- NEPIRC, DRIVE and SEDA-COG will team up to host a Lunch and Learn titled “Cybersecurity Trends & Safeguards for Manufacturers next Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Monty’s on the Bloomsburg University campus. This free seminar is specifically intended for manufacturers and helping them respond to current threats and trends in the cybersecurity world. Topics covered will include ransomware, hacking, breaches and disasters, and safeguards will also be presented including best practices for prevention, mitigation and incident response. See the flyer for more information, and register online, by email, or call 570-704-0018.
- The Press Enterprise will host a Career Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 2-6 p.m. at Berwick Golf Club. There is no cost to attend, and PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties will also be on hand for some free job search workshops. There will also be door prizes every hour. Businesses interested in being a vendor are asked to register by Oct. 11. For more information or to register, call 570-387-1234 or visit the Facebook event page.
- The Bloomsburg Area YMCA will host its annual Trunk or Treat from 5:30-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26. Join the Y and other local organizations for a night of spooky family fun featuring fun activities, a haunted walk-through and plenty of Halloween candy. If your organization would like to take part in this event, call 570-784-0188 to reserve your spot.
- Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln will host a Penn State football tailgate on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 12-3 p.m. at the Berwick dealership located at 1120 West Front St. (Rt. 11).
Join them as the Nittany Lions take on Iowa, watch the game on their big screen and enjoy some tailgate food and beverages and other fun surprises while you’re there. In additional, Operation Kidsafe will be on site offering free digital fingerprinting and photos for your child in case of emergency. Operation KidSafe captures your child’s picture and fingerprints using a digital video capture device, digital ink-less fingerprint capture device, and specialized software. The captured data is assembled and a quality 8.5 x 11 printout is given to the parent. The parent can use the printout they receive to provide anywhere in the world to instantly aid in an investigation.
- Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln,
along with all of the other Ken Pollock dealerships throughout northeast Pennsylvania, will also hosts its fifth annual Trunk or Treat from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. All Ken Pollock dealerships will be loaded with treats and good eats. Wear your best costume and stop in for some fun.
- Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center will hold an open house and community hernia screening from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8. The open house will include tours of the hospital and blood pressure checks, informational stations on Berwick Retirement Village and the hospital services, and a meet-and-greet with the primary care physicians affiliated with Berwick Medical Professionals. An educational session and hernia screenings – both free to the public – will be offered at this time by general surgeons who are on staff at Berwick Hospital. Light refreshments will be served. Anyone interested in scheduling a hernia screening is asked to call 570-354-6515 or visit MyBerwickHerniaSeminar.com. Berwick Hospital Center is located at 701 East 16th St., Berwick.
- Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital will once again offer a complimentary meal for veterans on Thursday, Nov. 8 in the GBH dining room. There will be four separate seatings – at 3, 4, 5 and 6 p.m., and the meal is complimentary for all U.S. veterans and one guest. Join GBH as they celebrate the service of our veterans to the U.S. Because seating is limited each hour, reservations are required by Friday, Nov. 2. Call 570-387-2145 today to reserve your seat(s). The buffet dinner includes carved roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, green beans, beverages and cake and ice cream.
- 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.
- MePush will be hosting a series of study sessions throughout the fall at its conference room at 130 Buffalo Rd., Lewisburg, for information technology professionals that are taking and interested in getting together to study for the Cisco CCNA exam. This major certification in the IT industry is a big undertaking for some, so MePush would like to offer a forum to help other IT pros in the area improve their skills and certifications. If interested, please email Art so MePush can have a headcount.
Attendees had an opportunity to meet and greet with the leadership team at Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, learn about the latest initiatives of the Geisinger system, as well as hear about how the emergency department at Geisinger Bloomsburg ranks high compared to other EDs across the state at the first of two Business After Hours this month on Oct. 10.
Members in attendance were able to enjoy some delicious appetizers prepared by the food services staff at GBH while catching up or meeting new business contacts. Attendees also had a chance to take a tour of the hospital, learn about some of Geisinger’s ongoing initiatives aimed at maintaining the health of its patients and the community at large, as well as hear about how GBH’s emergency department is ranked in the top five percent in Pennsylvania for emergency care, based on patient survey responses from Oct. 2017-2018 and compared to 94 other Pennsylvania emergency departments in the Press Ganey database, a third-party patient experience service provider. For patients in need to emergency services, the GBH ED can often provide a better patient experience, and if the patient’s condition warrants a higher level of care than can be delivered at GBH, the patient can easily be transferred to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.
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 Camp Victory on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 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, the Bloomsburg Area YMCA, to help us fulfill our mission.
Previously a member that the Chamber is happy to welcome back after a short absence, the Bloomsburg Area YMCA is dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsbility, and this is reflected in its programs and events. Its mission is to nurture every child and teen, improve the health and well-being of residents of the community and to support fellow cause-driven organizations in Columbia County. Located at 30 East 7th St. in Bloomsburg, the Bloomsburg Y is open Monday-Thursday from 5 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday from 5 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. They can be reached by phone at 570-784-0188, or visit their website or Facebook page.
