• The Penn State World Campus have hold a webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 8-9:30 p.m. specifically for women interested in the Penn State Online MBA program offered through the World Campus. Faculty Director Dr. Janet Duck and Managing Director Stacey Dorang Peeler will share important information about the program, and will answer questions about program curriculum. They will review application requirements and explain the admissions process, while also sharing insight as to what you can expect as an online student. In addition, they will explain how this specific program can help women succeed and grow both professionally and personally. Current Penn State online MBA students will also share advice on how women interested in this program can fit it into an already busy schedule, and will give tips for balancing school, work, and family responsibilities. Register online.

• Ryan Flannery Trio will perform their unique style of jazz music tomorrow night, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium to kick off the Weis Center’s 2019-20 season.
  

  Jazz musician Ryan Flannery.

  The family-friendly performance is free and tickets are not required. A native of Lewisburg and a recent graduate of the College of Charleston School of Music, guitarist/composer Ryan Flannery is steadily building his name as one of the most compelling and impressive young jazz artists in the South East. Flannery possesses a strong technique, a warm luminous tone, a natural sense of swing and distinctive chording. This trio includes Ron Nihoff on drums and McCarthy Fitch on bass.They will perform a memorable set of tunes including funk, ballads, and uptempo hard bop. For more information about the Weis Center for the Performing Arts and its current season, visit it online. 

• This year will mark the fifth year that local organizations and communities have joined forces to help fight pediatric cancer and raise funds to benefit the ThinkBIG® Pediatric Cancer Fund. The Going Gold initiative, which began in 2015, continues to expand. To date, this initiative has raised $42,800. This year’s Going Gold kickoff events are scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. at Old Forge Brewing in Danville; Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Marley’s Brewery & Grille in Bloomsburg; and Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at Brendan’s Towne Tavern in Lewisburg.

  

  Members of the Going Gold Committee recently announced events being held throughout September 2019 to raise awareness about pediatric cancer and support the ThinkBIG® Pediatric Cancer Fund.
  L-R: Colleen Phillips, Service 1st Federal Credit Union; Cassandra Niglio, ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund; Colby Wesner, ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund; Jace Rovenolt, Old Forge Brewing Company; Carol Tevis, ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund; and Kelly Miller Barrick, Lewisburg.

  Each event will feature a proclamation, entertainment, and much more. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.  Going Gold shirts will be sold during the events for $15. In September, shirts will also be available at any Service 1st Federal Credit Union location, while supplies last. Marley’s and Old Forge have collaborated on a special brew called Gold Dust pale ale for this year’s Going Gold initiative. $1 from each pint of Gold Dust purchased throughout the month will be donated to this cause. Additionally, Rusty Rail Brewing Company is donating $1 from every goblet of their Fool’s Gold that is sold during September. All proceeds will benefit the ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund. Additionally, other events throughout the month of September will also benefit ThinkBIG, including at Chamber members Columbia Colonnade and Nickle Plate Bar & Grill. See the complete list of events and ways to support this initiative.

• The Danville Child Development Center’s annual report is ready for download and reading. 

• Bloomsburg University has been ranked among the nation’s best colleges and universities by both Forbes’ Top Colleges in 2019, which features the top 15 percent of the more than 4,300 degree-granting post-secondary institutions in the U.S, and Money Magazine’s Best Colleges for Your Money in 2019. BU has also been ranked among the Best Regional Universities in the North for 2019 by College Consensus.com. In Forbes, Bloomsburg is ranked sixth among public institutions in the state of Pennsylvania. The rankings were based on alumni salary; student satisfaction; the percentage of student debt; American leaders; on-time graduation rates and academic success. The Money Magazine ranking was based on multiple criteria, including the six-year graduation rates; value-added graduation rate which is the difference between a school’s actual graduation rate and its expected rate, based on the economic and academic profile of the student body; peer quality (measuring the standardized test scores of entering freshman versus accepted students who enroll; and student-faculty ratio. 

• The 2019 Holiday Happenings committee of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation is very pleased to announce Joanne Aurand, her late husband, Robert, and The Thomas Beaver Free Library as the honorees for the 24th annual Robert N. Pursel Award, which will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Pine Barn Inn. Significant and meritorious community service is the focus of this award. This community remains blessed with people and organizations exemplifying contributions consistent with the example of the award’s namesake. Read more about the honorees and the event in this press release. 

