On Monday, Oct. 9, Bloomsburg Town Council voted 6-1 to advertise an ordinance that would add considerable detail to the Town Manager’s job description. In previous public meetings regarding this issue, the Chamber has suggested that Council take a more comprehensive approach to detailing the processes of Town Hall. At the most recent Council meeting, the Chamber offered specific suggestions on how to improve communications. An original draft of the ordinance was considered by Council earlier in the summer. Public concern over the language as well as the process by which the draft was developed led Council to send the ordinance back to committee for further discussion. Following several public workshops, the Town’s Personnel Committee was working on revising the draft ordinance. However, the Administration/Finance Committee forwarded a version at its meeting Oct. 4, and another version was apparently sent to Council members the afternoon of Oct. 9. “I hope you can appreciate how difficult it is for the public to follow issues,” said Chamber President Fred Gaffney at the Oct. 9 meeting. During the Bloomsburg Candidate Forum held Oct. 4, several of the incumbent Council members asked that concerns be brought to them proactively to be discussed and addressed, rather than having contentious Council meetings. With the confusion regarding the development of this ordinance, the Chamber again suggested that all committee meeting agendas, prior meeting minutes, and relevant materials be placed on the town’s website in advance of meetings. “This would allow all interested parties time to review materials, gather information, ask questions, and provide relevant feedback at appropriate times,” said Gaffney. “Refining the process should save time and money, and encourage more positive collaboration within Town Hall and with the public.” The Chamber will be working on a list of other concerns to present to the incoming Town Council following the November election.
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the presidents of the PA Chamber, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia sent a letter to U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, asking that he urge the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to act on the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. “Perkins CTE” would accompany the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which was passed in the U.S. House earlier this year and earned the support of the letter’s signatories.
“As you know, Pennsylvania employers are currently reporting a shortage of skilled workers to fill in-demand positions,” they wrote. “Modernized and relevant CTE programs, designed with the input of employers and responsible for the needs identified by labor market data, are central to overcoming this skilled labor shortage.”
The letter also outlined the ways in which existing law can be improved to help close the jobs skills gap, including aligning CTE programs to the needs of state, regional and local labor markets; supporting collaboration between educators and employers; increasing student participation in work-based learning opportunities; and promoting the use of credentials upon completion of these programs.
Locally, Columbia Montour Chamber member Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School is a recipient of Perkins CTE Act funds.
Here is the full letter.
Mike Atchie of Williams (standing) speaks with local officials about construction getting underway on the pipeline project earlier this month.
Construction of a natural gas transmission pipeline through Columbia County is starting in October. The Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline project is divided into seven sections, and is expected to be completed in approximately one year. On Thursday, Oct. 5, representatives of Williams met with local officials to discuss construction logistics including soil conservation, road crossings, inspections, security, and land restoration. There will be approximately 45-50 inspectors and private security for each section of the project.
The project is expected to support over 1,000 jobs in Columbia County and have a value-added impact here of $85.5 million as a result of contractors utilizing local goods and services. The Chamber has already been receiving calls regarding campgrounds and lodging. To help workers find what they need in the area, Williams has developed the WillShop Local app, which is now available on the Google Play and Apple stores. There is no cost for businesses to be included in the app, and for those businesses that haven’t yet registered to be listed on the app, the Chamber is sending its membership list to be incorporated.
WILLShop Local app screenshot
Additional information about the project is available at the project’s website.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
As the nation’s economy steadily improves, employers are increasingly optimistic about the state of business in the Commonwealth, as well as projections for future growth in sales and hiring. However, their ability to offer healthcare to their workforce due to persistent uncertainty and rising costs in the market continue to be a chief concern. These indicators are among the responses from the PA Chamber’s 27th Annual Economic Survey, which was conducted in August 2017 by Susquehanna Polling and Research.
According to the survey, the rising costs of healthcare rank among employers’ top concerns; with 65 percent of respondents saying that “controlling the costs of healthcare” should be the Pennsylvania Chamber’s top policy priority in its dealings with lawmakers. In fact, while 61 percent of the survey participants said that they provide health coverage for their employees – a slight increase over last year but still far less than the 74 percent who offered health care in 2013 – a vast majority of them (73 percent) reported that premiums have increased. Also listed as problematic was the lack of clarity that exists within the state’s unemployment compensation system, as 64 percent said they’ve encountered situations whereby employees fired for good cause were awarded benefits; as well as workers’ compensation premiums that have increased for more than a third of respondents in recent years. Other leading barriers to growth that were noted in the survey included: over taxation; mandates and regulations; and workforce development.