Governor Tom Wolf has officially declared October 2018 as “Local Chamber of Commerce Month” in Pennsylvania. The Governor issued an official proclamation making that declaration.
Below is the text of that proclamation.
Greetings:
It is my pleasure to join with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry to support October 2018 as Local Chamber of Commerce Month in Pennsylvania.
Since its inception, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry has served and advocated for Pennsylvania businesses. Our local chambers of commerce play a critical role in supporting the needs of our vibrant business community and are essential to the Commonwealth’s continued economic growth and advancement. As my administration works hard to retain current and create new family sustaining jobs by supporting business and industry throughout the Commonwealth, I am grateful for our local chambers of commerce for providing the invaluable role that they play in ensuring that businesses new and old can continue to prosper in Pennsylvania. I commend Pennsylvania’s local chambers of commerce for representing thousands of businesses, and I am certain their efforts to enhance our communities will serve as an inspiration across the Commonwealth for years to come.
As Governor, and on behalf of all citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I am honored to support October 2018 as Local Chamber of Commerce Month. Please accept my best wishes for continued success.
Tom Wolf
Governor
October 2018
From rabbittransit
October is Depression Awareness Month. Risk of depression increases when people experience social isolation, which is especially common among seniors. Social isolation and depression take a toll on physical and mental well-being. rabbittransit plays a critical role in the socialization of the lives of older adults. Transportation provides access to the senior center for a dance class or watercolor painting session, the gym or the hair salon, a friend’s house or a faith-based service. Being able to live fully by traveling safely offers seniors socialization to combat isolation and depression.
Seniors 65 years of age and older (and in some cases younger) are eligible for paratransit, often referred to as “Shared Ride,” in which a bus comes right to your door (co-pays may apply depending on many different factors). For more information about rabbittransit’s services or to sign up for free travel training, visit its website.
As September ushers in the official start of fall, that means leaves changing, the Bloomsburg Fair, and the start of Leadership Central Penn. This year’s LCP class kicked off at Bloomsburg University with QUEST team building. The 19 members of the LCP Class of 2019 joined Chamber Foundation director, Jeff Emanuel, for a day of problem solving and block, tent, PVC pipe cube — no wait, team building.
The large group had to figure out how something that looked like a zoomed in photo of Thing 1’s hair related to the other 19 photos, ending with a postage stamp on a letter. This was only one challenge using a small piece of a larger story. The next sent the group from a zoomed-in watch face, all the way out of a movie set with various backgrounds and images, within images, within images, and so on… The group could not see one another’s photos, and these puzzles needed solved by describing what was in your photo. No easy task, but the group used a variety of skills and persevered.
Next the class was split into two groups of 10 and were challenged with building a rope house without crossing any pieces, creating a large PVC cube that could stand on its tip, a building-block challenge, blindfold tent building, and event flipping a tarp with everyone on it. Just when challenges couldn’t seem harder, there was always a twist. No one could have any part of their body leave the tarp, the blindfolded tent builders needed to all fit in a two-person tent, and the rope house had to stand. Each challenge was met with determination and a will to succeed. The groups successfully completed each task no matter how difficult, all of which had time limits.
The group started as strangers, but soon realized they needed to become colleagues to complete such strange tasks. This year’s class is going to be unique, and there are many more challenges ahead, and there is no doubt they will continue to rise to the occasion.
This year’s class is comprised of 19 professionals from three nonprofits and 10 companies – which include Chamber members Autoneum North America, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Bloomsburg University, Camp Victory, Edward Jones, First Columbia Bank, First Keystone Community Bank, Geisinger, Geisinger Health Plan, Kawneer, PPL Electric Utilities, Ronald McDonald House of Danville, and SEKISUI SPI.
Leadership Central Penn is sponsored by Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, Kawneer, PPL Electric Utilities, SEKISUI SPI, USG and Williams.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
The PA Chamber unveiled the results of its 28th Annual Economic Survey last week, which showed record high optimism among employers in terms of their confidence with the direction of Pennsylvania’s economy and their willingness to invest in their facilities and workers. However, a jobs skills gap was listed for the first time as the biggest hurdle facing their businesses. Also, ongoing concerns about the state’s tax structure and rising healthcare costs were among the leading issues they cited as barriers to economic opportunity.
According to the survey of 650 employers, job creators listed difficulties finding skilled and qualified employees to fill open positions as the biggest problem facing their companies. This represents a stark increase over last year and has officially reached an historic high as business owners’ “top of mind” issue. Given this rising concern and the increased attention to this problem, the PA Chamber is proud to include as part of its mission the “Start the Conversation HERE” initiative that is aimed at closing the skills gap in Pennsylvania by educating students, their families, educators and workers about family-sustaining jobs in the skilled trades and other employment trends in the Commonwealth. Visit StartTheConversationHere.com to learn more about this dynamic program and the PA Chamber’s ongoing efforts to tackle the skills gap in Pennsylvania.
