The U.S. Is Almost Out of Blood. Employers Can Change That.
Source: US Chamber
The American Red Cross has declared its second-ever national blood supply crisis — and the numbers are stark. Right now, the country has less than a one-day supply of type O blood, the most commonly transfused blood type. Every blood type is in short supply.
Summer is always a strain on the national blood supply. Fewer donations, higher demand. But this year, demand has far outpaced supply, and the Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to hospitals facing the most critical, life-threatening emergencies.
This is a moment for employers to step up.
Businesses have something no public awareness campaign can replicate: direct, trusted relationships with their people. A message from a manager, a reminder in a team meeting, a company-hosted blood drive — these things move people to act. According to the Red Cross, just three more donors at each blood drive this summer can end this crisis and stabilize the national blood supply.
What your company can do right now:
Promote an existing blood drive at your workplace or in the community. Share information through employee newsletters, ERGs, intranet posts, and team reminders. Make it visible and make it easy.
Give employees time to donate. Blood donation takes up to two hours, including travel. Flexible scheduling removes the single biggest barrier to participation.
Host a new blood drive. The American Red Cross can help you set one up at your office, worksite, or a nearby community location. Getting started is easier than you think.
Every donation is vital. Every drive matters. And right now, the business community has a real opportunity to make a difference when it counts most.
Schedule a DonationHost a Blood DriveAdditional donation locations can be found here:
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.
How to Implement Better Work-Life Balance Processes for Your Team
Source: US Chamber Miranda Fraraccio , ContributorThe 2020s have been a period of rapid change for the workforce, with new developments in everything from technology to public policy reshaping the modern working world. Among these changes is a growing focus on healthy work-life strategies, driven in part by a new generation of workers placing greater emphasis on personal health, wellness, and balance.
In this guide, we break down what this means for employers and how they can implement changes that support their teams.
What is work-life balance and why does it matter for your team?
Today’s hyper-connected world can make it hard to fully log off once the day is done, especially with subtle expectations to check email after hours or remain available for quick requests. Work-life balance focuses on creating a healthy separation between one’s professional and personal responsibilities, allowing employees to set boundaries that help both areas of life to thrive without constant overlap.
Focusing on your team’s work-life balance helps them avoid feeling overworked and burned out, which is common in today's workforce. In fact, according to Gallup’s 2026 State of the Global Workplace Report, 50% of employees in the U.S. and Canada reported experiencing stress “a lot of the day yesterday,” compared with the global average of 40%. The report also found that 69% of employees in the region were either not engaged or actively disengaged at work — a trend that can affect employee productivity, retention, and overall business growth.
Work-life integration vs. work-life balance
Instead of creating a complete separation between work and personal life, as work-life balance does, work-life integration seeks to combine the two in a way that feels healthy and manageable for employees. At the root of work-life integration is flexibility, with employees able to work in ways and at times that better fit their lifestyle. With this strategy, employees may join a meeting remotely while traveling, adjust their hours to accommodate family responsibilities, or take a midday appointment without using PTO.
The right work-life integration process is crucial, however. When the lines between work and personal life become too blurred, work-life integration can quickly lead to negative consequences, such as decreased morale, increased employee stress and workplace loneliness, and overwork.
How to choose the right approach for your business and workforce
Both work-life balance and work-life integration can help employees feel more fulfilled in their personal and professional lives. Many businesses use a mix of both, setting clear boundaries where consistency is needed while offering flexibility where they can.
To determine which approach is best suited for your team, consider the following questions:
- Do you need staff available during specific hours? Consider whether clients require real-time support or whether flexible hours would work without affecting service.
- What structure works best for your team? Does your team collaborate frequently, or can employees work independently without constant interaction?
- How will you measure accountability? Will employees stay on track with flexible schedules, or do certain roles require set hours to keep work moving?
- Do employees need clearer boundaries or more flexibility? Does your team need firmer working hours and communication expectations to separate work from personal life, or would remote options and flexible scheduling help blend the two?
- Does your team have the right tools? Can your team adopt a new work-life strategy with its current systems, or would you need new tools to support it?
Company policies that support work-life balance and integration
Promoting healthy work-life habits starts with leadership, both in the policies they implement and how they enforce them. Below are some examples of company policies that can help to reinforce healthy work-life strategies.
