Small Business Administration Releases Additional Restaurant Revitalization Fund Money
Source: The National Restaurant Association
The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced the release of $83 million dollars in unobligated Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grants to 169 operators with pending applications.
The National Restaurant Association has been requesting these funds be released, and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy made the following statement in response:
“The SBA’s action represents the final chapter of our nearly three-year effort to secure dedicated federal pandemic relief dollars for local restaurants. Today’s announcement is great news for those 169 operators fortunate enough to receive an RRF grant, but hundreds of thousands more are struggling with uncertainty.
According to the SBA, the grants are being released to operators in the order their applications were received. Operators receiving funds should receive notification today and SBA will begin transmitting the grants next week. They have until March 2023 to spend the money.
The Association was first to lay out the plan for a restaurant industry recovery fund to Congress in April 2020. Congress eventually set aside $28.6 billion dollars for the RRF in the American Rescue Plan Act. After this money was distributed, more than 177,000 applications were left in limbo at the SBA.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report in July, noting SBA was holding unobligated RRF funds and the Association was first to send a letter to SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman requesting that the unobligated money be released to unfunded applicants.
The restaurant industry was the hardest hit by the pandemic. In the initial shutdowns, more than eight million industry employees were laid off or furloughed. The industry still has not recreated 565,000 jobs lost at that time, which is the largest current employment deficit caused by the pandemic among all U.S. industries. More than 90,000 restaurants closed permanently or long-term because of the pandemic.
Member News – November 23, 2022
It's the Holiday Season, with Area Events Starting This Weekend
Berwick
- 11/24 -10:00am - Run for the Diamonds
- 11/25 - 10:30am - Santa Parade
- 11/26 - Speedo Run For the Cause
- 12/3 - Christmas Boulevard opens daily through December, 6pm - 10pm
- 12/10 - 5:00pm - Winterfest in downtown Berwick
Bloomsburg
- 11/25 - 4:00pm - TreeFest begins at the Caldwell Consistory
- 11/25 - 4:30pm - Parade of Lights - forms in Geisinger Bloomsburg Lot, moves at 6pm; Lighstreet Rd to Main St., Market to 5th, 5th to Fairgrounds. Register here.
- 11/25 & 11/26 - 10:00am - 8:00pm - Winterfest at the Fairgrounds - (Free) - Shop over 150 craft vendors inside the fair buildings including local wineries and breweries.
- 11/26 - Santa begins hours at Exclusively You on the square. Schedule here.
- 11/26 & 11/27 - North Pole Express Train Rides - Rides are approximately 1 hour and travel from Bloomsburg at Autoneum to Catawissa. Ticket availability here. Tickets for 10am Saturday ride are sold out. Tickets can also be purchased at Exclusively You, The Exchange, and Town Camera.
- 12/2 - Coming Home for Christmas/Tree Lighting - Tree lighting at 5:30pm in front of the Bloom Diner. Coming Home for Christmas to be held outside the Caldwell Consistory.
- 12/2, 12/3, 12/9, and 12/10 - Santa visits Renco Ace Hardware! Photos are free, but Renco is requesting consideration - that customers bring a nonperishable food item or monetary gift for AGAPE's Food Bank.
Danville
- 12/3 - Hometown Holiday Market - 11am - 4pm - Festive street fair featuring holiday shopping, entertainment, and activities on Mill Street.
- Wagon Rides are sold out for 12/3, 12/10, and 12/11.
Riverside
- The Borough of Riverside will host its 2nd Annual Parade of Lights on 12/3. Parade forms at 4pm at former Riverside Elementary School. $50 prizes will be awarded in four categories - walkers/marching, vehicles without floats, large floats (over 20 feet), and small floats (under 20 feet). Santa in the Park will be located under the park pavilion. Registration due by November 30 to the Borough.
Joy Through the Grove
- 11/25 - 12/31 - (Except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) 5:30pm - 9:00pm. Learn more.
A comprehensive list of holiday events is also available on the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau's website.
UGI Encourages Safe Energy Practices During the Holiday Season
Utility provides tips when cooking and decorating.
