in Bloomsburg
Member News
- Longstanding local retail floral owner Todd D. Wagner enthusiastically announced the acquisition of the assets of Ralph Dillon’s Flowers on Nov. 13. Dillon’s customer base both locally and out of the area will be serviced by Bloomsburg Floral and Berwick Floral from the headquarters at 201 W. 2nd St., Berwick.After the passing of Ralph Dillon, Jr. earlier this year, the retail location of Ralph Dillon’s Flowers at 254 East St., Bloomsburg, was closed as they searched for a potential buyer or partner to continue the operation. Effective Nov. 13, an agreement was reached with Dillon’s family giving Wagner the authority to service all existing customers of the operation.Ralph Dillon’s Flowers was an institution in Bloomsburg for decades and served their customer base with quality products and outstanding customer service. Wagner entered the retail floral business in 1996 with the purchase of Bloomsburg Floral Center and then acquired Berwick Floral Center and The Flower Station in Benton. In 2013, Wagner expanded his Berwick operation with the purchase of the Nardi Funeral Home building at 201 W. 2nd St., Berwick, where he opened The Shoppes at Woodin Place, which houses his floral and gift establishment, Autumn’s Haven, Suntex Dry Cleaners and a host of other consignment vendors. Berwick Floral hosted a Chamber Business After Hours last week.
- Secret Agent 23 Skodoo will bring its unique kid-friendly hip-hop to the Weis Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
The performance is free and tickets are not required. More Fraggles than Wiggles, more Soul Train than Thomas the Train, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is equal parts Dr. Seuss and Dr. Dre. This Grammy-winning artist combines the excitement of hip-hop with the magical world of childhood. With sophisticated instrumental funk and positive, witty wordplay, he has earned a loyal national following. His latest album, Infinity Plus One, took home the Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album of the Year.
- The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) will hold the third and final part of a three-part series on supply chain leadership and strategy on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the NEPIRC Training Center, 75 Young St., Wilkes-Barre, from 8:30 a.m. – noon. The session is free, and is entitled “Competition is no Longer Between Companies – it is Between Supply Chains.”
- Dr. David Hamilton of Hamilton Dental Care and president of the The Jubilate Choir and Orchestra, is pleased to announce The Jubilate Choir and Orchestra’s Annual Christmas Concert, A Holy Night of Angels, will be on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. The choir and orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Alan J. Hack, is made up of community singers and instrumentalists along with Mrs. Kathy George accompanying on the piano. It invites all to join them at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 123 Market St., Bloomsburg for this exciting concert, a high point of the Christmas season celebration in our area!
By Fred Gaffney, President, Columbia Montour Chamber
The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become known as Small Business Saturday, thanks to a campaign started by the American Express credit card company in 2010 to encourage holiday shopping at small businesses. Indeed, small businesses should be patronized and celebrated, but not just one day a year. The vibrancy of our communities is dependent upon people supporting local businesses all year long.
When you spend money locally, more of that money stays in our area. Your dollars support local jobs. Those businesses pay local taxes, and contribute back to the community in other ways. Local businesses support non-profit organizations, youth sports, and cultural activities that enhance our quality of life. The parades, festivals, and visits with Santa that will help us get into the holiday spirit in the coming days are possible thanks to the support of local businesses.
Online shopping may provide endless options and convenience in checking items off your list, but think about the value of talking with someone in a store when trying to find a special gift, or how much you appreciate dining options when you need a break from that shopping. Local businesses also provide the choice and customer service that we often take for granted. They also are an important part of what makes our area a great place to live.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce if you need ideas on how you can support local businesses this holiday season, and throughout the year. The Chamber offers special gift certificates in any amount that can be redeemed at any local business during the year. They can be purchased at the Chamber office at 238 Market St. in downtown Bloomsburg.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
Last week, the U.S. House voted mostly along party lines – 227 to 205 – in favor of the “Tax Cuts & Jobs Act” – H.R. 1 – which aims to make significant updates to the Federal Tax Code for the first time in more than 30 years. Every member of Pennsylvania’s GOP Congressional delegation voted in the affirmative on the legislation. The U.S. Chamber is leading the charge in urging Congressional passage of federal tax reforms that would simplify the current, burdensome Tax Code; lower federal tax rates to improve the nation’s ability to compete; allow for the expense of capital investments to help free up a company’s cash flow and move to a territorial tax system, among other changes. All told, H.R. 1 would cut taxes by more than $1.4 trillion over the next decade.