- Remote work options. Write formal remote or hybrid work policies to clarify who is eligible to work outside of the office, how often they can do so, and what expectations apply.
- “No contact” hours. Allow employees to set hours when they can be sure they won’t be disturbed by work communications, helping them truly log off after work.
- Meeting-free days. Establish meeting-free days, ideally every week, where employees can count on uninterrupted time to complete tasks and manage their workload. This practice requires leaders to audit existing meetings, rethink priorities, and determine which conversations need to happen in real time versus email.
- No-guilt PTO benefits. Nearly 1 in 5 people experience “vacation guilt,” according to a study published in the Journal of Travel Research. Break this cycle by expanding your company’s PTO benefits, such as offering unlimited PTO or dedicated mental health days, and genuinely encouraging your team to use the time available to them.
- Mental health and physical wellness benefits. Wellness benefits, such as mental health support coverage or gym memberships, can promote well-being and help employees invest in themselves outside work.
- Generous leave and family support policies. Allow employees to manage personal and family responsibilities without undue stress through policies such as parental leave, caregiver leave, bereavement leave, disability accommodations, and return-to-work support.
Practical strategies for supporting work-life integration
For teams working to blend their work and personal lives, these work-life integration strategies can help make the transition smoother.
Offer flexible scheduling options
Depending on the role and your staffing needs, flexibility can take many shapes. You may choose to implement hybrid workweeks, in which employees split their working hours between home and the office, offer fully remote options where possible, or adjust working hours to accommodate employees’ lifestyles. You can even offer compressed schedules, where employees work longer hours upfront to finish their workweek sooner.
Make sure employees can use flexibility without penalty
Data from Harvard Business Review shows that while many employers are offering flexibility to promote healthy work-life initiatives, bias remains against those who unplug outside working hours. The judgment can quickly lead to confusion and harm workplace culture, rather than making employees feel confident in their decision to embrace flexibility.
To avoid confusion, set and document policy expectations, then enforce them fairly across the entire team.
Adapt to individual work preferences
Work-life integration requires flexibility around how employees work best. Some may prefer traditional business hours, while others may be more productive earlier in the morning, later in the day, or around personal responsibilities. The goal is to create adaptable options that support different working styles without disrupting your company’s service or team’s collaboration.
Use regular check-ins to understand what employees actually need
Talking regularly with your team, whether through informal or formal check-ins, can help you understand how your employees are responding to new strategies and where they may need additional support. These conversations can also reveal scheduling conflicts, workload challenges, and personal responsibilities that may affect employees’ ability to do their best work.
How to help employees avoid burnout
Whether your goal is true work-life balance, integration, or a blend of both, these strategies can help you and your employees avoid burnout by creating a healthier equilibrium between your personal and professional worlds.
Set shared working hours and communication boundaries
To ensure employees can maintain a healthier balance between their personal and professional lives, set mutually agreeable boundaries around workplace communication, especially if your team works in different time zones. During agreed-upon hours, teams and their managers can expect a timely response from their colleagues; outside of those hours, communication may go unanswered until the next business day without issue.
Use time blocking to protect focused work and personal time
Encouraging time-blocking habits can help your employees better manage their workloads without letting it spill into their personal time. By dividing the day into dedicated blocks of time for deep work, meetings, and admin tasks, employees can create more manageable schedules and reduce the constant task switching that often leads to longer, more stressful workdays.
Time blocking also gives managers and coworkers clearer visibility into team availability, reducing unnecessary interruptions and protecting both productivity and personal time.
Reevaluate team workloads and delegate strategically
Just because your team has always worked a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best approach. Regularly review what’s on each employee’s plate, which tasks are most important, and who’s the best fit for the job. Doing so can help leaders identify overloaded employees, spot lower-priority tasks that can be streamlined or paused, and delegate responsibilities more intentionally.
Model healthy balance as a leader
It’s important to be a model for your team by practicing healthy habits. Take the day off when you’re sick or need personal time, and reduce your responsiveness while you’re on vacation. Avoid sending messages late at night or praising teammates for overworking. By showing your employees that you value both their well-being and your own, they’ll be more inclined to do the same for their own needs.
How to measure and adjust your work-life strategy over time
Once you’ve implemented a work-life strategy for your team, you’ll need to monitor its success to ensure the changes you’ve made are effective. Below are some ways to measure and adjust your strategy over time.
