MEMBER NEWS – OCTOBER 26, 2022
SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY UNITED WAY TO HOST BE KIND POSTER CONTEST
The contest will span across elementary, middle, and high school age groups in Snyder, Union, Northumberland, Columbia, and Montour counties. The competition will be open from October 12th through November 30th.
BLOSSOMS IN BLOOM BY MEGAN AND SOMETHING BORROWED BY T + M TO HOST GRAND OPENING NOVEMBER 5
From 9am to 5pm on November 5, stop by Blossoms in Bloom by Megan and Something Borrowed by T & M for their big event! They'll be offering discounts on non-vendor merchandise and there will be light refreshments and snacks available! They will also have the other half of our store open that has Something Borrowed by T&M for you to check out any of your decor rental needs!
SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY UNITED WAY OFFERS EMERGENCY RESOURCE GUIDE
The guide includes contact information for Financial Assistance, Disaster Relief, Mental Health & Substance Use, Food & Clothing, Housing, Legal Services and Transportation.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER HOSTING WEBINARS
Pennsylvania's Small Business Development Centers are hosting webinars: Power of Positive Leadership (November 8, 12pm), and Why Are Business Owners Resistant to Virtual Work (November 9, 12pm). For these programs and more, visit here. Hoping to connect with your local SBDC? Columbia County is served by Wilkes University SBDC, and Montour County is served by the Bucknell University SBDC.
PA CAREERLINK® COLUMBIA/MONTOUR COUNTIES MOVES TO NEW LOCATION
The PA CareerLink® Columbia/Montour Counties is moving from 415 Central Rd Suite 2, to the building next door at 421 Central Rd., Suite 1 so as to better serve job seekers and businesses utilizing CareerLink services.
BASON COFFEE ANNOUNCES MOVE
Featuring a Sneak Peak on 10/27 and an opening on Monday, 10/31, Bason Coffee’s Retail Store will move from its current location to 453 Mill Street, and the storefront will feature a new name: Bason Coffee and More.
AGAPE Celebrates Clergy Appreciation Month
The organization is encouraging community members to shares their support for local clergy by sharing kind notes, prayer requests and more through AGAPE.
Capture Tremendous Opportunities: eCommerce 101 for Manufacturers
The Innovative Manufacturers’ Center will host this free webinar Nov. 8 from 11am to noon. The program will feature an eCommerce checklist for beginners, 1st page rankings on Google, creating effective landing pages, and targeting customers with Google Ads and Shopping. Check out the link for more.
Town of Bloomsburg Looking to Expand Weaitlist for Housing Rehabilitation Grant
The Town recently received a $500,000 housing rehabilitation grant and encourages interested residents to apply for no-cost repairs. Read more.
Keep Our Kids Warm
As part of its coat request program, Central Susquehanna Opportunities has created an application form which will be accepted through November 11, 2022. Download the form.
Hand In Hand to Host Fourth Annual Halloween Golf Cart Parade
The event will take place October 30 in Mifflinville, running from 1pm to 3pm. Check out the flyer!
...MORE TRICK OR TREATING AND TRUNK OR TREAT EVENTS
While it's not comprehensive, we've compiled a list of trick or treating and "trunk or treat" opportunities in the community. If you know of more, we'd love your help. Shoot an email to Chris Berleth and we'll be happy to share safe trick or treating opportunities in Columbia and Montour counties. Please note that each bullet represents information sourced directly from local social media events and sites, and this is all of the information available to us at this time. For more information on these events, we encourage you to visit the host's websites and/or social media.
Here's what we've got so far that's coming up:
Montour County
- 10/26/22 Trunk or Treat -6pm – 8pm
- Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community, 11 School House Rd. Danville, PA
- 10/26/22 – 5pm Danville Community Trunk or Treat
- 931 Ironment Lane, Danville, PA
- 10/27/22 - Danville Halloween Parade
- Parade forms at 5:00pm at Wall Street, to the Danville Soccer Park, moves at 7:00pm sharp.
