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State Preemption of Local Leave Mandate Bill Clears Senate Committee

February 6, 2017
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Last week, the Senate Local Government Committee advanced legislation that would establish state preemption of laws that require employers to implement specific employee leave policies. Senate Bill 128, co-sponsored by Senator Gordner, was authored in light of recently enacted laws in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh that require employers to adopt a one-size-fits-all employee leave and paid time off policy. These mandates fail to take into account the size, industry and financial stability that make businesses unique. They especially harm businesses that operate in multiple jurisdictions, as they force employers to take on new administrative complications and costs as they tailor their HR policies to a patchwork of local laws. Before the committee meeting to consider S.B. 128, the PA Chamber sent a memo urging support for the bill because it would help employers and improve the state’s business climate. The Columbia Montour Chamber supported similar legislation that moved through the House in 2014.   The legislation now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Join Us For an Evening of Fellowship and Member Recognition

January 24, 2017

The Columbia Montour Partnership will recognize businesses and individuals that have worked to strengthen our region at the upcoming Annual Meeting. The event is sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities and will be held at Rolling Pines Golf Course on Thursday, February 9th starting at 5:00 p.m. Join us in celebrating our region and the accomplishments of our members.

Awards include: Outstanding Citizen sponsored by BIDA, Small Business of the Year sponsored by First Columbia Bank and Trust Co., Large Business of the Year sponsored by the Columbia Alliance for Economic Growth, Community Progress sponsored by Berwick Hospital Center and the Buddy Award sponsored by Knoebels Amusement Resort.

The cost to attend is $50 for members and $60 for non-members. Corporate tables of eight are also available for $350 per table. Please be sure to send your RSVP card back by this coming Tuesday, January 31st to ensure your spot at this year’s meeting.  If you have not received an invitation in the mail or want to pay via credit card, please call Eleanor at 570-784-2522.  Space is limited!

This year’s award nominees have been announced:

Outstanding Citizen Award
Ann Marie Hess
Daniel S. Jankowski
Harry Mathias

Small Business of the Year
Forever Green
Freas Farm Winery
Ken Pollock Ford-Lincoln, Inc
MePush
WHLM

Large Business of the Year
Central Columbia School District
Mahindra of Bloomsburg
MetroCast Communications
Sekisui

Community Progress Award
Columbia County Commissioners
Geisinger Health System-Woodbine
SUEZ

Welcome the Chamber’s Newest Members

January 5, 2017

More than 580 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber and Visitors Bureau to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen 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 and Visitors Bureau welcome three organizations that joined last month to help us fulfill our mission:

Ceiba Tools, LLC – 83 Schoolhouse Road, Bloomsburg

Invicta Tattoo – 120 East Main Street, Bloomsburg

Nickle Plate Bar & Grill – 954 State Route 487, Elysburg

Additional contact information is available on the Chamber’s Online Directory.

A reminder that anyone who recommends membership will receive a $25 gift certificate when that organization joins.

Investors’ Circle Members Receive Added Value

January 5, 2017

The Chamber is pleased to announce its 2017 Investors’ Circle Members. The Investors’ Circle is comprised of members that support the ongoing work of the Chamber while receiving the highest levels of benefits and value from their membership. Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, PPL Electric Utilities, and Williams all have partnered with the Chamber as VIP Members this year, and will be recognized as main sponsors throughout the year at various Chamber functions and events.

We would also like to thank our five Benefactor Members: Gordner Coombs Insurance Inc., Steph’s Subs, Victor Koons Graphic Design, Wagner’s Trophies, and Welch Performance Consulting.

Through the continued support of our Investors’ Circle Members, we are able to continuously work toward promoting the region and member businesses in a positive manner. Thank you to all 2017 Investors’ Circle Members!

New Workplace Injury Rules Now in Effect

January 5, 2017

Following delays due to a legal challenge, provisions of a new Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) record-keeping rule took effect on December 1. Employers must now inform employees about their right to report workplace injuries and illness without facing retaliation. Online reporting provisions took effect January 1st.

The new rule also prohibits automatic post-accident drug testing. Employers must now have a reasonable suspicion that drug use was a contributing factor to a reported injury. Policies clarifying such conditions are encouraged.

Additional details are available on OSHA’s website.

