From rabbittransit

Do you have questions about using rabbittransit’s “shared ride” service (sometimes called “paratransit” service)? Maybe you’ve been wondering…

…Am I eligible?

Seniors 65 years of age and older are eligible for this door-to-door service. Eligibility requirements for persons with diabilities

…How far can I go?

Most Shared Ride destinations are within your home county, however rabbittransit also provides regular trips to adjacent counties based on demand.

…Is it only for medical trips?

No, there are no restrictions on the reason you may use our services. You may use the service for all kinds of trips; grocery shopping, beauty salons, banking, recreation, physical therapy, visiting loved ones, fitness, and more!

…How much does it cost?

There may be a copay each time you board the vehicle. The cost depends on many different factors. There is a required application and reservation process outlined on rabbittransit.org

More answers to your questions can be found in the Paratransit Shared Ride Guide available online at rabbittransit.org/sharedride or call our Customer Call Center at 1-800-632-9063 to request that a guide be mailed to you. The more you know, the more comfortable you or a loved one will be riding rabbittransit.

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

At an event in the Capitol Rotunda last week, PA Chamber President Gene Barr joined Gov. Tom Wolf as he signed into law an Executive Order to officially launch the new Keystone Economic Development and Workforce Command Center.

This initiative was unveiled during the governor’s annual budget address that he presented earlier this month.  The Command Center aims to engage state agencies that are involved in workforce efforts, along with a range of private sector groups, to develop a multi-tiered strategy for closing an existing jobs skills gap and making Pennsylvania more competitive in the 21^st Century.

In addition to Barr, Wolf appointed two others from the private sector to lead the command center: PA AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale, and Team PA co-chair Tony Bartolomeo.  He also selected three cabinet secretaries for the leadership panel: Department of State Acting Secretary Kathy Boockvar; Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin; and Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak.

At the event, Barr spoke to the critical link between a strong workforce and a strong economy.  He referenced the PA Chamber’s 2018 Annual Economic Survey, which found that for the first time ever employers are listing “finding skilled workers” as their top concern, adding that the business community has “more jobs available than people to fill them.”  

Workforce development is a cornerstone of the PA Chamber’s mission.  Our recent efforts have included launching a robust internal initiative, “Start the Conversation Here,” that provides resources to students and their families, educators and business leaders – including information on available, in-demand jobs and the requirements necessary to be eligible.  We are also in our third year of teaming up with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to award Work Ethic Scholarships to deserving skilled trade students and have been engaged in numerous legislative efforts related to workforce development.

Barr’s participation in the news conference was covered in various newspaper articles, including the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, Daily Item, New Castle News, Meadville Tribune, Philly.com and Watchdog.org.

• Knoebels Amusement Resort will hold its annual job fair on Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Elysburg Fire Department, located at 1 East Mill St., Elysburg. There are seasonal positions available in games, ride operations, food service, gift shops, grounds crew, security & first aid, admissions, crystal pool, campground, guest services, and more. If you have a particular interest or skill set, Knoebels has a job for you. Visit the Facebook event for more information. 

• AGAPE is in desperate need of warehouse and driver volunteers. Even if you might only be able to help one day per month, that would be of tremendous value to AGAPE as it works to ensure it serves those in need. If interested, or for questions, please contact AGAPE at 570-317-2210 or stop in their office at 19 East 7th St. in Bloomsburg and fill out an application.

• Currently, and running through April 4, the United Way of Columbia and Montour County is again offering free basic tax help to low and moderate-income residents in the community. This program will be held Tuesdays and Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 130 W. 3rd St., Bloomsburg (use the rear entrance). No appointments are necessary, only drop-offs and walk-ins will be accepted. For questions, call the United Way at 570-784-3134 or email, and see the flyer for additional information.

