From PA Chamber of Business & Industry Business leaders have an opportunity to make their voice heard on a critical employment issue. The public has until July 23 to provide feedback to state regulators regarding proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s overtime eligibility rules, which were unveiled by the Dept. of Labor and Industry a few weeks ago (UPDATE: the deadline to submit comments is now Aug. 22 following a 30-day extension being granted). The changes include a wage threshold for “exempt status” that is more than double the current rate set by the federal government. There would also be significant revisions to so-called “duties tests,” which are also used to determine eligibility. Finally, the rule would establish an automatic update to the salary threshold every three years beginning in 2023. It was only a few years ago, during the Obama administration, that such changes were proposed at the federal level. At that time, the reaction from employers was swift and deeply negative, particularly among small businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and the health service industry, among others. At that time, employers not only described significant increases to the cost of providing services or doing businesses, but also the reality that this dramatic change would damage workplace culture and morale, as employees would have 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. Following this outcry, the proposal was ultimately struck down by a federal court. The PA Chamber is encouraging employers to speak out against this flawed proposal now being pursued at the state level, which would further harm Pennsylvania’s competitiveness. Visit our website to learn more about this important issue and write an email to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, which has the power to reject or require changes to the proposed rules. The PA Chamber is also leading a coalition urging the commission to extend the public comment period deadline, to allow employers and the public in general enough time to analyze the full impact of the proposed rules on their company and submit comments. Want to learn more about how the proposed new rules could impact your employees and your business’ bottom line? Sign up today for a free webinar that will explore the consequences of the overtime changes. At 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 19, employment defense attorney Joshua C. Vaughn will cover the breadth of these changes; how employers can start planning for compliance; which employees will be eligible for overtime under the new standards; how to convert their status from salaried to hourly; and more.
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, Framing By CJ, to help us fulfill our mission.
Framing By CJ is a local, family-owned business that provides custom frames for almost any occasion or purpose. From special pieces of art, to keepsake items, to about anything you can think of, Framing By CJ can make a one-of-a-kind, custom frame for whatever your needs. In nearly 20 years since founding her business in 1999, owner CJ Whitenight-Hamill has been providing framing needs for individuals and businesses in both the local area and throughout the country from her location at 804 Market St. in Bloomsburg. Framing By CJ also offers a gift gallery at its retail location made up of numerous unique gifts for any occasion. Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Framing By CJ also offers additional hours by appointment. Framing By CJ can be reached at 570-784-5660 or by email.
From ChamberChoice
On May 21, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Procedure 2018-34 to index the contribution percentages in 2019 for purposes of determining affordability of an employer’s plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2019, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable if the employee’s required contribution for self-only coverage does not exceed:
- 9.86 percent of the employee’s household income for the year, for purposes of “pay or play rules,” and premium tax credit eligibility
- 8.3 percent of the employee’s household income for the year, for purposes of an individual mandate exemption (adjusted under separate guidance)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has online resources to help businesses and organizations avoid and plan for violent attacks. Know the warning signs of a possible attack through a vehicle ramming, crowded place, or active shooter situation. Informational resources, including action plan templates, are available at DHS’ website.
Thanks to the Columbia County Emergency Management Agency for providing the information.
As many are aware, Volkswagen was required to donate funds to the government as a result of its diesel emissions violations in 2015. In Pennsylvania, those funds were designated to reducing emissions from diesel engines throughout the state and there are multiple funds/grants that are scheduled to open soon that may be available and of interest to some member organizations. There will be grant money for items such as electric vehicle chargers for multifamily residences, public places and employers. There are also rebates for buses to transition to alternative fuels.
Some programs are currently closed, but will be opening soon. The PA Department of Environmental Protection is administering these programs, and has set up a website with all of the pertinent information about the various programs and grants available. Any interested organizations or individuals can also sign up to be added to an email list to stay informed about grant application openings and deadlines.
From Danville Business Alliance
The Danville Business Alliance (DBA) announced that it has selected Rebecca Dressler to be its next executive director, succeeding Jim Wilson, who retired on June 30.
Ms. Dressler brings a diverse background to the position, with experience in both the private and public sectors in marketing, business development, and financial planning, as well as serving as deputy treasurer of Montour County, and most recently as the DBA executive assistant. She is a lifelong resident of Danville and a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts in communications. She was chosen from a field of over 30 applicants.
The DBA is a member-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which partners with local businesses, government, community leaders, and residents to promote economic revitalization and reinvestment, historic and architectural preservation, better downtown housing, greater job creation, the growth of the arts, and expanding recreational assets in Danville.
