The National Main Street Center has teamed up with Brother International to provide a total of $75,000 in funding to brick-and-mortar small businesses in designated Main Street America districts and UrbanMain member corridors as they work to adapt to COVID-19 and prepare for the next phases of reopening across the country, while also helping to revitalize and strengthen older and historic commercial corridors.

Applications are now open here and will continue to be accepted through Thursday, January 28 at 7:59 pm.

Grants of $5,000 to $10,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applicants must operate in a “brick and mortar” storefront located in an Accredited or Affiliate Main Street America (Danville Business Alliance is an Accredited Main Street America member; qualifying its businesses located in Danville) or UrbanMain member commercial corridor. You can find those programs here.

Please review the program website before completing an application. If your question was not answered there, or you have questions about your eligibility, please email atyourside@savingplaces.org.

Eligible Grant Expenses

Eligible grant expenses include but are not limited to:

• Physical improvements to business space to meet relevant reopening requirements implemented because of COVID-19
• Equipment to comply with public health and safety guidelines (i.e., touchless payment methods, automatic door open sensors, or disposable menus)
• Fees associated with expanding the business to e-commerce sales
• Other professional services, such as business plan modifications
• Rent, payroll, and other operating expenses

Grant Application Judging Criteria

• Feasibility of proposal
• Extent to which grant will help address an acute business need or help a business owner implement innovative solutions to address COVID-19-related challenges
• Opportunity for other businesses to learn from work
• Business’ contribution to the local community
• How the grant will help improve the viability of business
• Strength of letters of recommendation and supporting documents

From My Benefit Advisor

The integration of digital tools in the corporate environment is moving at a rapid pace and changing the way companies implement their wellness strategies.  Employers and many of the insurance carriers they work with have inserted technology into their benefit offerings as a way for individuals not just to monitor their general physical fitness but also to address concrete wellness needs and improve health outcomes.

Through the use of these digital tools, employees are empowered to take greater control over their well-being through the tracking, managing and analysis of critical health data. Digital health tools also increase the efficiencies of healthcare by improving access, reducing costs, increasing quality of care and making medicine more personalized and precise.

Implementing digital health into your wellness strategy will usually include a variety of tools, including:

• Health Information Technology… utilizing a platform or application to manage the exchange of health information between patients and medical personnel in a secure, computerized environment.
• Mobile Health… allowing medicine and care delivery through mobile phones, tablets and other wireless technology.
• Telehealth… providing the remote exchange of data and care between a patient and their medical advisor.
• Wearables… clothing and accessories that integrate advanced electronic technologies to assist in providing more personalized health data.

My Benefit Advisor representatives can show how you can incorporate digital health tools into your company’s benefit programs to enhance employee morale, decrease claims utilization and allow your employees to take better control of their long-term well-being.

The Chamber offers a unique insurance platform called ChamberChoice. It offers members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, contact Jim Pitts at 610-324-6291 or email him at jim.pitts@mybenefitadvisor.com

The Berwick Borough Council has allocated $55,799 of Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) program funding to assist restaurants that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. SEDA-Council of Governments and The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce will be evaluating the applications on Berwick Borough’s behalf.

For businesses to be eligible for funding assistance through this program, the recipient business must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Submit a fully completed BERWICK BOROUGH Small Business Support Grant Program application to Tyler Dombroski, SEDA-COG, by February 26, 2021; and
2. Be a for-profit restaurant business located within the municipal limits of BERWICK BOROUGH; and
3. Be an incorporated business in and/or registered to conduct business within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and
4. Be negatively impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic shutdowns; and
5. Be able to meet one of the national objective requirements (primarily benefit to low and moderate income persons) of the CDBG-CV program.

Grants will be evenly distributed between all successful applicants. Successful applicants will need to provide demonstrable business costs for rent/mortgage, utility, staffing salaries, inventory/supplies, and/or marketing/advertising. Grants from this program cannot cover expenses already addressed through other financial assistance programs.

Applications for the grant are available here. Questions and applications can be emailed to tdombroski@seda-cog.org.

Bloomsburg Children’s Museum Dedicating ‘All Abilities Nights’ in Memory of Erica Schultz

The Bloomsburg Children’s Museum is dedicating their quarterly All Abilities Nights in memory of Erica Shultz, a former employee who was senselessly slain last month. 

Erica Shultz and a summer camp student in 2013

Shultz worked as a Museum Assistant in 2013 and 2014 while she was still in high school. She regularly helped with programs and everyday tasks in the Museum. 

