Welcome New Member – Lightsource bp
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome new member Lightsource bp, a global leader in utility scale solar development and management. Lightsource bp has been developing utility-scale solar projects since 2010. They build, own and operate cost-effective, clean energy projects, and are dedicated to pushing the frontiers of solar and storage solutions, backed by world-class execution capabilities. Together with their 50:50 joint venture partner bp, they are reimagining energy and enacting real change on the energy landscape, not just in the USA, but all over the world.
For more on Lightsource bp, check out their video, below, or click on the welcome image to visit their website.
Welcome New Member – The Venue at Liberty Valley
The Venue offers over 10,000 square feet of usable indoor space, including three main event rooms, a cocktail lounge sporting a nearly 40 foot bar, two luxury suites, and an outdoor seating area on the deck. Large windows offer ample natural lighting to illuminate the luxurious grey washed wood floors, crystal chandeliers, and elegant granite countertops.
Enjoy a panoramic view under airy 19 foot ceilings in The Main Ballroom, privacy and rays of natural sunlight in The Liberty Room, and the perfect meeting and reception space in The Valley Room. Outdoor events space is also available, but all of the space is amplified by a professional staff and in-house caterers who can help with your wedding, bridal shower, birthday party, or corporate meeting.
Welcome to the Chamber!
Learn more about The Venue at Liberty Valley by visiting their website.
Welcome New Member – Fabtex, Inc.
Since serving its first customer in 1986, Fabtex, Inc. has become one of the largest fabricators of American made bed coverings and window treatments for the hospitality, cruise, healthcare and government industries. As a design leader, Fabtex credits collaboration with creative clients and interior designers for many of its most successful installations. Further, it places high value in research and analysis, identifying with its customers to deliver quality products that surpass client expectations. Fabtex believes American made products are the kindest to the planet and of the highest quality. No other country in the world protects the water and the air with such diligence.
While Fabtex has operations in North Carolina and California, the Columbia Montour Chamber is proudest to connect with its founding location in Danville, Pennsylvania, and are especially excited to welcome them to the Chamber.
For more information on Fabtex, and to connect with their team, visit their website.
U.S. Chamber Forecasts 2023 Economy
Source: The US Chamber of Commerce
Author: Curtis Dubay Chief Economist, U.S Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently convened its Chief Economists Committee to discuss members’ outlooks for the economy in 2023. The committee consists of chief economists from member businesses and helps the Chamber formulate economic policies and analysis.
A Mild But Short Recession is Likely in 2023
The consensus among Committee Members is that the U.S. will experience a mild but short recession in the middle of 2023 caused by consumer and business spending falling because of rising interest rates. Further contributing to the downturn would be consumers finally exhausting historic savings built up during the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning they would no longer have that source of money to keep spending at pace with inflation.
Businesses Less Likely to Pass Along Price Increases to Consumers
RSM’s Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas noted that businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to pass along higher prices for their inputs to customers through price increases. This was made clear in the RSM-U.S. Chamber of Commerce U.S. Middle Market Business Index:
“Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the pricing data is that the ability to pass along price increases to consumers is beginning to ebb. Roughly 53% of respondents noted an increase in prices received, down from 69% in the third quarter.”
This will likely mean shrinking profit margins for businesses.
How Businesses and Families Will Weather the Downturn
Although we are likely to have a mild recession, there is always pain caused by a decline in the economy. Members pointed out this will likely be the first recession in memory where there will be no extra assistance, other than automatic stabilizers, from fiscal or monetary policy.
Congress sending recession relief to families and the Federal Reserve loosening monetary policy would both make inflation worse, and hence be self-defeating. Families and businesses will have to weather the economic downturn with the resources already available to them.
The Fed’s Role
Members of the committee also agreed that inflation will come down significantly next year. They see the Federal Reserve’s anti-inflationary policies curbing demand and tightening financial conditions enough to start bringing prices down much closer to the Fed’s 2% inflation target over the course of 2023.