The good news is that of the 654 employers surveyed statewide, a strong majority – 76 percent – believe that the state’s economy is “better” or “the same” as it was one year ago. Also, the percentage of employers who say the economy is the “most important issue” affecting their businesses is down to 10 percent – the lowest figure in nearly 10 years since before the Great Recession took hold in 2008-09. Additionally, 42 percent say they expect sales growth to increase in coming months; 22 percent expect to hire more workers; and 27 percent noted that they made “major” investments in machinery or technology over the last year, with 15 percent more pledging to make those investments in the coming months.
Member News
- As part of its 30th anniversary season, the Weis Center for the Performing Arts will celebrate the legacy, tradition and craftsmanship of Martin Guitars with a full day of events this Saturday, Oct. 14.
A Martin Guitar
All of the day’s programming is free except for the 7:30 p.m. performance of the Del McCoury Band. The day includes facilitated workshops including blues slide guitar basics, guitar repair consultations, guitar theory, and a roots music recording session, as well as Martin Guitar displays and merchandise, a community guitar jam, a film screening and panel discussion, and evening performances. Visit here for a complete schedule and description of all events on this day.
- The Greenwood Friends School will host a fall festival at its school located at 1509 State Route 254, Millville, this Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. There is no admission charge, all are welcome and the event will be held rain or shine. It will feature fun games and face painting for children and teens, a food and bake sale, live music, unlimited inflatable rides for children (with a wristband purchase), and a large flea market with crafts and vendors. Vendors interested in participating should call 570-458-5532 to reserve a spot.
- The United Way of Columbia and Montour County, AGAPE Love from Above to our Community and the Coalition for Social Equity will hold the final two events of a three-part series that explores the barriers our fellow community residents who live in poverty face every day. Join them to learn more and be part of the solution. The other two events will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 17 and Tuesday, Oct 24. Registration is not required for either event. Oct. 17 will be a poverty panel that will feature participants sharing their stories of living in poverty, and Oct. 24 will be a community conversation. Both of those events will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 345 Market St., Bloomsburg.
- The Bloomsburg Area Landlord’s Association will sponsor another Candidate Forum for candidates running for Bloomsburg Town Council and Mayor on Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 7-9 p.m. at the Greenly Center, 50 East Main St., Bloomsburg. This forum follows the first candidate forum, which was co-sponsored by the Chamber’s Joint Governmental Affairs Committee and the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau last week.
- The Bloomsburg Area YMCA will host a blood drive benefiting the American Red Cross on Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 12-5 p.m. in its gymnasium, located at 30 East 7th St., Bloomsburg. All donors will receive a Halloween-themed t-shirt while supplies last. Sign up at the front desk, call 800-733-2767 or online at redcrossblood.org to donate.
- Co., a social and professional networking group that is run by the United Way of Columbia and Montour County, will hold a fun evening at Can You XCape followed by a mixer at the Wagon Shed on Thursday, Oct. 26, beginning at 6 p.m. 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.
- PPL Electric Utilities and its supply chain division is hosting a Diversity Meet and Greet event on Friday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the PPL Conference Center at Walbert, 1639 Church Rd., Allentown. This event is designed for business owners who are veterans, women, minorities, LGBT and disabled, to have an opportunity to find out more about PPL and its opportunities for suppliers. Attendees will have a chance to meet and speak to PPL leaders and the staff that works with suppliers. There is no cost to attend, but those interested in attending should register online by Friday, Oct. 27. For more information, see this flyer.
- The Bloomsburg Area YMCA will host its annual Trunk or Treat Halloween event on Friday, Oct. 27, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at its location at 30 East 7th St., Bloomsburg. Join it, The Exchange, AGAPE Love From Above to our Community, First Keystone Community Bank and others for a night of spooky family fun. There will be fun activities, a haunted walk-through and plenty of Halloween candy. The Bloomsburg YMCA Y-Care program, a before and after-school program for children, will also be waiving its registration fee on Oct. 27. For more information on this event, visit the Bloomsburg Y’s website.
- PA CareerLink of Columbia/Montour Counties, along with the Innovative Manufacturers Center (IMC), will host a collaborative robot workshop on Monday, Oct. 30, from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Pine Barn Inn, Danville. There is no cost to attend and a light breakfast will be served. Around the world, thousands of robots work collaboratively alongside humans with no safety guards and no problems. Come and learn about universal robots, robot programming, end effector solutions, stands and protective covering, and participate in hands-on activities. Visit online to register or learn more about this event.
