- The Bloomsburg Area Landlord’s Association will sponsor another Candidate Forum for candidates running for Bloomsburg Town Council and Mayor tonight, Oct. 18, from 7-9 p.m. at the Greenly Center, 50 East Main St., Bloomsburg. This forum follows the first candidate forum, which was co-sponsored by the Chamber’s Joint Governmental Affairs Committee and the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau last week.
- The United Way of Columbia and Montour County, AGAPE Love from Above to our Community and the Coalition for Social Equity will hold the final event of a three-part series that explores the barriers our fellow community residents who live in poverty face every day. It will take place on Tuesday, Oct 24 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 345 Market St., Bloomsburg. Join them to learn more and be part of the solution. Registration is not required. For more information, visit the United Way website.
- The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) will hold a three-part training series on supply chain strategy. All three sessions in the series are free and will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 24, Thursday, Nov. 2 and Wednesday, Dec. 6. The first two sessions will be held at the TekRidge Center, 50 Alberigi Dr., Jessup, and the final session will be held at the NEPIRC Training Center, 75 Young St., Wilkes-Barre. Dates, times and titles of each session along with links to more information and to register, are below. Oct. 24, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Risk Management Nov. 2, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Total Cost of Ownership Dec. 6, 8:30 a.m. – noon – Competition is no Longer Between Companies – it is Between Supply Chains
- The Bloomsburg Area YMCA will host a blood drive benefiting the American Red Cross on Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 12-5 p.m. in its gymnasium, located at 30 East 7th St., Bloomsburg. All donors will receive a Halloween-themed t-shirt while supplies last. Sign up at the front desk, call 800-733-2767 or online at redcrossblood.org to donate.
- Jazz and world music vocalist Somi will perform on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center For the Performing Arts at Bucknell University.The performance is free and tickets are not required. There will also be a free pre-performance talk with the artist from 6:45-7:15 p.m. in the Atrium Lobby. Blending modern jazz, African music and the singer-songwriter tradition, Somi’s latest album, Petite Afrique, is an amalgamation of the musical and cultural worlds that resonate with Somi as an African and American woman and a proud native of Harlem.
Jazz and world music vocalist Somi.
- Co., a social and professional networking group that is run by the United Way of Columbia and Montour County, will hold a fun evening at Can You XCape followed by a mixer at the Wagon Shed on Thursday, Oct. 26, beginning at 6 p.m. Co. was founded to give area residents the opportunity to take advantage of all the great things this area has to offer. This group is for everyone, which means any age, ability, or area of residence. It holds multiple events each month. For more information about Co., including future events, visit its Facebook page.
- PPL Electric Utilities and its supply chain division is hosting a Diversity Meet and Greet event on Friday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the PPL Conference Center at Walbert, 1639 Church Rd., Allentown. This event is designed for business owners who are veterans, women, minorities, LGBT and disabled, to have an opportunity to find out more about PPL and its opportunities for suppliers. Attendees will have a chance to meet and speak to PPL leaders and the staff that works with suppliers. There is no cost to attend, but those interested in attending should register online by Friday, Oct. 27. For more information, see this flyer.
- The Bloomsburg Area YMCA will host its annual Trunk or Treat Halloween event on Friday, Oct. 27, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at its location at 30 East 7th St., Bloomsburg. Join it, The Exchange, AGAPE Love From Above to our Community, First Keystone Community Bank and others for a night of spooky family fun. There will be fun activities, a haunted walk-through and plenty of Halloween candy. The Bloomsburg YMCA Y-Care program, a before and after-school program for children, will also be waiving its registration fee on Oct. 27. For more information on this event, visit the Bloomsburg Y’s website.
- The Bucknell Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will hold a cybersecurity workshop, which will be specially tailored to small businesses on Friday, Oct. 27, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Elaine Langone Center, Center Room on the Bucknell campus in Lewisburg. Last year, almost half of all cyberattacks targeted small businesses and two out of every three small businesses hit by a cyberattack close within a few months of the disruption. Come to this workshop to learn how to arm your small business against cyberattacks and connect with resources who can help. The cost of $49. Register online or call Shelley at 570-577-1249.
- The Ken Pollock Auto Group will team up with Operation Kidsafe to hold Kid Safety Day on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in which parents can bring their children to get a free digital finger prints and photos. Parents can get the finger prints and pictures to authorities to aid an investigation anywhere in the world. This event will be held at Ken Pollock Volvo Cars, 339 Highway 315, Pittston. Ken Pollock Auto Group will also hold its 4th annual Trunk or Treat at four locations, including Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln at 1120 West Front St., Berwick, on Oct. 31. All day long on Halloween, there will be treats in all the vehicles in the showroom for the children. Costumes are encouraged.
