Member News – July 27, 2022
Knoebels Featured in Documentary
Don’t miss the opportunity to stream WVIA’s Knoebels documentary, which follows the evolution from a family farm to the beloved, family-owned amusement park.
United Way of Columbia and Montour Counties Merging with Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way
The boards of directors for the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way (GSVUW) and the United Way of Columbia and Montour Counties (UWCMC) have voted unanimously to approve the merger of the two agencies. The merger, effective September 1, follows extended discussions between both boards that began in July of last year.
Several key members from each of the Executive Boards carried their terms over through this transition. Multiple joint committees were formed and strategic planning meetings were held to discuss the pros and cons of the merger.
Click here for details about the merger.
The Exchange’s Listening Room Presents The Bennett Matteo Band
Bennett Matteo Band (BMB) is a collective of brilliant musicians led by guitarist and writer Gino Matteo and vocal powerhouse Jade Bennett. Extremely improvisational while having their feet planted in Roots music, BMB is a breath of fresh air to the music world. BMB's experimentation and refusal to take themselves seriously has made every show an experience.
BMB will perform at The Exchange's listening room Wednesday, July 27th beginning at 7 p.m. If you would like to attend in person at 24 East Main Street in Bloomsburg, limited seats are available. Call 570-317-2596 or e-mail Exchange@ExchangeArts.org to reserve yours -- walk-ins are allowed if they have the room. Donations are accepted at the door, BYOB permitted. Vaccinated guests only, and masks are required.
Bloomsburg YMCA to Host Kids Sneaker Drive
Drop-off dates
- August 1-12 (during any YMCA open hours)
Giveaway Dates:
- Monday, Aug. 15 (5-8 p.m.)
- Wednesday, Aug. 17 (5-8 p.m.)
- Friday, Aug. 19 (5-7 p.m.)
Join the Bloomsburg YMCA in helping to distribute new or gently-used sneakers. A drop-off box will be located at the YMCA. Donated sneakers will be provided for free during the above giveaway dates for any child in the community in need.
Join McKonly and Asbury and Fulton Bank for Free Joint Presentation/Mini-Conference
This FREE event will be held at The Barn at Boone's Dam on September 15th at 8:30 a.m. Participants need to register prior to the event. For more information on registration, click here. 
Presentation 1: Cash is STILL King!!! Cash flow matters and the impact on business valuation. Presented by David Blain, CPA, CVA – Partner and Eric Blocher, CPA, CVA, ASA – Principal , McKonly and Asbury LLP
Presentation 2: Not all Debt is bad. How to use financing sources to grow your business to improve financial results. Presented by Leslie Temple, Senior Vice President and Market Leader/Business Development, Fulton Bank
Presentation 3: Business Roundtable – Open discussion on the current state of the economy, market, business trends and overall matters of relevance to business owners. The panel includes: Brian Paulhamus – Vice President of Lending, Fulton Bank; Mike Hoffner, CPA – Managing Partner, McKonly and Asbury, LLP; Brian Crane – Partner, Luschas, Naparsteck & Crane; Fred Gaffney – President, Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce.
State Websites Promote Small Business eCommerce
It’s no secret that today, consumers are doing more and more of their shopping online. In fact, from April to June 2021, eCommerce sales in the US surpassed $222B – and the trend toward online shopping continues to grow. Because of this trend, it’s more important than ever for small mom-and-pop retailers to ensure they are selling their goods online.
Somewhat paradoxically, even with the growing number of people shopping online, consumer attitudes and sentiments are also shifting toward shopping local as much as possible. Consumers realize that shopping local supports the community and the local economy – studies show that every $100 spent at a local business, $48 goes back into the local economy, as opposed to just $14 going back into the local economy if the money was spent at a big box store. But the fundamental challenge is that consumers often find it difficult to shop local while shopping online because it can be hard to locate those businesses near them that offer online sales.
The PA Business One-Stop Shop, an office within the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, is solving that challenge through a new initiative called CommonGoods. CommonGoods, found at commongoods.pa.gov, is a new website that offers big benefits for PA small business retailers. CommonGoods is an online directory of small retailers with a physical location in Pennsylvania that sell products through eCommerce. It gives shoppers an easy way to buy local while buying online – making it simple for customers to tap into the “buy local” movement right from their phone or computer.
For small retailers in Pennsylvania, CommonGoods increases their visibility to this key demographic of shoppers who want to support their local small businesses online. To show up in the CommonGoods directory, businesses can register for a free listing at commongoods.pa.gov. The listing will provide information about the business as well as link to the business’s eCommerce sites such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and others. Shoppers accessing the CommonGoods directory can search for Pennsylvania small business retailers by product type, location, and even by diversity of ownership.
Not online yet? The PA Business One-Stop Shop can help. If you don’t have an online store but are interested in starting one, turn to the One-Stop Shop. This state office provides connections to e-commerce resources, counseling, training, and more at business.pa.gov.
CommonGoods is a great way for small business retailers to increase their visibility to those shoppers who want to support their community by shopping online. Check it out at commongoods.pa.gov.
Education Seeking to Connect With Businesses
Launched in November 2018, the Future Ready PA Index is a collection of school progress measures related to school and student success. The index is the result of discussions with thousands of educators, parents, advocates, policymakers, and business leaders across Pennsylvania about how communities should evaluate schools. This method of evaluation has moved schools and students beyond just standardized test scores.
Schools are now rated on a summative score to increase transparency around school and group performance. This approach requires student experiences to learn about careers throughout their K-12 education. During these foundational years, students need to learn to explore, acquire, and advance in careers, as well as have experiences in entrepreneurship. As we say at The Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, they need to hear about it (elementary), see it (middle school) and do it (high school).
For schools to succeed in these endeavors, they need to engage with the business community. There are a variety of ways for businesses can help. Be a guest presenter. Host student tours. Be a co-op location for students to get on-the-job experience. Host teachers for summer experiences. If your business is interested in connecting with students, complete a short survey here or scan the QR code.
Inflationary Impacts on Small Business
Inflation is having a devastating effect on American families and small businesses. As your Representative and a member of the House Small Business Committee, Congressman Dan Meuser is interested in hearing from small business owners and taking their concerns to Washington D.C.
Click here to share the impact inflation has had on your business.
Member News – July 20, 2022
Community Giving Foundation Welcomes New Operations Assistant
The Community Giving Foundation is pleased to welcome Shelli Sarge to the Foundation team as Operations Assistant. Sarge will work closely with the Foundation’s Director of Philanthropy to provide support for the development and finance departments by processing incoming donations, offering technical support to donors and fundholders, and utilizing the Foundation’s database software to its fullest capabilities. Prior to joining the Foundation team, she worked for KN-AN Inc. and Lehrine Inc. as a bookkeeper, and also owned and operated Red Brick Studios for many years. Sarge is a native of Nescopeck and continues to call the community home with her husband. Their daughter lives in York, PA.
“I am excited to work with the Foundation and am impressed with its ideals. I appreciate the value of helping others in our local area and look forward to serving the community with this team,” said Sarge.
Sarge joins the following Foundation staff: Holly Morrison, D.Ed., President and CEO; Kara G. Seesholtz, incoming President and CEO; Al Meale, Chief Financial Officer; Christine Orlando, Director of Philanthropy; Eric Pangelinan, Program Officer; Katie Simpson, Communications & Events Associate; Karri Harter, Program Associate; and Kim Groshek, Administrative Assistant.
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.