The Land & Residential Connection – New Member Highlight
The Land & Residential Connection specializes in land, farms, distinctive estates, and luxury residential properties with acreage—delivering a high level of expertise and personalized service throughout every stage of the selling process.
With over 100 years of combined experience and more than 15 years of dedicated service across Northeast Pennsylvania, the team has built an impressive track record—successfully selling everything from individual building lots to a $4.5 million, 1,034-acre tract, and everything in between.
What sets them apart is their flexible approach to selling. As experienced realtors and brokers, they offer both the traditional listing process and the auction method for real estate. They take the time to sit down with each client, understand their goals, and help identify the strategy that best fits their needs—while providing professional guidance on which approach may achieve the highest possible value for the property.
Their approach goes far beyond traditional real estate. Sellers benefit from customized property evaluations, professional marketing materials, strong and strategic signage, and broad exposure across print, digital platforms, and multiple MLS systems. From high-quality brochures and targeted outreach to video and drone marketing, every property is intentionally positioned to showcase its full potential.
With deep expertise in recreational land, farmland, timber value, subdivision opportunities, and oil and gas rights, The Land & Residential Connection is uniquely equipped to help sellers maximize value and connect with the right buyers.
Rooted in product knowledge, attention to detail, and a results-driven mindset, their team is committed to delivering outcomes—not just listings.
Whether you’re selling a farm, acreage property, hunting land, or a distinctive estate, The Land & Residential Connection provides the guidance, strategy, and marketing power to move forward with confidence.
Member News ~ March 26, 2026
Events & Dates:
Voting for the 2026 What's So Cool About Manufacturing? Contest Closes March 26
The 2026 Central Susquehanna What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® contest in Pennsylvania is produced by the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC), Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, The Foundation of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, and Advance Central PA. The contest features middle schools from Pennsylvania’s Columbia, Huntingdon, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties. Vote today!
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau to Host Ag Night at Harrisburg Senators - April 10
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau will host Ag Night at the Harrisburg Senators on Friday, April 10 at 7:00 PM during the team’s season-opening homestand. The evening will feature fireworks and opportunities to connect with the Farm Bureau. Join the celebration and support Pennsylvania agriculture at the ballpark. Learn more here.
Susquehanna Kids Releases 2026 Easter Event Calendar - Through April 11
Susquehanna Kids has published its 2026 Easter Guide, highlighting a variety of family-friendly events happening throughout Columbia and Montour Counties. From egg hunts and Easter celebrations to seasonal activities for all ages, the guide makes it easy for families to explore local happenings and plan ahead for the holiday. View the full Easter guide here.
McKonly & Asbury Webinar: Are You Happy with Your SOC Provider? - April 30
McKonly & Asbury will host a free webinar on Thursday, April 30 at 2:00 PM EDT exploring key considerations in the evolving SOC 2 landscape. Directors Lynnanne Bocchi and Josh Bantz will discuss industry trends, vendor red flags, and service differentiators to help organizations evaluate and strengthen their SOC provider relationships. One Specialized Knowledge CPE credit is available; no prerequisites required. Register here.
Bloomsburg Children’s Museum Announces April Programs
The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum, 2 West 7th Street, is pleased to announce its programs for April 2026. Note: The Museum will be closed on April 25th for Bloomsburg's Renaissance Jamboree. For more information about these and additional programs, visit the-childrens-museum.org
Greenwood Friends School Hosts Annual Gala - May 9
Greenwood Friends School will host its annual Spring Auction & Gala, “Together We Can,” on Saturday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m. at The Barn at Greenwood in Millville. The evening will feature a live auction, music, food, and an open bar, all in support of the school’s mission and students. Additional details can be found here.
Announcements:
Talen Energy Shares Updates on Montour Preserve Spillway Improvements
Talen Energy has published a website detailing its investment in upgrades to the Lake Chillisquaque Spillway at the Montour Preserve. This project modernizes the spillway and directs water away from the lake in the event of significant rainfall. During certain phases of the project, access to certain amenities at the Montour Preserve may be temporarily unavailable. Learn more about the project and check in for regular updates here: https://spillwayupgrade.com/
InnoTek and Sean Black State Farm Launch “Wired for Good” Initiative
InnoTek Gives, in partnership with The Good Neighbor Project and Sean Black State Farm Insurance Agency, has launched Wired for Good, an initiative aimed at repurposing retired technology for community use. The program collects working laptops, tablets, and computers, securely wipes all data, and redistributes devices through local organizations to individuals in need. Community organizations are invited to participate by helping collect, prepare, or distribute devices. Learn more or get involved here!