• The Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, will hold its annual luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 12-1:30 p.m. The event will take place at Monty’s on the campus of Bloomsburg University. This luncheon celebrates the investments made to community organizations through the work of the Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation. Local nonprofit organizations will be presented with 2019 grant awards during the event. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. Reserve your seat online or by emailing by Aug. 29. 

• Camp Victory will host its annual Community Open House on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 12-3 p.m. This free afternoon of family fun includes its rock climbing wall, zip line and paddle boats on the pond as well as hot dogs, ice cream, drinks, an arts and crafts project, a moon bounce, wagon rides and live music. at 1 p.m., there will also be a ribbon cutting to celebrate the recent expansion of the Welcome Center. 

Members once again had an opportunity to interact with the administration and staff members Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital and also get a tour to check out some of the newest additions to the hospital at August’s Business After Hours, held in the hospital lobby. 

Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital was recently recognized for the first time with a Premier QUEST Award for High-Value Healthcare. Top performers were selected from a field of nearly 250 hospitals across the country. Attendees also saw how high patient satisfaction scores have contributed to the hospital’s success and were able to check out the new MRI machine at the hospital, which features a shorter imaging tube for those patients that may be uncomfortable in the traditional longer tube. This is one of only a few such machines in the entire country. Members also learned about how the Geisinger team is working together to make the patient experience better every day for our loved ones, as well as enjoyed the usual delicious hor d’oeuvres prepared by Geisinger’s food services staff at GBH. 

Business After Hours provide regular opportunities to build business relationships while learning about the services offered by other Chamber members. The next Business After Hours will be held at the Bloomsburg Public Library, located at 225 Market St., Bloomsburg, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

More than 400 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and our region. Increased membership allows us to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. The Chamber welcomes its newest member, Schwan’s Home Service, to help us fulfill our mission.

Schwan’s Home Service is a home delivery food service that is the largest direct-to-home delivery provider in the United States. Nationally, there are more than 400 sales and distribution centers throughout the country and over 4,500 delivery vehicles. Locally, Schwan’s Home Service has a sales  center at 14 Edwards Rd., Bloomsburg, and can be reached at 908-591-2456, by email, or visit their website. 

Additional information about NETI (pdf)

The Chamber was on hand to participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for Larry C. Frace Inspections’ new Northeast Training Institute (NETI) on Friday, Aug. 23 at what will be the site of the new facility in the Columbia County Business Park in Lightstreet. 

The NETI, which is being built by fellow Chamber member Marr Development, will be a training ground for future building inspectors, which is a profession that is currently projected to lose thousands due to pending retirements in the next decade and needs to develop the next generation. This will be only the third such facility in the country, with the others in Colorado and Florida, and is expected to attract students from up and down the East coast as well as the Midwest. It will also be the only place in the country to offer training for both home inspectors and uniform construction code inspectors. It will feature a “House of Horrors,” an entire house within the building that is built incorrectly with thousands of defects and code violations, and will also offer several different types of classes for aspiring and veteran building inspectors alike. 

The NETI is expected to be completed by next spring. 

From ChamberChoice & Smart Business Pittsburgh

What does the term “performance review” mean to you? To many people, it means sitting down at the end of the year with a manager to discuss work performance over the past 12 months. To others, it could mean a quarterly meeting to report on the status of specific tasks and performance goals. And some may relate to it as a weekly conversation.

“Not all employers approach performance reviews the same way,” says Rob Higginbotham, finance and HR director at JRG Advisors. “Whatever method your company reviews take, it should be formulated from a basis of employee feedback and company culture.”

Smart Business spoke with Higginbotham about trending performance review practices.

How are companies accomplishing ongoing, periodic reviews?

Some employers are replacing the annual performance review with more frequent manager-employee check-ins, which occur monthly or weekly. These check-ins do not need to be lengthy and can be as simple as taking a short walk or coffee break.

For example, instead of waiting until the end of the year to review a year’s worth of projects, managers can give immediate feedback throughout the progress of a project. And when projects are completed, managers can discuss what was done well and areas for improvement. This format makes it easy for employees to ask questions or share ideas.

Frequent dialogue between managers and employees helps to promote continuous growth. And, it gives managers the chance to identify and resolve performance issues in a timely manner. As a result, feedback can seem less confrontational and managers can seem more supportive.

What are wellness checks? How do they affect employees?