- 10/29/22 – Trick or Treat Night in Riverside Borough - 6:00pm – 9:00pm
- 10/29/22 - Trick or Treat Night, Danville Borough & Mahoning Township, 6-9pm
- 10/29/22 6pm Trunk or Treat - Montour Delong Community Fair
- 5848 Broadway Rd. Danville, PA
Columbia County
- 10/26/22 5:30pm – 7:30pm 5thAnnual Trunk or Treat – Briar Creek Twp. Police & Summerhill Fire Co.
- Summerhill Fire Co. 422 Summerhill Rd. Berwick, PA
- 10/27/22 – Montour Township Trunk or Treat – Sponsored by the Montour Township Supervisors
- 4 Perry Avenue, Bloomsburg, PA
- 10/27/22 - Bloomsburg Care and Rehabilitation Center
- 211 East 1st St. Bloomsburg, PA. Call 570-784-5930 to reserve a parking spot.
- 10/27/22 - 6pm - 8pm - Glen Brook Health and Rehab, 801 East 16th street Berwick, PA
- 10/28/22 – Booburg Trunk or Treat at Bloomsburg Area YMCA
- 10/29/22 - Catawissa Halloween Parade
- 10/30/22 Trunk or Treat, Beaver Township Volunteer Fire Company
- 5:45pm, Trunk or Treat 6pm – 8pm
- 102 Mountain Shadow Ln, Bloomsburg, PA
- 10/30/22 & 10/31/22 – Trick or Treating in the Borough of Berwick, 6pm – 8pm.
- 10/31/22, 6:00-8:00pm - Trick or Treating - Catawissa Borough, hosted by Catawissa Police Dept.
- 10/31/22 – 6pm – 9:00pm - Town of Bloomsburg Trick or Treat Night
PACP Recognizes Chamber Professionals
Gettysburg —Chamber of commerce professionals from across Pennsylvania, including Fred Gaffney, President of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce earned distinguished service awards from the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP) during the 2022 PACP Chamber Professionals & Leadership Conference held recently in Gettysburg.
Each year, the organization recognizes chamber professionals who have served any five-year increment in chamber management. In 2022, Gaffney celebrated his twentieth year as a Chamber professional.
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. Joining Gaffney in receipt of PACP’s service awards were Jodi August, Greater Dubois Chamber of Commerce, Samantha Chivinski, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Brian Schill, Peters Township Chamber of Commerce, Joe Hurd, Blair County Chamber of Commerce, and Melody Longstreth, Greene County Chamber of Commerce.
Gaffney had an eventful night – in addition to receiving his twenty-year Service Award, he was recognized for vision, leadership and commitment to the Chamber profession as the 2022 PACP Board Chair. His term as Chair will end December 31, and he’ll serve as Immediate Past Chair, alongside the new slate of PACP Board Directors, who were also announced in Gettysburg.
The 2023 Officers and Board of Directors who will take office on Jan. 1, 2023:
Officers: Chair, Tracy Becker, Clarion Area Chamber; Chair-Elect, Brian Schill, Peters Township Chamber, Treasurer/Corporate Secretary, Gina Suydam, Wyoming County Chamber; Immediate Past Chair Fred Gaffney, Columbia Montour Chamber;
Board of Directors: Ron Aldom, Somerset County Chamber; Jodi August, Greater DuBois Chamber; Chris Berleth, Columbia Montour Chamber; George Book, West Shore Chamber; Lindsay Griffin, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber; Alex Halper, PA Chamber; Steven Hunsberger, Indian Valley Chamber; Michelle Kreutzer, Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber; Christa Lundy, Meadville Area Chamber; Katie Hetherington Cunfer, Greater Reading Chamber.
Board members serve in a 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.
In addition to the awards program, the annual Chamber Professionals & Leadership Conference is a key benchmarking opportunity for Chambers to consider best practices and to add value back to their members. Gaffney and Chamber Vice President Chris Berleth were among 65 colleagues at this year’s program.