Reserve a table at Luzerne County Community College’s Trades, Advanced Technology, and Communication Arts Career Fair - March 27th
LCCC will be hosting a Trades, Advanced Technology, and Communication Arts Career Fair on April 8th, from 10am-1pm. Some majors included in this Fair are: Advanced Manufacturing, Architectural Engineering Tech, Auto Tech, CNC, Diesel, Electrical Construction, Electronics Engineering, Engineering, Design, & Manufacturing, HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning, Welding. Registration is open until March 27, 2026, at 5pm. Click here to register.
Easter Services at Columbia-Montour LCBC - April 4-6
LCBC Church invites the Columbia-Montour community to join us in celebrating Easter—a reminder that joy is always possible and light will always come. Easter gatherings will blend inspiring messages, uplifting music, and a welcoming community atmosphere. Services are scheduled for Saturday, April 4 at 4:00 pm and 5:45 pm, Sunday, April 5 at 9:00am and 10:45am, and Monday, April 6 at 6:30pm. For more information, visit LCBCchurch.com/Easter.
Community Giving Foundation: Danville Announces 2026 “Neighbor of the Year” Honorees to Be Recognized - April 11
Community Giving Foundation: Danville has announced that Kathleen McQuiston and Good Samaritan Mission will receive the 2026 “Neighbor of the Year” Award in honor of Robert N. Pursel. The recipients were selected for their outstanding generosity and dedication to serving the Danville community. They will be recognized during the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Event on Saturday, April 11 at The Barn at Frosty Valley, which supports the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Endowment Fund. Learn more here.
My Benefit Advisor Educational Webinar: Turning 65 & Medicare – April 15
My Benefit Advisor (MBA) will host an educational webinar on Wednesday, April 15 at 12:00 PM designed to help individuals approaching Medicare eligibility better understand their options and next steps. Hosted by Irwin Cherry, Jr., the session will cover topics including when to apply for Medicare, how Medicare coordinates with existing benefits, whether to enroll in Part A and/or Part B while still working, and the potential implications of delaying enrollment. Register here.
Columbia Montour Transition Council Hosting Career Expo - April 15th
The Columbia Montour Transition Council will be hosting its 2026 Career Fair at the Blue Jay Academy on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students from all 8 schools in the region will be invited to attend. Businesses interested in attending this event can register here. Lunch is provided to all businesses in attendance.
Garden Party at Dark to Benefit Ronald McDonald House of Danville - April 17
The Ronald McDonald House of Danville will host its third annual Garden Party at Dark on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 6:30-10:00 PM at AEREA Premium Event Spaces in Milton. This whimsical evening will feature hors d’oeuvres, colorful cocktails, live entertainment, and a silent auction, all in support of families served by the Ronald McDonald House of Danville. Proceeds from the event help provide comfort and care for families with children receiving medical treatment in the region. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Unveiling of Berwick Blueprint’s Strategic Plan for the YMCA Gymnasium - April 23rd
Join Berwick Blueprint Communities on April 23rd from 5 to 7 PM for the unveiling of the strategic plan for the Berwick YMCA Gymnasium. More details to follow.
DBA’s 40th Annual Spring Fling Returns - May 2nd
The Danville Business Alliance is excited to announce the return of the 40th Annual Spring Fling, scheduled for Saturday, May 2,from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. in downtown Danville. With the event quickly approaching, the deadline for vendor registration is also fast approaching. Businesses, artisans, food vendors, nonprofit organizations, and community groups are encouraged to secure their space as soon as possible by registering online at visitdanvillepa.org.
Danville Business Alliance Looking for Weekly Market Vendors - May 9th through November 21st
Do you grow it, bake it, or make it by hand? DBA wants YOU at the Ferry Street Growers’ Market in Downtown Danville! They are looking for vendors for the upcoming 2026 season. Join the established market community on Ferry Street every Saturday from May 9th to November 21st and connect directly with shoppers who love fresh, local, and handmade goods.
Geisinger Hosts New Resident Welcome Fair - June 22
Geisinger’s Graduate Medical Education program will host its New Resident Welcome Fair on Monday, June 22 from 6:00–8:00 PM on Mill Street in Danville, offering local businesses and organizations the opportunity to connect with more than 200 new resident and fellow physicians, along with their families and colleagues. Interested participants can host a free table to showcase their business or services. Registration is required by June 1. Register here.
Service 1st Calendar Photo Contest is Underway Now Through July 1st
Are you an amateur photographer? Service 1st Federal Credit Union is looking for images that capture the beauty of local communities for its 2027 Calendar. Photos must be from within 15 miles of the Credit Union’s service area. More information can be found here!
