On Friday, April 27, Bashar Hanna, PhD., was inaugurated as the 19th President of Bloomsburg University. A Syrian immigrant who was unable to speak English in the 5th grade, Dr. Hanna called his selection “a tremendous honor, and a huge responsibility.” Announced to succeed David Soltz, PhD., in July of last year, Hanna was joined by family, community members, faculty, staff, and colleagues from institutions across the northeast for the ceremony. Hanna spoke about the 180 year evolution of the institution, which began as the Bloomsburg Academy on 3rd and Jefferson Streets, to a University that now serves students from 27 U.S. states and territories and 33 countries. Examples of current academic excellence include a pass rate on the PA State Board of Accountants CPA exam that ranks 3rd in the state for students in the Zeigler College of Business, and a near perfect record for nursing students on the nursing licensure exam, with only one student failing to pass the exam in the past decade. Dr. Hanna noted that the $62 million fundraising campaign completed last year will “continue to transform this institution and our students and their families for decades to come.” Despite the successes of Bloomsburg University, Hanna recognized challenges facing higher education, which include student expectations, state funding, and accountability, among other factors. He acknowledged lasting success will require change, and expressed confidence that Bloomsburg will remain a “beacon on the hill.” “With my pack of Huskies by my side…” said Hanna, “we will be prepared for every challenge to transform the lives of the students who are the future of our country, and of our world.” Dr. Hanna’s professional background Full video of the Inauguration (his remarks begin at the 1:19:25 mark of the video)Member News
- The Bucknell Small Business Development Center will present a workshop on utilizing Facebook for marketing purposes tomorrow, May 3, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at its location on 416 Market St., Lewisburg. Titled “Mastering Facebook Marketing with Small Staffs & Budgets,” this workshop will feature tips to promote events, expand reach and increase engagement in only 18 minutes or less per day. Attendees will learn about Facebook posting frequency, post size and hashtags, the power of Facebook events and Facebook insights explained. Cost is $35 and registration can be done online or by calling 570-577-1249. This is the first of a three-part series on marketing to customers. The second will be held next Thursday, May 10, from 9-10:30 a.m. and is titled “Marketing to Your Customers: The Who, What, Where, Why and When.” The third and final part of the series is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, and is titled “Marketing Online: Getting Under the Hood With the Tools of the Trade.” For more information on all three programs, visit the the Bucknell SBDC’s events page.
- Earlier this week, SUEZ officials requested that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) grant rate relief that would result in an increase of about 16 cents more per day for the average residential customer is approved in full. The rate adjustment would recover more than $90 million of completed, ongoing and future infrastructure investments made by the company to improve service reliability and water quality for over 165,000 people across the state. See the entire press release for more information, including a breakdown of the $90 million in capital investments, which included a new water treatment facility in Bloomsburg, for which SUEZ was nominated for the Chamber’s annual Community Progress award earlier this year.
- PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties will hold its 2018 job fair on Wednesday, May 9, from 4-7 p.m. at Columbia-Montour Area Vocational Technical School, located at 5050 Sweppenheiser Dr., Bloomsburg. There will also be job fairs during May just outside of the area at Shikellamy High School in Sunbury on May 2 and at the Selinsgrove VFW in May 30. Later in the year, there will be one at the Best Western in Lewisburg on Sept. 6. All of these events are open to the public to attend. See the flyer for more information.
- The Bloomsburg Municipal Airport will host a Fly-In/Drive-In breakfast and pig roast on Saturday, May 12 at the airport, located at 301 Airport Rd., Bloomsburg. The breakfast will be from 8-11 a.m., with the pig roast to follow from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will also be an FAA safety seminar from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. featuring Al Hubler, a retired air traffic controller, who will share his insight and what it’s like from the “other end” of the communication radio. There is no cost or registration required to attend the breakfast or pig roast, however donations are accepted, and registration is requested for the FAA safety seminar. For more information, email BJ Teichman, airport coordinator, or call 570-317-2481.
- The Wilkes Small Business Development Center will hold its next First Step workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs on Wednesday, May 16 at 6 p.m. at its location at 85 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre. This event is intended to help aspiring business owners begin the process of successful business ownership, including evaluating business ideas, developing a business plan and exploring financing options. Cost is $20. To register, visit the link above or call 570-577-1249.
