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, Bloomsburg Music Therapy, to help us fulfill our mission. Bloomsburg Music Therapy is a new business owned by Alysha Suley, a Bloomsburg resident and board certified music therapist by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Music Therapy is the use music interventions by a trained professional to maximize quality of life through improvement in cognitive, emotional, social, behavioral, or physical functioning, the restoration of lost abilities, or by maintaining current abilities. Services provided by Bloomsburg Music Therapy include therapy assessment, individual or group music therapy, as well as participation in wellness events aimed at stress relief, care for the caregivers and burnout prevention. Bloomsburg Music Therapy can be reached at 570-316-1899 or visit its website or Facebook page.
From MePush
January 14, 2020.
Why is this date important? That is the date that Microsoft has listed as the “End of Extended Support” for both Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008R2.
This is important to note because of the the security risks that become extremely severe after support is dropped. The dropping of support from Microsoft means that no NEW security patches will be released and because of that, no open vulnerabilities in the operating systems will be patched.
What to do next
There are two approaches that can be taken to get your infrastructure to a more modern platform/operating system. Replace or upgrade. Most workstations and servers that are running either Windows 7 or Server 2008R2 are old enough that they should be outright replaced but there are exceptions.
Contact MePush or one of the other IT service providers among our membership for more information on what to do to prepare for the end of Windows 7 in 2020.
From ChamberChoice and Smart Business Pittsburgh
When it comes to the issue of privacy concerning employees and their health care benefits, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is one of the most misunderstood and miscommunicated laws for both employers and employees alike.
“HIPAA can seem unclear, and when coupled with an employer’s health care plan, it can further create confusion and frustration for employers, HR managers and employees,” says Keith Kartman, client advisor at JRG Advisors.
Smart Business spoke with Kartman about what employers need to understand regarding privacy laws and health benefits.
What is HIPAA?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, establishes national standards to protect medical records and personal health information. It applies to health plans, health care clearinghouses and health care providers that conduct certain health care transactions electronically. Specifically, the rule requires appropriate safeguards to protect personal health information privacy, and sites limits and conditions on the uses and disclosures that may be made with this information without patient authorization.
In addition, the rule provides for patients’ rights concerning their health information, including the right to examine and obtain a copy of their health records, and to request corrections. The types of patient health care information that must be disclosed to be considered ‘protected’ by HIPAA includes date of birth, full name, diagnosis and medical record number.
How does HIPAA affect employee benefits?
As an employer, you are considered a health plan if you pay for a portion of the cost of medical care. If you pay for a portion of an employee’s health plan or have a self-funded medical insurance plan, you fall under the HIPAA Privacy Rule and compliance.
HIPAA mandates how a health plan or covered health care providers disclose protected health information to an employer, including managers or supervisors. As an employer, you have access to health care information that falls under HIPAA, such as benefit enrollment, benefit changes, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) and any wellness program information. Conversely, employees who pay for a portion of the total cost of an employee health insurance plan are also required to comply with HIPAA.
Under HIPAA, employees must first provide authorization to health care providers before they can disclose any health care related information to an employer. This is why employees must complete Family Medical Leave Forms authorizing the release of their health care information before granting them FMLA leave.
Under HIPAA, how are employers required to protect an employee’s health information?
Employers are required to protect sensitive health care information and changes to benefit paperwork and any associated plan changes that include any information that comes from an electronic health record.
Employers are also required to protect Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and wellness program information. This means program administrators and other involved employees are provided with HIPAA training to ensure employee health care information is protected.
Occupational Health Records concerning employee physicals, workers’ compensation or workplace injury under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are also required to be protected under HIPAA. This information should be stored in a secure location. As an employer, you should provide on-going HIPAA training to any and all employees who may have access to sensitive employee health information.
Lastly, employers are required to display HIPAA privacy laws in the workplace and notify employees of any company-specific privacy policies. As an employer, you should have a clearly defined privacy violation policy that outlines the process for notification and investigation of any potential privacy violations.