How to Conduct Competitive Research: Sizing up the Competition
Source: CO by U.S. Chamber, Jamie Johnson , Contributor
Competitive research can reveal trends in the marketplace and gaps in your business plan. Here’s how to implement it.
Competitive research is a crucial part of any good marketing and business plan. Many companies lose business to competitors they have never even heard of because they didn’t take the time to do competitive research. Understanding what your competition is doing helps you better position your company and product or service in the market.
What is competitive research?
Competitive research identifies your competitors and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses. By looking at your biggest competitors, you can see how your products and services compare and possible threats facing your business. The biggest benefits of doing competitive research include:
- Understanding your market: Competitive research can reveal trends in the marketplace that you might have missed otherwise. The ability to identify and predict trends is a huge asset for any business and helps improve the value proposition for your customers.
- Improving your marketing: Your customers care about how your product or service is going to make their lives better. If they're switching to one of your competitors, it's probably because that company either offers a better product or does a better job of explaining the benefits. Competitive research helps you understand why customers buy from you or your competitors and how you can improve your messaging.
- Identifying market gaps: When you do competitive research, you're analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors. You'll often find that, by looking at the data, there's a segment of the population that is being underserved. This gap can put your business in a unique position to reach those customers.
- Planning for the future: The most important byproduct of competitive research is that it helps you create a strategic plan for your business. This includes things like improving your product or service, using more strategic pricing strategies, and improving the promotion of your products.
5 steps to conducting competitive research
Let's look at five steps you can take to get started on competitive research.
Identify direct vs. indirect competitors
There are two main types of competitors to identify:
- Direct competitors target the same customer base you’re targeting or sell a similar product or service.
- Indirect competitors may sell something similar to your product or service but target a different audience, or they may target your same customer base but offer a slightly different solution.
For example, Apple Music would be considered a direct competitor of the audio-streaming service Spotify. They offer very similar products, though they target slightly different customer bases. On the other hand, YouTube could be considered an indirect competitor because a Spotify user might decide to pull up a music video on YouTube rather than opening Spotify. The product isn't the same, but they're competing for the same audience in the streaming and podcasting markets.
Most businesses focus on their direct competitors, but researching your indirect competitors provides a few benefits. First, it offers new growth opportunities for your business. But it could also highlight potential threats to your business that you might otherwise be unaware of.
Analyze competitors' strengths and weaknesses
Once you've identified your main competitors, you want to look at their website, the content they're publishing, and their social media presence. Then look for any blogs, white papers, and social media content being provided about their products and how to use them. Consider the following questions:
- What's the user experience like on their website? Is it easy to navigate?
- Do you clearly understand the products or services they offer?
- How often do they blog, and is their content good?
- What topics do they blog about frequently?
- Which social platforms do they actively use to talk about their products and services?
- Is this content engaging their target audience?
The answers to these questions show you opportunities where you can outperform your competitors. You want to pay close attention to anything they are doing well that you aren’t currently doing. This helps give you a better understanding of where you should focus your attention and resources.
Many companies lose business to competitors they have never even heard of because they didn’t take the time to do competitive research.
Gather information
The best way to gather information about your competitors is to act like one of their customers. Sign up for their email list so you get an idea of how they communicate.
You can also follow their blog and social media accounts and watch how they interact with their customers online. What kind of experience do customers have with your competitors? You might also shop with them so you can see what their product looks like and what the experience is like from a customer’s perspective.
Build a competitor profile template
You’ll get the best insights from your research by building a profile for each competitor using a spreadsheet. For each competitor, track their company name, website, and the following information:
- Pricing: What do they charge? Do they use a freemium, tiered pricing, or flat rates?
- Positioning: How do they describe themselves? What’s their value proposition?
- Marketing channels: Which social media platforms, email, paid ads, and content channels do they use?
- Reviews: What are customers saying on Google, social media, and the Better Business Bureau? Take note of any positive and negative patterns that keep showing up.
- Key differentiators: What do they do uniquely well, and where do they fall short?
Dividing your spreadsheet into direct and indirect competitor columns will help you spot patterns across each group. Update each profile on a quarterly basis so your research stays current.
Check online reviews
Try to find as many reviews of your competitors as possible. Read their social media reviews, comments on their blogs, and case studies on their website. If they have Google reviews, read them as well. It's a good idea to understand not only the good things that your competitors are doing but the bad things too.
How customer-focused are they? This could be an opportunity for you to stand out. And, if they sell a product similar to yours, this is an opportunity to learn if a lot of people are interested in it. Any negative feedback helps you identify areas where you can improve your product or service.