“Erica was always happy to help in any way she could,” Dr. Ginny Weibel, Museum Director said. “She especially loved helping the children with art projects and pretend play.” Shultz, who was autistic, used her position with the Museum to gain real-world working experience. “Erica was a valued employee and contributed greatly to our mission,” Weibel said. “She was a beam of sunshine whenever she was here. Many of us stayed connected with her when she left the Museum.” 

All Abilities Nights at the Museum is a quarterly free program at the Museum. During the program, families with any member who faces a challenge are invited to tour the Museum and participate in special crafts and activities at no cost for their group. 

Erica Shultz and Miranda Smith (left), a fellow Museum employee, helping decorate the Museum’s tree at TreeFest

“We started All Abilities Nights to offer a time when the Museum is a bit quieter and easier to navigate than during normal operating hours,” Weibel said. “We want families to have a relaxed experience and see that we have many friendly, adaptive spaces in hopes that those families come back again and again.” 

The Museum is adding a plaque in the lobby indicating that All Abilities Night at the Museum is dedicated to preserving Shultz’s memory and the contributions she made to the organization. 

The next All Abilities Night at the Museum is scheduled for Friday, January 22 from 3-7 p.m. There is no cost and reservations are not needed.

NEPIRC & IRC Network to Host Free Legal Aspects of COVID-19 Vaccination for Employers Webinar

In response to industry inquiries, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) and the Industrial Resource Center (IRC) Network will host a no-cost “Legal Aspects of COVID-19 Vaccination for Employers” webinar for manufacturing firms of all sizes on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. The live interactive webinar will be broadcast via Microsoft Teams and advance registration is required.

The webinar will be moderated by NEPIRC and the featured presenter will be James Devine, a partner of Cipriani & Werner – a nationwide legal firm that specializes in representing employers in this niche aspect of HR and employment law. Among other topics, the event will cover the legal ramifications of mandating vaccination for employees, how to address the concerns of workers opposed to vaccination, the extent to which employers can disclose the vaccination status of co-workers and similar topics.

Manufacturing sector managers, supervisors, HR professionals and executives desiring to register for the event should email CLICK HERE to immediately register. While the event is free to attend, electronic “seating” is limited to 250 attendees.

Curves Introduces Virtual Group Coaching Option for MyCurves On Demand

Curves, one of the largest chains of fitness clubs for women in the world, is celebrating the first birthday of their at-home video-on-demand program, MyCurves On Demand, with the introduction of their new Virtual Group Coaching membership. The new MyCurves On Demand + Virtual Group Coaching combines an effective at-home fitness routine with the support and guidance of a live, virtual Curves coach to keep members accountable for achieving their health and fitness goals. Virtual Group Coaching sessions also create a fitness community that provides the connections and support members need as they make lifestyle changes.

“When COVID restrictions closed local Curves gyms around the world in the spring of 2020, MyCurves On Demand, which launched in January 2020, helped Curves members transition from their in-club gym experience to an at-home fitness routine,” said Krishea Holloway, President and CEO of Curves North America and Oceania. “Curves understands what women need in a fitness program, and we knew that, for many members, taking part in lifestyle coaching sessions led by a Curves Coach was key to their success. Curves new Virtual Group Coaching option adds that weekly human connection, providing members with both a coach – with the accountability that provides – and a community of other women working to live healthier, stronger lives.”

In addition to the introduction of Virtual Group Coaching, Curves is celebrating the one-year birthday of MyCurves On Demand with prizes and cash giveaways. Members in the Bloomsburg area who join MyCurves On Demand between January 13-February 13, through Curves of Bloomsburg, PA or online, will be eligible for a chance to win prizes including Curves merchandise and cash gift cards. For more details, follow the Curves Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Curves/.

MyCurves On Demand streaming classes mimic the in-club experience using a resistance band (provided with most memberships) in place of the equipment found in clubs and are led by actual Curves Coaches, not fitness models – a distinction that separates Curves from other fitness brands. Curves members can stream their workout from any smart device. To view a sneak peek of a MyCurves On Demand workout, visit https://www.curves.com/mycurves-on-demand.

“We know everyone has choices when it comes to fitness. Determining the right fitness routine for yourself is key to a stronger you,” said Holloway. “Curves on Demand introduced many women to a new fitness option from an established, trusted brand, but it’s important to remember that not everyone who posts a workout video is a fitness expert. Curves members benefit from years of experience, our Science Advisory Board, and the 20+ years of research conducted at Texas A&M University that supports Curves’ programs. Our mission has always been to provide fun, fast, and safe programs to help women reach their health and fitness goals, and our programs continue to get better, year after year.”