The PA Chamber has joined the U.S. Chamber and more than 100 chambers of commerce nationwide in sending letters to Congress, calling on them to pass the legislation because it would improve America’s competitive edge, help to grow the domestic economy and improve our global standing.
Following the House’s action on H.R. 1, the PA Chamber issued a press release calling on both chambers to act quickly and get a federal tax reform package to President Trump’s desk by the end of the year. Two letters recently sent to Washington, D.C. also communicate the PA Chamber’s support for tax reforms – first, to the state’s congressional delegation urging support for a Main Street lending initiative that will help small business growth; and second, to the Commonwealth’s U.S. Sens. Toomey and Casey urging them to support the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee (on which both Toomey and Casey serve) advanced its own version of a tax reform plan late last week, which could be taken up by the full Senate after the Thanksgiving holiday. Toomey voted ‘yes’ on the Senate bill, while Casey voted in the negative.
“The U.S. House and Senate’s approval of their respective tax bills are critical steps toward the ultimate goal of reforming our federal tax structure,” PA Chamber President Gene Barr stated. “The PA Chamber looks forward to working with our elected officials as the bills move through the legislative process and work begins on a final compromise.”
The Columbia Montour Chamber has not yet taken a position on the House’s tax bill.
From ChamberChoice
PCORI fees, which are used to fund research on patient-centered outcomes, apply to plan and policy years ending before Oct. 1, 2019. The function gives the fee its name, the Comparative Effectiveness Research Fee (sometimes referred to as “CER fees” or “PCORI assessment”). Insurers pay this fee for a fully-insured plan with the cost being built into the premium. Self-insured plan sponsors are responsible for the payment and filing of the fee.
The amount of the fee is adjusted each year for inflation. On Oct. 6, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service issued IRS Notice 2017-61 providing that the PCORI fee will increase by 13 cents.
Fees and Form
The fee is based on the average covered lives for the applicable 12-month policy or plan year. As a reminder, if an employer’s ERISA plan year is different than their policy year, then the ERISA plan year is used for calculating the fee. CER/PCORI fees are due by July 31, 2018 for 2017 calendar plan years and for plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2016 and before September 30, 2017.
• For 2017 calendar plan years, employers must pay a $2.39 per average covered life fee by July 31, 2017.
• For plans ending on or after October 1, 2016 and before Sept. 30, 2017, employers must pay a $2.26 per covered life fee by July 31, 2018.
Plan fees must be paid via IRS Form 720 Quarterly Federal Excise Tax Return annually, a plan sponsor will report and pay the fee on the second quarter Form 720.
Counting Lives
There is a special rule for the PCORI fee when coverage is provided under multiple self-insured health plans:
• Generally, separate fees apply for lives covered by each specified health insurance policy or applicable self-insured health plan.
• However, two or more applicable self-insured health plans may be combined and treated as a single applicable self-insured health plan for purposes of calculating the PCORI fee but only if the plans have:
o The same plan sponsor; and
o The same plan year.
For example, if amounts in an HRA may be used to pay deductibles and copays under a fully insured health policy, the HRA (an applicable self-insured health plan) and the policy would be subject to separate PCORI fees.
However, an HRA that may be used to pay deductibles and copays under an applicable self-insured health plan is not subject to a separate fee (and the fee will apply only to the applicable self-insured health plan) if both the HRA and the applicable self-insured health plan have the same plan sponsor and the same plan year.
Conclusion
The PCORI fee is not payable until July 31 of next year. However, as employers budget for the new year, the 13 cents per average covered life increase recently published by the IRS needs to be taken into consideration. JRG will publish a reminder of the fee and additional information as the July 31, 2018 due date nears.
Pennsylvania’s Office of International Business Development (OIBD), part of the Department of Community & Economic Development, regularly receives economic development lead opportunities from its authorized international representatives concerning businesses that have expressed interest in locating in, investing in, trading with, contracting with, or partnering with businesses located in PA.
Visit DCED’s website to view the latest opportunities from international companies interested in working with a Pennsylvania-based company. If you or your partner(s) are interested in learning more, please use the contact information at the end of this email to send your request for consideration. All information received will be kept confidential.
Please follow this simple process first for any potential leads before sending inquiries to OIBD for consideration:
- Contact your local company to confirm they are interested in initiating the conversation.
- Once confirmed, provide Cindy Hostetler at OIBD with the proper company/contact information.
- OIBD will then confirm with the international client that they are interested in initiating the conversation and will schedule the introductory conference call, including the local EDC when possible.