Turn insights into action
Competitive research is only useful when it changes the way your business operates. Let’s look at two practical ways to put this information to work immediately.
Build a messaging map
A messaging map helps your marketing and sales teams communicate your competitive advantages to your audience. Using the competitor profiles you’ve built, identify the two or three areas where you clearly outperform the competition. Then craft specific language around those differentiators that addresses why a customer might choose you over a rival. This becomes the foundation for your website copy and sales pitches.
Maintain a win/loss list
Ask your sales team to track which competitor you lost a deal to and why. Over time, patterns will emerge. If you’re consistently losing to one competitor on price, that’s a signal to revisit your pricing strategy. If you’re winning because of customer support, that’s something to double down on in your marketing.
Keep in mind that competitive research is never a “one-and-done” event since other businesses will continue to change and adapt their own offerings. So ongoing monitoring is necessary to ensure you stay competitive in the marketplace.
Tools and resources for competitive research
Software and technology make it easier than ever to conduct competitive research. Here are five tools you should consider using to conduct your competitive research:
- Semrush: This is one of the best competitive research tools on the market. It contains over 30 tools that can track things like search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, key word research, competitive research, and more. Semrush can help you discover new competitors, find their best-used key words, and analyze their ad copy. They have flexible pricing plans depending on your business needs.
- BuzzSumo: BuzzSumo lets you see how your content matches your competitors' content. You can see which content is shared more frequently on social media compared to others, and you can schedule alerts on your competitors’ content, which makes it easier to continue tracking them.
- Owletter: Owletter tracks and analyzes emails sent from a website. You can track your competitors' email marketing and see what is and isn't working for them. To get started, you’ll need to join your competitors' email list. Then, every time you receive an email, Owletter takes a screenshot, analyzes it, and alerts you to any useful information.
- Ahrefs: This comprehensive SEO software is one of the best tools for content gap analysis. It helps you find key words and topics your competitors rank for that you don’t. Ahrefs is especially useful for understanding a competitor’s backlink profile and overall organic search strategy.
- Similarweb: Similarweb provides detailed website traffic and audience insights for any domain. You can see how much traffic a competitor’s site receives, where that traffic comes from, what their top-performing pages are, and how your own site compares. It’s particularly useful for benchmarking digital performance.
Turn Insight into Revenue: How Customer Feedback Can Power Your Next Marketing Campaign
Source: Chamber Today
- Customer feedback is not just a service tool. It is a growth asset hiding in plain sight.
- The most effective marketing campaigns today start with listening, not brainstorming.
- When feedback shapes messaging, relevance increases and acquisition costs fall.
- The gap between insight and revenue closes when leaders operationalize what customers already say.
587 words ~ 3 min. read
Most marketing campaigns start the same way. A planning meeting, a whiteboard full of ideas, and a push to say something bold enough to cut through the noise. Too often, what gets missed is the most valuable input already available: what customers are telling you every day.
Customer feedback is one of the most underutilized revenue drivers in modern marketing. Not because leaders doubt its value, but because it often gets trapped in silos. Support teams collect it. Sales hears it. Reviews capture it. Marketing, meanwhile, continues to rely on assumptions, trends, and internal language that may or may not reflect real buyer priorities.
When feedback becomes the foundation of a marketing campaign, everything changes. Messaging becomes clearer. Objections are addressed before they are raised. Trust builds faster because prospects hear themselves in your story.
The first shift is mindset. Feedback is not about fixing problems alone. It is about identifying demand. When customers explain why they chose you, what nearly stopped them, or how they describe success after buying, they are handing you ready-made positioning. These are not opinions. They are market signals.
High-performing teams treat feedback like data, not anecdotes. Patterns matter more than individual comments. If five customers describe your service as “finally simple,” that is not a compliment. It is a message. If prospects consistently ask the same question before buying, that question belongs in your next campaign headline, landing page, or email sequence.
The second shift is translation. Customers rarely speak in polished marketing language. That is a strength, not a weakness. The goal is not to clean up their words but to preserve their meaning. The closer your messaging mirrors how customers talk about their problems, the less friction exists in the buying process.
This is where revenue impact shows up. Campaigns rooted in customer language outperform because they reduce cognitive load. Buyers do not have to decode what you mean. They immediately recognize relevance. That recognition accelerates decision-making and shortens sales cycles.
The most effective organizations also close the loop internally. Marketing shares campaign insights with sales. Sales reports which messages resonate most in conversations. Support flags new patterns emerging from customer interactions. Feedback becomes a shared asset rather than a static report.