Other Economic Issues to Watch
Other economic issues noted in the meeting that bear watching in the year ahead:
Worker Shortages Still Matter
We have more than 3.3 million workers missing from the labor force based on labor force participation rates and 4.3 million more job openings than unemployed workers. Businesses are still struggling to get the workers they need, even while inflation receives most of the attention from policymakers. Committee members highlighted the ongoing problem:
- The food service industry is still short about 300,000 workers.
There is a massive shortage of skilled workers, including in fields such as auto mechanics. This, in turn, creates issues for a variety of industries reliant on these skilled trade workers.
Consumers are still spending
Consumers still have buying power because wages are rising, albeit less than inflation, but they have savings and available credit to fill the gap. However, those savings are dwindling, and available credit is shrinking, which is why many economists see a recession coming.
Other interesting observations by the Committee Members on spending include:
- Consumers are-- as expected coming out of the pandemic-- shifting their spending from goods to experiences.
- Inflation is driving down how much consumers are buying, but they are spending more in total dollars. For instance, they are buying fewer items when they go to a quick service restaurant, foregoing things like an extra bag of chips or fries, but because of higher prices, they are still spending more per visit than they did before the pandemic.
Flexible work and alternative forms of income are changing the economy
As inflation remains a problem, people are turning towards alternative forms of income to help make ends meet. This rise in gig work and other forms of alternative income earning are changing how our economy operates and contributing to the worker shortage.
With flexible work arrangements, workers are looking to boost their incomes in the face of high interest rates, lower savings, and inflation, including by participating in “shift-share” work where businesses hire temporary hourly workers on short notice.
Homeowners are increasingly looking to use their homes to earn additional income. For instance, bookings through Airbnb are up and homeowners are using this added source of income to keep up with rising home prices.
More than two million people are earning more than $100,000 a year as influencers. These people are most likely not working traditional full-time jobs and thus “absent” from the workforce as we previously conceived it.
We are not out of the woods on energy
Gas prices have fallen recently, however Committee economists see energy prices rising again, particularly for heating.
For example, New England is likely to see shortages and much higher prices for natural gas and home heating oil.
We’re beginning to see the effects of Europe ending the importation of Russian oil and natural gas. We do not know the full consequences of this yet.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is low which means there likely are not enough reserves available for release into the market to help alleviate high prices should oil and gas spike again.
The Bottom Line and The Good News
The U.S. economy is in for a bumpy 2023. Businesses should be prepared, and as always, also be prepared for those unexpected events that come out of nowhere.
The good news is that 2022 is shaping to end strong, with growth in the fourth quarter projected to perhaps be over 2%. And the economy is on sound footing once the volatility caused by high inflation ends.
Member News – December 28, 2022
A Tip of the Cap from the Chamber
Winter Storm Elliott has caused a lot of challenges for the community - from burst pipes to power outages, travel delays and more. Many helping hands have responded over the last week to assist neighbors, friends, customers, and those in need, including emergency plumbing and heating workers, volunteer firefighters and emergency personnel, snow plow drivers, township, borough and town workers, electric utility linemen and more, often in bitter cold and at personal risk. Thank you!
Special thanks to PPL Electric Utilities who were among those businesses who set up warming stations in the communities they serve, while their linemen worked quickly to restore power to 100,000 customers since Thursday of last week.
LIONS GATE APARTMENTS TO HOST FREE EVENTS
Lions Gate Apartments will host free community events starting Friday. Check them out!
- Friday, December 30, - Kevin Haile (live music) from 8:30-11:30pm
- January 6, 2023 - DJ Jon Gosselin will spin tunes from 7-11pm.
- January 12, 2023 - Kevin Haile (live music) 5:30pm - 7:30pm
- January 26, 2023 - Kevin Haile returns with piano and percussion from 6pm - 8pm.
