State Budget Deal Includes New Child Care Tax Credit
As part of Pennsylvania’s 2022-23 budget deal, the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Program provides a permanent state tax credit of up to 30% of child care-related expenses. Income-eligible people will be able to claim up to $3,000 for one dependent, and $6,000 for two or more dependents. Final details on the percentage of expenses that can be credited based on income level have yet to be determined.
Click here for more details.
Technology Advances Help Employees To Get More Value From Benefits
Since the widespread shift toward remote and hybrid work began a little over two years ago, a rapidly increasing number of employers have implemented and expanded their use of benefit administration technology. And as the technologies involved have continued to advance, employees have enjoyed greater access to their employee benefit program information and administrative functionalities.
For many individuals working from home, there is less opportunity to learn about employee benefit details through in-person meetings, bulletin board postings and other more traditional means. The benefit administration platforms remedy this by improving access to data, including detailed benefit descriptions, plan comparisons, cost illustrations, provider network information and prescription drug details and other decision-support tools, allowing workers to make more informed choices regarding benefit selections and changes. The employer benefits as well since these same technology enhancements will allow human resource staff the ability to better perform their responsibilities from remote work locations and with less opportunity for human error.
Although these platforms have already been in use for some time by larger companies, the technology has now made its way down to small groups as well, eliminating obstacles for just about any company to employ digital benefit administration capabilities for the benefit of their employees.
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.
TKO Graphix Joins The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce
TKO Graphix is a national fleet graphics and vehicle wraps company. Since 1985, TKO Graphix has been helping businesses, large and small, brand their fleet of tractor-trailers, service trucks, and company vehicles with their full-service solutions including print production, design, graphics installation, removal, project management, and inventory fulfillment.
TKO Graphix employs the largest 3M™ Certified installation crew in the country. Their graphics installers, along with their established national UASG network of professional installers, allows them to brand any size fleet, anywhere!
Despite being headquartered in Plainfield, Indiana, TKO Graphix also has a location in Danville on 891 Strick Rd. You can click here to view more information on our newest member.
TKO Graphix joins over 400 members of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce to receive benefits and support the Chamber’s efforts to enhance the region.
Java Momma Featured on TV Show “World’s Greatest”
Java Momma, based in Danville, is one of the “World’s Greatest” when it comes to direct sales.
Read more at www.wnep.com.
Geisinger Career Closet Offers Free Professional Outfits for Public
The Geisinger Career Center in downtown Danville is hosting free Career
Closet events every Thursday and Friday in July from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During these free
events, participants can make an appointment at the career center, located at 529 Mill St. in
Danville, to try on and choose an outfit or articles of clothing for a job interview or to kickstart
their professional wardrobe.
“As more of our neighbors prepare to re-enter the workforce, they want to feel confident when
they go for a job interview,” said Jean Wingard, recruitment coordinator for Geisinger’s human
resources talent acquisition. “This free resource helps you put your best foot forward, whether
you’re entering the workforce for the first time or you’re seeking a different position. Nothing
should keep you from taking the next step in your career and landing your next role.” Men’s and women’s professional attire sizes range from XS to XXXL, and shoes from size 5 to
8.5. The Geisinger Career Center opened in downtown Danville in 2020 to guide community
members and Geisinger employees through available job opportunities in the health system.
The career center staff offers information on open positions, professional development
resources and job interview coaching. The Geisinger Career Closet events are free to the community and Geisinger employees. Visit
go.geisinger.org/careercloset to reserve your time at the Career Closet in July
Blues Performance in Bloomsburg Town Park This Evening
Fresh off opening the Billtown Blues Festival last month, the Uptown Music Collective’s new Blues band will make its Bloomsburg debut this week in a free performance at the bandshell in Bloomsburg Town Park. The UMC’s Country band will also play a set.
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a great concert by some of this region’s most talented teenaged musicians. You can walk, bike, or drive to Town Park, by the bank of the Susquehanna River at the foot of Market Street; plenty of free parking available.