Ms. Dressler will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the DBA and guiding its future initiatives that will continue the revitalization of downtown Danville. In the past decade the DBA has played a significant role in a number of notable downtown achievements:
– Creation of a downtown master plan, guiding downtown growth in the last decade;
– A net growth of 50 new and expanded businesses and over 300 new jobs;
– The establishment of the Danville Arts Council under the umbrella of the DBA;
– More downtown events, enhancing Danville’s reputation as a regional destination;
– Establishment of increased tax and financial incentives, such as Enterprise Zone Credits, overlay of a Keystone Innovation Zone, passage of a business district tax abatement program, and creation of a Qualified Opportunity Zone;
– National accreditation of the DBA nine years in a row by the National Main Street Center;
– Over $400,000 in streetscape improvements;
– 30 completed façade improvement projects;
– Plans and funding for redevelopment of Canal Park, the first step toward an arts district;
– A $1.75 million capital budget authorization for a community arts, events and conference center;
– Conversion of a quarter of vacant and underutilized downtown upper floors into market-rate apartments;
– The benefit of nearly $1.5 million in grants for badly needed revitalization projects; and
– DBA collaborations with more than 40 for profit and non-profit partners to improve the downtown business climate and attract $20 million in investment and reinvestment since 2008
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
A top advocacy priority for the PA Chamber was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf last week. Act 72 of 2018 (formerly S.B. 1056) reverses a ruling by the Dept. of Revenue that prohibited Pennsylvania taxpayers from taking advantage of 100 percent bonus depreciation when filing their corporate taxes; and also stripped away depreciation benefits in the recently enacted federal Tax Cuts & Jobs Act.
Act 72 removes a serious competitive disadvantage for the Commonwealth, and helps put Pennsylvania on a more level playing field with other states when working to attract jobs and capital. In late 2017, following the department’s decision to issue the ruling, the PA Chamber became a leading supporter of this important reform and championed it in the legislature, sending several communications to the House and Senate urging for its passage.
After the House unanimously approved the bill and sent it to the governor, PA Chamber President Gene Barr issued a statement commending lawmakers for their swift efforts to bring the Commonwealth more in line with the tax advantages offered in other states.
“At a time when we should be building on the tax reforms enacted on the federal level; the department’s policy change gave Pennsylvania the unfortunate distinction of being the only state in the nation to disallow any form of accelerated depreciation until an asset was disposed of or sold,” Barr said. “We commend the legislature for working quickly to address this issue – which will help to put Pennsylvania on a more level playing field with other states and improve the state’s overall competitiveness.”
Member News
- Rock God Brewing and Service 1st Federal Credit Union will host a special release party this Thursday, July 5, from 3:30-9 p.m. for a specially-brewed beer, Duck Duck Goose, that will benefit Service 1st’s seventh annual Charity Duck Derby. Duck Duck Goose is a vanilla coconut IPA brewed special for this cause, and $1 of each pint sold will be donated to this year’s Derby, which will be held on Aug. 4 at 1 p.m. and this year will benefit three local organizations: Geisinger’s Autism & Developmental Medicine Institute, the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and the ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund. On Thursday, the event will also feature a food truck and live music by a local artist from 5-7 p.m.
- Bloomsburg University and Bigfoot Country recently announced that Bigfoot Country 106.5 (FM) will broadcast all Huskies’ football games, home and away, during the 2018 season. Bigfoot Country is owned and operated by Seven Mountains Media. In addition to the airing of all 11 football games, including pre-game shows, head coach Paul Darragh will join the Morning Lookout show each Friday morning during the season to talk about the upcoming game. Bigfoot Country will also incorporate student involvement, giving opportunities to BU students for hands-on experience as it relates to the processes and structuring of live radio event broadcasts. Following the football season, promotional activity will continue into the basketball season as head women’s basketball coach Alison Tagliaferri and head men’s basketball coach John Sanow will join the Morning Lookout show every Monday morning during their seasons to preview the week ahead. BU will also have the ability for numerous additional live promotional announcements on Bigfoot Country, allowing for the opportunity to talk about other varsity programs on campus including coverage of the women’s volleyball program that will embark on its first varsity season this fall. All broadcasts of BU football during the 2018 season will also be available via Bigfoot Country’s online stream. Additional announcements on the broadcast team for Huskies football as well as radio information for BU basketball will be made at a later time.
- Wesley United Methodist Church in Bloomsburg recently welcomed a new pastor. Rev. Mark F. Reisinger comes to the church after serving congregations in Williamsport, Mechanicsburg and most recently, Lewisburg. He is originally from Perry County and has degrees from Southern Methodist University and Duck University’s Divinity School. Worship services at Wesley UMC are each Sunday at 8 and 10:30 a.m.
- AGAPE recently received a $20,000 grant from the Berwick Health & Wellness Fund, the original and largest fund of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation. This grant will supplement AGAPE’s Life Challenges program, which assists poor clients who have been responsible with their money but due to circumstances beyond their control, need financial assistance to help meet monthly bills or unexpected needs. The Berwick Health & Wellness Fund also provided an additional $10,000 to help purchase food backpacks for kids from low-income homes in the area. Two other funds run through the CSCF also donated funds to AGAPE. The Benton Youth in Philanthropy fund donated $1,000 to the Life Challenges program, while the Central Columbia Youth in Philanthropy gave $500 for the backpack program.