AGAPE is Closed for the Holidays, But They're Still Keeping People Warm
In case you missed it, there's still a way for community members to take advantage of AGAPE's help even while they're closed (through January 2). Tied to the fence behind their building are sealed bags of warm gloves, blankets and hats. They're encouraging community members in need to stop by and grab what they need from the fence.
Bloomsburg Library to Host 'Learn your new device' Event December 29
Did you get a new phone or tablet over the holidays? Stop in on December 29 to gain some useful tips from the Bloomsburg Library, who recently received a grant from the Bloomsburg Rotary to purchase five different devices for teaching. The Dec. 29 digital literacy event is made possible by a Public Library Association incentive fund, in partnership with AT&T.
Congrats to Ryan Mazeikia...We Think
Tri-County Lumber Truss Plant Making Big Progress!
Did you catch the Press Enterprise's December 27 edition? If you didn't, pick up a copy or read it online, because there's some great updates and pictures of the progress being made on the Tri-County Lumber & Truss Truss Plant in Lightstreet.
Impress Your Guests with this Recipe from Wild for Salmon: Spicy Scallop Canapés
When it comes to finding your next favorite fancy occasion or New Years Eve recipe, this is it! Elegant, delicious, and not-that-difficult to prepare!
Guest Blog: The Good Insurance Group Recommends These Winter Weather Tips for your Home
Help protect the inside and outside of your home from winter weather damage.
NEPIRC: Responding to the Skills Gap
Chamber member NEPIRC has posted a great infographic and tips on how to create effective programs to retain and engage employees, leverage technology, apply lean manufacturing principles and more. Check out these resources here.
Guest Post: McKonly & Asbury, LLP: Tax Planning for Small Businesses
Check out this guest post, which includes an overview of tax planning, projections, year-end purchases, and examples of assets to purchase at the end of the year.
Benton Area, Columbia County - Floodplain Survey Due December 30, 2022
In October 2022, Columbia County released a two-page hard copy floodplain survey to the Benton Area titled, “Moving Towards Resiliency and Mitigation.” The mailing also included a Survey Monkey link to complete online. All hardcopy and online survey submissions are due to be submitted by December 30, 2022. Additional information will be provided, when available, at SEDA-COG and Columbia County Resiliency websites - https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/columbia-county-flood-mitigation-studies/ and http://columbiapa.org/resiliency/index.php.
Bloomsburg Featured in List of Top 5 Places to Visit
Recently, The Keystone featured Bloomsburg as a Top 5 Place to Visit in PA, and showcased the gallery and work of The Art Exchange's own Oren Helbok. Check it out!
Bucknell University Students Are Building Websites for Local Organizations
As part of a coming Marketing and Design Course, Bucknell Students are offering to develop websites for local businesses and organizations free of charge. Respond to their survey by January 10 for an opportunity to partner with these students. Read more.
PA CareerLink to Host Hiring Event in Bloomsburg January 11
IMC To Host January Webinars
IMC has announced two (free) upcoming webinars, called "Training Within Industry - Foundations of Job Instruction" (January 10) and "Building an Innovative Enterprise - An Introduction to Design Thinking" (January 17).
Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak Welcome Attorney Eric Young
Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak, an elder law firm with locations in State College, Williamsport, Wyalusing and Wysox, Pa., is pleased to announce the addition of Attorney Eric Young to its staff as an associate attorney. Attorney Young comes to SGY with over 18 years of experience as an attorney in Pennsylvania, having been admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 2004, and having worked in several different areas of law during his career. He will work primarily out of the firm's Williamsport and Wyalusing offices, taking client appointments in both locations, and will assist clients with their estate and long-term care planning needs. Read more about Attorney Eric Young
Member News – December 21, 2022
SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority Announces New Executive Director
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Steven Beattie is the new Executive Director of the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority (JRA.)
