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 Carnegie Agency to help us fulfill our mission. The Carnegie Agency is a full-service digital marketing agency that specifically serves small to medium-sized businesses. It assists with web, email, social media and content creation as well as the accompanying digital advertising. Its engagements focus on exceeding the business goal and objectives by improving the digital reach of the organization. The Carnegie Agency does not have a physical location, as both of its employees work remotely, including one that lives in the Columbia/Montour County area. It can be reached at 646-504-1204 or by email, or visit its website. 
The PA Chamber issued a response last week to new guidelines unveiled by the Wolf administration regarding how opioids are prescribed in workers’ compensation cases. The guidelines were issued as part of an Executive Order the governor signed in lieu of a far more effective prescription drug formulary bill.
In a news release, Gov. Tom Wolf said the guidelines include methods to help promote “safe, quality health care; ensure patient pain relief,” and reduce addiction to opioids; adding that the guidelines were written to help “ensure that health care providers who treat patients with work-related injuries have the guidance they need.” However, the PA Chamber has pushed back on the notion that these guidelines are somehow a legitimate substitution for S.B. 936, legislation which would have established a prescription drug formulary for workers’ compensation. Formularies are standard across healthcare and states that have implemented them within their workers’ comp systems have seen reductions in prescription drug abuse and addiction among injured workers. Senate Bill 936 was a top priority for the PA Chamber, which organized a broad coalition of support, including more than 70 local chambers of commerce, health care and employer organizations to urge lawmakers to support the bill and help to mitigate the state’s prescription drug and opioid addiction crisis as it relates to injured workers. While the legislation passed the General Assembly, it was vetoed by the Governor. Treatment of addiction that happens at long island detox center has helped plenty people start afresh.
“The governor announced his intent to issue these guidelines the day before he vetoed Senate Bill 936 and at the time we expressed our concern that an executive order to issue guidelines is simply not an adequate substitution for legislation, as they are inherently temporary solutions that do not carry the full force of law and lack critical oversight and accountability,” PA Chamber President Gene Barr said in last week’s statement.
“Fighting the opioid epidemic has been a top priority for this administration, which clearly recognizes the magnitude of this crisis. Surely we can all agree that the stakes are too high for half-measures and symbolic gestures. We look forward to continuing to work with the Wolf administration and the Legislature on this issue.”
From ChamberChoice
On May 10, 2018, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2018-30 to announce the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2019. These limits include:
- The maximum HSA contribution limit;
- The minimum deductible amount for HDHPs; and
- The maximum out-of-pocket expense limit for HDHPs.
These limits vary based on whether an individual has self-only or family coverage under an HDHP. See the table at left for the respective limits in each category.
The IRS limits for HSA contributions will increase for 2019. The HDHP maximum out-of-pocket limits will also increase for 2019. The HSA contribution limits will increase effective Jan. 1, 2019, while the HDHP limits will increase effective for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2019.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
The 2018-19 fiscal year has begun and for the first time in more than three years, the Commonwealth is starting the new fiscal year with an enacted budget in place. With state revenues on an upswing and a General Election right around the corner, legislative leaders and the governor were very clear that this year’s budget process would be different than previous years in the Wolf era – and it was. Working together, the four legislative caucuses and administration were able to come to an agreement on a $32.7 billion spending plan that increased spending by 2 percent but doesn’t include any tax increases. In a break from years past, the budget was signed into law by the governor a full week prior to the June 30 constitutional deadline. That spirit of cooperation didn’t end with budget negotiations. The first half of June also saw a flurry of legislative activity as the General Assembly worked to get several bills to the governor’s desk prior to the summer session break – including S.B.1056 – bonus depreciation legislation.
This legislation addressed a serious competitiveness issue for Pennsylvania employers that resulted from a state Department of Revenue policy change. Last December, days after the federal Tax Cuts & Jobs Act was passed, the Department of Revenue issued a ruling that significantly changed employers’ tax filing on capital investments – primarily for the purchase of new equipment to expand or improve production at their facilities – to reflect those purchases when filing their income taxes. The ruling reversed a policy enacted under the Corbett administration that allowed for 100 percent bonus depreciation; and also stripped away the depreciation benefits enumerated under the recently enacted federal tax reform package.