Like a performance review, checking in on employee wellness can be critical for their success. Research indicates that people are more stressed than ever. Prolonged stress can lead to serious mental health issues and negatively impact the workplace and employee performance.

Employers can combat stress issues by weaving wellness into performance conversations. Managers who meet with employees more frequently have greater opportunity to talk about stress levels and the importance of personal well-being. In fact, regular conversations about these issues can maximize positive impact for the overall workplace.

How do artificial intelligence (AI) and people analytics play a role?

People analytics is a way of tracking things like employee engagement data, training program effectiveness and productivity. The practice examines human data and crunches the numbers so you have a better idea of the return on investment. Do you need to know if your employees feel appreciated? Do you want managers to have real-time coaching feedback? These are just two examples of how people analytics can make a difference.

Notably, these analytical tools are used to improve performance. If you have the data, you can find a system to be most effective. And with more advanced AI being created, systems will gauge an employee’s productivity based on whatever criteria you like — eliminating the guesswork.

Why is identifying strengths for upskilling important?

If you have a new task that requires new skills, should you hire a new employee for the job? The current trend says no, and to instead upskill current workers.

This process trains current employees in new skills and responsibilities that better suit their talents. If an employee is performing poorly in one area, that doesn’t necessarily mean he or she will not perform well in other areas.

Performance reviews offer a great opportunity for evaluating and identifying the skill sets of your employees. Since you’re discussing workplace performance anyway, floating the upskilling opportunities is a way to retain employees who are already familiar with your organization.

Like most trends, employee reviews will continue to develop. This means it is time to prioritize your approach.

The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation (CSCF) has undertaken a 5 ½ countywide initiative to meet ever-changing community needs in Columbia, Lower-Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. This work is supported through the Foundation’s Regional Impact Fund which is an unrestricted fund established to address a broad range of local needs. As a result, the CSCF is pleased to announce $50,000 in awards from the Regional Impact Fund to local nonprofit organizations, which included three Chamber members. Grant recipients received the awards during the Regional Impact Fund’s After-Hours Celebration on Aug. 15 in Lewisburg.

This year’s grant recipients include:
• American Red Cross – Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, $1,500
• Birthright of Sunbury, Inc. – Family Assistance for Emergency Infant Medicine Cabinet Supplies, $500
• Bloomsburg Fire Department – Thermal Imagine Camera, $1,585
• Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble – Theatre for All, $5,000
• Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way – Local Vision Project, $7,500
• HandUp Foundation – Re-entry and Job Readiness Program, $5,000
• McBride Memorial Library – Library Computers, $4,270
• Montgomery House Library – On Site and Mobile Internet Service and Gadget Help, $2,000
• Setebaid Services, Inc. – In-Kind Medical Supplies Tracking System Project, $3,500
• Snyder County Libraries – Dementia Friendly Libraries, $3,000
• Susquehanna Valley CASA – Voices for Children – Recruit, Train and Deploy Volunteers in Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties, $4,500
• Susquehanna Valley Law Enforcement Camp Cadet – Camp Cadet: Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties Program, $1,645
• The Arc Susquehanna Valley – “Opportunity Imprints” All-Abilities Business Year One Start-Up, $2,500
• United Way of Columbia and Montour County – United in Recovery Regional Prevention Marketing Campaign, $7,500

Nonprofit organizations that provide programming in the Foundation’s 5 ½ county service area (Columbia, Lower-Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties) are encouraged to apply during the 2020 competitive grantround. Details will be available at csgiving.org.

A special thank you is extended to M&T Bank, the Regional Impact Fund corporate sponsor.

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

In its inaugural “Economic Diversity Index,” the financial news company Bloomberg has awarded Pennsylvania with the distinction of being the nation’s most diverse economy.

As reported in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Commonwealth edged out Texas for the No. 1 ranking after an analysis of the GDP generated in both the public and private sectors for each state.  According to the index, Pennsylvania ranked highest due to the balance in GDP among several key industries – real estate, manufacturing and health care.  When accounting for the public sector alone, Pennsylvania places third in the nation for GDP growth, with Colorado and Texas leading the rankings.

Toronto-Dominion Bank was quoted in the PG story as saying that “Pennsylvania’s proximity to large population centers and more affordable real estate remains fertile ground,” “Health care has been leading job creation for the past half-decade,” while “Pittsburgh is in the process of making the transition from steel city to tech town.”

