• The Wilkes Small Business Development Center will also hold a First Step workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs that might be interested in starting their own business tonight, June 13 at 6 p.m. at its location on 85 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Registration is $20 for this event, and can be made online or by calling 570-408-3336. 

• For the fifth straight year, Knoebels Amusement Resort has been named the favorite traditional amusement park in the country by the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA), which announced the results of its 32nd annual amusement park and attractions survey earlier this month. This survey is the oldest of its type and is done annually by NAPHA members, which are typically experienced riders who have visited countless amusement parks and have ridden a diverse assortment of roller coasters and other rides. The average NAPHA member has been to more than 113 different amusement parks and has ridden about 290 roller coasters. Also, for the seventh straight year, Knoebels’ Phoenix was named as the survey’s favorite wooden roller coaster. 

• Autoneum’s Bloomsburg plant, which is its largest in the United States, was recently honored with the 2018 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. As one of only 23 facilities in Pennsylvania to receive the honor, Autoneum Bloomsburg was recognized for best environmental innovation and expertise for the implementation of waste recycling and water reuse initiatives. Thanks to these projects, the plant is now recycling 45 tons of scrap materials from carpet manufacturing per day. Additionally, water consumption has been significantly reduced. Last year, 63.9 million liters of cooling water were reused – the equivalent of 25 full Olympic swimming pools. 

• 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. 

• CSS Industries (Berwick Offray) will host another job fair at the Chamber office at 238 Market St., Bloomsburg, on Thursday, June 21 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. CSS has multiple openings, including for full-time, part-time or summer only positions. Visit CSS’ careers site for a list of openings, and for any questions in advance, contact Melissa Burt via email.  

• 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.

• 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, Justice Grown and Seven Point, to help us fulfill our mission.

Justice Grown is a professional organization with roots in social justice that cultivates ways to improve the lives of patients, their communities and beyond by setting high expectations for standards, practices, and procedures. With growing support in Northeast Pennsylvania, it plans to open additional state-approved medical marijuana dispensaries in addition to the dispensary is already operates in Edwardsville, which it offers qualifying patients medical cannabis treatment. Justice Grown has now partnered with Seven Point, one of 54 state licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Illinois, to apply for a license to operate a medical marijuana dispensary in Columbia County. Seven Point also provides high-quality medical marijuana education through collaborating with nationally-leading medical marijuana experts. If awarded the license to operate the dispensary in Columbia County, Justice Grown and Seven Point is committed to creating well-paying jobs and contributing to other related economic development. For more information, visit Justice Grown’s website or Seven Point’s website, and they can be reached at 312-593-8448.

L-R: Dr. Doug Coslett, chief medical officer, Commonwealth Health; Whitney Holloway, chief financial officer, Berwick Hospital Center; Dave Kovach, Columbia County Commissioner; Susan Lynn, director of physician practices, Berwick Hospital Center; Dr. Becky Long; Michelle Hall, CRNP; Tom Neal, chief executive officer, Berwick Hospital Center and Chamber board member; Maribeth Angeli, chief nursing officer, Berwick Hospital Center; Travis Petty, Law Offices of Lutz & Petty and Chamber board member; Karen Wood, Service 1st Federal Credit Union and Chamber board chair

On the evening of June 5, the Chamber helped the team at Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center welcome a trio of new medical providers to the Commonwealth Health network with a ribbon cutting at the Berwick Hospital Center medical arts building, which was followed by a brief reception for attendees. 

Recently joining the Commonwealth Health team were Ryan Hawley, D.O., a general surgeon, Rebecca Long, M.D., a family medicine physician, and Michelle Hall, R.N., BSN, CCRN, MSN-FNP, a certified nurse practitioner. All three are currently accepting new patients, and all three see patients at the medical arts building, located at 751 East 16th St., Berwick. Dr. Long also sees patients at 3151 Columbia Blvd., (Rt. 11), Bloomsburg. To schedule an appointment, call (570) 759-5555.

Bloomsburg University rolled out the red carpet (actually maroon and gold to represent the school’s colors) for its fellow Chamber members as it hosted a large crowd at its newest building, Soltz Hall, for May’s second Business After Hours on May 30. Several dozen individuals from Chamber members and their guests had an opportunity to hear from representatives of a handful of BU departments, meet BU president Dr. Bashar Hanna, and take a tour of the new residence hall, all while enjoying a tasty buffet spread and drinks on a pleasant late spring afternoon.

Attendees also had an opportunity to take a tour of the new building, including a trip up to the sixth floor, where the views of downtown Bloomsburg and the surrounding area are unlike nearly any other building in the area. They also had a chance to meet with representatives of BU STEM Magnet program, it’s professional engagement staff and the IT department’s Institute of Interactive Technologies. 

The view from the sixth floor lounge of Soltz Hall, looking south toward downtown Bloomsburg.

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 First Keystone Community Bank’s Berwick branch and headquarters, located at 111 West Front St., Berwick, on Wednesday, June 20, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

The view from a different room on the sixth floor of Soltz Hall, looking east toward the Bloomsburg Municipal Airport and the river.

Member News

• Art of Floating will hold a open house and day of celebration for its fifth anniversary on Saturday, June 9, from 12-4 p.m. There will be live music, food and beverages, special offers, additional vendors, children’s activities and more. Art of Floating will also be collecting donations for the Ronald McDonald House of Danville, and anyone that makes a donation will receive a 15% off coupon at Art of Floating. Visit the event page to see a full list of items that RMHD needs, as well as additional information about the vendors that will be attending, including fellow Chamber members Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Marley’s Brewery & Grille and Just a Drop.