Welcome New Member – Something Borrowed by T + M, LLC
Tonya and Megan saw a need for a business in the NEPA area that provided people the ability to rent items for their events. Whether it be Weddings, Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Themed parties, etc., Something Borrowed offers you the items that you need to make your event beautiful and unique at a reasonable price, while saving you the hassle of having to spend hours shopping for items you will only use one time. Something Borrowed offers these one-time-use items at a low cost, while saving you the trouble of figuring out what to do with the items after your event. Inventory includes items such as furniture, tableware, backdrops, signs, lanterns, games and more!
With a love and passion for making things extra special for those memorable moments, we know you'll find exactly what you’re looking for at Something Borrowed, by T&M. On behalf of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, welcome Tonya and Megan, to the Chamber!
To learn more about Something Borrowed by T+M, LLC, visit their website.
Chamber Expresses Concerns About Proposed Noise Ordinance
The new Bloomsburg rule would have unintended consequences for businesses and residents.
Bloomsburg - On Monday, October 24th, Bloomsburg Town Council voted to advertise an ordinance that would establish noise thresholds for activities and events conducted by residents and businesses. The ordinance is in response to concerns about motor racing at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds in 2021 and 2022. Chamber president Fred Gaffney asked Council not to move forward with the ordinance. Council members Bonnie Crawford and Nicolas McGaw voted against moving forward, citing concerns about the sound level.
The ordinance would set a limit of 65 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and 50 decibels between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. for a cumulative period of more than 10 minutes in any one hour at or within the property boundary of any residentially-zoned property. Fines for violating those levels would be $1,000 for the first offense and $2,000 for each subsequent offense.
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), conversation at a 3-foot distance is approximately 60 decibels. The agency sets a threshold of 85 decibels over an extended period of time for requiring hearing protection in industrial settings. That standard has been in place for approximately 30 years.
The draft exempts certain sources, including emergency services, churches, Town, county, and state events, public works, and school-sponsored athletic or recreational events. While activities at the Fairgrounds during the Fair would also be exempt, motor racing and motorized vehicle exhibition activities at the Fairgrounds at any time of year would have to comply with the noise limits. However, activities including lawn mowing, leaf blowing, and business operations above 65 decibels but within OSHA noise standards, would not be expressly allowed.
“Therefore, we are asking Council to not move forward with this draft, as it takes an extreme position that could result in many unintended consequences,” said Gaffney. “We are asking that Council find reasonable compromises for the benefit of the entire community.”
Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance as advertised at its next meeting scheduled for Monday, November 14th at 7 p.m.
Chambers of Commerce Across Pennsylvania Urge Lawmakers to Pass Unemployment Compensation Tax Rate Fix
SOURCE: https://www.pachamber.org/media/press_releases/
HARRISBURG - With few days left in the 2021-22 legislative session, a coalition of more than 60 chambers of commerce across Pennsylvania, including the Columbia Montour Chamber, sent a letter to state lawmakers today urging them to pass S.B. 1083, legislation that would help a group of employers avoid an unfair increase to their unemployment compensation taxes.
The letter cites the Department of Labor and Industry’s estimate that 2,700 Pennsylvania employers with lower experience-based unemployment compensation tax rates are being assessed a rate increase because they were forced into a prolonged pandemic-related shutdown causing their rate to revert to the default level. Senate Bill 1083 would provide a targeted, temporary exemption so these employers who were forced to shut down during the pandemic can maintain the lower unemployment compensation tax rate they earned.
“The pandemic created many challenges for employers, and being able to keep their doors open and maintain their staff was one of the greatest hurdles they faced,” said Pennsylvania Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein. “Small business owners who have already withstood so much cannot afford the added cost of a tax hike based on circumstances that were outside of their control.”
“We appreciate the work of state Sen. Dave Argall, state Rep. Tim Twardzik, the Wolf administration, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle who have supported this bill,” Bernstein added. “Together with our statewide local chamber partners, we are urging lawmakers to help our small businesses by getting this critical bill to the governor’s desk before the end of the legislative session.”