• Wild For Salmon will host a “Think Spring Tasting!” on Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at its retail store located at 521 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11) in Bloomsburg. Chef Josh will be demonstrating how to prepare garlic pepper smoked sockeye salmon deviled eggs and a delicious whitefish Pic-Cod-ta. There will also be other delicious fish-inspired dishes to try. There is no cost to attend. For more information, check out the Facebook event page. 

• The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation is pleased to announce the hire of Katie Simpson in the new staff position of communications and events associate. In this role, Katie will coordinate and implement strategy for all communications, including website content, social media, leveraging events and public relations messages, and collateral/marketing materials to consistently articulate the Foundation’s mission. A native of Bloomsburg, Katie holds a B.A. in marketing from Eastern University and has previous experience working in nonprofit marketing. She most recently filled the role of director of development and institutional awareness at Columbia County Christian School.

• LHC Group, Inc., Geisinger Home Health and Hospice and AtlantiCare Home Health and Hospice recently announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for a joint venture partnership to enhance home health and hospice services at Geisinger locations in Pennsylvania and at AtlantiCare – a member of Geisinger in Atlantic County, N.J. It is anticipated that the joint venture agreement will be completed by April 1 for the Pennsylvania locations, and by June 1 for New Jersey, subject to customary closing conditions, at which time LHC Group will purchase majority ownership of Geisinger’s home health and hospice services and assume management responsibility. The Home Health and Hospice service of Geisinger and AtlantiCare delivers patient-centered care for those needing 24/7 access to healthcare in the comfort of their home and for patients in need of end-of-life care. It has locations in Danville, Bloomsburg, Wilkes-Barre, Northumberland, Montoursville, Lewistown, Lewisburg and Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and in Atlantic County, N.J. Healthcare joint venture partnerships are a key component in helping patients manage their conditions and receive efficient and effective care. Working together, LHC Group and its partners deliver a level of in-home healthcare service that is recognized industry-wide for consistent quality. They provide affordable care options that offer the guidance, support, and resources patients and families need to make an informed decision for themselves or a loved one. LHC Group is a leading national provider of in-home healthcare services and the joint venture partner of choice for 340 hospitals across the United States.

• The Danville Business Alliance was recently awarded a $50,000 grant to help fund its Main Street Façade Improvement Program through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Keystone Communities Program. Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced the approval of funding through this program to support 43 community revitalization projects across the Commonwealth. Since January 2015, the Wolf Administration approved more than $22 million through the Keystone Communities program to fund 131 projects statewide, including façade grants for businesses, accessible housing projects, public infrastructure improvements, and other projects to strengthen communities and downtown districts.

Attendees at a lunch seminar organized by the Chamber and PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties heard a presentation from Charlie Protasio, business services representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s office of vocational rehabilitation on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act on Thursday, Feb. 21.

The seminar, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities, was held at the Hampton Inn Bloomsburg, with lunch provided by Berrigan’s Subs. Among the topics discussed were what constitutes a disability, requirements for employers under the ADA, especially as it relates to hiring, what is a reasonable accommodation, and more. While employment and hiring requirements were what most of the presentation was devoted to, it also touched on the other elements of the ADA, including accessibility and telecommunications.

The entire seminar, which is just over 45 minutes in length, can viewed below. The PowerPoint presentation in PDF format is also available for download.

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, A.O. Rent, to help us fulfill our mission.

A.O. Rent, short for All Occasion Rentals, provides a wide selection of banquet, party and other event supplies for rental. It specializes in tents, tables and chairs, and linens for weddings, banquets and other special gatherings. It also has an inventory of china, glassware and flatware, as well as party and catering accessories. A.O. Rent is also the only tent supplier for the Bloomsburg Fair. Under new ownership, A.O. Rent is located at 243 Columbia Mall Drive in Bloomsburg, and can be reached at 570-317-2512, by email, or visit its website or Facebook page.

From ChamberChoice and Smart Business Pittsburgh

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) doesn’t require all employers to offer coverage to their employees. Only those employers defined by federal law as applicable large employers (ALEs) must make health insurance available.