Review workload and productivity trends
Beyond seeing the impact on your employees, it’s important to assess how your work-life strategies affect your overall business goals. Review employees’ work quality, deadlines, and project progress to ensure they maintain strong performance standards while keeping workloads manageable. If people seem behind, use problem-solving techniques to reassign responsibilities, adjust priorities, or hire support.
Monitor policy usage
Track how many employees are using the available policies and how they’re using them. If employees aren’t taking PTO, opting for flexible scheduling, or respecting no-contact boundaries, this may indicate confusion around how to use these offerings or a lack of encouragement from management. Alternatively, low usage may mean employees don't see the benefit, the policies aren’t clear, or they aren’t well-suited to your employees’ needs.
Watch for signs of burnout
Both teamwide and individual burnout can manifest as changes in workplace behavior, performance, and engagement. While these signs don’t automatically indicate burnout, they may suggest employees need additional support, especially when they appear across multiple team members.
- Missed deadlines or decreased quality of work.
- Change in demeanor, such as irritability, withdrawal, or low morale.
- Consistently arriving at work tired or appearing mentally drained.
- Increased tardiness, absenteeism, or last-minute callouts.
- Lack of motivation, focus, or engagement.
- More frequent mistakes or difficulty completing routine tasks.
Track employee feedback and engagement
Seek feedback from employees to understand how they feel about your work-life strategy through anonymous surveys, one-on-one meetings, and pulse checks. Doing so can help you uncover patterns among your employees, which can guide your decision-making to improve your strategy.
Danielle Fallon-O’Leary and Sean Ludwig contributed to this article.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.
Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate Falls, State Sets New Record for Jobs
Source: PA Chamber SentinelThe state’s unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point from May and remained below the national rate of 4.2 percent. Compared with June 2025, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point, while the national rate increased by one-tenth of a point over the same period.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force — the number of residents working or actively seeking employment — increased by 17,000 in June to a record 6,643,000. Employment also reached a record high, while the number of unemployed residents declined by 6,000 during the month.
Total nonfarm employment rose by 1,000 jobs in June to a record 6,209,600. Employment increased in seven of the state’s 11 industry supersectors.
Leisure and hospitality posted the largest monthly job gain, while professional and business services recorded the largest decline. Education and health services reached a record employment level during the month.
Over the past year, Pennsylvania added 34,500 nonfarm jobs, with employment gains in six of the 11 industry supersectors. Education and health services accounted for the largest annual increase, adding 28,400 jobs since June 2025.
The monthly employment report is based on preliminary estimates and is subject to revision as additional data becomes available.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the PA Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.
Real Property Management Apollo – New Member Highlight
mmercial properties, the company offers comprehensive management solutions that include application underwriting, leasing, tenant relations, maintenance coordination, financial reporting, regulatory compliance and property oversight. Real Property Management Apollo is part of the largest national property management organization in North America - With over 40 years of experience, 450 offices nationwide, and over 80,000 units under management. By combining local market expertise with the proven system and processes of Real Property Management, RPM Apollo works to simplify property ownership, protect investments, and create positive experiences for both property owners and residents.Member News ~ July 30, 2026
Events & Dates:
Last Call for Chamber Directory Ads - July 31
The deadline for advertising in the 2026-27 Membership Directory is tomorrow. If you're interested in advertising, contact bflanagan@columbiamontourchamber.com
Bloomsburg Unclaimed Property Event - July 31
The Pennsylvania Treasury is returning billions of dollars in unclaimed property to its rightful owners, and Treasury staff will be in Bloomsburg this Friday to help people search for missing money or other unclaimed property. Join them on Friday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, 1615 Columbia Blvd., Bloomsburg. Treasury staff will be available to help you search for unclaimed property, start a claim and answer your questions. If you can't attend the event, you can search Pennsylvania's unclaimed property database
If you need assistance searching for unclaimed property or filing a claim, please contact one of Senator Lynda Culver's district offices.
Celebrate Berwick - Aug 1
From 11am - 4pm, Market Street in front of the Jackson Mansion and McBride Memorial Library will be closed to traffic and filled with craft vendors, food trucks/vendors, live music, adult beverages, activities for kiddos, and so much more!