- Innotek Computer Consulting will host its annual Technology and Security Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Sand Springs Country Club, 10 Clubhouse Dr., Drums. This annual event, billed as “Northeast Pennsylvania’s biggest technology and security expo,” brings together IT managers, executives and business owners to discuss the impact of technology and security on business. There is no cost to attend. For more information or to register, visit the event page on Innotek’s website, or the Facebook event page.
- Along with the Bloomsburg University Regional STEM Education Center, the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber will co-sponsor the Future Careers Expo on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Kehr Union Ballroom on the BU campus. The annual event allows attendees to explore career in science, technology, engineering and math and it open to all students in grades 7-12, as well as their parents. Participants can receive a BU application fee waiver just for attends, and there will also be door prizes for those that sign up. For more information and to register, visit here. For businesses that are interested in participating as vendors, please fill out this form and return it to the email address on the form by Oct. 20. For questions from businesses, please call the Chamber Foundation at 570-784-2522 or email.
- State Rep. Dave Millard will host his third annual Veterans Expo on 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.
From ChamberChoice
Employers whose health care plans include prescription drug benefits for active employees, retirees, COBRA participants, or spouses and dependents who are Medicare-eligible must notify those covered individuals by Oct. 15 of each year whether their drug benefit is creditable or non-creditable coverage. This means the health plan is expected to cover, on average, as much as the standard Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Under regulations issued by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), disclosure notices must be provided to Part D eligible individuals at the following times:
• prior to commencement of the annual coordinated election period (ACEP) for Part D;
• prior to an individual’s initial enrollment period (IEP) for Part D;
• prior to the effective date of coverage for any Part D eligible individual that enrolls in the employer’s prescription drug coverage;
• whenever the employer no longer offers prescription drug coverage or changes it so that it is no longer creditable or becomes creditable;
• upon request by the Part D eligible individual.
However, if disclosure notices are provided to all plan participants annually, prior to October 15 each year, CMS will presumably consider the listed disclosure times met (with the exception of the notice being requested). Thus, JRG Advisors suggests that employers distribute this notice to all plan participants at open enrollment with enrollment materials.
CMS posts the Model Disclosure Notices on its website.
This notice is especially important to those who are Medicare eligible, since if they are not covered with creditable coverage and decline to enroll in Part D, a penalty will likely be imposed when enrolling at a later date.
Employers Need to Know:
• The Notice of Creditable or Non-Creditable Coverage is an employer responsibility.
• Check with the health plan insurer to verify if coverage is creditable or non-creditable, especially if offering a qualified High Deductible Health Plan.
• Notice must be provided no later than Oct. 15 of each year.
• Distribution to all participants during open enrollment meets the October 15 deadline and other time requirements to provide the notices.
ChamberChoice will offer a webinar on open enrollment titled “Guarantee a Successful Employee Open Enrollment” this Thursday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. It is available free-of-charge to all Chamber members as a benefit of membership through the Chamber’s affinity programs through ChamberChoice.
To register for this webinar and for a list of other upcoming webinars on topics of workplace benefits, visit here.
Ten candidates vying for Bloomsburg Town Council expressed their views on the most pressing issues facing the Town, how to better interact with Bloomsburg University, and how to support business growth at a candidate forum held Wednesday, Oct. 4 at the Alvina Krause Theatre, home of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Several candidates emphasized the need to address parking management as a major issue for the Town. Stormwater management and flood protection were also discussed, as was managing the annual spring Block Party event. Challengers expressed the importance of having open government. The event was sponsored by the Joint Governmental Affairs Committee of the Chamber and the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau.
Audio from the candidate forum is available. The first portion of the program included the eight candidates running for four general Council seats. Responses to the first question begin with Vince DeMelfi with the following order: James Garman, William Kreisher, Doug Reiter, Toni Bell, Joe Martarano, Bonnie Crawford, and Sandy Davis. The second question begins with Mr. Garman and follows the same order, etc. The second portion of the forum was for the two registered mayoral candidates and responses begin with Eric Bower, followed by Carey Howell.
A second forum is being sponsored by the Bloomsburg Area Landlord’s Association on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 7-9 p.m. at the Greenly Center on Main Street in Bloomsburg. Please note the correct time, as the time was incorrectly reported as 6-8 p.m. at the first forum.