MyCurves On Demand + Virtual Group Coaching is available for women throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. For more information about the Curves program and membership options available in the Bloomsburg area, contact Curves of Bloomsburg, PA, located at 50 West 6th Street in Bloomsburg, at 570-784-5080 or www.curves.com

The Chamber’s Board of Directors is recommending a slate of candidates to serve on the Board beginning April, 2021. Members will vote on nominations during the Annual Meeting, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities, scheduled for Wednesday, February 10th via Zoom. Nominated to serve are:

Nominated to a 3-year term on the Board:
John Grabusky, Geisinger
Josh Nespoli, Community Strategies Group
Diana Verbeck, Danville Child Development
Jeff Whitenight, First Columbia Bank & Trust

Nominated to a 1-year term on the Board:
Megan Kiliti, Northern Columbia Community and Cultural Center
Denise Stone, eXp Realty
Bob Stoud, Montour Area Recreation Commission

Recommended to fill an unexpired, 3-year term on the Board:
Dan Knorr, Bloomsburg University

Recommended as 1-year appointments:
Susan Adams, Pretty Petals & Gifts by Susan
Jeff Cerminaro, Walker’s Jewelers
Christian Force, ALTERA Life & PB&J Bar

Members leaving the Board:
Lissa Bryan-Smith, Geisinger
Donna Coombs, GordnerCoombs Insurance
Mary Radle, eXp Realty

The Board is also recommending an update to the Chamber’s mission statement that is more concise. Members will also be asked to vote on this proposed revision at the Annual Meeting.

Current:
TO REPRESENT the business community on matters of economic, educational, political, social and cultural concern.
TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE those activities, which enhance the economy and preserve and/or improve the environmental benefits, enjoyed by the community.
TO PROVIDE economic opportunities for the citizenry, both young and old.
TO SUPPORT matters which preserve and improve our quality of life.

Proposed:
To represent local employers in supporting vibrant, sustainable communities in Columbia and Montour counties.

The program developed to help people build basic management and team leadership skills will begin sessions on March 9th. This five-module management and leadership certificate program is appropriate for existing leaders, managers, and supervisors; or those who are new or emerging in any business sector.

Professional course materials include assessments, activities, and other learning enhancement components to help each participant individualize their learning experience. Participants will receive a certificate from Bloomsburg University upon completion and will have identified personal development goals to provide to their employers.

The five, three-hour modules are:
-Supervisor Effectiveness
-Effective Communication for Managers
-Conflict Management
-Navigating a Multi-generational Workforce 
-Being a Great Mentor or Coach

The next program is scheduled to begin on March 9th with an application deadline of February 19th. Complete program details are available at www.ColumbiaMontourChamber.com under the Chamber menu or by calling 570-784-2522.

The program qualifies for WEDnet funding. For eligibility information, visit wednetpa.com or contact Jennifer Williams at 570-389-4004.

This program has been developed in collaboration be Bloomsburg University and The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce.

The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is conducting a survey of restaurants around the state to understand how their business has been affected by the delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and Postmates).

We would appreciate your help in disseminating our survey to restaurants or restaurant organizations in your area. Please feel free to forward widely – more responses will help us better understand the circumstances facing restaurants around the state.

The OAG Restaurant Survey is available here. It only takes about 5 minutes and can be completed on a smartphone or computer.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15, 2021.  The portal will fully open on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 to all participating PPP lenders to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA.

Earlier in the week, SBA granted dedicated PPP access to Community Financial Institutions (CFIs) which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to reach underserved and minority small businesses.

On Friday, SBA continues its emphasis on reaching smaller lenders and businesses by opening to approximately 5,000 more lenders, including community banks, credit unions, and farm credit institutions.  Moreover, the agency also plans to have dedicated service hours for these smaller lenders after the portal fully re-opens next week.

“A second round of PPP could not have come at a better time, and the SBA is making every effort to ensure small businesses have the emergency financial support they need to continuing weathering this time of uncertainty,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “SBA has worked expeditiously to ensure our policies and systems are re-launched so that this vital small business aid helps communities hardest hit by the pandemic. I strongly encourage America’s entrepreneurs needing financial assistance to apply for a First or Second Draw PPP loan.”