Save on Commercial and Residential Energy Costs

December 22, 2016

Are you looking to capitalize on one of the many benefits of being a Chamber member? With the cold winter weather now upon us, the ChamberChoice Energy Program offers options to save money for commercial and residential electric and natural gas customers.   The Chamber has partnered with OnDemand Energy Solutions to take the confusion and hassle out of shopping for an energy supplier for your business. Simply provide 2-3 months of electric or natural gas bills to an experienced energy consultant and they will shop over two dozen suppliers to find the solution that best fits your businesses’ needs and comfort level. Managed and fixed rate products are available.

Members of the Columbia Montour Chamber have saved millions of dollars on their electricity costs through this program. To begin the process, call OnDemand Energy at 1-866-699-9968 and tell them you’re a member of the Chamber.   As OnDemand works with multiple suppliers, they also offer a fixed-priced solution for residential customers. Find OnDemand Energy’s current offers on their website and by clicking the Residential Energy Button in the bottom right corner. These competitive rates offered by OnDemand Energy suppliers are offered to all employees, family, and friends of Chamber members.  To compare pricing, terms, and other program details for all suppliers in your market, visit papowerswitch.com.

Economic Survey Reveals Employers’ Concerns

November 18, 2016

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Employer confidence is on the rise, but many business leaders are still hesitant to invest and hire. These indicators are among the responses from the PA Chamber’s 26th Annual Economic Survey, which was conducted by G. Terry Madonna Opinion Research from August through October 2016 and completed in partnership with the High Center at Elizabethtown College.

According to the survey, employers’ top concerns are taxes – with the state’s 9.99 percent Corporate Net Income Tax rate being listed as the greatest tax barrier to growth. Also high on the list are rising health insurance costs (61 percent of survey participants say health insurance premiums increased over the last year); lawsuit abuse and excessive environmental regulation. Another key area of concern was workforce, with only two in five survey respondents saying they thought the quality of the state’s workforce was “excellent” or “good” (an issue the PA Chamber is working to tackle through its new Start the Conversation Here workforce development initiative.)

“Certainly, the extreme premium hikes we’ve seen in the post-Obamacare marketplace are going to lead more businesses to reduce employee benefits or even drop insurance coverage for their workers,” PA Chamber President Gene Barr said in a press release announcing the survey results. “We will continue to advocate for increasing employer flexibility and eliminating costly mandates as we educate employers on how to achieve compliance and maximize their options.”

New Bloomsburg Water Plant Dedicated

November 10, 2016

Last Thursday, SUEZ dedicated its new advanced water treatment plant in Bloomsburg. The $32 million Irondale Water Treatment Plant utilizes modern technology to deliver high quality water. The location is out of the 100-year flood plain, in order to remain in service during high water events.

The membrane ultrafiltration is pictured beside high service pumps inside the new plant.  A SUEZ sister company based in the US designed the “SmartRack” technology on which the membranes are housed.  The new plant represents the first use of the new technology in North America.

The membranes filter the water after a process called superpulsation, which enhances sediment removal from the raw water.   Eric Gernath, Chief Executive Officer for SUEZ North America, noted that the new plant has been built at an elevation that will help avoid potential floodwaters that had previously interfered with operations at the now decommissioned, original treatment plant. Following the flooding in 2011, the Chamber encouraged SUEZ (then United Water) to take steps to avoid lengthy service interruptions and supported the investment in a new facility.

Employers Face New January 31st W-2 Filing Deadline

November 10, 2016

A new federal law, aimed at making it easier for the IRS to detect and prevent refund fraud, accelerates the W-2 filing deadline for employers to January 31.   The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, enacted last December, includes the new requirement for employers. The January 31 filing deadline also applies to certain Forms 1099-MISC reporting non-employee compensation such as payments to independent contractors.

In the past, employers typically had until the end of February, if filing on paper, or the end of March, if filing electronically, to submit copies of these forms.  In addition, there are changes in requesting an extension to file.  Only one 30-day extension to file Form W-2 is available and the extension is not automatic.  A Form 8809 Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns must be completed as soon as possible and by January 31.

Deck the Halls at the Holiday Open House

November 3, 2016

new.colorlogo.wtaglineBe a part of the Partnership’s biggest event of the year and one of the area’s premiere holiday celebrations. The Holiday Open House will be held on Thursday, December 8th at The Pine Barn Inn. The evening will be filled with great networking opportunities and feature assorted foods and a full selection of beverages.

The event annually draws over 400 business and community leaders, so a Holiday Open House sponsorship is a sure way to make your business stand out in the community.

To become a sponsor, call Donna at 570-284-4455 or email dsharrow@cmpartnership.org. The deadline to sign up as a sponsor this year is November 10th. Thank you to this year’s Exclusive Event Sponsor – Service 1st Federal Credit Union.

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