HIPAA laws regulating the privacy of protected health information are complicated and ever-evolving, so employers need to stay up to date on the latest developments and seek the guidance of knowledgeable benefits professionals or their legal counsel to ensure compliance.
From PPL Electric Utilities
Imagine 282,000 homes – ranches, split-levels, Colonials, even mansions. Houses as far as the eye can see.
Now imagine all those homes going completely off the grid for a year — as in, not using any electricity. Not running the dishwasher once. Not baking a single cake or loaf of bread. Not turning on the TV to watch a single Phillies, Eagles, Pirates or Steelers game.
That would be a pretty remarkable energy savings, wouldn’t you think?
Many people don’t know it, but that level of savings is actually happening every year in central and eastern Pennsylvania.
A quarter-million homes aren’t literally unplugging from the grid. But the homes and businesses in PPL Electric Utilities’ service area have reduced their energy use by more than 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours per year over the past seven-and-a-half years. That’s the same savings you’d get if about 282,000 houses didn’t use any power at all.
In case you’re wondering, that reduction in energy use translates to a financial savings of almost $300 million per year, based on 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. That’s a pretty remarkable number as well.
Another noteworthy thing: At PPL Electric Utilities, we support the fact that people are using less electricity. In fact, we applaud it.
That comes as a surprise to some people too. After all, we’re in the business of delivering electricity. But, we recognize that using less energy is good for your wallet, and good for the environment.
In fact, those 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity that people aren’t using each year are being saved through energy efficiency programs offered by PPL. This includes rebates for heating and air conditioning equipment, insulation, smart thermostats, appliances, business lighting, business refrigeration equipment, food service equipment, compressed air systems, discounted LED bulbs we make available through retailers, and more.
Another example you might have heard of: We’ll haul away your old refrigerator for free and pay you $35, to make it easier for you to upgrade to a more energy-efficient appliance (Some conditions apply: For instance, the fridge has to still work. See the specific information and conditions on fridge recycling).
Additional information on residential efficiency programs as well as efficiency programs for businesses is also available.
If you’re among the people helping to make a big difference in energy use, we congratulate you. It makes sense to save.
If you haven’t really thought about energy efficiency, now’s a great time to start. It doesn’t take a major investment to make your savings start to add up.
That 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours of saved energy per year is a pretty impressive number. But it’s really just a start.
The Chamber’s meeting room on Market Street in Bloomsburg is available to members for use at no cost as a benefit of membership on a first-come, first-serve basis. The room comfortably seats 10-12 and includes wireless internet, speakerphone, whiteboard, screen, projector, and access to a kitchenette. Recently, the room was brightened up with a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting, which was manufactured by Bloomsburg Carpet.
If you’re interested in reserving the room, contact Phyllis at the Chamber at 570-784-2522 or email for availability.
Member News
- Pretty Petals & Gifts by Susan, located at 158 East 9th St., Bloomsburg, as well as at 1168 State Route 487, Paxinos, is celebrating the first anniversary of its Bloomsburg store this month by offering a chance to win free flowers every month for a year. Stop in the store anytime during November and register to win. No purchase is necessary and the winner will be drawn on Nov. 30, which is also the first day of its two-day Holiday Open House (not to be confused with the Chamber’s Holiday Open House on Dec. 13). On Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., stop in the store for refreshments and numerous gift ideas. There is no cost to attend and no purchase is necessary. For more information, check out the November ChamberPack flyer.
The dealerships of the Ken Pollock Auto Group are currently holding their annual coat drive through Dec. 18 at all of its dealerships through northeastern Pennsylvania, including Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln in Berwick, located at 1120 West Front St. (Rt. 11). Those interested in making a donation can drop off new or slightly used coats of all sizes for both men and women, and the donations will be given to the Columbia County Head Start.
