Making headlines statewide last week were comments regarding the minimum wage by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, at the Pennsylvania Press Club.  Corman admitted that discussions over an immediate increase to $12 an hour with an eventual increase to $15 would be a non-starter in the Republican-controlled General Assembly.  However, he did acknowledge that the issue is heating up and that a conversation “needs to happen” in the coming months.  While he offered no specifics, he called on those who favor an increase to propose “a reasonable plan so we can move this forward.”  Following Corman’s remarks, House Republican spokesman Mike Straub said that House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, is open to discussing the issue but believes “the focus should be on other policy changes, including workforce development changes, that can help lift residents into better-paying jobs.”   And while Gov. Wolf’s spokesman J.J. Abbott said the governor still believes that his minimum wage proposal is fair for workers, he added that “every part of the budget is subject to negotiations with the legislature, and we would certainly welcome a discussion about the minimum wage.”

The minimum wage issue was also highlighted at several House and Senate budget hearings last week, including at hearings for the Departments of Human Services and Health.  DOH Secretary Rachel Levine voiced support for a minimum wage increase in her testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee.  According to a story by Capitolwire, Levine told members that a wage increase would help improve health care outcomes, claiming at one point “poverty adversely affects health … and that’s why it’s so important for the legislature to work with the governor, in terms of minimum wage, to help bring people out of poverty.”

The PA Chamber is spreading awareness about the real impact of minimum wage increases on the economy and workers.  Multiple real-world stories from our broad-based membership and a number of independent studies have demonstrated how mandated wage hikes lead to reduced hours and can lead to outright job loss, thereby hurting the very people they’re intended to help. Lawmakers should focus on policies that target support to families in poverty and improve job training programs that will allow individuals to obtain skills needed for career-oriented jobs.

• 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!” this 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. 

• Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center will present a free six-week educational series titled “Six Weeks to Better Health” beginning on Wednesday, March 13 and running each of the next five Wednesdays after that from 12-1 p.m. at the Hospital’s Conference Room 1 and 2, located at 701 East 16th St., Berwick. The final session in the series will be held from 5-6 p.m. on April 17. Titles of each session are: Living with High Blood Pressure; Why Do I need a Colonoscopy?; Living with Joint Disease; Solutions for Leg Pain and Swelling; Dealing with the Symptoms of Menopause; and Advanced Directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). For more information, see the flyer, and to RSVP, call 570-759-5337. 

• Bloomsburg University’s Professional U program will host a Marketing, Management and Communications Career Connections Expo on Thursday, March 28, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Kehr Union Ballroom on the BU campus. Any employer looking to recruit business or communications students would benefit from participating. Employers interested in participating should call 570-389-3791 or email. 

• Employees of all Chamber members are invited and welcome to attend Bloomsburg University Professional U’s Don’t be Fooled by the Fork networking dinner on Monday, April 1, at 6 p.m. at Monty’s on the BU Upper Campus. This dinner is an opportunity for BU students to practice professional networking and dining etiquette in a social setting among alumni and professional volunteers. Chamber members are welcome to join this event as role models and table hosts, and impart your wisdom to current students as they learn how to conduct themselves in a professional dining situation. There is no charge to attend this event and the meal is complimentary, however donations are appreciated in the form of a plate sponsorship ($40) or table sponsorship ($280). Register and make any voluntary donations online by March 22.

• Thrivent Financial, which is represented locally by North Branch Group/Thrivent Financial, was recently named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by Ethisphere for the eighth consecutive year. The Ethisphere Institute is a global leader in defining and advanced the standards of ethical business practices. Thrivent was one of 128 honorees spanning 21 countries and 50 industries to receive this award. 

• The Danville Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, is excited to announce the creation of a new designated fund.
  

  (L-R): Ken Ackerman, DACF board chair; Gary Visneski, DACF board member; Conaley Visneski; Kara Seesholtz, CSCF chief advancement officer; M. Holly Morrison, D.Ed., CSCF president and CEO

  Established by Gary W. and Conaley J. Visneski, in memory of her dad, the Ennis-Visneski Fund will provide grants to support the Foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy program in the Danville Area School District. Leo E. Ennis had a heart for encouraging children of any age. The Visneski’s felt that the perfect way to honor his memory was through the Youth in Philanthropy program. Mr. Ennis thoroughly enjoyed volunteering as a Little League coach in Towanda for many years, and was known for his warm smile and friendly nature. Dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the greater Danville area, the Danville Area Community Foundation (DACF) thrives on the generous hearts of people like Mr. Ennis and the Visneski’s.

