Lillian Aronson (2nd row, far right) and Allison Diehl (3rd row, 2nd from the left) were elected CEOs of their student companies during PFEW, Week 4 at Lycoming College.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
As the public comment period on the Wolf administration’s proposed overtime rules drew to a close last week, a group of 15 Republican state lawmakers sent a letter to the state’s Independent Regulatory Review Commission that called the changes an “administrative nightmare” for employers.
“Employers of all types will have to engage in additional timekeeping and other record keeping to comply,” the letter states. “Also, employers will have to reclassify many employees and reorganize their operations upon implementation.” These facts are in line with the concerns that the PA Chamber and employers statewide expressed during the public comment period that ended on Aug. 22. These concerns mirror the swift, negative reaction that employers had a few years ago when the Obama administration issued proposed changes to overtime rules that were very similar to – but did not even go as far as – the Wolf administration’s proposal.
First announced by the Wolf administration in January, the proposal – which was unveiled by the state Department of Labor and Industry in June – would raise the wage threshold for “exempt status” to more than double what is currently set by the federal government; along with changes to “duties tests” that determine eligibility; and an automatic update to the salary threshold every three years. This would have an especially harsh impact among small businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and the health service industry, among others.
The PA Chamber continues to speak out against this flawed proposal, which would harm Pennsylvania’s competitiveness and negatively impact workplace culture and morale, as employees would need to be shifted from earning a salary to being paid by the hour. This transition typically requires employees to start clocking in and out, along with more burdensome record-keeping, less flexibility, a rigid work schedule and fewer training opportunities and benefits. These impacts were noted in a letter the PA Chamber coordinated with various industry groups, which had urged the commission to extend the public comment deadline in order to give employers and the public more time to analyze the effect of the overtime changes and weigh in.
The proposal is currently pending with the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Over the next several weeks, IRRC will review the feedback garnered from the public comment period before issuing a final ruling.
Member News
- Community Options, Inc., a provider of residential and employment support to people with disabilities, is seeking individuals interested in serving on a new business advisory committee for Community Options’ Bloomsburg office. Community Options’ mission is to promote the integration of persons with disabilities within the communities in which they reside, enabling them to become viable and contributing neighbors, employees and citizens of the community. The purpose of this committee is to discuss and implement ways to help the organization better integrate into the community and bridge the gap between the community and the individuals it serves. If you may be interested in serving on this committee, or for questions, contact associate executive director David McConaghy at 570-638-6007 or email. The next committee meeting is scheduled for tomorrow Aug. 30 at noon at Community Options’ Bloomsburg office, located at 1117 Old Berwick Rd.
- Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. will hold a SNAP Awareness Day tomorrow, Aug. 30 at its Shamokin, Sunbury and Bloomsburg offices, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The purpose of this event is to spread awareness of the SNAP program (also known as food stamps), its eligibility and qualification guidelines and how to apply. CSO’s Bloomsburg office is located at 16 Sherwood Dr. For more information or for questions, call Harry at 570-644-6575 ext. 178.
- The Montour St. bridge in the Borough of Danville (located just behind the Sunoco gas station on Rt. 54), will be closed on or around Wednesday, Sept. 5 for reconstruction. Motorists are reminded to please use an alternate route. Check the Borough’s Facebook page for updates on this project.
- The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will hold another free concert on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium.
Willie Kelly and David Power
This performance will feature David Power, one of Ireland’s foremost uilleann pipers, and New Jersey fiddler Willie Kelly, who will combine traditional Irish music. This duo recently collaborated on a new album titled Apples in Winter, which the Irish Echo described as something “will resonate with the people who love and admire traditional Irish music played with a stately air and a gentlemanly touch.”
- In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Camp Victory will hold a special free family fun day for the community on Sunday, Sept. 9, from 12-3 p.m. Its swimming pool, climbing wall and zip line will be open and there will be hot dogs, ice cream, drinks, an arts and crafts project, a moon bounce, wagon rides and live music. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
- The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation will hold a luncheon on Tuesday, Sept. 11, from 12-1:30 p.m. at Monty’s on the Bloomsburg University campus to celebrate the grants made to community organizations through the Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation. Local nonprofit organizations will be presented with the 2018 grant awards. There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is requested. See the invitation for more information. RSVP online or by emailing or calling Karri Harter at 570-752-3930 ext. 6.