“Accurately calculating and knowing your company’s ALE status is crucial to ACA compliance and helping your company avoid a costly penalty,” says Judy Griffith, compliance officer at JRG Advisors.

Smart Business spoke with Griffith about how to determine your ALE status to see if you must offer health insurance.

What exactly is ALE status?

An employer that had an average of at least 50 full-time employees on staff per month during the prior calendar year is an ALE.

ALE status must be determined each year. This determination is vitally important to a business or organization’s ACA compliance. ALEs are subject to the employer shared responsibility and information reporting provisions for offers of minimum essential coverage to employees.

How do employers determine if they are an ALE or not?

You must consider many items to determine whether an organization employs 50 full-time employees and is therefore an ALE. The first question to think about is how are full-time employees defined under the ACA? Full-time employees include an employee who works 30 hours or more per week or employees working 130 or more hours in a calendar month.

Full-time equivalent employees are also included in the count of full-time employees. Full-time equivalent employees are not full-time employees. Instead, the number of full-time equivalent employees is determined by combining the number of hours of service for all part-time and variable hours employees working 120 hours or less during the month and dividing that total by 120.

This number only counts toward the total number employees per month for determining if the employer is an ALE. It won’t change an individual employee’s status from part time to full time, which affects whether an offer of coverage must be made.

How are seasonal workers reflected?

Employers who exceed 50 full-time employees (including full-time equivalent employees) are not considered ALEs where the business employs seasonal workers if certain conditions apply. First, the company’s total workforce must only exceed 50 full-time employees for 120 or fewer days during the year. Second, the employees who exceed 50 full-time employees during those 120 or fewer days must be seasonal workers. Seasonal workers are generally defined as employees who work on a temporary or seasonal basis, such as retail employees who work during the holiday season or summer staff at a swimming pool.

What happens if a company is part of a larger ownership group?

Companies with common ownership may be part of a controlled group, which requires employers to aggregate the total number of employees across the group to determine if the included companies are ALEs. In other words, the employees of every company within a controlled group determine if any company within the controlled group is an ALE.

Also, for a calendar year in which an employer is an ALE, the regulations applicable to ALEs apply to each company within the controlled group regardless of whether the individual company has 50 or more full-time employees or full-time equivalent employees.

What else do employers need to know?

The final item to consider is the definition of a common law employee. Common law employees are generally defined as workers whose work schedule is controlled by the employer (rather than by the worker himself or another employer).

Employers should closely review the job duties and expectations for workers from temporary staffing agencies and those classified as independent contractors because their employment status can be easily confused. These workers may be considered employees who count toward a company’s full-time employee or full-time equivalent employee number. Failure to correctly account for these employees can result in a false conclusion as to whether an employer is an ALE.

In addition to all of the Annual Meeting sponsors, the Chamber would also like to publicly thank some other groups of people that without their support and help, having an event like the Annual Meeting wouldn’t be possible each year. It is because of their continued support that the Chamber is able to continue fulfilling its mission of offering programs, benefits and events to its members, giving them a stronger voice in advocacy and being involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. 

First, thanks to all 23 award nominees in each of the four award categories. While only one organization/person could win each award, this year marked an exception year in both the quality and quantity of the nominees, which speaks to the outstanding work being done by our members and individuals that work for our member organizations — both in their organizations and throughout the community. Their work helps make our community stronger and a better place to live, work and play. Several of the nominees that did not win this year will be eligible for consideration for next year’s awards, and members as well as the public are encouraged to submit nominations for the 2020 awards when they are opened this November. 

Second, thanks to all of the more than 230 individuals that attended the Annual Meeting. This year’s event was one of the best-attended in recent years, and your support of the Chamber and its work, as well as the individuals and organizations that were up for the four awards is much appreciated and the Chamber looks forward to continuing its work with you and your respective organizations to help them grow in the future. The success of both the Chamber and this annual event depends on the continued support and attendance of our members and guests, so we again thank you for your support. 