These attributes – along with the state’s ample natural resources – will help to drive Pennsylvania’s economy forward in the 21^st century.  However, as a WalletHub survey recently proved, the state also has a long way to go in the way of its perceived business friendliness.  The PA Chamber is a leading voice in advocating for comprehensive state-level tax reforms, starting with lowering our 9.99 percent Corporate Net Income Tax rate; reducing the Commonwealth’s outdated and onerous regulatory policies; enacting civil justice reforms to bring fairness and predictability to Pennsylvania’s legal system; among other pro-business legislative priorities that are highlighted on our website.  Our organization looks forward to working with elected officials toward these policy goals when lawmakers return to session in September.

Congressman Dan Meuser visited with members of the Columbia Montour Chamber for the first time since he was elected to represent Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District last November at the Chamber’s annual legislative breakfast held on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at the Greenly Center in downtown Bloomsburg. The event was sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities.

Prior to Congressman Meuser’s remarks, PPL regional affairs director Tracie Witter highlighted PPL’s efforts in the community both directly related to its core business of electricity and power delivery as well as the work of the PPL Foundation, which recently awarded $450,000 in grants to 86 nonprofits throughout its service footprint, including to a quartet of Chamber members. PPL employees also routinely volunteer their time for special community events, including at the upcoming Bloomsburg Fair, for events the Children’s Museum, and is also working behind the scenes at highly visible events such as the Little League World Series and the recent Major League Baseball Little League Classic held in Williamsport, to ensure there are no interruptions to electricity for these nationally-televised events. Its Cover to Cover program purchases books to give to grade school children for summer reading, and that program benefited all students in grades K-3 in the Danville Area School District this summer. 

PPL’s Tracie Witter summarized some of PPL’s philanthropic and work-related efforts in Columbia and Montour Counties.

Among the subjects that Congressman Meuser spoke about were federal regulations, promoting entrepreneurship, long-term planning by the government, Opportunity Zones and his vote on the recently passed federal budget. 

Although notable legislative action has been tough to come by in this current Congress due to the nature of divided government, Meuser said that one area that he and other colleagues are focusing on is federal regulatory reform, since federal regulations are controlled by the various executive branch cabinet-level departments. He has spent a good portion of his first seven months or so in Congress building and developing relationships with members of President Trump’s cabinet and advisers and they have been open to providing relief from regulations that adversely affect business. One current example of what they’re currently working on are regulations regarding stormwater runoff fees, which are costing farmers and other businesses in the district thousands of dollars. 

Congressman Meuser also noted his support for First Daughter Ivanka Trump’s entrepreneurship empowerment initiative, which is aimed by helping 50 million women around the world “realize their economic potential” by 2025. Meuser noted that Ms. Trump’s initial goal was to get 100,000 businesses to sign on to help with this initiative, and already more than 1 million have signaled their support. He also touched on the need for supporting continued job training, and referenced the Central Columbia School District’s Career Pathways program as an example. 

He also touched on the subject of Opportunity Zones, of which encouraging development is one of his top priorities in Congress. There are currently 10 Opportunity Zones in the 9th Congressional District, including in Berwick, Bloomsburg and Danville. A tax incentive related to Opportunity Zones was created as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and it includes tax breaks for investments in Opportunity Zones provided the investment stays for at least 10 years. For additional information, see this flyer and contact either of the individuals from Congressman Meuser’s office. 

Finally, the recently passed federal budget was discussed. While Congressman Meuser had serious reservations about supporting this proposal – and he noted that only a minority of the Republican caucus ended up voting in favor of it – in the end, he decided to support the legislation, mainly due to the additional funding it provided for the military and for border security. He noted that he did not like the idea of having to again raise the debt ceiling, and implored government in general to do a better job of long-term planning, something he noted is absolutely necessary in business yet is lacking in government. He recently introduced legislation to bring more transparency and accountability to the overall budgeting process. 

• Wild For Salmon will holds its annual Fishtival on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at its retail store at 521 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11) in Bloomsburg. The annual event, which welcomes back the fishermen from a successful fishing season in Alaska, features an assortment of delicious dishes with the signature sockeye salmon and other fish and seafood, as well as several other vendors. There is no cost to attend. 