- The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation will also host a special presentation on how federal tax reform, signed into law last December, is impacting charitable planning for individuals and businesses on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the Iron Fork at Frost Valley Resort in Danville. A lunch session will focus on individuals and families and will be held from 12:30-1:30 p.m., with lunch served at noon. An afternoon session focusing on businesses will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m., with hors d’oeuvres served at 4 p.m. There is no cost to attend either session. See the flyer for additional information. RSVP by Sept. 5 online or by emailing or calling Karri Harter at 570-752-3930 ext. 6.
- The Borough of Danville’s Flood Resiliency Task Force will host a flood insurance policy seminar at the Danville Borough building, 463 Mill St., Danville, on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. Stetler Insurance Associates will present information regarding what should be included on the flood insurance policy declaration page, review common mistakes seen on flood insurance policies, and answer questions. The Flood Resiliency Task Force is made up of representatives from real estate, banking and insurance industries, as well as local residents and Borough staff. See the flyer for additional information, or contact Jamie Shrawder at 570-275-3091 ext. 3 or email.
- 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 Central Susquehanna Community Foundation is offering a round of grants to support nonprofit 501(c)3 and government organizations that are providing disaster relief from the recent flooding within the Foundation’s service area, which encompasses Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Union, Snyder and lower Luzerne counties. The maximum grant available is $5,000, and a total of approximately $40,000 is available through the CSCF Disaster Relief Fund and the Berwick Health & Wellness Fund.
The deadline to submit a grant application is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. Grant decisions will be announced in Oct. 2018. Only 501(c)3 nonprofit and government organizations are eligible and 100% of the requested funding must be invested within the CSCF service area. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
For more information, read the press release, and for additional questions, contact Christine Pangelinan at 570-752-3930 ext. 2 or by 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, Profile Coffee and Roasters, to help us fulfill our mission.
Profile Coffee and Roasters is a locally-owned coffee shop and roaster located in Elysburg that is coming up on its third anniversary, having opened in Nov. 2015. It serves both breakfast and lunch, as well as brunch on Sundays, and its menus rotate with the seasons. In addition to its signature coffee, it also serves a selection of teas from throughout the world, as well as cold brews during the summer months. It also has a small e-commerce website and as it begins its fourth year in business, will be aiming to grow its wholesale business. Located at 185 South Market St. (Rt. 54) in Elysburg, Profile is open Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday 7 p.m. – 5 p.m., and can be reached by phone at 570-672-9120, or visit its website or Facebook page.
An engaged and active audience of over 40 Chamber members and other professional from around the greater Columbia/Montour region heard a presentation on recruiting and retaining millennials from Tina Welch of Welch Performance Consulting on Thursday morning, Aug. 23, at LCBC Church. The breakfast seminar, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities and put on by the Chamber and PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties, provided a forum for local leaders to gather and hear from a local business consultant and former human resources professional about some of the best practices for recruiting and retaining millennials, as well as some underlying facts and generalizations about the various different generations currently in the workplace. The seminar was catered by That Kitchen Witch, with coffee from one of the Chamber’s newest members, Profile Coffee and Roasters.
The presentation began with some basic facts and statistics, including a table with some general identifying characteristics about the various generations currently in the workplace, including baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Y (millennials), as well as the startling fact (for some) that millennials on average only stay in their jobs for 2.6 years. Obviously, this has created turnover and recruiting problems for several organizations, both of which can cost money. On average, turnover can cost an organization five times the position’s salary. Attendees were asked what someone that stays in a job on average 2.6 years has been called – to which the group unanimously answered “job hoppers.” While that may have been the case in the past, the audience was advised to stop thinking that way, and that is now called career progression.
It then went into what millennials generally want in a job, keeping in mind that as with all generalizations, it won’t apply to everyone, as there is always a bell curve, but if organizations want to be able to successfully recruit and retain millennials, they need to adjust to what they are looking for. For example, millennials generally want to know that they have opportunities for advancement and want to know what they need to do to get there. They also want constant feedback – both positive and negative – about how they’re doing at work and what, if anything, needs to change in order for them to be successful. Young professionals also want to know that they’re making a difference with their work, and what they’re doing is part of a bigger purpose, not just within the organization, but beyond as well. They also require job flexibility. With the advent of modern technology, having the freedom to complete their work outside of the traditional 9-5 workday, if appropriate, is something they value and work/life balance is also important.
In the end, being able to successful recruit and retain millennials, as well as the next generation (called Generation ‘Z’ – those born in approximately 2000 and later), isn’t something that will happen overnight. It is in incremental shift in the hiring and operational practices of each employer, made to adjust to the evolving different generations in the workplace. Those organizations that are able to change when needed and those that get out in front of this issue and are proactive rather than reactive, will be the organizations that are the most successful.
The entire seminar can be viewed below.