Leaders play a critical role here. When executives ask how customer insight informed a campaign, not just how it performed, they reinforce a culture of listening. Over time, this discipline compounds. Each campaign gets sharper because it builds on what the market already confirmed.
Turning insight into revenue is not about more surveys or complex tools. It is about intention. It is about deciding that no campaign launches without evidence from real customers. It is about recognizing that your audience is already telling you how to grow, if you are willing to listen closely enough.
In an environment where attention is scarce and trust is fragile, customer-led marketing is not a nice-to-have. It is a competitive advantage hiding in your inbox, your call notes, and your reviews.
The Bottom Line
When customer feedback drives your marketing strategy, relevance replaces guesswork and revenue follows. The companies that listen best are the ones the market rewards most.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.
Common Employee Benefits Compliance Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Employee benefits compliance is one of the most overlooked risk areas for employers. While most organizations focus on offering competitive benefits, many unintentionally expose themselves to penalties, audits, and employee disputes through avoidable compliance mistakes.
One of the most common errors is assuming carriers or brokers handle compliance automatically. While vendors may provide guidance, the legal responsibility ultimately rests with the employer. Missing required notices, outdated plan documents, or incorrect filings can trigger significant penalties even when coverage itself is strong.
Another frequent issue is incomplete or inaccurate plan documentation. Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) are often outdated, missing required language, or never distributed properly to employees. This becomes especially problematic during employee disputes or Department of Labor audits, where documentation gaps can quickly escalate liability.
Employers also underestimate the risk of ACA reporting errors. Incorrect employee classifications, late filings, or mismatched data between payroll and benefits systems can result in unexpected fines and IRS notices--often months or years after the mistake occurred.
Finally, many organizations fail to recognize their fiduciary responsibilities. Decisions around plan fees, vendor selection, and benefit changes must be documented and made in the best interest of employees. A lack of formal review processes can create fiduciary exposure, even when no wrongdoing is intended.
The good news is that most compliance issues are preventable. Regular compliance reviews, updated documentation, coordinated payroll and benefits data, and proactive advisor support can dramatically reduce risk. In today’s regulatory environment, compliance isn’t just an administrative task–it’s a critical component of responsible benefits management.
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 Rob Higginbotham at (800) 377-3539.
Member News ~ March 19, 2026
Events & Dates:
Jazz Pianist Dan Tepfer Performing at the Weis Center - April 2
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will welcome jazz pianist Dan Tepfer on Thursday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center. For more information about this event, contact Lisa Leighton, marketing and outreach director, at 570-577-3727 or by e-mail at lisa.leighton@bucknell.edu. For more information about the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, go to Bucknell.edu/WeisCenter or search for the Weis Center on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.
Easter Services at Columbia-Montour LCBC - April 4-6
LCBC Church invites the Columbia-Montour community to join us in celebrating Easter—a reminder that joy is always possible and light will always come. Easter gatherings will blend inspiring messages, uplifting music, and a welcoming community atmosphere. Services are scheduled for Saturday, April 4 at 4:00 pm and 5:45 pm, Sunday, April 5 at 9:00am and 10:45am, and Monday, April 6 at 6:30pm. For more information, visit LCBCchurch.com/Easter.
DBA’s 40th Annual Spring Fling Returns - May 2nd
The Danville Business Alliance is excited to announce the return of the 40th Annual Spring Fling, scheduled for Saturday, May 2,from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. in downtown Danville. With the event quickly approaching, the deadline for vendor registration is also fast approaching. Businesses, artisans, food vendors, nonprofit organizations, and community groups are encouraged to secure their space as soon as possible by registering online at visitdanvillepa.org.
Geisinger Hosts New Resident Welcome Fair - June 22
Geisinger’s Graduate Medical Education program will host its New Resident Welcome Fair on Monday, June 22 from 6:00–8:00 PM on Mill Street in Danville, offering local businesses and organizations the opportunity to connect with more than 200 new resident and fellow physicians, along with their families and colleagues. Interested participants can host a free table to showcase their business or services. Registration is required by June 1. Register here.
Announcements:
Sean Black State Farm Agency Earns MDRT Recognition
Sean Black State Farm Insurance Agency has earned Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) membership, a prestigious distinction recognized globally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services industry. Founded in 1927, MDRT represents top-performing professionals from more than 80 countries and nearly 700 companies worldwide. This achievement reflects the agency’s commitment to providing trusted service and making a positive impact within the community. Congratulations Sean and team!