At a time when the Commonwealth’s economy is starting to pick up – thanks in large part to federal tax reform – this policy change sent the wrong message to job creators. Shortly after the department implemented this change, we started hearing from our members that they would likely never experience tax relief under the ruling as they would be far more likely to try to repair an expensive piece of equipment before attempting to discard or sell it. Additionally, the change gave Pennsylvania the unfortunate distinction of being the only state in the nation to disallow any form of accelerated depreciation. This put the Commonwealth at a serious competitive disadvantage.
Over the past several months, the PA Chamber – with the help of our local chamber partners – led the charge in advocating for legislation to reverse this harmful rule. The state’s elected officials realized the negative impact this rule would have on Pennsylvania’s economic climate and worked to create a legislative fix. Senate Bill 1056 passed both chambers with large bipartisan support and was sent to the governor’s desk in the waning session days of June. Last month the governor signed the bill into law as Act 72 of 2018.
Following passage of S.B. 1056, we applauded the General Assembly for working quickly to address this issue. This legislation will help to put Pennsylvania on a more level playing field with other states and improve Pennsylvania’s overall competitiveness. We look forward to working with elected officials for the remainder of this Legislative session and the upcoming 2019-20 session on pro-growth policies that will continue to improve the Commonwealth’s economic climate.
Kelly O’Brien-Gavin
From BIDA
The Berwick Industrial Development Association (BIDA) is pleased to announce Kelly O’Brien Gavin as the new executive director. Ms. Gavin comes to BIDA with 10 years of experience in economic development. She also serves as the executive director of the Rural Business Innovation Corporation (RBI) and Greater Susquehanna Keystone Innovation Zone (GSKIZ). The partnership between BIDA and RBI will serve businesses in the region by helping companies to create, operate and develop their business in the region.
BIDA, in cooperation with RBI, will be able to give local businesses additional access to training opportunities and act as a liaison with local and state legislators for state funded programs and incentives for business recruitment, retention and development.
BIDA is committed to improving the economy of the region through marketing and managing its industrial assets, the retention, expansion and recruitment of business and industry; and contributing to community revitalization efforts. BIDA will collaborate with quality of life for the citizens in the area.
Member News
- PPL Electric Utilities recently was awarded a J.D. Power residential customer satisfaction award for large electric utilities in the eastern United States for the seventh consecutive year and the 15th time in the last 2o years. PPL’s score of 747 (on a 1,000-point scale) improved on last year’s score by eight points. The average score in the large utility group in the East is 706, while the national average for all types and sizes of electric utilities was 720. PPL also owns 11 J.D. Power awards for business customer satisfaction, meaning this year’s honor brings PPL’s J.D. Power award total to 26.
- Service 1st Federal Credit Union was recently awarded the 2018 Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award at the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association’s Annual Connect Convention. It marks the fourth straight year that Service 1st has received this award, which recognizes leadership in the credit union movement with a focus on financial literacy. Service 1st organizes several programs rooted in financial literacy for young adults, which provide students with an opportunity to learn about financial planning for real-life situations such as buying a car or moving into an apartment. Additionally, Service 1st’s Ironmen Hub, an in-school branch located at Danville Area High School, was the first of its kinds in Pennsylvania and only the second in-school branch in the United States.
- 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, July 26 at noon at Community Options’ Bloomsburg office, located at 1117 Old Berwick Rd.
- If you’ve ever wanted to take the Millennium Falcon into hyperspace, stand beneath a 15-foot AT-AT walker, or tour an Ewok village, come to LCBC Church Columbia-Montour any weekend in July. With this weekend, being the final weekend of July, this will be the final time you can step into this interactive experience. Each July, all LCBC campuses throughout Central Pennsylvania transform their space into movie sets and this year the Columbia-Montour campus, located at 2421 Columbia Blvd., Bloomsburg, will be featuring Star Wars. Experience life-size, interactive movie scenes beginning at 6 p.m. each weekend throughout the month of July. Attendees will be able to: Take photos with Darth Vader, stormtroopers, Princess Leia or racing speeders through the forest of Endor; test drive from the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon; see a 15-foot-high animated AT-AT and walk through an Ewok village; and converse with a life-size R2D2 and interact with BB-8! For more information, contact LCBC Church at 570-784-2132 or visit lcbcchurch.com/at-the-movies.