- Penn College and WVIA Public Media invite K-12 students, teachers and parents to create their own original board games or video games in the Game On! Art Challenge. Inspired by the documentary “Working Class: Game On! Why Math Matters,” which aired on WVIA and can be viewed on WVIA On Demand, YouTube and the series website, this challenge invites entries of original games created by students in grades K-12, as well as teachers and parents in either classic board game style or in a video game format. The entry deadline is May 18. There are three categories: Grades K-6, 7-12 and teacher/parent. Email entries to Elaine Lambert, executive producer of the the documentary. For more information, visit here.
- CSS Industries, Inc. (Berwick Offray) will conduct a job fair at the Columbia Montour Chamber building, located at 238 Market St., Bloomsburg, on Friday, May 18 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn more about the company and the positions available. Whether you’re looking for full-time, part-time or even summer work for students, CSS has a spot for you.
- The Weis Center for the Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau and the Susquehanna River Arts initiative, is hosting a free art exhibit and installation featuring the work of 10 local artists from now through Friday, May 25 in the Weis Center’s upper Atrium Lobby. The exhibit is free and takes place on the upper level of the Atrium Lobby, which is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Participating artists will include: Annie Barnhart, Robert Brown, Pete Grimord, Joan Grimord, Gail Fox, Glen Klein, Abigail Kurecian, Sara Mika, Pam Thomas and William Whitmoyer. Each artist will have several samples of artwork on display.
- Geisinger Health Plan and the Columbia-Montour Aging Office, Inc. are teaming up to bring “A Matter of Balance,” an award-winning program, to the area for a series of presentations in April and May. This program for older adults and is designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. It is available to the public at no cost and will be held each Monday, through May 21, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community, located at 1707 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11), Danville. The program will also be held on Tuesday, May 29 due to Memorial Day, and this will be the last class. Attendees will learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risks at home and exercise to increase strength and balance. Registration is required, and to do so, call the GHP wellness team at 866-415-7138.
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, XW Construction LLP, to help us fulfill our mission.
Based on Watsontown, Pa., XW Construction is a locally and family-owned roofing company that specializes in commercial and industrial roofs, specifically those over 10,000 square feet. Its factory-trained applicators do metal, flat and foam roofing, as well as single-ply and fabric reinforced roofs which you can click here to see. It specifically works with Conklin® roofing systems, do check out the website to know more. Conklin formulated acrylic roofing coatings back in 1977, which provide substantial energy efficiency as well as superior protection from the elements. Since that time, Conklin Roofing System have been applied to billion of square feet of roof, including several for major brands, across the country. XW Construction can be reached at 570-436-0051, or visit its website or email.
The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) is requesting citizens take a short community needs survey to assist in its work. This community needs survey will provide another avenue for the citizens of Pennsylvania to contribute their opinion on the strengths and weaknesses of their community. DCED will use the survey results to help identify funding priorities for six federal Housing & Urban Development programs: CDBG, HOME, ESG, NSP, HOPWA, and HTF. It will also assist in the future development of programs at the state level. This survey will also assist DCED in targeting and leveraging resources to address the needs for stronger and vibrant communities. Participation is anonymous, and DCED will place a copy of the aggregated results on its website.
This survey will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, 2018. Any questions on the survey or how to complete it may be sent via email or by contacting Megan Snyder, Center for Compliance, Monitoring, and Training at 717-720-7404.
An aerial view of the Bloomsburg Municipal Airport.
Proximity to international airports can often be a barrier to attracting corporate investment, either in expanding current operations already in place, or in attracting new investments and businesses to our area and the jobs that come with them. This can be especially true related to international investment. A recent Learn at Lunch held at the Williamsport Regional Airport attended by local business and economic development leaders highlighted these challenges as well as some solutions available in the charter air travel market.
Although usually more costly than commercial flights, chartered air travel can often provide more reliability, flexibility and customization to support an organization’s strategy and timeline. Charter travel is specifically dedicated to the business’ or individual’s trip on their schedule, and depending on the size of the aircraft involved, can fly into and out of the closest airports. Passengers are also generally not subject to TSA screening processes, which can significantly reduce time spent at the airport at both the origin and destination. Because charters are essentially the purchase of just a block of time on an aircraft, it is also possible for interested parties to collaborate and pool resources in order to make required air travel more cost and time-efficient.