Berwick Borough Selected for WalkWorks Pre-Planning Program
Berwick Borough has been selected to participate in the WalkWorks Pre-Planning Program through the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC). This initiative prepares the Borough to apply next year to the Pennsylvania Department of Health for funding to develop a community-tailored Active Transportation Plan.
PPL Electric Utilities Announces $8 Billion Investment in Grid Modernization
PPL Electric Utilities has announced a major $8 billion investment in grid modernization across its 29-county Pennsylvania service territory through 2029. The initiative will fund infrastructure upgrades including stronger poles and lines, underground cable replacements, expanded Smart Grid technology, and proactive vegetation management to improve reliability and reduce outages. Learn more.
B.I.D.A. Highlights its Role in Advancing the Region’s Continued Economic Momentum
The Greater Berwick Area has been recognized among the nation’s top‑performing communities for economic development in the 2025 rankings, rising to 14th place, up from 39th place in 2024. This significant advancement reflects the region’s growing momentum and the coordinated efforts of local partners committed to strengthening economic opportunities. Read on.
Reserve a table at Luzerne County Community College’s Trades, Advanced Technology, and Communication Arts Career Fair - March 27th
LCCC will be hosting a Trades, Advanced Technology, and Communication Arts Career Fair on April 8th, from 10am-1pm. Some majors included in this Fair are: Advanced Manufacturing, Architectural Engineering Tech, Auto Tech, CNC, Diesel, Electrical Construction, Electronics Engineering, Engineering, Design, & Manufacturing, HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Plumbing, Heating, & Air Conditioning, Welding. Registration is open until March 27, 2026, at 5pm. Click here to register.
Community Giving Foundation: Danville Announces 2026 “Neighbor of the Year” Honorees to Be Recognized - April 11
Community Giving Foundation: Danville has announced that Kathleen McQuiston and Good Samaritan Mission will receive the 2026 “Neighbor of the Year” Award in honor of Robert N. Pursel. The recipients were selected for their outstanding generosity and dedication to serving the Danville community. They will be recognized during the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Event on Saturday, April 11 at The Barn at Frosty Valley, which supports the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Endowment Fund. Learn more here.
My Benefit Advisor Educational Webinar: Turning 65 & Medicare – April 15
My Benefit Advisor (MBA) will host an educational webinar on Wednesday, April 15 at 12:00 PM designed to help individuals approaching Medicare eligibility better understand their options and next steps. Hosted by Irwin Cherry, Jr., the session will cover topics including when to apply for Medicare, how Medicare coordinates with existing benefits, whether to enroll in Part A and/or Part B while still working, and the potential implications of delaying enrollment. Register here.
Columbia Montour Transition Council Hosting Career Expo - April 15th
The Columbia Montour Transition Council will be hosting its 2026 Career Fair at the Blue Jay Academy on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students from all 8 schools in the region will be invited to attend. Businesses interested in attending this event can register here. Lunch is provided to all businesses in attendance.
Garden Party at Dark to Benefit Ronald McDonald House of Danville - April 17
The Ronald McDonald House of Danville will host its third annual Garden Party at Dark on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 6:30-10:00 PM at AEREA Premium Event Spaces in Milton. This whimsical evening will feature hors d’oeuvres, colorful cocktails, live entertainment, and a silent auction, all in support of families served by the Ronald McDonald House of Danville. Proceeds from the event help provide comfort and care for families with children receiving medical treatment in the region. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Unveiling of Berwick Blueprint’s Strategic Plan for the YMCA Gymnasium - April 23rd
Join Berwick Blueprint Communities on April 23rd from 5 to 7 PM for the unveiling of the strategic plan for the Berwick YMCA Gymnasium. More details to follow.
Danville Business Alliance Looking for Weekly Market Vendors - May 9th through November 21st
Do you grow it, bake it, or make it by hand? DBA wants YOU at the Ferry Street Growers’ Market in Downtown Danville! They are looking for vendors for the upcoming 2026 season. Join the established market community on Ferry Street every Saturday from May 9th to November 21st and connect directly with shoppers who love fresh, local, and handmade goods.
Service 1st Calendar Photo Contest is Underway Now Through July 1st
Are you an amateur photographer? Service 1st Federal Credit Union is looking for images that capture the beauty of local communities for its 2027 Calendar. Photos must be from within 15 miles of the Credit Union’s service area. More information can be found here!
How Do I Know If My Valuator Is Qualified? A New Exposure Draft Explores the Topic
Source: McKonly & Asbury; Clay Dimpsey
On January 5, 2026, The Appraisal Foundation published an Exposure Draft that seeks to “assist stakeholders in recognizing the attributes of a competent appraiser.” The Exposure Draft focuses on defining competency and provides methods of indicating whether a business appraiser can competently appraise a given company or security. While the Exposure Draft is far from perfect in its current form, it does offer useful narrative about valuator competency worth discussing.