- NEPIRC will conduct a free leadership training seminar titled “Leadership Development Essentials” on Thursday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, located at 725 West Front St. (Rt. 11) in Berwick. This program is intended to help individuals become stronger, more impactful leaders. While joining other managers and supervisors to discuss workplace challenges, attendees will explore topics that include self-awareness, power & authority, risk & failure and leadership style. Using self-assessment tools and experiential learning, attendees will examine their strengths and weaknesses while exploring best practices of exceptional leaders. Register via the NEPIRC event website.
- Wild For Salmon will host a holiday tasting event at its retail store on 521 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11) in Bloomsburg on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. There is no cost to attend. Much like its other public tasting events throughout the year, this event will feature some dishes specially prepared by Wild For Salmon’s in-house chef featuring salmon and other seafood for attendees to taste, only this time, there will be a winter and holiday theme to the menu selections.
- North Shore Railroad will once again host the NARCOA Speeders for its 15th annual Toys for Tots drive. The mini cars will travel up and down the railroad tracks from North Shore’s headquarters in Northumberland through Berwick and back on Saturday, Dec. 8, beginning at 8 a.m. in Northumberland. Anyone is welcome to come alongside the railroad tracks to meet the speeder drivers and hand them a new, unwrapped toy for the drive. The speeders are scheduled to arrive in Danville at the Middle School at 9 a.m., Rupert at 10 a.m., Bloomsburg at 10:30 a.m., and Berwick at 12:30 p.m. If unable to meet the speeders on this date, but if interested in making a donation to the toy drive, donations can be dropped off at the North Shore office, located at 356 Priestley Ave., Northumberland, by Friday, Dec. 7. For more information, check out the Facebook event.
- HR4ALL will hold a free luncheon and executive briefing on affordable healthcare options and human resources consulting services on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 12-12:45 p.m., at the Farrington Place, located at 416 W. 3rd St., Williamsport.
This event will feature a trio of strategic partners, including HR4ALL, a professional human resources expertise consultant, speaking about a group of small and medium-sized businesses getting together to pool resources that will hopefully enable them to access less expensive, self-funded health plans in the future. For more information, call 570-592-0518, or see the event flyer at right, and to RSVP, text HR4ALL to 555888. 
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, Ameriprise Financial McKinnon Financial Group, to help us fulfill our mission.
The McKinnon Financial Group is a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., which was founded in 1894, is headquartered in Minneapolis, and currently has more than $875 billion in assets under management and administration along with more than two million individual, business and institutional clients. The McKinnon Financial Group was founded in 2016 in Nanticoke, Pa., by Jeffrey McKinnon, a veteran of the financial services and advising industry with more than 22 years of experience. Jeffrey also previously held financial advisory positions as Wachovia/Wells Fargo, PNC Bank and Janney Montgomery Scott. In addition to the current office in Nanticoke, McKinnon Financial Group will soon be opening a second office in Berwick at 118 B East 3rd St. For more information, visit its website or Facebook page, call 570-520-4137 or email.
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, HR4ALL, to help us fulfill our mission.
Mark Morgenfruh (center), founder and CEO of HR4ALL, and his family stopped by the Chamber office recently for a ceremonial ribbon cutting to commemorate HR4ALL’s new membership in the Chamber.
Founded earlier this year by Mark Morgenfruh, a veteran human resources professional, HR4ALL provides human resources services primarily for small and medium-sized businesses that don’t have a full-time or dedicated HR staff. Its motto is “the right piece of HR, at the right time, for the right price.” HR4ALL’s subscription model is aimed at helping small and medium-sized businesses and organizations remain compliant with all pertinent regulations related to employment and other HR-related issues but at the fraction of the price of full-time HR staff. HR4ALL can also provide executive-level expertise on larger issues such as complaints, lawsuits, Department of Labor audits and more for companies of all sizes, including those that may have dedicated HR staff, but may lack in the appropriate expertise for these more complicated matters. For more information, visit its website, Facebook or LinkedIn pages, call 570-592-0518 or email.