The local chamber coalition letter can be found here.
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The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state’s largest broad-based business association, with its statewide membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of Business™.
Member News – October 19, 2022
Bloomsburg Children's Museum Receives $6,000 Healthy Workplace Grant from Community Giving Foundation of Berwick
The first grant of $1,000 will be used for programs and incentives to improve staff mental health and wellbeing and the second grant of $5,000 will be used for general operating expenses to help cover the rising cost of utilities and program materials.
Director of the BCM, Dr. Ginny Weibel says, "The funds we received from the Community Giving Foundation are invaluable to the health and well being of our staff. Additionally, the operating support allows the museum to continue to enrich the lives of the 26,000 people we serve annually.” Over the years, the BCM has utilized this grant funding to increase job satisfaction, reduce stress and increase comradery among the museum staff.
Community Giving Foundation Continues Nonprofit Leadership Series
You won’t want to miss the next program, called “Don’t Fear Being a Speaker”, Facilitated by Dr. David S. Heineman, Bloomsburg University, the program considers how to overcome speech anxiety, find your voice, and become a better advocate for your organization. Read more.
Susquehanna Valley United Way to Host Be Kind Poster Contest
This winter, the poster contest will span across elementary, middle, and high school age groups in Snyder, Union, Northumberland, Columbia, and Montour counties. The competition will be open from October 12th through November 30th.
Congratulations to the Winners of the First Columbia Bank Photo Competition!
244 local photos were displayed in this year’s contest. Winners included:
Animals and Wildlife category: First place, Michelle Yost of Bloomsburg, "Perching Heron;" second place, Julie Kuznicki of Orangeville, "Hummingbird on Salvia;" third place, Rita Scholl of Selinsgrove, "Seeing Double;" honorable mention, Kiersten Novick of Bloomsburg, "Looking for Prey."
Flowers category: First place, Kiersten Novick of Bloomsburg, "Pink Flower;" second place, Deborah Houser of Bloomsburg, "Peeking Through the Fog;" third place, Michelle Yost of Bloomsburg, "Perfection in Coral;" honorable mention, Kelly Caudle of Winfield, "Rebellious Sunflower."
Close Up/Macro category: First place, Crystal Post of Shickshinny, "Motionless;" second place, Avis Miller of Berwick, "Wings Up;" third place, Michelle Yost of Bloomsburg, "Kalanchoe in Bloom;" honorable mention, Angela Purcell of Berwick, "Frozen Bubbles."
Nature/Landscape category: First place, Angela Purcell of Berwick, "Silence Fell;" second place, Michelle Yost of Bloomsburg, "The Wave;" third place, Jillian Wydra of Wapwallopen, "Morning Sun Peeking Through Tree;" honorable mention, Eugeniu Grigorescu of Hanover Township for, "Slowed Flow."
Black and White category: First place, Jillian Wydra of Wapwallopen, "Moonlit Tree on Snowy Night;" second place, Michelle Yost of Bloomsburg, "Southwestern Barn;" third place, Avis Miller of Berwick, "Down the Railing;" honorable mention was given to Carter Stephens of Duryea for "Boop Dog Nose."
Best in Show was again awarded to Novick for her "Pink Flower."
Rita Scholl of Selinsgrove won the People's Choice award, decided by those who attended Sunday's open house for her "Water-drop Reflections."
AGREEMENT GUARANTEEING ADMISSION, UP TO $28,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS SIGNED BETWEEN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
Shown from left, seated: Dr. Bashar Hanna and Mr. Jonathan J. Cleaver. Standing: Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson, Mr. Jerome Manley, Mrs. Heaven Reinhard and Mr. Jason Moser.
Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield, together as Commonwealth University and 17 school districts in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, have signed an agreement guaranteeing admission, eligibility for merit-based scholarships, and on-campus housing at any of its locations.