Accreditation
First, the Exposure Draft states that accreditation alone does not guarantee competency; however, it can be a useful starting point for determining competency. There are several designations within the business appraisal industry that can be used as indicator of potential competence. In the U.S. market, the primary valuation-related accreditations are: Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA), and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Notably, the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) are not valuation-specific designations and so professionals with only those designations may not possess foundational knowledge of valuation theory or may not have sufficient relevant experience. An advantage that comes with working with a professional holding a valuation designation is that they are bound by the designation’s general and ethical standards, reporting standards, and continuing education requirements. These standards and ongoing educational requirements are directly related to valuation practice.
Experience
Another consideration mentioned by the Exposure Draft is the type and depth of a valuator’s experience. The type of experience is important because an excellent transaction support consultant may not be able to provide litigation support at the same level of quality. Individuals seeking a valuation professional should determine if the valuator has the requisite experience necessary to understand the specific business structure of the asset being valued. If the experience is lacking, then determine if the valuator can reasonably attain competence. The Exposure Draft states that “more experience often means that an appraiser has good familiarity with the valuation methods and judgements required to perform the assignment.” While this certainly can be true, long tenure can also serve as a double-edged sword. Be careful that long tenure has not resulted in the utilization of outdated valuation techniques.
Tools & Resources
The Exposure Draft also touches on technology, stating that “software does not enhance an appraiser’s competency… Tools or software can contribute to accuracy and, in some cases, provide empirical or implied evidence that the appraiser may have otherwise overlooked. However, the appraiser remains responsible for understanding and evaluating these calculation tools and research sources.” If it appears as though a value is a software-generated output, ask questions to ensure that valuator understands and can explain the software’s output and that the underlying assumptions are consistent with the business or security’s fundamentals. While reliance on software can be dangerous, the Exposure Draft may be understating the importance of technology. The use of certain models, especially Excel or Python-based, can add a degree of precision and sophistication to security valuation, which cannot be easily attained through manual calculation. The critical factor is the valuator’s understanding of the model inputs, outputs, and method of calculation.
Finding a Qualified Valuator
Selecting the right business appraiser is crucial for transaction due diligence, estate planning, ESOP compliance, and more. A poorly performed business valuation can result in nightmare scenarios where an individual overpays for a company, sells a company for less than it is worth, overpays their estate transfer taxes, leaves an ESOP insolvent, or they may find themselves involved in litigation. When selecting a business valuator, it is recommended that one determines if they have a valuation-related designation, consider if they have the necessary relevant experience specific to the subject ownership interest, and determine if they understand the technology to be utilized. Doing this will greatly increase the likelihood that the individual is qualified to perform the required services.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a proud member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an active part of the U.S. Chamber Federation of small and regional chambers, which routinely provides content like the article above. The content above does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice but is for general informational purposes. For accurate, complete advice, readers are encouraged to consult with qualified legal, accounting, or other professional advisors before making any decisions based on the information provided. If you need help finding qualified help, please contact the Chamber for a list of our members.
Last Week in the Legislature
Source: PA Chamber of Business & Industry
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives returned to committee session last week, concluding the process of budget hearings on Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Fiscal Year 2026-27 spending proposal and advancing legislation that would amend and expand the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
Human Relations Act expansion (H.B. 300; Kenyatta)
The House Judiciary Committee voted 14-12 to advance House Bill 300 last Tuesday.
Public discussion and the bill’s cosponsor memo exclusively focus on amending the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to add sexual orientation, gender identity or expression as protected classes, which the PA Chamber supports.
The actual language of H.B. 300, however, amends the PHRA more broadly, including by expanding protections to include individuals that are “actual or perceived” members of any protected class. “Perceived” is not included in the federal Civil Rights Act and we believe its proposed inclusion in the PHRA should be more carefully considered, as it raises several important questions regarding compliance standards.
We advised lawmakers that committee members, the regulated community, and the general public deserve an opportunity to ask and discuss these questions before the legislation moves forward (CLICK HERE for our memo). The bill now advances to the full House.
Higher ed hearings spotlight affordability, workforce needs, and long-term sustainability
The House Appropriations Committee concluded its annual budget hearings last week, with sessions focused on transportation, public safety, revenue, aging, higher education, the Office of the Budget, and health-related agencies.
Of these, Wednesday’s higher education hearings were of particular relevance to Pennsylvania’s business community, as the state’s many colleges and universities are central to our workforce pipeline and economic future.