- PA CareerLink of Columbia/Montour Counties, along with the Innovative Manufacturers Center (IMC), will host a collaborative robot workshop on Monday, Oct. 30, from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Pine Barn Inn, Danville. There is no cost to attend and a light breakfast will be served. Around the world, thousands of robots work collaboratively alongside humans with no safety guards and no problems. Come and learn about universal robots, robot programming, end effector solutions, stands and protective covering, and participate in hands-on activities. Visit online to register or learn more about this event.
- The Bucknell Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will hold a pair of training sessions for those interested in learning Quickbooks. The first session, titled Basic Quickbooks, will be on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the DeWitt Building third floor, 416 Market. St., Lewisburg, and is intended for beginners or those new to Quickbooks. The second session, titled Intermediate Quickbooks, will be on Friday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the same location. The cost is $75 per class. For more information or to register, visit online or call Shelley at 570-577-1249. Veterans are welcome to attend at no charge.
- Innotek Computer Consulting will host its annual Technology and Security Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Sand Springs Country Club, 10 Clubhouse Dr., Drums. This annual event, billed as “Northeast Pennsylvania’s biggest technology and security expo,” brings together IT managers, executives and business owners to discuss the impact of technology and security on business. There is no cost to attend. For more information or to register, visit the event page on Innotek’s website, or the Facebook event page.
- The Bucknell Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will hold the last portion of its HR 20/20 workshop series on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at its DeWitt Building location in downtown Lewisburg. This session will focus on conflict management and will feature Tina Welch, from Welch Performance Consulting. The cost to attend is $40. Visit online to register or for more information, or call Shelley at 570-577-1249.
- Along with the Bloomsburg University Regional STEM Education Center, the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber will co-sponsor the Future Careers Expo on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Kehr Union Ballroom on the BU campus. The annual event allows attendees to explore career in science, technology, engineering and math and it open to all students in grades 7-12, as well as their parents. Participants can receive a BU application fee waiver just for attends, and there will also be door prizes for those that sign up. For more information and to register, visit here. For businesses that are interested in participating as vendors, please fill out this form and return it to the email address on the form by Oct. 20. For questions from businesses, please call the Chamber Foundation at 570-784-2522 or email.
- In honor of Veterans Day, Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital will hold a dinner celebration for veterans on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the GBH dining room in which it will provide a complimentary meal for all veterans and one guest each. There will be four seatings at 3, 4, 5 and 6 p.m. All veterans and a guest are invited as Geisinger celebrates your service to the United States. Reservations are required by Nov. 3, as seating is limited. Call 570-387-2145 to reserve your seat. The buffet dinner includes carved roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, green beans, beverages and cake and ice cream.
- State Rep. Dave Millard will host his third annual Veterans Expo on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. – noon at Central Columbia High School, located at 4777 Old Berwick Rd., Bloomsburg. Exhibitors with veteran-related information will be available.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that he had directed his agency to move forward with a proposed rulemaking to formally rescind the Clean Power Plan in its entirety. The Clean Power Plan is a sweeping regulation that sought significant and costly emissions reductions from the power generation sector as a whole. The Trump administration’s EPA is arguing that the legal justification for the Clean Power Plan was fatally flawed by establishing “outside the fence” regulatory obligations for power plants.
Due to the harsh financial impacts the plan would have had on energy-intensive industries, the PA Chamber was one of the lead parties on a 166-organization amicus brief submitted as part of the litigation that led to the nationwide stay (or suspension) of the CPP.
We are now seeking our members’ thoughts and input on the notice to rescind, along with any comments on possible paths forward with respect to a replacement rule. It should be noted that EPA is not proposing to rescind the endangerment finding for greenhouse gasses, meaning that the agency is still legally required to regulate greenhouse gasses in some fashion, if not the approach sought with the Clean Power Plan.
Also, on Sept. 28, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that it was directing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to take action on a rule that, as proposed, would require regional transmission operators, such as PJM, which manage wholesale power markets, to provide full cost recovery for power plants that can store 90 days or more of fuel on site, such as coal and nuclear power generation. DOE is justifying its actions with the notion that current wholesale market pricing constructs are not adequately valuing resilience and reliability attributes of such power plants.
Such a proposal would be a significant departure from current energy market structures, and such cost recovery would be borne by ratepayers. The PA Chamber is seeking immediate feedback on this issue. For more information on the Grid Resiliency Pricing rule, please click here.
From MePush
A new Windows update is breaking computers. There is a new development, but here is what we know:
1. A Windows 10 update that was released last week has been found to cause some computers to blue screen and, in some cases, get stuck restarting.