CSO Emergency Solutions Grant Review - Aug 3
Dwell is hosting Back to School Pop-Up event - Aug 7
Glen Brook Cruise for a Cause - Aug 16
Glen Brook is hosting Cruise for a Cause with the Alzheimer’s Association. This event will take place on Sunday August 16th from 11am-3pm at 901 East 16th street Berwick, PA 18603. There will be food, basket raffles and music. All vehicles are welcome and dash plaques will be provided to the first 30 vehicles registered. For more information and registration contact Maria Fazio (570)-204-8308 or mfazio@glenbrookrhc.com.
Danville - America’s 250th Celebration Train Rides - Sept 12
Bloomsburg Fair Announces 2026 Free Stage Line Up - Sept 25 - Oct 3
Announcements:
Camp Victory Newsletter Out Now
Click here to read the Summer 2026: Special Gala Edition Newsletter. This edition features awards, to Debbie Snyder & West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
The Community Giving Foundation has reached $100 million in assets
64th Annual Berwick Invitational at the Berwick Golf Club
Shape the future of programming at Thomas Beaver Free Library
Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate Sold Former Marjol Battery Site Throop, PA
Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate announces the successful sale of a 101-acre property formerly known as the Marjol Battery Federal Superfund Site in Throop PA. This transaction is a major milestone in the property’s evolution from a formerly industrial property to land for future residential development. The approximately 101-acre property is expected to be developed into a residential community.
Did You Miss Last Week's Member News? Here's News That's Still Timely:
Glen Brook Shoe Drive - July 29
The Women's Center Red Sand Project - July 30
Join The Women's Center from 11am-1pm in Bloomsburg or Danville to spread awareness during World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Click Here for More Information.
Danville Business Alliance is Looking for Vendors - July 31
The 48th Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival will be here before you know it! Join them as a vendor! For best space availability, it is recommended to register before July 31!
Register online today: https://visitdanvillepa.org/.../fall-arts-crafts.../
Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver invites you to attend her upcoming grant seminar, “How to Be a Better Applicant,” - August 13
Join them from 2:00–4:00 p.m. at the Bloomsburg Area High School Auditorium, 1200 Railroad St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815. RSVP: Please register by Tuesday, August 11 using this link or by calling their Shamokin Dam office at 570‑743‑1918.
Pine Barn Inn hosts Susquehanna Valley Business Mixer - August 17
Pine Barn Inn in partnership with 7 Mountain Media invites local business owners, professionals, chamber members, and community leaders to join them for the Susquehanna Valley Business Mixer. This free networking event will be held Monday August 17th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Pine Barn Inn Ballroom. Attendance is free, and registration is easy, reserve your spot here.
The Exchange Presents Bloomsburg’s 18th Annual ArtFest - Aug 22
Dedicated to bringing the arts to all communities throughout the region, The Exchange presents Columbia County’s biggest one-day-fine-art-and-music event of the year. The 18th annual ArtFest will take place on Saturday August 22nd from 10am-5pm. This event will be located on Market Street in downtown Bloomsburg from the monument down to 3rd Street. ArtFest will showcase over 50 artists original work accompanied by live music, food vendors and fun educational activities for all ages. For more information about The Exchange and ArtFest, visit ExchangeArts.org.
CCDP and DCDC Present Bounce Boogie and Benefit- Sept 12
Journey Bank Photography Competition Registration Deadline Approaching - September 18
Stryker Security Breach – How Important Is MFA?
Key Takeaways
- Global Admin Access = Total Exposure: Compromising a single Global Administrator account gave attackers unrestricted control, allowing them to create new admin accounts, execute commands, and wipe thousands of devices.
- Phishing & Credential Stuffing Are Highly Effective: The breach highlights how social engineering and reused credentials remain major vulnerabilities, especially when tied to high-privilege accounts.
- MFA Is Critical – But Must Be Phishing-Resistant: Basic MFA isn’t enough; organizations need stronger, phishing-resistant MFA and tighter privileged access controls to prevent unauthorized admin access.
- Least Privilege & Multi-Approval Reduce Risk: Limiting user permissions and requiring multiple admin approvals for critical actions can significantly contain damage and help detect malicious activity early.
On March 11th, 2026, Stryker, a global medical technology firm, experienced a Microsoft related incident that led to (allegedly) 200,000 devices being compromised; this included servers, work computers, corporate phones, and even personal devices that were enrolled in the company portal. Over 59,000 people and (allegedly) 50 Terabytes (TB) of data were exfiltrated from Stryker across 79 countries. A hacktivist group linked to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, Handala, has claimed responsibility for the hack.