During the hearings, leaders from Pennsylvania’s four state-related universities, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), and community colleges argued that the flat funding proposed in the governor’s budget puts added pressure on these institutions.
Several institutions said additional state funding would help them avoid or limit tuition increases, while lawmakers pressed school leaders on enrollment declines, campus closures, consolidation efforts, and whether Pennsylvania’s higher ed landscape is properly aligned with current demographic trends.
The discussion reflected a broader challenge facing the commonwealth: how to maintain strong, accessible postsecondary options while also recognizing the fiscal pressures confronting the state budget. Institutions pointed to rising operating costs, changing student demographics, and growing demand for more flexible and career-focused learning models, including online programs and workforce training.
Community colleges and PASSHE schools highlighted their roles in meeting employer needs, sharing examples of successful workforce partnerships supporting manufacturing, health care, and first-responder training. That connection to workforce development is especially important as Pennsylvania works to strengthen its competitiveness and build a deeper talent pipeline.
One major takeaway from Wednesday’s hearings was that higher education leaders and lawmakers are both grappling with the same key issue: how best to position Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities to serve students, employers, and regional economies in a challenging fiscal environment. As budget negotiations play out over the coming months, this will remain a key issue to watch.
The First 30 Minutes of a Leader’s Week
- The first half hour of a leader’s week quietly shapes priorities, pace, and performance.
- Most leaders begin reactively, letting email and meetings set the agenda.
- Intentional leaders use this window to decide what matters before the week decides for them.
- A disciplined 30-minute reset improves focus, delegation, and decision quality.
- Small, consistent rituals create outsized leadership leverage over time.
566 words ~ 3 min. read
The first 30 minutes of a leader’s week rarely feels important. It is often spent clearing inboxes, skimming calendars, or rushing into the first meeting. Yet this short window quietly determines how the rest of the week unfolds. Leaders who begin reactively tend to spend their days responding to noise. Leaders who begin intentionally shape outcomes before distractions take over.
This is not about productivity hacks or squeezing more tasks into the day. It is about leadership posture. The opening moments of the week signal what you value, how you make decisions, and where you will spend your energy. When leaders fail to define these things early, everything else does it for them.
Strong leaders use the first 30 minutes to step above the week instead of into it. They do not start by asking, “What is urgent?” They start by asking, “What actually matters?” That shift alone changes how time, attention, and authority are deployed across the organization.
The most effective approach begins with clarity. Leaders review the week ahead not to admire a full calendar, but to identify the one or two outcomes that would make the week successful if achieved. These outcomes are not tasks. They are results. A decision that must be made. A conversation that cannot be delayed. A strategic issue that deserves uninterrupted thinking. By naming these outcomes early, leaders create a filter for everything else that follows.
Next comes alignment. The first 30 minutes is an ideal time to scan where leadership attention might drift away from strategy. Are meetings reinforcing priorities or simply preserving habits? Are leaders solving problems that should be owned by their teams? This is the moment to adjust. Cancel what no longer serves the mission. Delegate what others can own. Protect time for work that only you can do.
Equally important is reflection. High-performing leaders use this time to briefly look backward before charging forward. What decisions from last week created momentum? What signals from customers, employees, or partners deserve follow-up? Reflection prevents leaders from repeating avoidable mistakes and reinforces what is working. It turns experience into insight rather than just activity.
Finally, intentional leaders set their tone. They decide how they will show up before stress makes that decision for them. Calm or rushed. Curious or defensive. Available or distracted. This is not abstract mindset work. It directly affects how teams experience leadership throughout the week. Employees take cues quickly, and tone travels faster than strategy.
None of this requires more time. It requires different use of time leaders already have. Thirty focused minutes at the start of the week can reduce hours of rework, misalignment, and unnecessary meetings later. Over time, this simple ritual builds trust. Teams see a leader who is clear, consistent, and purposeful.
Leadership is not defined by how full your calendar is. It is defined by how deliberately you use your influence. The first 30 minutes of the week is where that influence quietly begins.
The Bottom Line
Leaders who own the first 30 minutes of their week are far more likely to own the outcomes that follow. Intentional beginnings create disciplined weeks, better decisions, and organizations that move with clarity instead of urgency.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.
Kreisher Marshall & Associates – New Member Highlight
Kreisher Marshall & Associates, LLC is an elder law and estate planning firm proudly serving Bloomsburg and the surrounding region. With strong roots in Columbia County, the firm has spent more than 50 years helping individuals and families navigate important legal decisions related to aging, long‑term care, and asset protection.