“We are pleased to have opened PPP loans to CDFIs, MDIs, CDCs, and Microloan Intermediaries.  The PPP is already providing America’s small businesses hardest hit by the pandemic with vital economic relief,” said Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin. “As the Program re-opens for all First and Second Draw borrowers next week, the PPP will allow small businesses to keep workers on payroll and connected to their health insurance.”

First Draw PPP Loans are for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. The first round of the PPP, which ran from March to August 2020, was a historic success helping 5.2 million small businesses keep 51 million American workers employed.  

Second Draw PPP Loans are for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less, that previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will use or have used the full amount only for authorized uses, and that can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. The maximum amount of a Second Draw PPP loan is $2 million. 

Updated PPP Lender forms, guidance, and resources are available at www.sba.gov/ppp and www.treasury.gov/cares.  

McKonly & Asbury Expands Leadership Team

McKonly & Asbury – a regional accounting and business advisory services firm – announced the addition of two new partners and a new principal to their leadership team. The firm’s dedication to provide superior, personalized service to their clients is a testament to their leadership. The partners and principals lead by example and are recognized experts in their areas of specialty, serving as their clients’ most trusted advisors.

David Hammarberg, CPA, CFE, CISSP, GSEC, MCSE, CISA – Partner
David joined McKonly & Asbury in 2000 and has been an integral part of the firm for over 20 years, serving clients in a variety of information technology and accounting capacities. His expertise and service focus areas include SOC for Service Organizations, SOC for Cybersecurity, forensic accounting, internal controls and security testing, data extraction, and improved efficiency through the application of technology.

David’s specialized IT experience not only serves their clients, but the team as well. He has maintained advanced certifications and has experience with various server operating systems including server 2016 and server 2019; VMware, Microsoft Exchange, and enterprise accounting systems; as well as core networking experience at the switch and router level. He also supports the firm’s remote access capabilities using Citrix and VPN.

Jim Shellenberger, CPA – Partner
Jim is a key leader of the firm’s Audit & Assurance segment. He joined McKonly & Asbury in 2002 and has nearly 20 years of public accounting experience, leading many of the firm’s core audit and attest engagements. Jim serves clients in a variety of industries, focusing primarily on nonprofit and affordable housing organizations.

Jim provides technical expertise on audit and accounting standards; with a concentration on the requirements of Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book) and the Uniform Guidance, to his clients and to the firm; and is a frequent instructor on these and other related technical and leadership topics. He also performs external peer reviews for accounting firms around the country.

Charles Eisenhart, CPA – Principal
Charlie has been with McKonly & Asbury since 2015, and over the past 5 years has specialized in providing tax compliance and consulting services for our clients, including corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individuals.

Since joining the firm, Charlie has more narrowly focused his expertise to serve individual and trust tax clients. He has taken on a leadership role in managing the individual and trust tax practice and works with the entire tax team on continually serving clients by maintaining tax compliance while identifying and acting on tax planning opportunities. Charlie is also in the process of studying to become a Certified Estate and Trust Specialist.

McKonly & Asbury’s newest partners and principal represent the firm’s Advisory & Business Consulting, Audit & Assurance, and Tax segments and provide strong leadership and expertise across the firm’s industry practices and service lines. McKonly & Asbury Managing Partner, Michael Hoffner, commented, “It is with great excitement that we welcome Dave and Jim as new Partners and recognize Charlie as a new Principal at McKonly & Asbury. Each of these individuals has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving their clients and supporting their colleagues, and the marketplace is better because of what they do. We’ve seen over the course of the last year how critical our profession is in times of economic crisis, and as we turn the page to 2021, we are optimistic about what the future holds for our firm and our entire team!”

Apprenticeship Program Coming to Area

Boulder Landscape, LLC based out of Berwick, PA will be offering a new U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program. Apprentices for the Landscape Management Apprenticeship Program, administered by Tyler Bloom Consulting, will receive over 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and additional professional development offerings, providing the equivalent of a college-level education at no charge. The apprenticeship program covers mastery of landscape maintenance, installation, design/build, hardscaping and turf management.  Contact Boulder Landscape for more information. 

The Zoo Comes to You!

The Peaceable Kingdom Zoo will be at the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum presenting an educational, interactive zoo experience with live animals. TICKETS ARE REQUIRED. Registration can be found here. 

Due to the Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines, tickets will be sold in advance to the Zoo Comes To You event on Sunday, February 14th. There will only be a limited number of tickets sold. TICKET ARE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY, EVEN FOR MUSEUM MEMBERS.

From InnoTek Computer Consulting, Inc.