(L-R, front row only): Fred Gaffney, Chamber president; Pauline Eckroth, Curves trainer; Christina Higgins, Curves trainer; Leigh Ann Hoffman Hunter, Curves owner; Emily Leighow, Curves trainer; Dorothy Starr, Columbia Child Development Program, Chamber ambassador and Curves member.
The new owner and staff at Curves in Bloomsburg, along with several Curves members and Chamber staff had a ribbon cutting on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 23, to commemorate the ownership change and kick off a full week of grand reopening festivities, which will occur all week from Aug. 27-31.
Curves, located at 50 W. 6th St. in Bloomsburg, is a chain of gyms as well as a 30-minute fitness program designed just for women that combines exercise, meal planning and coaching all in one location. The Bloomsburg Curves recently underwent an ownership transition, as Leigh Ann Hoffman Hunter assuming the role of owner earlier this summer. The grand reopening will feature several opportunities for women throughout the community to check out what Curves has to offer, as well as several giveaways and prizes. For more information on Curves, call 570-784-5080.
Area employers continue to discuss the challenges of finding quality employees. Low unemployment rates have led to higher base wages, training and advancement opportunities, and other incentives for employees. Businesses in the Berwick area recently shared ideas during a business roundtable meeting held at the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation.
Common themes across the area include the need to strengthen basic employability skills, and difficulty in recruiting employees to a rural area. Recognizing that retaining young people is a key component of a strong workforce, the Chamber’s Foundation coordinates or supports several programs in area schools to help build skills in children. A website is being launched this fall in coordination with the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation to increase the awareness among students and their parents of the quality opportunities and employers that exist in our area, and to facilitate connections with these local employers. Understanding the culture of younger generations is also important in attracting new talent and was the subject of a recent seminar offered by the Chamber and PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties.
To meet workforce demands today, employers are increasing base wages and adjusting work schedules to provide longer weekends and greater flexibility for employees to spend with families and attend to personal matters. Members are using the Chamber’s online jobs page and conference for employee recruiting. As management positions are increasing being filled by existing employees, Leadership Central Penn provides programming to strengthen leadership skills, and the Chamber and its Foundation are working on another program to offer leadership and management training.
Workforce development is multi-faceted. Having an area that is an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family is critical. Individuals need to understand the expectations of the workplace and have basic skills while employers need to be sensitive to the needs of their employees. Access to training and professional development opportunities are important to allowing committed employees to evolve with their organizations. With so many area employers ready and willing to grow, the Chamber and its Foundation are involved in all of these areas so that these organizations are able to grow.
Members weaved around the multiple detours that were in place in the area due to construction, accidents and flooding and made it to the Ronald McDonald House of Danville for the Chamber’s first of two Business After Hours in August on Wednesday, Aug. 15. Those that were able to navigate the obstacles outside were treated to a delicious spread of appetizers and refreshments from Lucy’s Kitchen & Catering and also had an opportunity to learn about the RMHD, which annually serves over 12,000 guests, mainly parents, guardians and other relatives of critically ill children that are being treated at Geisinger.
Several attendees also used this event as an opportunity to visit the House for the first time. Although they were familiar with it and its mission, this was their first time in it, and they used the opportunity to not only gain additional knowledge of the House, its mission, and how it goes about development through several fundraising events per year to ensure it can continue fulfilling its mission. RMHD is also always looking for any interested volunteers to help out in a variety of ways, especially by coming to the House and making a meal for its current residents, many of which have been in and out of the hospital and don’t often have the luxury of sitting down for warm, home-cooked meal. For more information about volunteering at the RMHD, call the volunteer coordinator at 570-214-1792.
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 AGAPE, located at 19 East 7th St., Bloomsburg, on Wednesday, Aug. 29. Please note the special time of 4-6 p.m.
The Columbia Montour Chamber’s Board of Directors has elected to make special bridge loans with a special low interest rate available through the Chamber’s low interest loan fund to members that have been impacted by the recent flooding during July and August. These bridge loans with a special interest rate of 3% will be available through Dec. 31, 2018 and are for a maximum term of 30 months and a maximum amount of $10,000. They are intended primarily to help bridge the gap between the immediate needs of member organizations and when insurance payments are processed and dispersed, although having a pending insurance reimbursement is not specifically required to qualify.
Organizations must be a member of the Columbia Montour Chamber to be eligible for a bridge loan. If an interested business was not currently a Chamber member, they would need to join either by paying for a membership immediately ($260) or have the cost of membership added into the loan.
Please see the full guidelines and application for this special bridge loan program. Questions can be directed to Chamber president Fred Gaffney at 570-784-2522 or by email.