• The Bloomsburg Area YMCA will hold its 11th annual community yard sale on Saturday, June 9, from 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. to support youth development, healthy living and social responsibility in the community through programs at the Y. If you have stuff taking up space around your home that could become someone else’s treasure, look for the Steve Shannon truck in the Y parking lot to drop off your items and support a good cause. The Y will be accepting household items, bedding, games, toys, collectibles, small appliances in working condition, furniture, clean clothing, shoes and boots, dishes, holiday decorations, and more, but no TVs, printers, or computers. Any individuals or groups looking to volunteer for the yard sale or donate food for the bake sale can call the Y at 570-784-0188 or visit the front desk of the Y.

• The Columbia County Traveling Library will hold a Dinosaur Dance Party to kick off its summer reading program on Saturday, June 9 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Rohrbach’s Farm Market, 240 Southern Dr., Catawissa. Dance with life-like Pennsylvania Dinosaurs and a live DJ from 12-1, and there will be music, stories, strawberries, and free books and prizes from the treasure chest. The theme of this year’s summer reading program is “libraries rock,” and along those lines, attendees can also learn about the rock cycle and see rocks and fossils with Dr. Ginny from the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum. They can also sign up for the summer reading club and borrow books from the bookmobile. Visit the Traveling Library’s website for its full summer reading line-up of five special events, weekly storytimes, and a Middle School Library Club.

• 

  From far left – Amanda Woolsey, sales manager; Kelly Fisher, Selinsgrove/Shamokin Dam general manager; and Kevin Marrs, Danville general manager, accept a check from representatives of Great Dane Trailers for the proceeds raised during April’s fundraising and awareness campaign for Autism Speaks.

  The Hampton Inn by Hilton in Danville was recently presented with a check for over $2,600 from Great Dane Trailers to contribute to its annual fundraising and awareness campaign for Autism Speaks. Each April for the last four years, Hersha Hospitality Management (HHM), which operates the Hampton Inn Danville, has run a month long campaign at all of its hotels around the country to benefit Autism Speaks. For the last three years, the Hampton Inn Danville, as well as its sister property, the Hampton Inn Selinsgrove/Shamokin Dam, has partnered with Great Dane Trailers to raise money for this campaign, and proceeds from Great Dane’s efforts were presented to HHM representatives on May 31. 

• MePush recently raised over $750 for Susquehanna Valley Law Enforcement’s Camp Cadet, a nonprofit organization based in Milton that holds a summer camp for children ages 12-15 the reside in Union, Snyder, Northumberland and Montour counties that simulates police training and experiences. It  raised these funds by having a day of paintball games vs. a group of local and state police officers last Saturday, June 2. The purpose of Camp Cadet is to provide insight into police training and the overall expectations of a police officer and is a true-to-life experience patterned after municipal and state police training. It focuses on self-esteem, discipline, structure and team work.

• 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 Bucknell Small Business Development Center will conduct a First Step Pre-Business Workshop for potential entrepreneurs interested in possibly starting their own business on Wednesday, June 13, from 9-11 a.m. at its location on 416 Market St., Lewisburg. This workshop answers typical questions that potential new business owners face such as “what kind of forms and licenses do I need?,” “what is a business plan and how do I prepare one?,” “where can I find financing?” and much more. Cost is $25 and registration can be done online or by calling 570-577-1249.

• The Wilkes Small Business Development Center will also hold a First Step workshop on Wednesday, June 13 at 6 p.m. at its location on 85 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre. Registration is $20 for this event, and can be made online or by calling 570-408-3336. 

• CSS Industries (Berwick Offray) will host another job fair at the Chamber office at 238 Market St., Bloomsburg, on Thursday, June 21 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. CSS has multiple openings, including for full-time, part-time or summer only positions. Visit CSS’ careers site for a list of openings, and for any questions in advance, contact Melissa Burt via email.  

• 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.

• 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, organizations and individuals 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 and the second individual to join the Chamber under our new individual membership category, Denny Wolff, to help us fulfill our mission.

Denny Wolff is the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania’s 9th congressional district, which encompasses all of Columbia and Montour counties. A native and lifelong resident of Columbia County, he is a fifth-generation dairy farmer whose family has operated Pen-Col Farms out of Millville for several decades. He also previously served as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Agriculture under Gov. Ed Rendell, during which time he launched the “PA Preferred” program, which identifies and promotes agricultural products produced in the state. He is also the founder of fellow Chamber member Camp Victory, where he continues to be president and chairman. For more information about Wolff, his background and positions, or to contact his campaign, visit his campaign website. 

Note: The Columbia Montour Chamber does not endorse political candidates and this in no way should be taken as an endorsement for any candidate over another.

More than 400 businesses, organizations and individuals 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 and the first individual to join the Chamber under our new individual membership category, Dan Meuser, to help us fulfill our mission.

Dan Meuser is the Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives for Pennsylvania’s 9th congressional district, which encompasses all of Columbia and Montour counties. He was previously the president of the Pride Mobility Corporation, a manufacturer of motorized wheelchairs based in the greater Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area, and also served as the Secretary of Revenue under Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett. For more information about Dan Meuser, his background and positions, or to contact his campaign, visit his campaign website. 

Note: The Columbia Montour Chamber does not endorse political candidates and this in no way should be taken as an endorsement for any candidate over another.