- Bloomsburg University will present an exhibition of photos from a soldier who served in the Vietnam War. Titled “Blaine Cooper: Images From a Local Soldier in Vietnam,” the exhibition will take place this Friday, July 27, from 6-8 p.m. in the Gallery at the Greenly Center, located at 50 E. Main St. in downtown Bloomsburg. This event is free and open to the public, and complimentary light refreshments will be provided. Cooper will then be part of a speakers’ panel from 6:30-8 p.m. For more information regarding this event, contact Bob Heckrote, Office of Military and Veterans’ Resources, at 570-389-4696 or email, or graduate assistant Briann Halpin at 570-389-3858 or email.
- A special health, wellness and career event for veterans will be held on Thursday, Aug. 2, from 4-8 p.m. at the Berwick Christian Church, located at 701 East 5th St., Berwick. A light meal will be provided and there will be representatives from Columbia County Veterans Affairs, Geisinger Health Plan’s wellness team, Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center, other local employers, as well as an art display and sale by a local veteran. There will also be two speakers: Chris Coppola, MD, author of A Pediatric Surgeon in Iraq, and Tom Neal, CEO of Berwick Hospital Center. Reserve your spot by calling 570-204-3930 or 570-752-5523.
- National Night Out will be hosted in Berwick, Bloomsburg and Danville on Tuesday, Aug. 7. This national event is an opportunity to community members to interact with law enforcement and first responders and learn about what they do and safety in the community. In Berwick, the event will be held from 5-8 p.m.at the Berwick Borough Building parking lot at 1800 North Market St. In Bloomsburg, the event will held at the Bloomsburg Municipal Airport, located at 301 Airport Rd., Bloomsburg, from 6-8 p.m. Danville’s event will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Washie’s Playground, located at 99 Faust St., Danville.
- Wild For Salmon will host its annual Fishtival on Saturday, Aug. 25 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at its retail location at 521 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11), Bloomsburg. This annual celebration of the return of the fishermen after another successful fishing season will feature samplings as well as several other vendors, including Turkey Hill Brewing.
- The ninth annual AGAPE Palooza will take place in Bloomsburg Town Park, located at Catherine St. and Fort McLure Blvd., from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. also on Saturday, Aug. 25. This event, which is organized by AGAPE, Love From Above To Our Community will feature over 100 craft and small business vendors as well as nonprofits and lots of “fair food” vendors, free music and family activities, including pony rides, a petting zoo and face painting. There is free admission, free parking and a free shuttle from Bloomsburg High School, which will also shuttle attendees to and from ArtFest.
- 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.
A far too common issue for employers is substance use among employees and potential employees. The Columbia Montour Chamber and other Chambers of Commerce have advocated for state-level reforms to specifically address the opioid crisis, and it also is working to deal with these issues at the local level as a part of United in Recovery. Coordinated by the United Way of Columbia and Montour County, United in Recovery is a coalition of local agencies with a goal of preventing abuse and addiction of opioids and other substances in Columbia and Montour counties. Committees are working in areas of education, law & order, and treatment and recovery.
In developing educational resources for employers and the general public, a brief survey has been developed to assess the current practices of local employers. Members are being asked to complete this survey by Friday, Aug. 10. Feel free to share the survey link with other local employers.
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, For The Cause, to help us fulfill our mission.
For The Cause is a nonprofit organization based in Berwick whose mission is to make Columbia and Luzerne counties, specifically the Berwick area, a region of pride where those communities thrive as they live, work and play. For The Cause was founded by the Nespoli brothers — Marc, Jonathon and Josh — all Berwick natives who also represent three other respective Chamber member organizations: Villager Realty, Nespoli Jewelers and Community Strategies Group. For The Cause is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year, and it looks forward to continuing to make an impact on the Berwick community. Over the last decade, it has built awareness or local health initiatives through over 20 community events that attracted more than 1000 participants and raised more than $100K. The organization has also distributed over 200K meals to local families in need through food campaigns, and contributed free snacks through its Kids’ Cafe program to dozens of after school programs and summer camps. Its newest endeavor, the Teen Center, will be celebrating its one-year anniversary this fall after opening in Sept. 2017. For more information about For The Cause, visit its website or Facebook page, or email.
State Senate and House members presented proclamations recognizing the Bucknell SBDC for 40 years of assisting businesses at a recent anniversary celebration. Pictured (left to right): Senator John Gordner, Senator Gene Yaw, Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver, Rep. Fred Keller, and Steve Stumbris, Bucknell SBDC Director.