McKonly & Asbury Announces Promotion
Robert Grey joined McKonly & Asbury in January 2019 through the firm’s acquisition of Brewer & Company, LLC, and is currently a Manager with the firm. He provides a wide range of services to his clients by performing audits, reviews, and compilations working with non-profit organizations and local government entities. He also oversees the individual tax return preparation process. Robert works out of the Bloomsburg office and holds a degree in Accounting from Bloomsburg University.
Summer Edition of Business Matters Tab Published in Press Enterprise
Today’s Press Enterprise includes the Summer edition of our Business Matters tab. This season’s publication includes information about the state budget, which was finalized late last week, details on the Chamber’s upcoming events including women’s Leadercast and our Third Annual Mixer w/ Nonprofits, and expanded information on programs to support members. You can also view the full Summer edition of our Business Matters tab online here.
LEGISLATURE REACHES COMPROMISE TO END BRIDGE TOLLING
The State Legislature has passed a bill led by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, and co-sponsored by Senator John Gordner to stop the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) from imposing new tolls on existing bridges with a Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3).
“Bipartisan compromise was reached on my Senate Bill 382 to save over 550,000 daily motorists from paying a new toll on major bridges that drive local economies,” said Langerholc. “As elected leaders, our duty to this Commonwealth will require tremendous action to preserve our freeways for future generations.”
Langerholc was appointed chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee in January 2021, and the committee’s first public hearing was on PennDOT’s P3 bridge tolling initiative. In February 2021, Langerholc introduced Senate Bill 382 to reform the P3 statute and end PennDOT’s P3 bridge tolling initiative. Following the Senate’s passage of the bill in April 2021, Langerholc unveiled the DRIVE SMART Act in June 2021 to reform and invest in the Commonwealth’s transportation system. The House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 382 in November 2021 and returned it to the Senate for concurrence.
Senate Bill 382, as amended, is agreed-to with Gov. Wolf, who previously intended to veto the bill. Following extensive negotiations, this legislation now includes the following:
- Increases transparency by requiring PennDOT to publish a detailed analysis and requiring PennDOT to distribute a copy of the P3 Board’s resolution.
- Incorporates public comments by creating a new 30-day public comment period prior to the P3 Board’s voting meeting.
- Creates a checks-and-balance by reducing the scope of PennDOT’s power to optional user fees for new infrastructure and ensuring the General Assembly has more time to assess any transportation projects passed by the P3 Board.
- Rescinds the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative and limits the scope to the nine candidate bridges (instead of any major bridge in the State) without user fees.
- Saves taxpayer dollars by allowing PennDOT to preserve the preliminary designs and engineering plans for the nine candidate bridges.
“I had serious concerns with PennDOT’s authority to essentially tax and appropriate funds without additional oversight from the General Assembly,” said Langerholc. “At a time when the price of gas is hitting historic records under the Biden Administration, we had to stop PennDOT from adding more costs on Pennsylvania’s hardworking families.”
The compromise to the bill was reached following the Commonwealth Court’s two rulings against PennDOT’s oppressive overreach. The last order issued by the Commonwealth Court on June 30, 2022, voided the entire Major Bridge P3 Initiative.
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce joins the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry in applauding the General Assembly and Governor Tom Wolf for passage of significant reforms to the Commonwealth’s tax structure, including a reduction to the state’s uncompetitive Corporate Net Income Tax (CNI) rate and tax relief for small businesses.
“There’s been discussion about reducing the CNI for years,” said Columbia Montour Chamber President Fred Gaffney. “This agreement supports existing Pennsylvania employers, and significantly improves our opportunities for business growth.”
The Columbia Montour Chamber worked with the PA Chamber and a broad coalition of fellow chambers from throughout the Commonwealth to advocate for tax reductions and reforms to support employers, including sending a letter signed by more than 50 chambers of commerce that urged lawmakers to reduce the CNI for the economic benefits that studies show it will bring to the Commonwealth – including an increase in state GDP, wages and home values, job creation and the attraction and retention of new talent.