For any organization, its employees are its biggest assets. But what happens when your biggest assets turn out to be your greatest threats or liabilities? That is how cybercrime can change the game. In a recent study, it came to light that employee actions account for about 70% of the data breaches. This article offers advice on what organizations can do to better prepare employees to identify and mitigate cyber threats.

A top-down approach to IT security
First things first–change your organizational mindset. IT security is not ONLY your IT department, chief technology officer, or Managed Service Provider’s (MSP) responsibility. You need to truly believe that IT security is everyone’s business, no matter which industry and that includes everybody working in your company, from the C-level execs to the newly hired intern. Everybody needs to understand the gravity of a cyberattack and its impact. Only then, will they take cybersecurity seriously. Having said that, some countries prioratize on security in oil industry as it deals with international markets and looks forward to provide layers of security to their websites.

Policies
The next step is to formulate IT policies and lay down the best practices for your staff to follow. Ideally, your IT policy should cover the following:

Passwords

1. Rules regarding password setting
2. Password best practices
3. The implications of password sharing
4. Corrective actions that will be taken in the event the password policy is not followed

Personal devices

1. Rules regarding the usage of personal devices at work or for work purposes. Answer questions like a. Are all employees allowed to use personal devices for work or do you want to limit it to those handling lesser sensitive data, or to those higher in the corporate hierarchy as you assume they will need to be available 24/7? Regardless, you should spell out the regulations that they must follow. For example, requiring a weekly or monthly check for malware and updates to anti-malware software, etc., If only certain kinds of devices, software or operating systems may be approved as they are presumed to be more secure, then that should be addressed in the policy
2. Discuss best practices and educate your employees on the risks related to connecting to open internet connections (Free WiFi) such as the ones offered at malls or airports.

Cybersecurity measures

1. Document the cybersecurity measures that you have in place for your business. This should include your digital measures such as the software you have deployed to keep malware out–like anti-virus tools, firewalls, etc., and also the physical measures such as surveillance systems, biometric access controls, etc.,
2. Another example of a good practice is how you handle employee turnover. When someone quits your organization or has changed positions, how is the access issue addressed? Spell out the rules and regulations regarding the removal of a user from the network, changing passwords, limiting access, etc.,

 Employee Training
Employee training will form a big part of the cybersecurity initiative that you will take on as an organization. You need to train your employees to identify and respond correctly to cyberthreats. Here are some employee training best practices that you can make a part of your cybersecurity training program.

Create an IT policy handbook
Make sure you have a handbook of your IT policy that you share with every new employee, regardless of their position in the company. This IT policy handbook must be provided to everyone-right from the CEO to the newest intern in your organization. Also, ensure this handbook is consistently updated. IT is evolving at great speed and your handbook must keep up.

Make cybersecurity training a part of your official training initiatives
Cybersecurity training should be a part of your corporate training initiatives for all new employees. You can also conduct refresher sessions once in a while to ensure your existing employees are up-to-date on the latest cyberthreats. At the end of the training session, conduct tests, mock drills, certification exams. Good training includes assessment. Provide follow up training for those who need it. This strong emphasis on training will ensure your employees take cybersecurity seriously.

Day zero alerts
As discussed, the cybercrime landscape is constantly evolving. Every day, cybercriminals are finding new vulnerabilities to exploit, and new methods to steal your data or to hack into your system. Day zero alerts are a great way to keep your employees updated. Has a new security threat been discovered or an important plug-in released for the optimal functioning of a browser? Send an email to everyone spelling out clearly what the threat is and what they can do to mitigate it. Then, follow up to verify they took the necessary steps.

Transparency
Let your employees know who to contact in the event of any IT related challenges. This is important because someone troubleshooting on the internet for a solution to something as simple as a zipping up a file could end up downloading malware accidentally.

Being a victim of cyber-attack can prove disastrous for your business as it has the following repercussions.

• Affects your brand image negatively: Business disruption due to downtime or having your important business data including customer and vendor details stolen reflects poorly on your brand.
• It can cause you to lose customers: Your customers may take their business elsewhere as they may not feel safe sharing their Personally Identifiable Information (PII) with you.
• Can cost you quite a bit financially: Data breach makes you liable to follow certain disclosure requirements mandated by the law. These most likely require you to make announcements on popular media, which can prove expensive. Plus, you will also have to invest in positive PR to boost your brand value.
• It makes you vulnerable to lawsuits: You could be sued by customers whose PII has been compromised or stolen.

In light of such serious ramifications, it makes sense for organizations to strengthen their first line of defense against cybercriminals–their own employees.