The school districts included in the agreements are: Berwick, Benton, Bloomsburg, Central Columbia, Columbia/Montour Vo Tech, Danville, Hazleton, Lewisburg, Millville, Milton Area, Mount Carmel, North Schuylkill, Selinsgrove, Shamokin, Southern Columbia, Warrior Run, and Shikellamy. Read more.
SEDA-COG OFFERS FREE CLEAN & TUNE SERVICE
With colder weather approaching, SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is continuing to offer the LIHEAP Clean and Tune program for residents. This program is a benefit available to provide homeowners and residents the assistance to maintain their new or repaired heating systems and to avoid interruption. Read more.
BARRY ISETT & ASSOCIATES CELEBRATES FOUR YEARS OF BEST PLACES TO WORK IN PA
Isett has been recognized with 119 other businesses in this statewide list across small-, midsize- and large employer categories. The Best Places to Work in PA ranking is proudly embraced by employers as third-party validation of its credibility to stand out to clients, partners, and most importantly, job seekers.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER HIGHLIGHTS UPCOMING WEBINARS
Pennsylvania's Small Business Development Centers are hosting upcoming webinars: Culture is King: Leadership & Communication (October 25, 12pm), Power of Positive Leadership (November 8, 12pm), and Why Are Business Owners Resistant to Virtual Work (November 9, 12pm). For these programs and more, visit here. Hoping to connect with your local SBDC? Columbia County is served by Wilkes University SBDC, and Montour County is served by the Bucknell University SBDC.
SITEEXCHANGE PUBLIC ART PROJECT BRINGS ART TO THE GUMBALL MACHINE
A public art project by Cindi Hron and The Exchange, SITEexchange engaged artists in the central Susquehanna Valley to observe and record, through artistic means, the sites (places) important to them within the region: public places, private places, well-known ones, secret ones -- any places at all worth documenting in paintings, drawings, photographs, or any other artistic medium. Now, that artwork is available across the region in miniature form - through gumball machines throughout the community! All of the original artwork will hang at the Exchange Gallery between October 10th and November 18th, 2022. You've got to check this out.
INVITATION TO BID FOR MARC 2023 LAWN CARE AND MONTOUR PRESERVE SNOW REMOVAL CLOSE OCT. 24
Invitation to bid packets for both contracts are now posted to MARC's website have been posted to the MARC and Montour Preserve Facebook pages, and will be advertised in local newspapers in the coming days. Visit the site for more.
PA CareerLink® Columbia/Montour Counties Moves to New Location to Better Serve Business and Job Seekers
Bloomsburg, PA (October 17, 2022) – Advance Central PA, the workforce development board serving nine counties, announces the PA CareerLink® Columbia/Montour Counties is moving from 415 Central Rd Suite 2, to the building next door at 421 Central Rd., Suite 1 so as to better serve job seekers and businesses utilizing CareerLink services such as recruitment events and consultation regarding workforce talent solutions, one-on-one career coaching, access to computers to apply for jobs, and access to training programs to increase skills. Having a larger site will allow the local staff to provide even more services.”
To accommodate the move, the PA CareerLink® will be closed to the public during the week of October 31st through November 4th. The PA CareerLink® located in Sunbury is an option for job seekers with immediate service needs or access to computers. Additionally, local staff in Bloomsburg are available to set up virtual appointments with job seekers or on-site appointments with businesses.
For updates, helpful job search tips, and news about upcoming events such as workshops, job fairs, recruitments, and seminars, visit the Central PA CareerLink® page at https://centralpacareerlink.org/ and our PA CareerLink® Columbia/Montour/Northumberland/Snyder/Union Counties Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pacareerlinknsu.
MARIA JOSEPH CCC TO HOST TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 26
Staff and residents of Maria Joseph are invited to decorate their trunks and pass out candy! The event will be held in the back parking lot of Maria Joseph Emmanuel Skilled Nursing Center. Car set up begins at 5:30pm and event starts at 6:00pm.
TRUNK OR TREAT AT BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
Hosted by the Bloomsburg University Police, the Columbia County DA's Office & the Victim/Witness Office, this event takes place at Bloomsburg University's LC East Commuter Lot. Call Sgt. Hirko for more information, at 570-389-2211.