Traveling for the Holidays? 'Waterproof' Your Home Before You Leave
For many, the holiday season includes travel, whether it is to join a family gathering or enjoy a holiday vacation. These traditional holiday trips stand to amplify an already growing travel demand. The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics* reports that for July 2022, the number of people boarding a U.S. airline plane for domestic or international travel grew to 69.9 million, up 8.6 percent from July 2021 numbers. As the holiday travel season approaches, the water and fire remediation specialists at SERVPRO® of Columbia, Montour & Sullivan Counties caution homeowners that they need to go beyond buying tickets and packing a suitcase before they leave on a trip. Homeowners need to "waterproof" their homes with this six-step plan.
North Shore Railroad Hosts Toys for Tots Drive
On Saturday, November 19th, North Shore Railroad hosted NARCOA Speeders for the 19th Annual Toys for Tots drive.
These little rail cars traveled from Northumberland, through Danville and Bloomsburg, to Berwick, and back. The public was welcomed to come alongside the railroad tracks to meet the speeder drivers and hand them a new, unwrapped toy for the drive.
Women's Center Holding Holiday Meal and Gift Pickup
Pre-registration is required by November 28 by calling 570-784-6631.
Click here for details.
Susquehanna Valley United Way Sponsoring Be Kind. Poster Contest
The goal of this contest is to increase youth community involvement while supporting the mission of Be Kind. campaign to spread kindness throughout the region and encourage each of us to give back to our community.
School-aged children across Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties are eligible to enter. The competition will be featured on social media and 3 Grand Prize winners will receive a $100 cash prize!
Click here for more information.
McKonly & Asbury Hosting 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.
U.S. Chamber Calls on Congress Again to Prevent a Railroad Strike
From the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Congress must act to prevent a railroad strike, or the economy will face a dire threat in the middle of the holiday season.
A national rail shutdown would have enormous impacts on the economy, costing more than $2 billion per day. It would freeze the flow of goods, empty shelves, shutter workplaces, and raise prices for families and businesses.
In September, President Biden struck a deal with the leadership of the 12 railroad unions and railroads to avert a strike. But now four unions are going back on their word by forcing a national rail strike.
The Chamber sent a letter to Congress in September, explaining that it should intervene like it did in 1982 and 1986.
“Congress must now impose the deal President Biden negotiated, and the railroads and union leadership agreed to,” said Chamber President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark. “If Congress fails to do so, a rail strike would substantially exacerbate inflation and the economic challenges Americans are facing today."
State Funding Awarded for Bloomsburg Flood Protection
From left to right: Sen. Gordner, Commissioners David Kovach, Chris Young, and Rich Ridgway, and Rep. Millard.
Columbia County will be receiving $4,000,000 to assist in the ongoing efforts to protect the Town of Bloomsburg from flood events.
Senator John Gordner and Representative David Millard made the announcement to the County Commissioners at their meeting on November 17th.
Once the Bloomsburg Flood Project is fully completed, the majority of the homes that suffered substantial loss in 2011 from Tropical Storm Lee-related flooding will be protected during future flooding events.
Several additional millions of state funding dollars had been acquired over the last several years to get the flood protection system to the present stage.
“These substantial state dollars set the stage for major improvements to current flood protections for the Town of Bloomsburg,” Gordner said. “This includes the hopeful expansion of the flood wall in the west end upon completion of all impact studies and models.”
PA Unemployment Rate Drops to 4%
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate decreased to 4% in the month of October – down a tenth of a percent from the month prior. The figure marks the lowest unemployment rate the state has seen dating back to 1976, according to historical records from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry Vice President of Government Affairs Alex Halper released the following statement:
“While it is encouraging that our state’s unemployment rate continues to drop, employers across the Commonwealth are still struggling to find workers. Many Pennsylvanians have left the labor market entirely and may not be reflected in unemployment figures. To help the business community grow and fill jobs, Pennsylvania needs effective workforce development programs to help people enter and reenter the workforce. We were pleased to see the General Assembly send two workforce development bills to Gov. Wolf’s desk at the end of this legislative session addressing the labor shortage, including H.B. 987, which eliminated automatic driver’s license suspensions for certain non-driving related offenses; and H.B. 1829, which removed several unnecessary impediments for young people seeking employment. With divided government in Harrisburg, strengthening Pennsylvania’s workforce is a bipartisan issue that should receive top priority in the new legislative session.”