Beattie began his career as a project manager for area engineering consulting firms, including Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., where he managed the Lewisburg office. He later joined the Larson Design Group where he worked in a multitude of roles: Site/Civil Engineering Senior Project Manager, Retail Design Senior Project Manager, and the Director of Sales and Marketing. He most recently served as the Community Development/Grant Manager for the Borough of Lewisburg. Read the full announcement.
Darlis Dyer to Retire
After 19 years of service, the Montour County Assistant Director of Elections is retiring. Thank you for your dedication to our community and congratulations on your retirement!
Service 1st Federal Credit Union Collects Toys for Tots
Congratulations to Service 1st Federal Credit Union, who recently collected over 100 Toys for Tots during their holiday gathering. In addition to toys collected at the event, branch locations have served as collection sites for the drive.
Top USAC All-Pro SpeedSTR Drivers to Headline Bloomsburg Fair Raceway in 2023
The 2023 season at the Bloomsburg Fair Raceway is taking shape and when the green flag drops on April 20 to begin the third year of racing located inside the historic Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, fans will get their first taste of watching modern day cowboys such as “The Wheel Master General” Timmy Buckwalter, “The Kid’s Kid” Billy Pauch Jr., and Briggs Danner as they go slinging through the corners and lashing their way down the shoots against a bevy of other star-studded wheelmen over the spring and summer competing in the headline USAC All-Pro SpeedSTRs. Read the full announcement.
Santa Claus Visits Design Group
Santa and his helpers from HR visited the manufacturing and distribution facilities in Berwick, PA this week to hand out a chocolate treat and activity sheet. How fun!
Santa Announces Peppermint Trail Winners
Following the completion of the Danville Business Alliance’s Peppermint Trail, Santa stopped in to announce the winners. Congratulations to Marcia Breech and Cindy Huang, the DBA’s big winners!
Sean Black, State Farm Insurance Agency Donates Stuffed Animals to Berwick Police Department
First responders often work with children in challenging situations. To comfort them during these times, Sean Black State Farm Insurance Agency recently donated stuffed animals to Berwick PD. Accepting the donation was off-duty officer Brandon Shultz.
Daniel Sturm Earns Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional Designation
McKonly & Asbury is proud to announce that Daniel Sturm, Partner is now among the most highly qualified construction financial professionals in the industry, having recently earned the Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) designation. According to the Certification Division of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), the CCIFP designation is “the only construction financial management certification accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).” Read more.
Bloomsburg Children’s Museum Announces Gingerbread Winners
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum recently held their annual gingerbread competition. There were 52 entries in various categories. The winning gingerbread pieces will be on display at the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum until December 23rd. The Museum is open Mondays-Saturdays 10 am – 4 pm. Check out the winners!
McKonly & Asbury To Host Webinar On Ethical Skills for Organizational Leaders
This free webinar on December 15th will discuss the unexpected benefits of an ethical work environment. Presenters will focus on ethical behaviors that set the “Tone at the Top” as well as employee’s personal benefits of peace of mind, trust, and good reputation. The webinar will also address the numerous employer benefits including improved employee morale, enhanced employee retention, increased employee productivity, and a greater focus on transparency throughout the organization. Click here to register.
CareerLink to Host "Zoom Your Way to Stress Management" - December 22, 2022
Bucknell University Students Are Building Websites for Local Organizations
As part of a coming Marketing and Design Course, Bucknell Students are offering to develop websites for local businesses and organizations free of charge. Respond to their survey by January 10 for an opportunity to partner with these students. Read more.
Benton Area, Columbia County - Floodplain Survey Due December 30, 2022
In October 2022, Columbia County released a two-page hard copy floodplain survey to the Benton Area titled, “Moving Towards Resiliency and Mitigation.” The mailing also included a Survey Monkey link to complete online. All hardcopy and online survey submissions are due to be submitted by December 30, 2022. Additional information will be provided, when available, at SEDA-COG and Columbia County Resiliency websites - https://seda-cog.org/departments/flood-resiliency/columbia-county-flood-mitigation-studies/ and http://columbiapa.org/resiliency/index.php.