“This monumental tax reform package is a win for businesses and the people of Pennsylvania,” said PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein. “Chambers of commerce have been our steadfast allies in this effort and their joint advocacy proved critical. In a time when compromise can be elusive, this bipartisan measure is a good illustration that by working together, we can put Pennsylvania jobs, businesses, and investment first and chart a path towards a brighter future for our Commonwealth.”
For decades, Pennsylvania’s CNIT rate, which at 9.99 percent was the highest flat rate in the country, served as a barrier to growth. The budget cuts the rate in half over the course of eight years – starting with a full one percent reduction in 2023 to 8.99 percent and then phasing down each year by .50 percent until reaching 4.99 percent in 2031. Based on current state corporate tax rates, the full reduction takes Pennsylvania from the highest CNI tax rate in the country to the sixth lowest by 2031 and is the first change in the rate since 1995 – giving our economy a vigorous boost in our post-pandemic recovery.
The tax reform package also targets relief to small businesses, including allowing tax liability to be deferred when small businesses upgrade property assets, known as “like-kind exchanges”, and allowing small businesses to deduct qualifying equipment purchases, just as federal law provides for under Section 179 of the federal tax code. These tax reforms will make it easier for small businesses to expand, buy equipment, and invest in their operations and workforce.
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce applauds state lawmakers for working in a bipartisan way to advance these important priorities and support Pennsylvania employers.
From the PA Chamber of Business & Industry
PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein issued the following statement on the Commonwealth Court’s granting an injunction suspending the state’s implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which took effect July 1:
“This delay is an important, much-needed step for Pennsylvania residents and businesses. We appreciate the Court pressing pause on this policy, which threatens to significantly increase energy prices at a time of high inflation, while also pushing more economic activity to states on our grid that are not in RGGI. Businesses and families are already facing high energy prices due to a lack of supply and infrastructure, and this is an opportunity for policymakers to embrace abundant domestic energy production, facilitate building new infrastructure, support competitive markets, and set long-term policies that encourage innovation.”
“As we noted at the onset, and as we did throughout the comment process and through an amicus brief, the regulation did not sufficiently protect the state’s electricity and manufacturing sector, nor did it guard against the potential for significant run-up in electricity or commodity prices. Businesses, whether they generate or consume power, need both affordable energy and long-term certainty. We look forward to working with the General Assembly, this administration, and the next governor on policy that leverages our state’s strengths for the benefit of our economy, national security, and the environment.”
The Chamber of Commerce’s website, columbiamontourchamber.com, has been recently redesigned to better provide information to area employers, residents, and people interested in coming to the area. Resources include news of importance to businesses, information on money-saving programs, job listings, wage rates, and cost of living comparisons. The new layout also improves functionality for mobile devices.
Individuals can connect with the Chamber’s 400+ members through the online directory, or search for products and services by category. Special offers from members are listed on the ChamberPack page. The public is also invited to connect with the Chamber’s social media through the site to stay up to date on the activities of the organization and its members.
Visitors can learn about some of the area’s major assets and find restaurants and lodging during their stay. A link to the Columbia-Montour Visitor’s Bureau’s Calendar of Events provides a comprehensive list of festivals, carnivals, and other activities.
The News section also highlights members and provides information on legislation and other items impacting employers. Chamber programs that can help employers save on their energy costs, get money back on business insurance, and provide assistance with benefits and human resources are listed on the Member Benefits and Discounts page. Data that employers regularly request to assist in hiring employees is available in the About the Region section.
The website is designed to be a general portal to information about Columbia and Montour counties.
Member News – July 6, 2022
Integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield Universities Complete
After more than 18 months of work by nearly 1,000 individuals, the integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities under the banner of Commonwealth University officially took place on Friday, July 1.
“My sincere thanks go to the teams at each of our universities who have dedicated themselves tirelessly to the integration process and to creating opportunities for a new generation of students to follow their dreams and pursue lives of meaning and success,” said Bashar W. Hanna, who will serve as president of Commonwealth University. “I’m confident that we have the right teams of people in place to proceed courageously and compassionately, grounded in the mission of supporting student success and changing lives through education.”