Welcome New Member – Together for Health & Wellness, LLC
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome to its membership Together for Health and Wellness, LLC.
What does healthcare mean to you? For many, the current models leave your pocketbook empty and you without answers. You've probably experienced long wait times, quick appointments, and the feeling of being unable to get your questions answered. You may even leave thinking, "Something's being overlooked." Together for Health and Wellness is committed to bringing old-fashioned medicine back with a modern model that allows direct access, more time with your practitioner and a team that is advocating for your whole health with a traditional and functional medicine approach. Their goal: Together for Health and Wellness may be your place to heal.
On Monday, November 14, the Chamber was pleased to celebrate with Together for Health and Wellness as they cut the ribbon on their new location on Columbia Boulevard in Bloomsburg. Stop in and visit!
It’s Small Business Season!
From November 17 – December 31st, we’re celebrating Small Business Season™. The chamber is encouraging every person of our community to support friends and neighbors by shopping, dining, and exploring our small businesses. We're also a Neighborhood Champion for the annual Shop Small campaign - more on that below.
Small Businesses Are a Big Deal to Columbia and Montour Counties
Small business made up over 60% of all new jobs this year and yet they face many challenges from rising costs to filling vacancies. Plus, according to JP Morgan Chase, “The median small business holds (only) 27 cash buffer days in reserve. Half of all small businesses hold a cash buffer of less than one month. Moreover, 25% of small businesses hold fewer than 13 cash buffer days in reserve.” That means over 50% of small businesses wouldn’t last over a month on their reserves.
They need our help, and we need theirs. On average, $68 of every $100 spent locally stays in our community. Most of us turn to small businesses first when we’re seeking help for our nonprofits, youth activities, and sponsorships. When they thrive, we thrive!
Where you spend your money this holiday season matters.
Support small businesses by patronizing them and/or:
- Writing reviews
- Referring friends
- Checking-in and taking pictures or videos and sharing them on social media when you’re visiting small businesses
- Sharing small business posts on social media
- Talking about your favorite businesses on social media
Join us and pledge to support local this holiday season. Shopping small can make a big difference.
Are you interested in joining us for the Small Business Season Campaign, and receiving free marketing materials? Let us know, by emailing Chamber Vice President Chris Berleth, at cberleth@columbiamontourchamber.com.
Shop Small
As part of our Small Business Season Campaign, we've also signed up to be your Neighborhood Champion in the annual "Shop Small" program. Now through December, while supplies last, your Chamber has "Shop Small" window stickers, posters, and reusable shopping bags. Contact Brenda Flanagan, at bflanagan@columbiamontourchamber.com at the Chamber to request supplies, or stop in to see us!
Member News – November 16, 2022
Bloomsburg Town Council Hires Administrative Finance Receptionist
Congratulations to Kyleigh Bilger, a recent communications studies graduate from Bloomsburg University. Recently, Kyleigh interned as a media and Communications specialist with the Susquehanna Greenways Partnership.
FREAS FARM WINERY TO HOST CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAYS
Visit Freas Farm Winery November 19 - 20, as they thank customers with special treats and a holiday gift basket drawing.
Prepare for Winter Heating Season with Energy Efficiency Measures
PPL is encouraging these Energy Smart tips to lower costs this winter. Read more.
Brookdale Senior Living Earns J.D. Power Award for 2022
Congratulations to Brookdale Senior Living for ranking #1 in the 2022 U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study for Assisted Living/Memory Care. The Study surveys family members’ and decision-makers’ satisfaction with their loved one’s senior living community. Read more.
It's Community Foundation Week!
The Community Giving Foundation is celebrating stories from donors, nonprofits, board members and community partners during Community Foundation Week (November 12 - 18). For two more days, community members are invited to take a selfie in the social media contest with the hashtag #CommunityFNDWeek. Use the selfie to express what community giving means to you, and win a chance at a special t-shirt. Learn more here.