How Did It Happen?
Within Microsoft In-Tune, Microsoft’s cloud-based endpoint management tool, there are a plethora of different roles, privileges, or permissions. But the role with the function of doing anything and everything, Global Administrator, was compromised. Using phishing and stuffing scams to gain access to an existing Global Administrator account, the attackers were able to create their own Global Administrator account.
Phishing is a type of social engineering cyberattack where scammers deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information or installing malware by pretending to be a trusted source – often by sending malicious links for users to visit or download from. Whereas stuffing is an automated cyberattack that inserts stolen usernames and passwords into the login fields to gain access to an account for malicious activity. This information is usually obtained via the dark web from previous data breaches – and assumes that individuals re-use the same login across multiple websites (which is why the name of the family dog is not a good password).
Once the group created their own Global Administrator account, the possibilities were endless (and unrestricted). With Global Administrator privileges, the group was able to run default commands configured by In-Tune – in this case, built-in wipe all commands. At Stryker, a Mobile Device Management (MDM) policy is configured. This is essentially a set of security rules, functions, and configurations enforced on corporate or personal devices (phones, laptops, tablets). This includes employees enrolled in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies. BYOD allows employees to use select company programs and apps on their personal phones. All devices linked to In-Tune and MDM policy were remotely wiped and factory reset.
CISA’s Call to Action for Companies Using In-Tune
Following the attack, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), released a critical alert for companies using In-Tune or any other endpoint management software.
- Use principles of least privilege when designing administrative roles.
- Essentially, assign the minimum needed privileges for a user to complete their daily job functions.
- Enforce phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) and privileged access hygiene.
- Configure endpoint management software to block unauthorized access to privileged functions, like passkeys.
- Configure access policies to require Multi Admin Approval.
- We get it, another push notification is tedious – but, an added layer that requires another “admin” approval ensures that malicious activity like this will be caught and flagged.
McKonly & Asbury can assist your company in managing cybersecurity threats by performing a SOC for Cybersecurity engagement to identify whether effective processes and controls are in place as well as provide you with recommendations to detect, respond to, and mitigate and recover from breaches and other cybersecurity events. For more information on these services and more, be sure to visit our SOC services page, as well as our Cybersecurity services page, and don’t hesitate to reach out to contact us with any questions.
What’s the Difference Between PR and Marketing?
Source: US Chamber
Some people confuse public relations (PR) and marketing, but they aren’t the same thing. PR focuses on creating a positive image for the company, while marketing focuses on attracting new customers to the business. Understanding how they differ can help your small business get the most out of both functions.
What is the difference between PR and marketing?
The easiest way to think about how the two tactics differ is that marketing promotes your products, while PR manages your company’s image. Here are some other differentiators:
The question isn’t whether you should focus on PR or marketing exclusively, because your business needs both. The best approach for most small businesses is to start with owned media like your website and social media content. From there, layer in earned media efforts through PR outreach and use paid media strategically to amplify what's already working.
- Daily activities. PR professionals spend their time writing press releases, pitching positive stories about the company, and building media relationships. They also handle crises like data breaches or customer service incidents. Marketing professionals spend their time planning product launches, creating affiliate programs, and conducting client research.
- Audience. The PR department speaks to different audiences depending on the company's needs. For instance, they may create a positive outreach with the media, company stakeholders, or even employees. In comparison, the marketing department is focused mainly on reaching customers and prospects.
- Goals. PR is focused on creating a positive image for the company and building a good relationship with the company’s various stakeholders. Meanwhile, marketing focuses on reaching customers and increasing sales for the company.
- Metrics of success. PR professionals consider whether or not they effectively create a positive buzz for the company. In comparison, marketing might look at whether a product met its sales goals or the return on investment from a recent campaign.
Earned vs. paid vs. owned media
Another way to compare PR vs. marketing is through the lens of earned, paid, and owned media. Paid media is what most people think of as traditional marketing. It includes ads, sponsored posts, and paid placements. The benefit of paid media is that you control the message and you pay for the reach.
In comparison, owned media includes your website, blog, email list, and social media profiles. Both marketing and PR teams play a role here by creating content that builds brand awareness and engages your audience.