As to other leading employer concerns in the survey, the PA Chamber remains committed to working with lawmakers to reduce tax burdens and address rising healthcare costs, which continue to increase despite efforts from the Trump administration to expand healthcare access. “We’re working to combat rising healthcare costs, which employers have cited as a major hurdle over the last ten years of economic surveys,” PA Chamber President Gene Barr said in a press release announcing the survey results. “Expanding access to affordable healthcare coverage should be a universal goal, which is why it’s so unfortunate that the state Insurance Department is resisting allowing many small businesses to take advantage of the new federal rule on Association Health Plans. The goal of these plans is to achieve savings within the health care system and provide Pennsylvania employers with solutions to meet the needs of their workforce.”
Standing out as a positive takeaway from this year’s survey was the considerable improvement in employers’ perception of Pennsylvania’s business climate. A record high 40 percent of employers now say the economy has gotten better during the last 12 months, up sharply from 25 percent last year. Moreover, 26 percent of employers rate Pennsylvania as “very” business friendly, up from 15 percent last year and also a record high. However, when asked to cite the top issues that should top business advocates and lawmakers’ “to-do” lists, they overwhelmingly cited controlling healthcare costs (at 66 percent) and cutting business taxes (at 50 percent) as the top two priorities.
The 28th Annual Economic Survey was conducted in August 2018 by Susquehanna Polling and Research, a Harrisburg-based public opinion polling company. To review the survey, visit the PA Chamber’s website.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is advancing a safety improvement project at the intersections of Route 54 and 642 in Valley Township, Montour County that began in 2015. Following several public meetings, a study was conducted with a community advisory committee to identify and evaluate alternative improvements to the Route 54 corridor between the Route 642 east and west intersections. A recommended alternative will be presented at public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at Danville Middle School, located at 252 Northumberland Rd. (Rt. 11) in Danville.
The alternative removes a proposed roundabout along Jerseytown Road. The plan is available on PennDOT’s website. Included in the public meeting will be explanations of the design, benefits of this plan over previous configuations, as well as a simulation of traffic flow. The project is expected to begin in 2021 and take two years to complete at a cost of $16 million.
Member News
- Following a weekend of Homecoming activities, Bloomsburg University will be welcoming parents and family members of BU students this weekend for Parents and Family Weekend. Activities begin on Friday and continue through the weekend, including a football game against East Stroudsburg beginning at 2 p.m. A full schedule of events is available online.
- The Bloomsburg Area YMCA will host a pair of free upcoming events for the community. Next Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. will be its Fall Fest, which will feature a potluck-style meal along with Wii bowling. Then, on Friday, Oct. 26 is its annual Trunk or Treat from 5:30-8 p.m. Join the Y and other local organizations for a night of spooky family fun featuring fun activities, a haunted walk-through and plenty of Halloween candy. If your organization would like to take part in this event, call 570-784-0188 or email by Oct. 15 to reserve your spot.
- NEPIRC, DRIVE and SEDA-COG will team up to host a Lunch and Learn titled “Cybersecurity Trends & Safeguards for Manufacturers on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Monty’s on the Bloomsburg University campus. This free seminar is specifically intended for manufacturers and helping them respond to current threats and trends in the cybersecurity world. Topics covered will include ransomware, hacking, breaches and disasters, and safeguards will also be presented including best practices for prevention, mitigation and incident response. See the flyer for more information, and register online, by email, or call 570-704-0018.
- The Press Enterprise will host a Career Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 24, from 2-6 p.m. at Berwick Golf Club. There is no cost to attend, and PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties will also be on hand for some free job search workshops. There will also be door prizes every hour. Businesses interested in being a vendor are asked to register by Oct. 11. For more information or to register, call 570-387-1234 or visit the Facebook event page.
- MePush will be hosting a series of study sessions throughout the fall at its conference room at 130 Buffalo Rd., Lewisburg, for information technology professionals that are taking and interested in getting together to study for the Cisco CCNA exam. This major certification in the IT industry is a big undertaking for some, so MePush would like to offer a forum to help other IT pros in the area improve their skills and certifications. If interested, please email Art so MePush can have a headcount.
The Chamber had the opportunity to take part in the Danville Area School District’s Homecoming festivities on Friday, Oct. 5, specifically by helping cut the ribbon on the high school’s new performing arts center. The ribbon cutting for the new facility, which opened in August, was held in between the Homecoming parade and the football game.
Prior to the ribbon cutting, district superintendent Dr. Jason Bendle, as well as high school principal Jeremy Winn and director of student activities and services Chris Johns delivered brief remarks and acknowledgements, while noting that this project had been discussed and planned for years before finally being set in motion. Overall, from concept to completion, the project spanned several superintendents, administrators and school board members. The event was also attended by representatives from Montour County and the Borough of Danville, as well as several members of the public. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees were able to take a tour of the facility and check out the spacious new auditorium.