Grow Your Business
State Budget Includes Funding for Jobseekers and Existing Employees
The 2018-19 State budget includes $30 million for workforce development initiatives. Funding includes support for career exploration, entry-level job seekers, and those looking to enhance their skills. One goal of the initiative is to double the number of people in apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania by 2025. Gerald Oleksiak, Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and…
Read MoreChamber Reduces Low Interest Loan Program Interest Rate to Three Percent
The Chamber’s Board of Directors recently voted to lower the interest rate for the Chamber’s low interest loan program to 3% on a permanent basis. Previously, the interest rate was an option of a variable rate at the Prime Rate or a fixed rate of Prime plus 50 basis points. Effective immediately, all otherwise qualified…
Read MorePromoting and Encouraging Downtown Businesses
Downtown Bloomsburg Inc. (DBI), a subsidiary of the Chamber, is pursuing projects to enhance the downtown while continuing to support existing businesses and encourage new business development. The organization is working with a Bloomsburg University intern to update its database of downtown businesses and commercial properties. Ben Rance will be stopping in to businesses and…
Read MoreCould Self-Funding be the Strategy For You?
From ChamberChoice and Smart Business Pittsburgh Self-funding is not a new strategy. But while historically utilized for large employer groups, its availability for medium and small employers is new. And the concept is showing impressive results when it comes to giving employers greater input in health plan design and more control over rising medical benefit…
Read MoreSEDA-COG Requests Input For Travel Needs Survey
SEDA-COG wants to hear from you. How are you affected by transportation services in the central Pennsylvania region? How could services better help you, your family, or your business in Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties? Let us know by participating in a brief online survey. The survey, available through…
Read MoreFrom GEDs to Penn State degrees
From Penn State World Campus (see original article) Note: The Columbia Montour Chamber’s partnership with the Penn State World Campus allows employees of all Chamber members, their spouses and dependents a 5% discount off tuition through the Penn State World Campus, the online delivery unit of Penn State. For more information on this partnership and discount, please…
Read MoreBloomsburg University Students Seek to Engage With Businesses and the Community
Even before the fall semester began at Bloomsburg University, members of the football team were helping local residents clean up from the recent flooding. With the semester now underway, there are many opportunities to engage with students for volunteer efforts and professional development. Businesses and non-profit organizations are invited to connect. The Big Event is…
Read MoreFree Toolkit to Help Hire Veterans, Guard and Reserve
Chamber members are welcome to utilize a new free Veteran Hiring Resources Toolkit to help find and hire veterans, National Guard members and Reservists. The free Toolkit helps employers in four ways: 3-minute video briefing on the latest Federal Tax Credits for hiring veterans; Recorded webinar providing many helpful recruiting insights that can be used immediately;…
Read MoreOwners, Managers and Human Resource Professionals Hear About Recruiting and Retaining Millennials
An engaged and active audience of over 40 Chamber members and other professional from around the greater Columbia/Montour region heard a presentation on recruiting and retaining millennials from Tina Welch of Welch Performance Consulting on Thursday morning, Aug. 23, at LCBC Church. The breakfast seminar, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities and put on by the…
Read MorePPL Foundation Grant Applications Now Available
PPL Electric Utilities offers major grants once a year to nonprofit organizations through its charitable Foundation and is now accepting applications for major grants. The grant application period opened on Aug. 1 and will close Sept. 15. The PPL Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to partnering with community organizations to improve the lives of…
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