Hand in Hand Family Resource Center to Host Sensory Santa
Sensory Santa is an opportunity for children (of all ages) to experience Santa in a quiet and welcoming, sensory-friendly environment. This year, Hand in Hand Family Resource Center will host events in Berwick (12/3), Bloomsburg (12/11), Benton (12/18), and Danville (12/18). Traveling Santa visits children that are unable to attend our events due to medical or extreme sensory needs. Each visit with Santa is private for the family and is child-led - Santa will sit at a distance or get down on the floor and play. Santa also brings each child and their siblings a gift that is hand picked just for them. See the flyer for more.
Thrivent to Host Seasonal Event & Informational Session for Local Charities
Thrivent invites community members to enjoy food and friendship for a good cause at an event they're hosting at the Pine Barn Inn on Sunday, December 18, from 1pm to 5pm. Event will feature hors d'ouevres, seasonal beverages, a carving station, and more for all guests. Guests will enjoy a brief informational session for the Animal Resource Center, the Janet Weis Children's Hospital, and the the Jared Box Project. RSVP by November 22 by calling 570-317-2111 or by emailing IronGuideGroup@thrivent.com.
Upper Augusta Flood Mitigation Project Receives Funding
With help from the offices of Senator John Gordner and Representative Lynda Schlegel-Culver, Upper Augusta Township received a $468,890 Flood Mitigation grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to address flash flooding. Read more.
T-Ross Brothers to Host Holiday Open House November 30
Chamber members are invited to attend. See the flyer here.
It's the Holiday Season...and We're Your Clearinghouse for Community Events
Berwick
- 11/24 -10:00am - Run for the Diamonds
- 11/25 - 10:30am - Santa Parade
- 11/26 - Speedo Run For the Cause
- 12/3 - Christmas Boulevard opens daily through December, 6pm - 10pm
- 12/10 - 5:00pm - Winterfest in downtown Berwick
Bloomsburg
- 11/25 - 4:00pm - TreeFest begins at the Caldwell Consistory
- 11/25 - 4:30pm - Parade of Lights - forms in Geisinger Bloomsburg Lot, moves at 6pm; Lighstreet Rd to Main St., Market to 5th, 5th to Fairgrounds. Register here.
- 11/25 & 11/26 - 10:00am - 8:00pm - Winterfest at the Fairgrounds - (Free) - Shop over 150 craft vendors inside the fair buildings including local wineries and breweries.
- 11/26 - Santa begins hours at Exclusively You on the square. Schedule here.
- 11/26 & 11/27 - North Pole Express Train Rides - Rides are approximately 1 hour and travel from Bloomsburg at Autoneum to Catawissa. Ticket availability here. Tickets for 10am Saturday ride are sold out. Tickets can also be purchased at Exclusively You, The Exchange, and Town Camera.
- 12/2 - Coming Home for Christmas/Tree Lighting - Tree lighting at 5:30pm in front of the Bloom Diner. Coming Home for Christmas to be held outside the Caldwell Consistory.
- 12/2, 12/3, 12/9, and 12/10 - Santa visits Renco Ace Hardware! Photos are free, but Renco is requesting consideration - that customers bring a nonperishable food item or monetary gift for AGAPE's Food Bank.
Danville
- 11/19 - 9am - 7:00pm - Scott's Floral to host Holiday Open House
- 11/19 - Free Wagon Rides - 4pm - 7pm - Take a break from the hustle and bustle with a relaxing horse-drawn wagon ride from Lower Mulberry Street.
- 12/3 - Hometown Holiday Market - 11am - 4pm - Festive street fair featuring holiday shopping, entertainment, and activities on Mill Street.
- Wagon Rides are sold out for 12/3, 12/10, and 12/11.
Riverside
- The Boro of Riverside will host its 2nd Annual Parade of Lights on 12/3. Parade forms at 4pm at former Riverside Elementary School. $50 prizes will be awarded in four categories - walkers/marching, vehicles without floats, large floats (over 20 feet), and small floats (under 20 feet). Santa in the Park will be located under the park pavilion. Registration due by November 30 to the Riverside Boro.