2. A fix is planned but not in place as of right now
3. You might have Windows updates pending and this bad update might be one of them.
How can you help prevent this update from breaking your computer?
1. Do not turn off or restart your computer. This will prevent the broken update from having a chance to complete it’s installation.
2. We recommend leaving your computer up and running until Microsoft releases an updated fix for this problem.
3. We make this recommendation to all of our customers.
This is informational only. There is nothing we can do to help at this point. We just have to wait until Microsoft fixes this issue. If you have already experienced this problem and it boots to the repair screen, do not attempt any repair options. This could erase your data.
Once again this year, the state budget impasse has held up the popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs. Following a letter signed by 79 House Republicans to Governor Wolf, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) began sending out approval letters the week of Oct. 9. As there are several thousand letters to be sent, the process will take a number of weeks for DCED to complete.
The process of approval will follow its normal course, which is:
- The first approval letters will be for applications filed for year 2 of a previously approved 2-year application;
- The next approval letters will be to those companies filing “initial” applications to launch another 2-year cycle that were eligible to file those applications on May 15 with the “preference”;
- If credits remained after June 30 in any of the various program categories (SO, EIO, Pre-K and OSTC), the final set of approval letters will go to those companies applying on or after July 1st until those individual categories of credits are exhausted.
As always, the requisite 60-day period for disbursements will be in effect, with the same 30-day “window” to provide proof to DCED of charitable gifts by forwarding them letters from any qualified charities to which businesses are making EITC or OSTC gifts. For businesses that intend to take credits on 2017 tax returns, and are on a calendar fiscal year, disbursements must be made on or before Dec. 31, irrespective of when approval letter(s) arrive. Businesses do not have to wait for the actual letter before making qualified gifts, which may be especially relevant for those in year two, as your credits are virtually guaranteed.
On Monday, Oct. 9, Bloomsburg Town Council voted 6-1 to advertise an ordinance that would add considerable detail to the Town Manager’s job description. In previous public meetings regarding this issue, the Chamber has suggested that Council take a more comprehensive approach to detailing the processes of Town Hall. At the most recent Council meeting, the Chamber offered specific suggestions on how to improve communications.
An original draft of the ordinance was considered by Council earlier in the summer. Public concern over the language as well as the process by which the draft was developed led Council to send the ordinance back to committee for further discussion. Following several public workshops, the Town’s Personnel Committee was working on revising the draft ordinance. However, the Administration/Finance Committee forwarded a version at its meeting Oct. 4, and another version was apparently sent to Council members the afternoon of Oct. 9.
“I hope you can appreciate how difficult it is for the public to follow issues,” said Chamber President Fred Gaffney at the Oct. 9 meeting.
During the Bloomsburg Candidate Forum held Oct. 4, several of the incumbent Council members asked that concerns be brought to them proactively to be discussed and addressed, rather than having contentious Council meetings. With the confusion regarding the development of this ordinance, the Chamber again suggested that all committee meeting agendas, prior meeting minutes, and relevant materials be placed on the town’s website in advance of meetings.
“This would allow all interested parties time to review materials, gather information, ask questions, and provide relevant feedback at appropriate times,” said Gaffney. “Refining the process should save time and money, and encourage more positive collaboration within Town Hall and with the public.”
The Chamber will be working on a list of other concerns to present to the incoming Town Council following the November election.
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, the presidents of the PA Chamber, Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia sent a letter to U.S. Senator Pat Toomey, asking that he urge the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to act on the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. “Perkins CTE” would accompany the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which was passed in the U.S. House earlier this year and earned the support of the letter’s signatories.
“As you know, Pennsylvania employers are currently reporting a shortage of skilled workers to fill in-demand positions,” they wrote. “Modernized and relevant CTE programs, designed with the input of employers and responsible for the needs identified by labor market data, are central to overcoming this skilled labor shortage.”
The letter also outlined the ways in which existing law can be improved to help close the jobs skills gap, including aligning CTE programs to the needs of state, regional and local labor markets; supporting collaboration between educators and employers; increasing student participation in work-based learning opportunities; and promoting the use of credentials upon completion of these programs.
Locally, Columbia Montour Chamber member Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School is a recipient of Perkins CTE Act funds.
Here is the full letter.
Mike Atchie of Williams (standing) speaks with local officials about construction getting underway on the pipeline project earlier this month.
Construction of a natural gas transmission pipeline through Columbia County is starting in October. The Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline project is divided into seven sections, and is expected to be completed in approximately one year. On Thursday, Oct. 5, representatives of Williams met with local officials to discuss construction logistics including soil conservation, road crossings, inspections, security, and land restoration. There will be approximately 45-50 inspectors and private security for each section of the project.