There are numerous variables to what a charter flight would cost, including the type of aircraft, which flight amenities are required, number of passengers, origin and destination, and much more. However, charter air travel is readily available in the Columbia-Montour region and beyond, and there are several charter companies that are ready, willing and able to assist with any charter air travel needs of local businesses and individuals. The Bloomsburg Municipal Airport, which is owned by the Town of Bloomsburg and which recently hosted a Business After Hours, can help serve the needs and can also help put those interested in touch with numerous charter air service operators. For more information, contact BJ Teichman, the airport coordinator at Bloomsburg Municipal Airport, at 570-317-2481 or via email.
Workers’ compensation costs associated with incidents in the workplace are a considerable portion of an employer’s business costs. Learn how to reduce your workers’ compensation costs through effective, proactive health and safety training programs that will benefit your employees and your bottom line.
Pennsylvania Training for Health and Safety, or PATHS, is a resource for employers and workers throughout the state.
PATHS is a no-fee, statewide service established by the Department of Labor & Industry, Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s Health and Safety Division to provide employers and employees with easy access to cost-effective health and safety resources. Services provided by PATHS will enable participants in the workers’ compensation system achieve greater efficiencies in their workers’ compensation cost-containment efforts by creating safer, accident-free workplaces.
The Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act was amended in 1993 to address health and safety requirements in the workplace. The addition of sections 1001 and 1002 in the act conveys the importance of having a health and safety program in the workplace, and established a 5 percent discount for qualified proactive health and safety programs.
PATHS provides employers with a single, comprehensive website to view all health and safety related training sessions available through reputable sources. The website allows employers to maximize training schedules for workers. This training will enable employers to reduce workplace safety- and health-related incidents, resulting in workers’ compensation policy premium reductions.
At the PATHS website you can:
View . . . health and safety training PowerPoint briefings.
Review . . . course descriptions, objectives and schedules.
Participate . . . Employers can register online to participate in webinars and training sessions. The Health & Safety Division will host training sessions and conferences on a broad range of health and safety-related topics, including safety culture workshops. Most sessions are free and are open to everyone.
Learn… about health and safety in the workplace, including accident & illness prevention programs/program elements and the cost benefits associated with a proactive program and forming a certified safety committee to qualify for the 5-percent workers’ compensation premium discount.
The 40th edition of the annual Renaissance Jamboree will be held this Saturday, April 28, as downtown Bloomsburg will be filled with hundreds of people attending the annual event full of family activities, live entertainment, craft vendors, food, drink and much more. Free parking with shuttle service will be available from the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds.
For more information, including a list of entertainment, artists and crafters, nonprofit organization participants and a map, visit the official Jamboree website.
The Renaissance Jamboree is co-sponsored by Bloomsburg University and its Program Board, Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc., the Town of Bloomsburg, and The Columbia Montour Chamber.
Here is the news release from the Bloomsburg Police Department regarding parking regulations for the event.
The Bloomsburg Police Department would like to remind everyone of certain parking regulations enforced for The Annual Renaissance Jamboree taking place this Saturday, April 28, 2018.
The event will close Main Street/SR0011 from Iron Street to Railroad Street, and Market St. from W. Ridge Ave to W. Pine Ave. Uniformed officers, fire police and regulatory traffic control devices will detour traffic around Main Street using Railroad Street and 6th Street. The event starts at 10AM and runs through 5PM and is a family oriented event.
No Parking is in affect daily on Main Street and Market Square from 2AM – 5AM. Parking will also be prohibited on Market Street from Main Street to Ridge Avenue and from Main Street to Pine Avenue. Additional No Parking will be enforced on W. 3rd & Market Street near the Wesley Church and on Main Street at Iron in front of Saint Paul’s Church. Cars parked in these areas on Saturday will be ticketed and towed 2AM – 5AM.
Portable restrooms will be located on Iron Street @ E. Main Street, on Center Street @ Main Street, at the Courthouse on Main St., and on Oyer Ave. @ W. Main St.
Handicapped Parking is available at the rear of the Public Library along W. Pine Ave. Metered Parking is free on Saturday; however all other parking regulations will be enforced across the day. For more information call the Bloomsburg Police at (570) 784-6779.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
Legislation to enact reasonable reforms regarding medical assistance eligibility and help encourage employment passed the state House last week in a 115-80 vote, after considerable debate.