Joy Through the Grove
- 11/25 - 12/31 - (Except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) 5:30pm - 9:00pm. Learn more.
UGI URGES ELIGIBLE CUSTOMERS TO APPLY FOR LIHEAP
UGI encourages eligible natural gas and electric customers to apply for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds to help cover the cost of heating their home this winter. Applications will be accepted by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services beginning November 1, 2022.
HOME IMPROVEMENT TIP FROM LARRY'S LUMBER!
Check out the latest blog post from Larry's Lumber, which regularly features cost-saving recommendations to keep your homes (and your employees homes) in good condition.
Bloomsburg Passes Noise Ordinance
On Monday, November 14, Bloomsburg Town Council enacted amendments to its noise ordinance which prohibit sustained noises above 65 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and below 50 from 10 p.m. until 7 a.m. Any sound must be officially measured for more than 10 minutes cumulatively in an hour to be in violation. Fines for violating the ordinance range from $1,000-$2,000 and the possibility of jail time or injunctions for repeat offenses.
The impetus for revising the existing ordinance was concerns raised by Town residents about sound levels from auto racing at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. Council has been considering revisions to the ordinance since mid-2021 and The Chamber has repeatedly called for scientifically-based noise limits and compromises that benefit the entire community.
During public discussion at the meeting, Chamber President Fred Gaffney gave the following statement:
"I am here this evening to express The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce’s strong opposition to the proposed noise ordinance. As stated during your last meeting on October 24th, and during your workshop on November 7th, this version would result in unintended consequences. Your goal of protecting the physical health of Town residents is certainly appropriate. The 65-decibel limit recommended by your consultant has cited a document from the World Health Organization titled Guidelines for Community Noise. In that document, 65 decibels is not a threshold for protecting physical health, but rather to allow clear conversation in close proximity. Section 3 of that document, Adverse Health Effects of Noise, states, “hearing impairment is not expected to occur at levels of 75 dBa or below, even for prolonged occupational noise exposure.”
As we’ve stated previously, OSHA sets a threshold of 85 dBa over a prolonged period of time in requiring hearing protection in an industrial setting. Jeffrey Ritter is a Compliance Assistance Specialist with OSHA’s Wilkes-Barre Area Office. He noted to me in a phone conversation on October 25th that while that threshold has not been updated in 30 years, it is based on scientific data and agreement.
Even if the level is increased, this ordinance provides for acceptable forms of damaging noise, including Town-approved activities including the 4th of July fireworks and Town Park Concert Series. How is it appropriate that the Town would be able to sanction forms of damaging noise, while completely prohibiting others? Also, this version does not make clear the full scope of exempt activities, such as routine lawn maintenance with gas-powered lawnmowers and leaf blowers.
With these issues, it appears likely the ordinance will be challenged, resulting in legal costs for the Town. This will divert financial resources from areas and potential projects that could be used to further enhance the Town and/or result in a tax increase.
We again urge you to not pass the current version of the ordinance and revise the noise limit to one that is scientifically based. As the ordinance allows the noise limit to be exceeded, fair and reasonable accommodation should be provided to other parties without prejudice. Finally, the ordinance should more clearly define exempt and non-exempt forms of noise, as well as the criteria for Town approval of activities."
Following the vote, Gaffney offered the following statement:
"We are hopeful that Council will refine this ordinance over time to address the concerns we've raised."
Welcome New Member – ZenBusiness
The Columbia Montour Chamber is pleased to welcome to its membership ZenBusiness.
ZenBusiness makes it easy to start, run, and grow your business. They are a small business that is excited about helping other entrepreneurs realize their dreams of creating and growing a successful business. By making business formation easy and affordable, they hope to foster a small business community where owners can connect on a local and national level and help each other grow.
Combining top-shelf products and business formation services, quick processing and turnaround times, worry-free compliance, expert guidance, and dedicated customer support, ZenBusiness keeps prices affordable so you can be sure you’re getting top value for every dollar. In fact, their formation packages can save you money, while ensuring you have all the legal documents and business services you need to succeed.
Welcome to the Chamber, ZenBusiness!