Earned media refers to coverage you didn’t pay for, and this is PR’s primary domain. An example of earned media would be a journalist featuring your business in an article. It has a lasting impact because any Google search related to your company could potentially surface it.
How to build a basic PR strategy without a big agency budget
Small businesses don’t need a large budget to start building brand awareness. Creating a PR strategy often starts by identifying what you want customers and the media to associate with your business. This could include your company’s mission or a problem your product solves.
From there, look for stories within your business, including the industry or community, that are newsworthy, like a new product launch or local event sponsorship. Start connecting with local repor
ters who cover topics related to your business. Following journalists on LinkedIn and engaging with their content before pitching them can also help build familiarity.
Thought leadership can be another effective low-cost PR strategy. Business owners can publish articles on LinkedIn, contribute guest posts to industry websites, or comment on trending industry news. These activities help establish your small business’s credibility without requiring paid advertising.
Tools small businesses can use for PR outreach
Here are the best free and paid tools available for PR outreach:
- Google Alerts: This free tool lets you set up alerts for your company, top competitors, and key industry terms to monitor coverage and spot new opp
ortunities. - Prowly: This PR platform helps you find media contacts and create and distribute press releases.
- Business Wire: Business Wire can distribute your press releases to hundreds of thousands of publications across 160+ countries.
- Muck Rack: Muck Rack is a journalist database that helps you find the right contacts and track their recent work before you pitch them.
- Prezly: The software tracks earned media coverage and brand mentions across online news and blogs.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is often overlooked as a PR tool, but it’s ideal for positioning yourself as a thought leader and connecting directly with journalists.
When to use PR vs. marketing strategies
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation. CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.
Small Businesses Remain Steady as Growth Expectations Rebound in Latest Index
Source: US Chamber
Despite ongoing inflation and shifting views of the local economy, small business owners had high confidence in Q2 2026 and are planning to grow revenue and hire.
Small business confidence remained stable in the second quarter of 2026, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's latest Small Business Index. The Index registered 66.5 in Q2 2026, essentially unchanged from 67.0 last quarter and slightly above the 65.2 recorded a year ago, suggesting that small businesses are holding steady despite ongoing economic challenges.
The survey, which was conducted by Ipsos between May 19 and June 4 and released on July 15, 2026, found that while inflation concerns continue to plague business owners, they’re still feeling positive about their individual business performance. Nearly 70% of small businesses surveyed said their business is in good health, and many are feeling more optimistic about revenue growth and hiring over the next year. However, confidence in local economic conditions has weakened, and owners are cautious about investing as they continue to navigate rising costs.
Here are five key takeaways from the Q2 2026 Small Business Index.
1. Inflation concerns are at their highest level in over a year
Inflation is still the top concern for small business owners. Nearly six in 10 (57%) named it as their biggest challenge in Q2 — up from 53% last quarter and the highest reading in over a year. Higher costs are placing continued pressure on small businesses, and inflation has continued to shape many of their financial decisions in 2026.
2. Revenue and hiring expectations are moving in the right direction
Despite inflation worries, many small business owners are looking ahead with cautious optimism. Two-thirds (66%) expect their revenue to increase over the next year, up from 61% in Q1. Hiring expectations also improved, with 35% planning to add staff (up from 30%). Although hiring plans remain below last year's high-water mark of 42%, the quarter-over-quarter increase indicates that business owners are still seeing opportunities for growth in an uncertain economy.
3. Business owners are confident in their companies, but less so in the economy
As in previous quarters, small business owners continue to express far more confidence in their own businesses than in the broader economy. Nearly 70% rate their business as healthy, essentially unchanged from a year ago.
Confidence in local economic conditions, however, has declined noticeably. Just 33% of owners rate their local economy positively, down from 41% a year ago. Views of the national economy are similar, with 30% of survey respondents describing it as being in good shape. This lack of confidence in the overall economy may ultimately impact owners’ business decisions in the quarter ahead.
4. Investment plans remain restrained
While expectations for revenue and hiring have improved, business owners are more cautious about their investment plans for 2026. Just 38% of small business owners expect to increase investment over the next year, down from 47% a year ago.
The reluctance to increase spending suggests that owners are trying to give themselves flexibility and options in the midst of economic uncertainty. Rather than making major capital investments, businesses seem to be opting for a more measured approach as they evaluate future growth opportunities.