Photo courtesy of North Shore Railroad/Joe Kantz
From Joe Kantz/North Shore Railroad
A few months ago, I received an email that appeared to be an invitation to a meeting at the White House from President Trump’s Administration. My first thought was “this must be a scam.”
The next day, I received a phone call from someone at the White House wanting to make sure I received the email. I assured them I did, and that I was excited to join them for this meeting.
Now, to be clear, I received this email in my role as an elected County Commissioner. The President’s team had invited all the County Commissioners from Pennsylvania to attend. This was my first time to our Nation’s White House, and after a quick tour of this historic “home” we headed to the Eisenhower Building for an all-day meeting. We were introduced to members of various departments of the federal government and met a few more noteworthy folks.
I relay this story – not to brag – but merely to remind us, we never know where the next phone call may come from – or lead us.
Now, on to a business example: I recently played in a golf tournament. I really didn’t feel like playing. I had a lot of work to do in the office and customers to visit, but I committed to play, so I did. While at this particular event, I ran into a man, whom I hadn’t see in seven years. A few weeks later, one of his customers called me. The gentleman told me of a project he and my golf buddy were working on, and how this new project could easily turn into unit trains of business for North Shore Railroad.
Resultant of my visit to the White House, I received contacts for many departments in the federal government who can now be a point of contact for me and my constituents. I had the opportunity to share real life experiences on certain issues that were discussed, and I also had the opportunity to talk to key people in the Administration about items related to railroads.
My visit to Washington, D.C. resulted in good things for my county, and this golf tournament resulted in good things for my company.
So, it is my hope that after reading this, you are encouraged to take that opportunity that may be out of your comfort zone. Your next new contact or customer may come from it. You just never know.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
On the legislative front, the fall legislative session is in full swing, and while the PA Chamber continues to keep a close eye on the yet-to-be resolved budget stalemate, we are also working on a host of other pro-business issues. Part of our agenda this fall includes two important updates to Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation law that will help to rein in rising costs for employers.
One important reform that we are advocating to enact is H.B. 18 – legislation that would implement a workers’ compensation drug formulary in which doctors writing prescriptions that are not FDA-approved or otherwise demonstrated to be effective must at least explain why the prescription is necessary for the patient. Drug formularies have been shown to address overuse of and addiction to prescription drugs among injured workers. For example, in the three years after Ohio implemented its formulary in 2011, the number of workers’ compensation patients considered opioid dependent was reduced by half. The bill passed the House Labor and Industry Committee; however a parliamentary procedural motion led by Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, R-Bucks, circumvented a vote by the full House earlier this year.
A recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer shed some light on some of the true motives of those who are leading opposition to the bill. The newspaper investigation unveiled a complex system wherein a large scale, well known workers’ compensation claimants law firm in the Philadelphia area is directing their clients to specific doctors who prescribe medications with dubious legitimacy and then funnel the unsuspecting patients to pharmacies that are owned by the doctors and lawyers themselves. According to the article: “The pharmacy then charges employers or their insurance companies for the workers’ pain medicine, sometimes at sky-high prices.” Several examples were highlighted in the article, including one instance in which the pharmacy charged $1,900 for a tube of cream that retails for around $14 – an over 13,000 percent mark-up. The law firm highlighted in the article has been a leading opponent of H.B. 18. Following the publication of the article, the PA Chamber issued a press release calling on the legislature to quickly pass H.B. 18 in order to help improve outcomes for injured workers, while at the same time combat the Commonwealth’s prescription drug and opioid crisis.
The second issue we are working on is a legislative fix to the Protz V. Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board case – an issue that was the topic of a House Labor and Industry Committee informational hearing last week. In a recent decision, the state Supreme Court eliminated Impairment Rating Evaluations – an important cost-containment provision of the state’s Workers’ Comp Act – based on a technicality. IREs have been in existence since 1996 and are used by physicians – in tandem with guidelines from the American Medical Association – to assess an employee’s level of impairment and determine their disability status. As a result of this court action, in August, the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau took the unprecedented action of filing for a mid-year loss cost increase. We issued a statement at the time warning employers that this filing could lead to workers’ comp cost increases. We are leading a multi-industry coalition in support of legislation that will help ensure the constitutionality of the IRE process by updating the law with the most recent edition of the AMA guidelines and applying it to current and future claims.
Over the next several weeks, the PA Chamber will be working hard to help move these important bills through the legislative process and to the governor’s desk – where they will hopefully be signed into law.