HR4ALL will be co-hosting an executive briefing luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 13 on options to reduce health insurance costs as well as administering them. See more in this Facebook post, and call 570-592-0518 to RSVP.
By Tim Wagner, chair, Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. board and Fred Gaffney, president, Columbia Montour Chamber; Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. board member
This holiday season kicked off with a number of tremendous events to bring people to Bloomsburg. Holiday traditions continued while some new events were added. The board of Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. (DBI) wishes to thank all of those who were involved in these events.
- The first Coming Home for Christmas festival was held on North Market Street on Friday, which brought crafters, vendors, and visitors into the downtown. Proceeds from the event are to benefit worthy community causes.
- Adjacent to the festival, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s TreeFest got underway at the Caldwell Consistory thanks to the support of many volunteers and sponsoring organizations. TreeFest continues this weekend before the trees with be donated to area families.
- BTE’s holiday production of “The Wizard of Oz” began with people lined up around the block to get in with donation items for local food pantries.
- Another new event, WinterFest, was held Friday and Saturday at the Fairgrounds. The Fair Association lined up a wide variety of vendors and entertainment for families to enjoy.
- On Friday evening, dozens of floats lit up the downtown in the WHLM Parade of Lights. Thanks to the Bloomsburg Rotary Club for supporting this year’s event.
- Small Business Saturday highlighted the importance of supporting our local businesses. Thanks to The Exchange for organizing the American Express promotion.
- DBI’s North Pole Express train rides were held once again Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to Service 1st Federal Credit Union for sponsoring this year’s event, as well as the other organizations that help make the rides possible, including Sherwin Williams, Community Strategies Group, North Shore Railroad, the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority, and Penn Valley Railroad.
A number of these activities would not have been possible without the support of the Town of Bloomsburg, including the Police Department. The Town also provided support for the decorations for the fountain, with thanks to Gary Vadakin for his 12th year of doing the decorating.
And the holiday activities are far from over. TreeFest continues for another weekend and “The Wizard of Oz” at BTE runs through Dec. 29. Santa is at TreeFest again this weekend before moving to Exclusively You. Check the schedule at visitbloomsburg.com and thanks to the support of First Columbia Bank & Trust and the Bloomsburg Volunteer Ambulance Association. Downtown businesses welcome you for shopping throughout the holiday season with free, two-hour parking on Main Street with free parking to be extended to the municipal lots as of Dec. 15. Members of the DBI Board coordinate the bagging of meters each year.
Finally, you may have noticed that the holiday decorations on the light posts along Main Street are brighter this year. Thanks to Mayor Bill Kreisher for coordinating the additional lights, Public Works for stringing them, and First Columbia Bank & Trust for covering the cost. With the efforts of so many, the season is truly bright in Bloomsburg!
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
Last week, the state’s Independent Fiscal Office released its economic and budget outlook for the next five years. The Executive Summary of the IFO’s findings are based on three main assumptions: that the labor force will expand despite a decline in the labor market between 20-64 year olds; that there will be moderate growth in historical cost drivers after the current Fiscal Year (most notably, within the state’s pension systems and in the healthcare market); and that the state’s economy will continue to operate at its long-term potential.
The report recognizes that revenues for 2018-19 should continue to come in strong, thanks in large part to the economic gains realized through the federal Tax Cuts & Jobs Act. However, it also raises concerns about several issues that could negatively impact revenues in the next half-decade – including a large increase in the projected deficit to $1.7 billion for FY 2019-20 that is based on the expiration of various one-time measures that were previously utilized. This will very likely make Pennsylvania’s budget process more difficult in the coming months.
The report also notes that there are various long-term demographic concerns in play that could negatively affect Pennsylvania’s future economic stability – including declining birth rates and a possible contracting labor force. Finally, the IFO is predicting based on survey results that there will be a recession at some point over the three years, which will hopefully be minor (although the report puts forth the impact of a number of recession scenarios). The remaining question is to whether the federal government will be able to step in to help states.
The full summary and report can be accessed on the IFO’s website.