• The Penn State World Campus have hold a webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 8-9:30 p.m. specifically for women interested in the Penn State Online MBA program offered through the World Campus. Faculty Director Dr. Janet Duck and Managing Director Stacey Dorang Peeler will share important information about the program, and will answer questions about program curriculum. They will review application requirements and explain the admissions process, while also sharing insight as to what you can expect as an online student. In addition, they will explain how this specific program can help women succeed and grow both professionally and personally. Current Penn State online MBA students will also share advice on how women interested in this program can fit it into an already busy schedule, and will give tips for balancing school, work, and family responsibilities. Register online.

• Ryan Flannery Trio will perform their unique style of jazz music on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium to kick off the Weis Center’s 2019-20 season.
  

  Jazz musician Ryan Flannery.

  The family-friendly performance is free and tickets are not required. A native of Lewisburg and a recent graduate of the College of Charleston School of Music, guitarist/composer Ryan Flannery is steadily building his name as one of the most compelling and impressive young jazz artists in the South East. Flannery possesses a strong technique, a warm luminous tone, a natural sense of swing and distinctive chording. This trio includes Ron Nihoff on drums and McCarthy Fitch on bass.They will perform a memorable set of tunes including funk, ballads, and uptempo hard bop. For more information about the Weis Center for the Performing Arts and its current season, visit it online. 

• This year will mark the fifth year that local organizations and communities have joined forces to help fight pediatric cancer and raise funds to benefit the ThinkBIG® Pediatric Cancer Fund. The Going Gold initiative, which began in 2015, continues to expand. To date, this initiative has raised $42,800. This year’s Going Gold kickoff events are scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. at Old Forge Brewing in Danville; Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. at Marley’s Brewery & Grille in Bloomsburg; and Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. at Brendan’s Towne Tavern in Lewisburg.

  

  Members of the Going Gold Committee recently announced events being held throughout September 2019 to raise awareness about pediatric cancer and support the ThinkBIG® Pediatric Cancer Fund.
  L-R: Colleen Phillips, Service 1st Federal Credit Union; Cassandra Niglio, ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund; Colby Wesner, ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund; Jace Rovenolt, Old Forge Brewing Company; Carol Tevis, ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund; and Kelly Miller Barrick, Lewisburg.

  Each event will feature a proclamation, entertainment, and much more. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.  Going Gold shirts will be sold during the events for $15. In September, shirts will also be available at any Service 1st Federal Credit Union location, while supplies last. Marley’s and Old Forge have collaborated on a special brew called Gold Dust pale ale for this year’s Going Gold initiative. $1 from each pint of Gold Dust purchased throughout the month will be donated to this cause. Additionally, Rusty Rail Brewing Company is donating $1 from every goblet of their Fool’s Gold that is sold during September. All proceeds will benefit the ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund. Additionally, other events throughout the month of September will also benefit ThinkBIG, including at Chamber members Columbia Colonnade and Nickle Plate Bar & Grill. See the complete list of events and ways to support this initiative.

• The Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, will hold its annual luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 12-1:30 p.m. The event will take place at Monty’s on the campus of Bloomsburg University. This luncheon celebrates the investments made to community organizations through the work of the Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation. Local nonprofit organizations will be presented with 2019 grant awards during the event. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required. Reserve your seat online or by emailing by Aug. 29. 

• Camp Victory will host its annual Community Open House on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 12-3 p.m. This free afternoon of family fun includes its rock climbing wall, zip line and paddle boats on the pond as well as hot dogs, ice cream, drinks, an arts and crafts project, a moon bounce, wagon rides and live music. at 1 p.m., there will also be a ribbon cutting to celebrate the recent expansion of the Welcome Center. 

The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted unanimously at its August meeting to support a petition calling for a review of sewer rates for new customers in Cooper Township, Montour County. Construction of a new line in portions of the township, including the Rt. 11 corridor, was recently completed under a mandate by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. A number of businesses have expressed concerns that the fees associated with connecting to the sewer could jeopardize their business viability.

Fees for connecting to the system and monthly rates were set based on the anticipated number of connections to the system and flow from existing residences and businesses. Several businesses have reported that their total costs for connecting to the system would be in excess of $10,000. Additionally, the monthly rates do not account for specific business hours or other practical considerations. The Authority has stated that it is willing to review monthly rates for businesses upon request.

The Chamber’s position includes an offer to assist with the rate review and identifying other options. “Development along the Rt. 11 corridor between Danville and Bloomsburg has been hindered by a lack of infrastructure,” said Fred Gaffney, Chamber president. “Finding ways to lower these sewer costs will not only help existing businesses and residents, but encourage the growth of businesses, jobs, and the tax base in the township.”