5. Cash flow remains stable despite current cost pressures
The majority of small businesses feel relatively secure in their financial position, even with ongoing concerns about inflation and economic conditions. Nearly seven in 10 (69%) report being comfortable with their cash flow, down only slightly from 72% a year ago. While higher operating costs are squeezing margins for many businesses, the Index suggests that many owners have been able to maintain healthy cash flow and continue operating from a position of relative stability.
The bottom line
Although inflation worries continue to intensify and confidence in local economic conditions has weakened, small business owners are still optimistic about the health of their own companies. With revenue expectations and hiring plans rebounding, the Q2 2026 Small Business Index indicates that entrepreneurs are balancing confidence in their businesses with caution about the broader economic landscape.
“The message this quarter is one of measured confidence,” said Tom Sullivan, Senior Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in a statement. “Small businesses are still looking ahead, even as they navigate a tougher cost environment.”
To read the full report, click here: Small Business Index Q2 2026.
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business. Learn more about the benefits of small business membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, here.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.
Member News ~ July 23, 2026
Events & Dates:
Glen Brook Shoe Drive - July 29
Danville Business Alliance is Looking for Vendors - July 31
The 48th Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival will be here before you know it! Join them as a vendor! For best space availability, it is recommended to register before July 31!
Register online today: https://visitdanvillepa.org/.../fall-arts-crafts.../
The Exchange Presents Bloomsburg’s 18th Annual ArtFest - Aug 22
Dedicated to bringing the arts to all communities throughout the region, The Exchange presents Columbia County’s biggest one-day-fine-art-and-music event of the year. The 18th annual ArtFest will take place on Saturday August 22nd from 10am-5pm. This event will be located on Market Street in downtown Bloomsburg from the monument down to 3rd Street. ArtFest will showcase over 50 artists original work accompanied by live music, food vendors and fun educational activities for all ages. For more information about The Exchange and ArtFest, visit ExchangeArts.org.
CCDP and DCDC Present Bounce Boogie and Benefit- Sept 12
Journey Bank Photography Competition Registration Deadline Approaching - September 18
Announcements:
Montour County Volunteers Remove Trailer Load of Trash from Susquehanna River
More than 40 volunteers joined forces for a successful cleanup effort along the Susquehanna River near Danville, removing a full trailer load of tires and other debris from the waterway. Participants included local students, community organizations, environmental groups, and recreation partners, all working together to improve the river's health and appearance. Organizers also thanked Steph's Subs for providing lunch and recognized the teamwork and community spirit that made the event a success.
Berwick World War II Weekend Celebrates 10 Years of Living History
The Stuart Tank Memorial Association marked the 10th anniversary of Berwick World War II Weekend at Test Track Park, drawing what organizers say was a record-setting crowd despite challenging weather. Since its humble beginnings in 2016, the event has grown into a premier East Coast living history experience, attracting reenactors and visitors from across the region to the hometown of the Stuart Light Tank. Organizers credited the event’s success to its sponsors, donors, vendors, reenactors, attendees, and dedicated volunteers, whose support continues to keep the free-admission tradition alive.
InnoTek Partners with Sean Black State Farm Insurance to Recycle and Donate Electronics
InnoTek and Sean Black State Farm Insurance’s Wired for Good Initiative is keeping old tech out of landfills and putting usable devices back into the hands of local individuals, families and nonprofits across the region. The Wired for Good Imitative included recycling outdated electronics and donating refurbished usable devices. More than 100 items were either recycled or refurbished and donated back to the community. The effort reflects both organizations shared commitment to environmental responsibility and community stewardship.
Steinbacher, Goodall and Yurchak Congratulates Attorney Julieanne E. Steinbacher
Steinbacher Goodall and Yurchak is proud to congratulate Attorney Julieanne E. Steinbacher on her appointment as the Zone 4 Director on the Board of PABAR-PAC, the political action committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Congratulations Julie!
Downtown Bloomsburg Thanks Teens
The students from the FTC Teen Center Bloomsburg look after the avenue all year long, cleaning up trash, wiping down picnic tables, and emptying the trash cans.
Atlantic Culinary Environments Welcomes Newest Members
Atlantic Culinary Environment welcomes two new members to their team. Congratulations Dakota Jarrett, Project Manger and Lindsey Reinhart, Food & Beverage Designer!