TRUNK OR TREAT AT BLOOMSBURG REHABILITATION AND CARE CENTER, OCTOBER 27, 2022
This Trunk or Treat event kicks off at 6:30pm. Reserve a parking spot by contacting Amber Horton (570) 784-5930 or emailing ahorton@bloomsburghc.com.
Address: Bloomsburg Care and Rehabilitation Center, 211 East 1st St. Bloomsburg, PA 17815
BLOOMSBURG AREA YMCA TO HOST TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 28, 2022
Bloomsburg Area YMCA is asking for participants to decorate their trunks and provide treats to hand out. To sign up, email Serena, Youth Development & Family Engagement Director, at shampton@bloomsburgy.org or call the YMCA’s front desk at (570)784-0188.
...MORE TRICK OR TREATING AND TRUNK OR TREAT EVENTS
While it's not comprehensive, we've compiled a list of trick or treating and "trunk or treat" opportunities in the community. If you know of more, we'd love your help. Shoot an email to Chris Berleth, Chamber Vice President, and we'll be happy to share safe trick or treating opportunities in Columbia and Montour Counties. Please note that each bullet represents information sourced directly from local social media events and sites, and this is all of the information available to us at this time. For more information on these events, we encourage you to visit the host's websites and/or social media.
Here's what we've got so far:
Montour County
- 10/22/2022 8am – 12pm - Downtown Danville’s Healthy Halloween
- Wear your costume to the Ferry Street Growers’ Market, and be entered to win a prize. Games and fun activities, first 100 children receive a free treat. Scavenger Hunt also available, 10/22 – 10/29.
- 10/26/22 Trunk or Treat -6pm – 8pm
- Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community, 11 School House Rd. Danville, PA
- 10/26/22 – 5pm Danville Community Trunk or Treat
- 931 Ironment Lane, Danville, PA
- 10/27/22 - Danville Halloween Parade
- Parade forms at 5:00pm at Wall Street, to the Danville Soccer Park, moves at 7:00pm sharp.
- 10/29/22 – Trick or Treat Night in Riverside Borough - 6:00pm – 9:00pm
- 10/29/22 6pm Trunk or Treat - Montour Delong Community Fair
- 5848 Broadway Rd. Danville, PA
Columbia County
- 10/22/22 12pm – 3pm, Fran’s Dairy Bar, Millville, PA
- 10/24/22 6-8pm -3rdAnnual BYFL Trunk or Treat
- Test Track Park, S Eaton St. Berwick, PA
- 10/26/22 5:30pm – 7:30pm 5thAnnual Trunk or Treat – Briar Creek Twp. Police & Summerhill Fire Co.
- Summerhill Fire Co. 422 Summerhill Rd. Berwick, PA
- 10/27/22 – Montour Township Trunk or Treat – Sponsored by the Montour Township Supervisors
- 4 Perry Avenue, Bloomsburg, PA
- 10/27/22 - Bloomsburg Care and Rehabilitation Center
- 211 East 1st St. Bloomsburg, PA. Call 570-784-5930 to reserve a parking spot.
- 10/28/22 – Booburg Trunk or Treat at Bloomsburg Area YMCA
- 10/30/22 Trunk or Treat, Beaver Township Volunteer Fire Company
- 5:45pm, Trunk or Treat 6pm – 8pm
- 102 Mountain Shadow Ln, Bloomsburg, PA
- 10/30/22 & 10/31/22 – Trick or Treating in the Borough of Berwick, 6pm – 8pm.
- 10/31/22, 6:00-8:00pm - Trick or Treating - Catawissa Borough, hosted by Catawissa Police Dept.
- 10/31/22 – 6pm – 9:00pm - Town of Bloomsburg Trick or Treat Night
Columbia Montour Chamber and Foundation to Share Website
Following the successful launch of its new website in July 2022, the Columbia Montour Chamber is pleased to announce new changes to further assist the community in accessing critical resources.