The bill would generally require able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid to work, seek employment or participate in job training, with numerous exemptions. This effort is consistent with the PA Chamber’s workforce development efforts to facilitate employment and help employers find qualified job applicants among a pool of potential talent.
“In 2011, Pennsylvania became the last state in the country to require individuals receiving unemployment compensation benefits to demonstrate they are looking for a job,” PA Chamber Government Affars Director Alex Halper said in a memo to House lawmakers prior to the vote. “While some initially opposed this requirement and there continues to be room for improvement in its administration, we believe it has generally achieved its objectives of encouraging work and connecting employers with potential applicants. We believe H.B. 2138 will help achieve similar objectives and we urge you to support it.”
The bill now awaits further consideration by the state Senate.
Member News
- The Bucknell Small Business Development Center will holds its next First Step workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs on Tuesday, May 1 from 9-11:30 a.m. at its location at 416 Market St., Lewisburg. This event is intended to help aspiring business owners begin the process of successful business ownership, including evaluating business ideas, developing a business plan and exploring financing options. Cost is $25 and pre-registration is required. To register, visit the link above or call 570-577-1249.
- The Bucknell Small Business Development Center will also present a workshop on utilizing Facebook for marketing purposes on Thursday, May 3, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at its location on 416 Market St., Lewisburg. Titled “Mastering Facebook Marketing with Small Staffs & Budgets,” this workshop will feature tips to promote events, expand reach and increase engagement in only 18 minutes or less per day. Attendees will learn about Facebook posting frequency, post size and hashtags, the power of Facebook events and Facebook insights explained. Cost is $35 and registration can be done online or by calling 570-577-1249.
- PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties will hold its 2018 job fair on Wednesday, May 9, from 4-7 p.m. at Columbia-Montour Area Vocational Technical School, located at 5050 Sweppenheiser Dr., Bloomsburg. There will also be job fairs during May just outside of the area at Shikellamy High School in Sunbury on May 2 and at the Selinsgrove VFW in May 30. Later in the year, there will be one at the Best Western in Lewisburg on Sept. 6. All of these events are open to the public to attend. See the flyer for more information.
- The Wilkes Small Business Development Center will hold its next First Step workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs on Wednesday, May 16 at 6 p.m. at its location at 85 South Main St., Wilkes-Barre. This event is intended to help aspiring business owners begin the process of successful business ownership, including evaluating business ideas, developing a business plan and exploring financing options. Cost is $20. To register, visit the link above or call 570-577-1249.
- The Weis Center for the Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau and the Susquehanna River Arts initiative, is hosting a free art exhibit and installation featuring the work of 10 local artists from now through Friday, May 25 in the Weis Center’s upper Atrium Lobby. The exhibit is free and takes place on the upper level of the Atrium Lobby, which is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Participating artists will include: Annie Barnhart, Robert Brown, Pete Grimord, Joan Grimord, Gail Fox, Glen Klein, Abigail Kurecian, Sara Mika, Pam Thomas and William Whitmoyer. Each artist will have several samples of artwork on display.
- Geisinger Health Plan and the Columbia-Montour Aging Office, Inc. are teaming up to bring “A Matter of Balance,” an award-winning program, to the area for a series of presentations in April and May. This program for older adults and is designed to manage falls and increase activity levels. It is available to the public at no cost and will be held each Monday, through May 21, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Maria Joseph Continuing Care Community, located at 1707 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11), Danville. The program will also be held on Tuesday, May 29 due to Memorial Day, and this will be the last class. Attendees will learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risks at home and exercise to increase strength and balance. Registration is required, and to do so, call the GHP wellness team at 866-415-7138.
Beginning last fall and all throughout the long winter, if you drove past the Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln automobile dealership on Route 11 in Berwick, you would see construction going on. The old showroom was being remodeling into a new, modern, spacious and pleasant space, and on Saturday, April 21, a ribbon cutting and grand reopening were held to officially unveil the new showroom.
The Chamber was on hand to help cut the ribbon, which kicked off a fun afternoon full of music, games, prizes, food and drink for all in attendance. It was a well-attended event, as the line for food spanned several yards for much of the afternoon, and attendees also had a chance to play some cornhole, listen to live music from local musicians, meet the ownership, management and staff at the dealership, and of course, check out Ken Pollock’s wide selection of new and used cars during one of the busiest times of the year at automobile dealerships following tax day.