Swift Kennedy Employee Benefits Now a Member of TRUE Network of Advisors
Swift Kennedy Employee Benefits is proud to announce their membership in TRUE Network of Advisors, one of the nations fastest-growing and most respected networks of independent employee benefits consulting firms. More information here.
Did You Miss Last Week's Member News? Here's News That's Still Timely:
BTE Stages Sensory Friendly Performance of Elephant & Piggie's "We Are In A Play"- July 25th
The Elephant & Piggies Performance is altered to accommodate patrons who experience heightened sensory input, anxiety, have
dementia or learning differences, or are on the autistic spectrum. The performance will start at 2pm. Click Here For More Information.
The Women's Center Red Sand Project - July 30
Join The Women's Center from 11am-1pm in Bloomsburg or Danville to spread awareness during World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Click Here for More Information.
Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver invites you to attend her upcoming grant seminar, “How to Be a Better Applicant,” - August 13
Join them from 2:00–4:00 p.m. at the Bloomsburg Area High School Auditorium, 1200 Railroad St., Bloomsburg, PA 17815. RSVP: Please register by Tuesday, August 11 using this link or by calling their Shamokin Dam office at 570‑743‑1918.
Pine Barn Inn hosts Susquehanna Valley Business Mixer - August 17
Pine Barn Inn in partnership with 7 Mountain Media invites local business owners, professionals, chamber members, and community leaders to join them for the Susquehanna Valley Business Mixer. This free networking event will be held Monday August 17th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Pine Barn Inn Ballroom. Attendance is free, and registration is easy, reserve your spot here.
Wild for Salmon Fishtival - August 29
Join Wild for Salmon to celebrate wild seafood and welcome back their fishermen on Saturday August 29th from 9am-4pm! Bring the whole family for a day of games, local vendors, face painting, wild seafood tastings, and live grilling demonstrations. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome!
Congratulations to Sergeant Quentin Reinford
The Town of Bloomsburg Council is proud to announce the promotion of Quentin Reinford to the rank of Sergeant effective July 26, 2026 with the Bloomsburg Police Department.
The Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators (PAAE) held its annual conference
Mr. Douglas G. Brown, Agricultural/Environmental Science Instructor and FFA Advisor at Central Columbia High School attended the conference. Mr. Brown was presented with numerous awards: PAAE Years of Service Award-Mr. Brown will be heading into his 36th year of teaching agricultural/environmental science at Central Columbia, PAAE public advocacy award in promoting agriculture across the commonwealth and outside of Pennsylvania boundaries, PAAE Incentive Award, and lastly Mr. Brown was presented with the PAAE Outstanding Service Award.
Understanding America’s Demographic Reality
Source: US Chamber
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), U.S. population growth has slowed to roughly 0.2 percent per year—less than one-fifth the pace seen from the mid‑1970s through the early 2000s. Even more consequential, the CBO estimates that by 2030, the United States will experience more deaths than births each year for the first time in its history. From that point forward, nearly all population growth will come from net immigration. Without it, both the total population and the working‑age population begin to decline.
These demographic shifts are already producing visible strain across the labor market. Millions of positions remain unfilled despite sustained demand. Construction projects are delayed. Manufacturers face limits on output. Healthcare systems struggle with chronic staffing gaps. Logistics, agriculture, hospitality, and technology employers report similar challenges. These shortages slow production, raise costs, strain supply chains, and reduce the return on domestic investment. In strategic terms, diminished economic capacity during a period of intensifying global competition creates real national risk.
The CBO has been explicit about the consequences. Slower growth in the labor force leads directly to slower GDP growth and reduced fiscal capacity in the decades ahead. Even aggressive efforts to raise participation among U.S.‑born workers cannot offset sufficiently the number of Americans retiring from the labor market over the next ten to twenty years. Demographic limits are real, and that’s why our alliance is urging policymakers to confront them with real reforms.
Confronting these realities requires a clear‑eyed approach to workforce policy; one grounded in data, economic fundamentals, and America’s long-term competitiveness. A modernized structural change is now a necessity for sustaining growth. Policymakers face a choice: modernize our systems to reflect demographic reality, or accept slower growth, reduced capacity, and declining economic leadership. The Chamber’s alliance will continue to advance practical, market‑driven reforms that strengthen the workforce, support employers, and ensure the United States remains positioned to compete and prosper in a changing world.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.