Third, a big thank you goes out to the staff at both Frosty Valley Resort and That Kitchen Witch. For the first time, the Annual Meeting was held at Frosty Valley’s new Barn at Frosty Valley this year, the area’s newest banquet facility, and T.K. Witch was the caterer for this event for the first time as well. The staff from both did a great job taking care of everything and the guests were all impressed. 

Finally, thanks to the Chamber and Chamber Foundation staff — Matt Beltz, Phyllis Jones, Deb Sokol and Jeff Emanuel — for their efforts on the day of the event and in the planning. 

The Chamber wishes to publicly thank all of the valuable contributors that helped make the 2019 Chamber Annual Meeting a successful and enjoyable event for its members and guests. It is the continued support of these businesses, organizations and individuals that helps the Chamber fulfill its mission of offering programs, benefits and events to its members, giving them a stronger voice and advocacy and being involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. 

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this year’s Annual Meeting.

Event Sponsor
PPL Electric Utilties

Small Business of the Year Aware Sponsor
First Columbia Bank & Trust

Large Business of the Year Award Sponsor
DRIVE

Community Progress Award Sponsor
Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center

Outstanding Citizen Award Sponsor
Berwick Industrial Development Association

Reception Sponsors
Atlantic Broadband

Kinect Energy Group

The River 105 & 103.5

Nuclear Powers Pennsylvania

That Kitchen Witch 

Corporate Tables
Atlantic Broadband
Autoneum
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble
First Columbia Bank & Trust
First Keystone Community Bank
For The Cause
Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital
Geisinger Health Plan
Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln
Key Partners Realty
Lucy’s Kitchen & Catering / Rolling Pines Golf Course
M&T Bank
PPL Electric Utilities
Service 1st Federal Credit Union (3)
Williams

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

The 2019-20 state legislative session has started out much like the one before it – with a divided government.  The state House and Senate remain under Republican control and the Executive Branch is still led by Democrats, with Gov. Tom Wolf being sworn in last month for his second term.  However, there are some differences in the political dynamic. Last November’s General Election resulted in losses for some moderate Republicans, which has led to a smaller and more conservative Republican majorities and larger and more ideologically liberal Democratic caucuses.

But these differences weren’t the focus of Gov. Wolf’s Inaugural speech last month, when he focused on bridging political divides to get things done for the betterment of all Pennsylvania’s citizens.  The PA Chamber is also taking this optimistic approach this session, realizing that there are many areas for improvement in the Commonwealth that everyone – regardless of political party – can be in favor of.

Building a Skilled Workforce

One area is in workforce development.   Pennsylvania businesses are facing a workforce crisis.  In our most recent Economic Survey, our members’ number one concern was finding skilled and qualified employees to fill open positions and actively seeking solutions that will help close the skills gap in PA.  The Pennsylvania Chamber is taking the lead across the state, responding to the needs of the state’s job creators.  We have named workforce development as our top priority and have launched a major grassroots initiative to help bridge the gap between Pennsylvania employers’ current and future employment needs and the skills of today’s workforce: Start the Conversation HERE. 

Through this program we are collaborating with educators, developing solutions-based workforce programs, highlighting company success stories and providing resources describing how businesses can develop programs to attract the talent they need in Pennsylvania.  We are spotlighting student success stories and the steps they took to reach their achievements, and raising awareness of the jobs that are in-demand in the state, describing the occupations, the education and skills needed and the salary potential they offer.  And we’re also in our third year of teaming up with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, in which—through the generosity of Pennsylvania businesses—we have donated more than $200,000 in Work Ethic Scholarships to 70 Pennsylvania students who have chosen to pursue careers in the skilled trades. 

On the legislative side, we stood last session with a bipartisan group of lawmakers and the governor as he signed a “Clean Slate” bill – a first-of-its-kind measure that provides a mechanism for people with low-level, non-violent criminal offenses to have those records sealed from public view.  This gives them a better chance at securing a better paying job and housing, which allows them to become productive members of society and lower their chances of recidivism.