(Note: Both AGAPE and the CSCF will host Chamber Business After Hours later this year, AGAPE on Aug. 29 and CSCF on Nov. 14)
- The Borough of Danville’s summer newsletter is now available. It has an update on the Borough’s water distribution system as well as information on all of the events occurring throughout the summer in Danville.
- 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 Thursday, 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. This month, 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.
- The Bloomsburg Public Library will be holding a “Country Fair” on Saturday, July 14, to help kick off Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s production of Charlotte’s Web, and is looking for a large popcorn machine to use for this event. If you or your organization has one available and would be willing to loan it to the Bloomsburg Public Library to use on this date, please contact Lydia Kegler, library director, at 570-784-0883 or email. The library is also looking for carnival type games that could be set up inside the children’s library or possibly outside in the parking lot.
- The Bucknell SBDC will host its annual Celebration of Small Business breakfast, which will also mark a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Bucknell SBDC, on Monday, July 16, from 8-10 a.m. at the Elaine Langone Center’s Terrace Room on the 2nd floor on the Bucknell campus. Business owners, legislators, economic development partners and startup enthusiasts are invited to join the SBDC for breakfast to recognize the entrepreneurs and leaders of the region. Special presentations will include the U.S. Small Business Association Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Eastern PA, the Product Innovator of the Year and the Charles H. Coder Entrepreneurial Leadership Award, named for the Bucknell SBDC’s founding director. Register online or call 570-577-1249.
- 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 on 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.
- Looking to showcase your business to students at Bucknell while also getting some free consulting work? Bucknell is launching a new pre-orientation program, Design-Thinking Leadership (DTL), providing an opportunity for your business to connect with Bucknell’s newest students. Student teams in the DTL program will formulate actionable solutions to real-world problems posed by local business owners. The program, which runs Aug. 10-14, is seeking 4 -5 business owners to speak with students and present a problem or opportunity in their business. During the next two days student teams will conceptualize, research, and refine a solution; and then pitch to the business owner at the end of the program. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase your business, make lasting connections with students, and benefit from fresh perspectives and ideas. If interested in participating in this program as a business owner, submit this Google form, and for questions, contact Bucknell SBDC director Steve Stumbris at 570-577-1249 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, Edward Jones (Danville) to help us fulfill our mission.
Previously a member that the Chamber is happy to welcome back, Edward Jones is a financial services and advising company that serves nearly seven million investors from more offices than any other investment firm in the United States. It has consistently been ranked among the best companies to work for by FORTUNE magazine, and it has over 12,000 offices throughout America. Locally, financial advisor Regina Kotzer, AAMS, works out of the Danville branch, which is located downtown at 358 Mill St. Regina can be reached by phone at 570-275-5672, by email, or by visiting her page on the Edward Jones website.
From PPL Electric Utilities
This spring we’ve had some pretty impressive and unusual house guests. For one thing, they can average a speed of 60 miles per hour, with top speeds of 200 mph – all without a car.
They’re peregrine falcons. And they came back to PPL’s Tower Building in Allentown this spring, the first time in 10 years that a nest box on the top of the 23-story tower has hosted a pair of falcons. The initial pair laid eggs there, and we were able to watch several hatchlings join the falcon family.
We were thrilled to see them, as PPL has been involved for quite a while with efforts to restore the peregrine falcon population in Pennsylvania. In 1995, we began supporting the Lehigh Valley Peregrine Project, a community effort to release young peregrine falcons from the top of our headquarters building in the hopes that the falcons would come back to the area.
(Why are these birds so fascinated with our tower, you might ask? In the wild, they nest on high cliffs. In urban settings, tall buildings are the next best thing. Falcons making their way to Allentown have also nested on some of the city’s larger bridges.)
According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, an adult peregrine can reach a speed of more than 200 miles per hour in a vertical dive and averages about 60 miles per hour in level flight. Peregrine falcons feed on other birds, usually by striking them in flight. Their prey includes pigeons, blue jays, and other mid-sized song birds.
To give the public a view of our special guests – and their babies — we reactivated a live camera that had been set up a decade ago for our last round of falcon visits. The live camera feed is available on our website. We’re pleased to offer an up-close view of these magnificent birds as they go about their daily lives.
We’ve supported other raptors as well. Over the past two years, PPL has assisted in putting up about an additional half-dozen osprey nesting platforms at various locations in our service territory. We partner with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and others, on those projects.
Ospreys have a fondness for nesting on tall utility towers, so we’ve worked to provide them with other places to make their homes. And it’s worked: When we repaired a storm-toppled osprey platform near Lake Wallenpaupack this spring, the birds were back on the platform within an hour.
We know that caring for the environment as an important part of the work we do. It’s true that keeping electric service strong and reliable sometimes calls for us to trim or cut trees. But at the same time, we recognize the importance of protecting the environment and doing our work in a responsible fashion.
That’s why we give time and resources to support wild birds in our service territory.
And that’s why it’s a pleasure to welcome them to our Tower Building, any time they want to drop by.