OIBD will make every effort to include the local EDC and/or referring contact in any and/or all forward movement with the potential prospect(s).
For information about the available opportunities and/or to be added to the email list, please contact:
Cindy Hostetler, International Marketing Executive
Office of International Business Development
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, 4th Floor | Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
Phone: 717.720.7370 | chostetler@pa.gov
Please submit any potential partner information as follows:
- Company Name, Address
- Phone, Fax, Email
- Website URL
- Principal Contact Name, Title
- Principal Contact Office Phone, Cell Phone, Email
- Project ID: JV####
All information received will be kept CONFIDENTIAL and should be sent to the OIBD contact listed above for consideration. These companies plan Pennsylvania visits when suitable partners are identified.
Chambers members had an opportunity to check out the numerous floral and gift offerings from Berwick Floral & Gift at the first of two Business After Hours in November this past Wednesday, Nov. 15. Attendees enjoyed a warm fire on what a chilly night outside and a very homey atmosphere at Berwick Floral & Gift’s retail shop, located in the Shoppes at Woodin Place in downtown Berwick. Members also had the opportunity to network while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, wine, as well as beer from fellow Chamber member Berwick Brewing Company. All attendees also took home a gift bag courtesy of Berwick Floral & Gift, which offers flowers for all occasions, including holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, anniversaries, congratulations, get well, sympathy, weddings and much more. They also offer a full assortment of various arts, crafts, antiques and other decor for homes and businesses.
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 Bason Coffee Roasting, located at 14 Rear East Mahoning St., Danville, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
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, LCBC Church, to help us fulfill our mission.
Founded in 1986 in the Lancaster, Pa. area, LCBC Church is a non-denominational multi-site Christian church that has 11 campuses in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. The Columbia-Montour campus, located at 2421 Columbia Blvd. (Rt. 11), Bloomsburg, was launched in 2015, and earlier this year, moved into its new campus in the old Giant on Rt. 11 in Bloomsburg. It offers four separate worship services each week – Saturdays at 6:15 p.m., Sundays at 9:30 & 11 a.m., and Mondays at 6:30 p.m. It offers programs and worship services for people of all ages, from newborns/infants up through adults, and its members also aim to be active in the community. For more information, visit its website, call 570-784-2132 or email.
Member News
- State Rep. Dave Millard will host his third annual Veterans Expo this Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. – noon at Central Columbia High School, located at 4777 Old Berwick Rd., Bloomsburg. Exhibitors with veteran-related information will be available.
- The Bloomsburg Municipal Airport, which is operated by the Bloomsburg Municipal Authority, will hold a Fly-In/Drive-In/Walk-In Breakfast this Saturday, Nov. 18, from 8 a.m. – noon at its location at 301 Airport Rd., Bloomsburg. The event is free and open to the public, however donations are suggested. It will feature both pumpkin and plain pancakes, eggs, sausage, ham and more.
- Co., a social and professional networking group that is run by the United Way of Columbia and Montour County, will host a dodgeball tournament on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 2-4 p.m. at the Bloomsburg Area YMCA. Co. was founded to give area residents the opportunity to take advantage of all the great things this area has to offer. This group is for everyone, which means any age, ability, or area of residence. It holds multiple events each month. For more information about Co., including future events, visit its Facebook page.
- Secret Agent 23 Skodoo will bring its unique kid-friendly hip-hop to the Weis Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
The performance is free and tickets are not required. More Fraggles than Wiggles, more Soul Train than Thomas the Train, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is equal parts Dr. Seuss and Dr. Dre. This Grammy-winning artist combines the excitement of hip-hop with the magical world of childhood. With sophisticated instrumental funk and positive, witty wordplay, he has earned a loyal national following. His latest album, Infinity Plus One, took home the Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album of the Year.
- The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) will hold the third and final part of a three-part series on supply chain leadership and strategy on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the NEPIRC Training Center, 75 Young St., Wilkes-Barre, from 8:30 a.m. – noon. The session is free, and is entitled “Competition is no Longer Between Companies – it is Between Supply Chains.”
- Dr. David Hamilton of Hamilton Dental Care and president of the The Jubilate Choir and Orchestra, is pleased to announce The Jubilate Choir and Orchestra’s Annual Christmas Concert, A Holy Night of Angels, will be on Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. The choir and orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Alan J. Hack, is made up of community singers and instrumentalists along with Mrs. Kathy George accompanying on the piano. It invites all to join them at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 123 Market St., Bloomsburg for this exciting concert, a high point of the Christmas season celebration in our area!