As a 501(c)3 charitable organization and a subsidiary of the Chamber, the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber is intimately tied to the priorities of the Chamber and its members, while remaining laser-focused on developing programs which strengthen and inspire the 21st century workforce. As a membership organization, the Columbia Montour Chamber is committed to providing a high return on investments to its members. Together, these organizations form a dynamic partnership which function collaboratively to address workforce needs.
To streamline the community’s access to both organizations, the Chamber and its Foundation are pleased to announce that effective immediately, both organizations’ websites may be accessed via one web address, www.columbiamontourchamber.com.
Visitors to the Chamber’s site may easily access Foundation resources via a drop-down menu at the far right of the website’s screen. There, visitors may gain access to Foundation-specific programming, and connect with opportunities to get involved in programs such as “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?”, the student-focused “Future Careers Expo”, the annual STEM Contest, Leadership Central Penn, COLT, and more.
Visitors may also continue to use www.cmccfoundation.com to access Foundation resources directly.
PA Chamber Joins Coalition to Lower Energy Costs, Decrease Emissions
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry announced last week that it has joined a broad coalition of energy companies, climate advocates, and labor groups to launch the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE).
The coalition is dedicated to promoting U.S. policies to reduce global emissions by developing the infrastructure needed to increase production and support the exportation of natural gas. The goal is to provide cleaner, cheaper, and more secure energy to the world all while launching a jobs boom here in the U.S.
EQT Corporation, TC Energy and Williams are founding members of PAGE, and an advisory council of supportive individuals and organizations – from think tanks, trade unions and academia – will provide outside guidance and expertise to the coalition and its members.
Advisory council representatives include:
- Paul Bledsoe – Strategic Advisor: Climate, Energy, Economics, Progressive Policy Institute
- Naomi Boness, Ph.D. – Managing Director, Stanford Natural Gas Initiative and Stanford Hydrogen Initiative, Stanford University
- James T. Callahan – General President, International Union of Operating Engineers
- Alex Herrgott – President and CEO, The Permitting Institute
- Sasha Mackler – Executive Director of the Energy Program, Bipartisan Policy Center
- Mark McManus – General President, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA)
- Richard Morningstar – Founding Chairman, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council and former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union
On joining PAGE, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Luke Bernstein said:
“Pennsylvania natural gas can lead the next energy chapter for America, our allies overseas, and the world. The PAGE data shows that Pennsylvanians overwhelmingly support moving our natural gas to market in order to lower emissions, lower energy costs, and bolster our economy. This is a win-win for Pennsylvania’s economy, businesses, environment, and all residents across the Commonwealth. We have the resources and talent; we need the collective will and leadership to move our gas to market and unleash Pennsylvania’s potential.”
You can learn more at pagecoalition.com.
Federal Reserve Hosts 2022 Small Business Credit Survey
Small Business Owners: Make your voice heard!
The Pennsylvania SBDC is partnering with the Federal Reserve on the 2022 Small Business Credit Survey.
This survey reaches thousands of small businesses like yours and provides vital information to policymakers who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. This year’s questionnaire asks about business conditions and financing needs. The survey is open to businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch. All responses are confidential. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
This voluntary survey is sponsored solely by the Federal Reserve Banks. The questions are best answered by an owner or key financial decision maker of your business and will take about 10 minutes.
Medical Insurance Market Changes & Updates
The local experts at My Benefit Advisor can guide you through the latest market updates, products, and services to help you understand your renewal options for health insurance and/or employee benefits plans.
These webinars will provide general information and answer your questions as open enrollment is right around the corner for most employers.
This is the perfect opportunity to explore plan options and learn more about the latest laws, carrier news, and how the MBA program can benefit you. Register for one of our upcoming sessions.
Agenda
- Overview of Insurance Marketplace
- Projected Renewal Increases
- Carrier Updates
- Cost Saving Strategies
- Employer Resources
Wednesday, October 26 – 10:00 am | Register
Monday, October 31 – 2:00 pm | Register