This spring, the integration process took several milestone steps to make the transition a reality. On March 15, initial approval by the institutional accrediting agency, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, confirmed the path to integration. Accreditation by Middle States is required by the U.S. Department of Education and assures students, families, and communities that the University has completed a rigorous review process and provides a high-quality education.
“Together, Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield embody the power of three, which will create a higher education experience, the likes of which is not possible without integration,” Hanna said.
In March, the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education voted to approve the name Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania to represent the integrated entity for Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities.
The final piece of the puzzle came in late April when the NCAA approved to proceed with the proposed plan to retain a full complement of NCAA athletic programs on the campuses that currently host them. Each campus will maintain its full complement of sports offerings and will continue to use its respective location name, existing logos, colors, mascots, and traditions.
The integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities under the banner of Commonwealth University is a bold investment in the communities and people of Pennsylvania. Our mission is to expand high-quality, affordable academic opportunities to support the needs of all learners. We’re building a powerful tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public higher education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs. Together we’re honoring our history, investing in today, and building a powerful tomorrow. That’s the power of three.
SEDA-COG Announces New Chief of Community Services
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is pleased to announce that Teri Provost, a 15-year staffer, will be taking on the role of Chief in the newly formed Community Services Division.
The Community Services Division (CSD) will encompass SEDA-COG’s Community Development, Flood Resiliency, Housing Rehabilitation, and Community Revitalization programs. In the CSD, the intentionally coordinated efforts of these departments will further allow SEDA-COG to respond to community needs in a more comprehensive way. These efforts will ultimately provide improved service opportunities to our member counties and regional communities.
Provost worked in SEDA-COG’s Community Development Program for 9 years before becoming the Director of Housing Rehabilitation and Flood Resiliency. Throughout her 15-year career at SEDA-COG, she has prepared numerous grant applications and has proficient experience with Federal Emergency Management Agency and Housing and Urban Development programs.
Provost has been a member of The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) since 2018 and serves as the Chapter District 2 Director. This position has a 2-year term.
She also serves as past chair of the Pennsylvania Association of State Floodplain Managers (PAFPM) board. Her board appointment is from January to December 2022. Before this appointment, Teri held the Vice Chair position with PAFPM from January to December 2021.
Provost has also developed and managed public works projects throughout the central Pennsylvania counties served by SEDA-COG. Additionally, she is a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) and has administered several state- and federally-funded buyouts and residential elevation projects in flood-prone communities.
“My top priority is to ensure that our Agency can serve the Region for years to come in a truly impactful manner, not only by leveraging grant funding opportunities, but also by building long lasting meaningful relationships. In the CSD, the orchestration of multiple aspects of municipal assistance will provide a comprehensive community approach to community resiliency, augmented by diversity in leadership and innovation,” Provost said.
SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler said Provost’s background has prepared her perfectly to take on this role.
“Teri has been with SEDA-COG for 15 years and has had the opportunity to work in several departments and grow her expertise in each area. She embodies a collaborative spirit and I truly believe that her skills and abilities are going to take SEDA-COG to new heights in this role,” Wheeler said.
Provost earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from Clarion University in 2002.
Provost is grateful for the opportunity to deepen the partnerships between SEDA-COG and our surrounding municipalities.
“This role will allow our Region to maximize collaboration, funding opportunities and expertise. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to work with so many talented staff in our communities, with our partners, with grant funding agencies, and certainly within our office location,” Provost said.
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum Lists July Programs
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum officially announced its July 2022 programs. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Click HERE to view the full calendar for July.
North Shore Railroad Assumes Operations of Selinsgrove Branch
On April 28 of 2022, it became official that North Shore Railroad assumed operations of the Selinsgrove branch (a new addition to the NSHR line). Soon after the transition, the Maintenance of Way team made improvements on the branch that led to increased operational efficiency and expanded customer opportunity.
This new branch for North Shore Railroad adds 7.7 miles of track from Selinsgrove, Pa., to Kreamer, Pa., and 1.3 miles of track from Selinsgrove, Pa., to Shamokin Dam, Pa. The addition of the line increases the overall network size to 256.2 miles of track.