Bloomsburg Featured in List of Top 5 Places to Visit
Recently, The Keystone featured Bloomsburg as a Top 5 Place to Visit in PA, and showcased the gallery and work of The Art Exchange's own Oren Helbok. Check it out!
IMC To Host January Webinars
IMC has announced two (free) upcoming webinars, called "Training Within Industry - Foundations of Job Instruction" (January 10) and "Building an Innovative Enterprise - An Introduction to Design Thinking" (January 17).
SERVPRO Set to Kick Off Fifth First Responder Bowl
In recognition of the service and sacrifice of thousands of first responders nationwide, SERVPRO will host the fifth annual SERVPRO First Responder Bowl at SMU's Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. The University of Memphis Tigers will face off against the Utah State University Aggies. Kickoff is set for December 27, 2022, at 3:15 Eastern Standard Time on ESPN.
"This game shines a spotlight on hometown heroes across the country," said Sean McCabe, a disaster restoration specialist with SERVPRO of Columbia, Montour & Sullivan Counties. "We are proud to be part of a company that honors all first responders for willingly putting the welfare of others ahead of their own personal safety."
Nationwide, SERVPRO franchises, including Columbia, Montour & Sullivan Counties, were asked to submit the name of a first responder from their hometown to be considered for special recognition at the game. This year, SERVPRO is honoring Cpl. Phillip Zonn and POFC. Geobani Guerra of the Prince George's County (Maryland) Police Department. Zonn and Guerra were both separately traveling home from their shift when they approached a vehicle that had been involved in an accident. The two officers bravely worked to cut the unconscious and injured driver free from the burning vehicle before it was engulfed in flames.
The First Responder Bowl caps off a year of significant support from SERVPRO for first responder communities across the country. Read more about the First Responder Bowl.
For the Cause Welcomes Teen Center Director
For the Cause recently announced the hiring of Heather Gleco, Teen Center Director. Heather brings over a decade of experience in education, ranging from early childhood education to secondary school. She has a background as a coach, mentor, and a certified teacher.
Guest Blog Post: 5 Benefits of Hiring a Local Arborist
When taking care of the trees on your property, you want to ensure that they're in good hands. That's why hiring a local arborist is always a good idea. These professionals have the knowledge, experience, and training to ensure your trees remain healthy and thrive. Here are just five of the benefits that come with hiring a professional arborist for your residential or commercial property. Read more.
Guest Blog Post: How to Safely Heat Your Home
Check out this post from Zimmer Insurance!
Guest Blog Post: Three Lessons Manufacturers Learn from Nascar
Check out this guest post from IMC - Innovative Manufacturer's Center.
Guest Blog Post: Follow Safe Energy Practices for the Holidays
Check out this guest post from UGI Utilities!
Chamber of Commerce Advocates for Improved Conduct by Leaders
Non-profit boards and elected officials invited to adopt code of conduct.
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce board of directors has adopted a code of conduct to encourage greater collaboration among elected and other officials. The document was developed in response to increasing polarization and unprofessionalism among people in leadership positions, resulting in organizational dysfunction and decreasing engagement in the decision-making process. Elected officials and governing bodies, including non-profit organizations, are invited to adopt the code of conduct.
“Individuals with extreme positions and personalities are dominating meetings and public attention at all levels,” said Fred Gaffney, Chamber president. “This code of conduct is intended to encourage decorum, professionalism, and collaboration among officials, leading to greater productivity and encouraging others to become involved.”
Adopters of the code of conduct pledge to actively participate in the entity they represent, conduct themselves professionally, be open in the decision-making process, and act in the best interests of the entity and its stakeholders.
The Chamber of Commerce invites non-profit organizations, elected officials, and governing bodies to review, adopt, and hold themselves accountable to the code of conduct. The document is available at columbiamontourchamber.com/code. Those that do adopt it are asked to inform the Chamber so they can be added to this webpage.
