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…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

EMPLOYEES HEIGHTEN THEIR FOCUS ON BENEFITS Source: MyBenefit Advisor It comes as no surprise that there has been a shift in priorities for many employees over the past year.  The things individuals thought were important as little as two years ago no longer seem so critical, while some issues which have now come to the…

WHAT THE MIDTERM RESULTS MEAN FOR PA BUSINESSES Source: PA Chamber of Business & Industry While last week’s midterm elections produced a mixed bag for both parties, the results were marked by one consistent theme: change. For starters, Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey will now be held by Democrat…

A Recipe for Employee Engagement You’re busy.  You’ve been spending a lot of energy trying to keep employees and customers happy.  Does this sound familiar?   “Nobody wants to work anymore…”  “I was ghosted again by another candidate…”  “We’re trying to manage a really different workforce than the one that existed pre-pandemic… “  “I feel stuck…

Member News – November 9, 2022 BASHAR W. HANNA APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR WOLF Dr. Bashar W. Hanna, president of Commonwealth University has been appointed to serve on Pennsylvania’s Tuition Account Program (TAP) Advisory Board by Gov. Tom Wolf. Hanna’s appointment runs from September 2022 to September 2026.  The board advises on the work of the…