The Bucknell University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has provided assistance to nearly 7,200 entrepreneurs and small businesses over its 40 year history. New businesses served by the SBDC as well as the organization’s staff, have received statewide recognition. The successes of the SBDC and its clients were celebrated recently on the Bucknell University campus.
The SBDC provides free, confidential consulting services in a variety of business areas including planning, product development, and marketing. In 2017, the Bucknell SBDC assisted 32 business start-ups and helped their clients secure a combined $10 million in financing. Bucknell client Nick Gilson of Gilson Snowboard & Ski Co. was recently recognized as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Eastern PA.
Denny Hummer, manager of the SBDC’s Startup Lewisburg incubator, was presented with the Pennsylvania State Star award, recognizing a top performer in the program. Bucknell’s Assistant Director Maureen Hauck was the recipient of the same award in 2015. The U.S. Small Business Administration recognized the Bucknell center with its Excellence and Innovation Award for Pennsylvania in 2016.
“The SBDC network is such a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and small businesses,” said Fred Gaffney, Chamber President. “Any time someone comes into our office interested in starting a business, we refer them to the SBDC. Bucknell Director Steve Stumbris and his team do a great job in supporting business growth in our region.”
The SBDC network is nationwide in partnership with local universities. The Bucknell SBDC serves Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Union, Perry, and Juniata counties. Columbia County is served by the Wilkes University SBDC. For more information about their services, or to schedule a free consulting session, visit either of their respective websites.
From ChamberChoice and Smart Business Pittsburgh
In today’s job market, employers are finding it increasingly difficult to offer their employees what is of top importance to them — money. This results in the need for employers to get creative when it comes to recruiting and retaining top-notch talent. Where salaries fall short, many employers bolster their benefits packages in conjunction with other incentive-based offerings, says Rob Higginbotham, finance and HR director at JRG Advisors.
Here’s the million-dollar question: What matters most to employees?
Smart Business spoke with Higginbotham about the key areas where employers should pay attention in their employee benefits.
How much does money matter?
Probably without question, the most important factor for any employee is salary. After all, we all want to be paid what we are worth, right? The reality is we are all worth more than simply what a dollar amount reflects, but salary negotiations are a big component to attracting and retaining quality employees.
As an employer, you must pay your best and brightest, and give no reason for these employees to polish up their resumes. Pay attention to the compensation standard in your industry and region. Know what your competitors are paying. And by all means, do not hesitate to proactively talk about compensation with transparency and clarity.
What needs to be included in a comprehensive employee benefits package?
Providing access to a good benefits package that meets the needs of your employees is a worthwhile investment that pays dividends. Although health insurance ranks as the primary concern for employees, providing added benefits to your program goes a long way to strengthening the overall compensation package. Consider including short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, dental, vision and voluntary benefits like critical illness, cancer riders, and tuition savings and reimbursement plans. Sponsoring a retirement savings plan is a benefit that can separate your company from the competition, too.
A well-rounded benefits program fosters healthy and productive employees. It bolsters employee morale and demonstrates that you care about your employees’ health, well-being and future potential.
Where does work-life balance come into play?
Your employees’ work-life balance is a crucial factor when it comes to accepting a new job or leaving a current job. Plain and simple, overworked employees develop resentment and that can lead to burn out. There are only so many hours in a day. The more time an employer demands, the less quality time an employee has to spend with his or her family or to pursue interests or hobbies that are critical to his or her well-being.
The balancing act for employers is enabling employees to have lives outside of the workplace, while ensuring that the job gets done. More companies are beginning to offer flex-time schedules, job sharing and unique paid time off plans to help employees achieve the proper work-life balance.
What’s important to understand about career development and providing purpose?
Employees need to know they have opportunities for advancement within a company because it increases the likelihood of loyalty and dedication. If an employee feels stagnant, bored, overlooked or underappreciated in their position, chances are they will actively seek a job opportunity elsewhere. Provide on-going training programs and help employees further develop their skills. Senior management can motivate employees with open dialogue, a chance to work on a new project and constructive feedback, too.
Employees want jobs that provide them with a sense of purpose. In other words, a company’s goals and its measurement of success must be defined by more than financial earnings. Many employees find a great deal of satisfaction working with a company that aligns with their own values, a company that is socially responsible and aims to have a positive impact on society.
Employers can also foster a sense of purpose by taking the time to acknowledge employees, celebrate their achievements and reward hard work. After all, we all want to grow personally and make a meaningful difference.