Read the Code of Conduct for Leaders
RISING GAS TAXES WILL LEAD TO RECORD CAPITAL SPENDING, INCREASED COSTS
Source: PA Chamber of Business & Industry
Act 89, the comprehensive transportation funding law the PA Chamber supported, requires the Revenue Department to adjust the liquid fuels taxes based on inflation and average wholesale prices. Because of rising prices, a recent update raises the gasoline tax in 2023 to the equivalent of 78.5 cents per gallon (up from 74.1 cents this year) and raises the diesel tax to 61.1 cents per gallon (up from 57.6 cents).
The overall cost of gasoline has been declining the past several weeks due to slower demand. Diesel prices remain elevated due to limited refinery capacity and less elastic demand by heavy trucking. Year-over-year inflation remains high but appears to be cooling off.
The upshot – gasoline tax collections, paired with federal infrastructure dollars and the legislature reducing diversions to the state police, has PennDOT on track for a record capital spending budget, which was the intent of the program. The downside is that businesses will face an increase in shipping and operational costs, and supply chain and inflationary pressures are reducing the project output even with PennDOT’s $2.7 billion budget.
These higher prices are also spurring legislative interest in making sure electric vehicles are contributing an equivalent amount, possibly through an annual mileage fee paid when drivers update mileage for their registration.
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Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of BusinessTM.
EXPANDING MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS
Source: My Benefit Advisor
In the past couple years, many employers have expanded their company’s mental health benefits as a show of support for potential jobseekers, employees and their families. The intention is to help promote employee wellbeing through better access and improved benefit levels for those feeling stressed about personal or work-life matters.
Workers seem to appreciate the efforts and are taking advantage of the services. Some of the changes business owners are making include:
- Increasing access to mental health services through methods like tele-health
- An expansion of access to in-network mental health providers
- Reduced cost sharing for mental healthcare visits
- The addition or expansion of employee assistance programs for mental health services
- Access to yoga, meditation and mindfulness sessions at the workplace or home
- Providing apps that support wellness, focusing on fitness, sleep and relaxation
By addressing issues like stress and anxiety on in a more proactive fashion, employers can reduce or even eliminate costly treatment for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiac problems. The small financial investment the employer makes now can often save substantial costs in the future.
The Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at cmcc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Stephen Lylo at (800) 377-3539.
Welcome New Member – Sean Black State Farm Insurance Agency – Bloomsburg
After a decade of service in Berwick, Sean is beyond proud to celebrate the opening of a second office in Pennsylvania, located in downtown Bloomsburg across the street from the beautiful David Stroup Fountain.
Committed to the same high level of service and customer care in both the Berwick and Bloomsburg offices, you're invited to come pay the team a visit at whichever location is more convenient for you! Sean Black State Farm Insurance Agency extends their services to residents across the great state of Pennsylvania and regularly works with people in Williamsport, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Allentown.
Sean is a second-generation State Farm Agent and has more than 26 years of experience with the company. After working in an internal capacity for State Farm for nearly fifteen years, he made the decision to start his own business in 2012 and hasn't looked back.
His team, comprised of Daniel, Erin, and Alicia, are standing by to make sure your insurance plans are in order, and they can assist you with your Auto, Life, Business, and Home Insurance needs. If you ride a motorcycle or own a boat, consider their help to get you covered. They are also happy to provide you with FREE quotes for any of their insurance offerings, so just reach out!
Of special note: Sean Black State Farm Insurance Agency supports the Berwick Area United Way and Berwick's Women's Shelter, and they are active participants in several community events throughout the year. In the past, Sean has served as board president for the Berwick Area YMCA. He's a big outdoorsman, and is always looking for an excuse to get outside and particularly enjoy skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and camping.
Connect with Sean and his team through their website, www.insurebloomsburg.com - and don't miss it - they're hiring!