Building a More Competitive Economy

There are other areas in which we are excited to work across the aisle this session.  In last week’s Inaugural speech, Gov. Wolf referenced Amazon, the Seattle-based mega-corporation that ultimately decided to split a second headquarters between New York City and outside of Washington, D.C. instead of Pittsburgh or Philadelphia (the two cities were among the final contenders).  The governor said he wants Pennsylvania to be a place where “we don’t wait around for Amazon to move here, because we’re building the next Amazon.”  This is where the PA Chamber’s influence, through the support of our members, can make all the difference.  Our business is in ensuring that for businesses of all sizes, the Commonwealth is the best possible place to invest, grow and hire.  That’s why last session, we secured $2 billion in savings for our members by working to defeat a number of proposals that would have raised business costs; while also helping to enact money-saving initiatives (i.e., bonus depreciation and workers’ compensation reform) that are encouraging employers to make investments in their facilities, their workers and in new hires.

It’s true that a lot of work lies ahead to secure Pennsylvania’s reputation as the best possible place for business growth.  Throughout our more than 100 year history, our job has been to work closely with elected officials to ensure that they understand the needs of business owners who are committed to building a brighter economic future, through smart public policies that don’t favor Republicans or Democrats, but ALL Pennsylvanians.

• A free job fair will be held this Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 21-23, at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds in the Industrial, Arts & Crafts and Educational buildings. Any business interested in booking a space should complete the one-page vendor application. For questions, please call Diane Considine at 570-479-0636 or Barb Belles at 570-387-4144.

• The Danville Business Alliance will host an economic vitality meeting and informational session this Friday, Feb. 22, at 8 a.m. at the DBA office at 620 Mill St., Danville. It has invited Paul Macknoskey, regional director from PA Department of Community and Economic Development for an informational session to explain what the Opportunity Zone designation, the Neighborhood Assistance Program, and a Façade program means for the area, how it works, and who can benefit. Jackie Hart, director of codes & building development for Danville Borough, will provide information on the Borough’s LERTA Ordinance. The Neighborhood Assistance Program/Enterprise Opportunity Zone and LERTA ordinance are incentive programs that provide tax credits to businesses or private companies investing in rehabilitating, expanding, or improving buildings or land located within designated areas. Please RSVP by email is you would like to attend this meeting.

• The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit is seeking professionals in the business community to serve as judges in specific categories at its PA Media and Design Competition (formerly called the PA State Computer Fair). There will be separate regional competitions, one for middle school students on Monday, March 4, and one for high school students on Monday, March 25, both at CSIU #16 located at 90 Lawton Lane, Milton. If interested in participating in these events as a judge, please email Bill Herald by this Friday, Feb. 22. For more information about the event, including a list of categories, visit the event’s website.

• AGAPE is in desperate need of warehouse and driver volunteers. Even if you might only be able to help one day per month, that would be of tremendous value to AGAPE as it works to ensure it serves those in need. If interested, or for questions, please contact AGAPE at 570-317-2210 or stop in their office at 19 East 7th St. in Bloomsburg and fill out an application.

• Currently, and running through April 4, the United Way of Columbia and Montour County is again offering free basic tax help to low and moderate-income residents in the community. This program will be held Tuesdays and Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 130 W. 3rd St., Bloomsburg (use the rear entrance). No appointments are necessary, only drop-offs and walk-ins will be accepted. For questions, call the United Way at 570-784-3134 or email, and see the flyer for additional information.

• Knoebels Amusement Resort will hold its annual job fair on Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Elysburg Fire Department, located at 1 East Mill St., Elysburg. There are seasonal positions available in games, ride operations, food service, gift shops, grounds crew, security & first aid, admissions, crystal pool, campground, guest services, and more. If you have a particular interest or skill set, Knoebels has a job for you. Visit the Facebook event for more information.