Service 1st Federal Credit Union will be the local sponsor for the Columbia Montour Chamber’s presentation of Leadercast Live on Friday, May 10, at the Central Columbia High School auditorium.

Leadercast Live is the largest one-day leadership event in the world, broadcast live each May from Atlanta to hundreds of host sites around the world. For the first time, the Chamber is making this inspiring and educational event available in the Columbia/Montour region. In 2019, the Leadercast Live stage will showcase leadership experts that will help attendees master the art and science of developing and leading healthy teams.

The cost for this event is just $75 for Chamber members and $95 for non-members, which includes lunch. Those interested in attending can register online or by calling the Chamber office at 570-784-2522.

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, Hand in Hand Family Resource Center, to help us fulfill our mission.

Established in late 2017 and having just recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, Hand in Hand is a nonprofit organization that provides various interactive activities, inclusive events, and educational seminars to families that have a family member with a disability. Some examples of its programs include adaptive swim lessons at the Berwick YMCA, C.A.M.P.S. (Construction, Art, Music, Play, Sensory) Days at the Ber-Vaughn Pool, seminars to inform families about their rights and responsibilities in special education and inclusiveness, and training sessions for businesses and community leaders in the region to become L.E.A.D. Certified (Leaders Embracing All Abilities and Diversity). Hand in Hand can be reached by email, at 717-887-6609 or by mail at P.O. Box 584, Bloomsburg, PA 17815. For more information, visit its website.

From ChamberChoice

On Dec. 22, 2017, President Donald Trump signed into law the tax reform bill, called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, after it passed both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

This tax reform bill makes significant changes to the federal tax code. The bill does not impact the majority of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax provisions. However, it does reduce the ACA’s individual shared responsibility (or individual mandate) penalty to zero, effective beginning in 2019.

As a result, beginning in 2019, individuals will no longer be penalized for failing to obtain acceptable health insurance coverage.

From Penn State World Campus

Note: Employees of all Columbia Montour Chamber members, their spouses and dependents are eligible for a 5% discount on tuition through the PSU World Campus. 

Penn State was founded on Feb. 22, 1855 to expand agricultural education in the state of Pennsylvania. Now, 164 years later, Penn State remains committed to providing an agricultural education — no matter where its students live.

Steven Hulsizer, a Penn State World Campus student working on his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management, decided to go back to school to advance his career at his company. Penn State’s long history as a leader in agriculture education helped him make his choice.

“I think the opportunities that will open with a degree from Penn State are huge, because it’s such a well-respected institution,” Hulsizer, 47, said. “It means the world to me.”

Hulsizer, who lives and works in Iowa, chose Penn State because he could earn his degree completely online, through Penn State World Campus.

In 1892, Penn State first began its efforts to offer agricultural education to students at a distance. Correspondence courses provided rural farmers with the option to take classes through the mail. Today, Hulsizer’s courses look a little different.

“Learning Microsoft Excel was huge for me. Using the technology and taking computer classes has been a great asset because of how much things have changed in the industry,” he said. “As new positions open up, having a background in technology is going to be vital.”

Technology allows student Gregory Pinto to study turfgrass science from the comfort of his home in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

“Taking classes through Penn State World Campus allows an adult learner such as myself the opportunity to reach for my goals, without putting my life on hold,” Pinto said. “With a full-time job, the flexibility of being able to take classes online allows me to earn a bachelor of science as time and money permit.”

Pinto wants to use his degree to become a golf course superintendent or a director of golf operations. Penn State’s history of agricultural success helped him decide to attend World Campus.

“Could I have applied to a different online program? Certainly,” he said. “But the turf program at Penn State is highly regarded and has been for many decades. It was the obvious choice.”

Visit the Penn State World Campus website for more information about the degrees available online.

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.