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!
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is encouraging residents, businesses, local leaders and other concerned parties – especially in rural communities – to contact the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of efforts to preserve nearly $140 million in funding intended to increase access to high speed internet service in underserved areas in Pennsylvania.
Earlier this year, the PUC and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) filed a joint petition with the FCC as part of an ongoing effort to address Pennsylvania’s “digital divide” by preserving millions of dollars in federal funding intended to increase access to high speed internet service in rural communities across the Commonwealth.
Funding for the Connect America Fund Phase II program (CAF II) is drawn from the federal universal service surcharges paid by state residents and businesses. It is intended to support the deployment of broadband service in high-cost areas, including many rural communities. Most incumbent local telephone companies serving Pennsylvania’s high-cost areas accepted the CAF II funding, along with the commitment to meet federal benchmarks for broadband speed (10 Mbps download & 1 Mbps upload), but the Verizon companies did not, jeopardizing the continued availability of millions of dollars in broadband support throughout Pennsylvania. While this funding is currently only available to regulated utilities, there are other internet providers in the region willing to work with communities and businesses. The Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to state legislators in June asking for more flexibility in how these dollars can be allocated to expand broadband in rural areas.
“The FCC plans to conduct an auction to allocate the broadband funding that was not accepted by Verizon, and the PUC has been encouraging all concerned parties to work together to keep these dollars in our state,” said PUC Commissioner David W. Sweet. “We remain hopeful that the FCC will consider the joint petition by the PUC and DCED to approve a Pennsylvania-specific weighting factor to the upcoming CAF II auction.”
Information regarding how to submit comments electronically or by mail to the FCC on this issue is available on the PUC’s website.
Additionally, the Commission continues to encourage state and local leaders to continue exploring mechanisms to enhance financial support for rural broadband projects – which could help influence the FCC’s decision about where funds should be directed.
Middle and high school students from the region and their parents explored career options at the 3rd Future Careers Expo held Thursday, Nov. 9 at Bloomsburg University. Nearly 40 employers and education providers were on hand to talk to young people about opportunities that exist in our area. The event was held in the evening at the Kehr Union so that parents could be part of the conversation.
The event is a partnership between the Bloomsburg University STEM Magnet program and the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber, and was supported by the Arconic Foundation and Williams. The Foundation works to support area employers through workforce development initiatives. In addition to this Expo, programs such as School Counts, Classroom on Main Street, and The Leader in Me develop employability skills in young people and provide exposure to a wide variety of career options.
Among the participating employer and education providers were Chamber members Arconic/Kawneer Company, Bloomsburg University, Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School, First Columbia Bank, First Keystone Community Bank, Geisinger, Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community, McTish, Kunkel & Associates, PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties, Pennsylvania College of Technology, PPL Electric Utilities, SEKISUI SPI, Susquehanna Nuclear/Talen Energy and Williams.
Chamber President Fred Gaffney
Columbia Montour Chamber president Fred Gaffney was recently reappointed to another term on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP) at its recent annual conference held in late October in Clarion, Pa. Gaffney was also one of eight Chamber professional from across the state to receive a PACP Service Award, as he was honored for 15 years of service as a Chamber professional.
Board members serve in the volunteer leadership role for a specified term, developing and leading the annual Plan of Action to assist in the enhancement of quality education in professional and organizational development to its members. Key events for PACP include the annual Chamber Professionals & Leadership Conference, Chamber Day in Harrisburg, and ongoing professional development webinars and programs.
Each year PACP recognizes chamber professionals who have served any five-year increment in chamber management. To qualify, candidates must have been in full-time chamber or chamber-sponsored affiliate management for at least five years, must now be serving in chamber management in Pennsylvania, and must have been a PACP member for at least three consecutive years. PACP’s Service Awards are meant to promote and recognize outstanding chamber service not only to the individual’s community but also to their professional association.
PACP is the professional association of Pennsylvania local chambers of commerce executives and professionals whose mission is to enhance the quality and relevance of chamber management in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.