The project is expected to support over 1,000 jobs in Columbia County and have a value-added impact here of $85.5 million as a result of contractors utilizing local goods and services. The Chamber has already been receiving calls regarding campgrounds and lodging. To help workers find what they need in the area, Williams has developed the WillShop Local app, which is now available on the Google Play and Apple stores. There is no cost for businesses to be included in the app, and for those businesses that haven’t yet registered to be listed on the app, the Chamber is sending its membership list to be incorporated.
WILLShop Local app screenshot
Additional information about the project is available at the project’s website.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
As the nation’s economy steadily improves, employers are increasingly optimistic about the state of business in the Commonwealth, as well as projections for future growth in sales and hiring. However, their ability to offer healthcare to their workforce due to persistent uncertainty and rising costs in the market continue to be a chief concern. These indicators are among the responses from the PA Chamber’s 27th Annual Economic Survey, which was conducted in August 2017 by Susquehanna Polling and Research.
According to the survey, the rising costs of healthcare rank among employers’ top concerns; with 65 percent of respondents saying that “controlling the costs of healthcare” should be the Pennsylvania Chamber’s top policy priority in its dealings with lawmakers. In fact, while 61 percent of the survey participants said that they provide health coverage for their employees – a slight increase over last year but still far less than the 74 percent who offered health care in 2013 – a vast majority of them (73 percent) reported that premiums have increased. Also listed as problematic was the lack of clarity that exists within the state’s unemployment compensation system, as 64 percent said they’ve encountered situations whereby employees fired for good cause were awarded benefits; as well as workers’ compensation premiums that have increased for more than a third of respondents in recent years. Other leading barriers to growth that were noted in the survey included: over taxation; mandates and regulations; and workforce development.
The good news is that of the 654 employers surveyed statewide, a strong majority – 76 percent – believe that the state’s economy is “better” or “the same” as it was one year ago. Also, the percentage of employers who say the economy is the “most important issue” affecting their businesses is down to 10 percent – the lowest figure in nearly 10 years since before the Great Recession took hold in 2008-09. Additionally, 42 percent say they expect sales growth to increase in coming months; 22 percent expect to hire more workers; and 27 percent noted that they made “major” investments in machinery or technology over the last year, with 15 percent more pledging to make those investments in the coming months.
Member News
- As part of its 30th anniversary season, the Weis Center for the Performing Arts will celebrate the legacy, tradition and craftsmanship of Martin Guitars with a full day of events this Saturday, Oct. 14.
A Martin Guitar
All of the day’s programming is free except for the 7:30 p.m. performance of the Del McCoury Band. The day includes facilitated workshops including blues slide guitar basics, guitar repair consultations, guitar theory, and a roots music recording session, as well as Martin Guitar displays and merchandise, a community guitar jam, a film screening and panel discussion, and evening performances. Visit here for a complete schedule and description of all events on this day.
- The Greenwood Friends School will host a fall festival at its school located at 1509 State Route 254, Millville, this Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. There is no admission charge, all are welcome and the event will be held rain or shine. It will feature fun games and face painting for children and teens, a food and bake sale, live music, unlimited inflatable rides for children (with a wristband purchase), and a large flea market with crafts and vendors. Vendors interested in participating should call 570-458-5532 to reserve a spot.
- The United Way of Columbia and Montour County, AGAPE Love from Above to our Community and the Coalition for Social Equity will hold the final two events of a three-part series that explores the barriers our fellow community residents who live in poverty face every day. Join them to learn more and be part of the solution. The other two events will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 17 and Tuesday, Oct 24. Registration is not required for either event. Oct. 17 will be a poverty panel that will feature participants sharing their stories of living in poverty, and Oct. 24 will be a community conversation. Both of those events will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 345 Market St., Bloomsburg.
- The Bloomsburg Area Landlord’s Association will sponsor another Candidate Forum for candidates running for Bloomsburg Town Council and Mayor on Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 7-9 p.m. at the Greenly Center, 50 East Main St., Bloomsburg. This forum follows the first candidate forum, which was co-sponsored by the Chamber’s Joint Governmental Affairs Committee and the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau last week.
- The Bloomsburg Area YMCA will host a blood drive benefiting the American Red Cross on Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 12-5 p.m. in its gymnasium, located at 30 East 7th St., Bloomsburg. All donors will receive a Halloween-themed t-shirt while supplies last. Sign up at the front desk, call 800-733-2767 or online at redcrossblood.org to donate.
- Co., a social and professional networking group that is run by the United Way of Columbia and Montour County, will hold a fun evening at Can You XCape followed by a mixer at the Wagon Shed on Thursday, Oct. 26, beginning at 6 p.m. Co. was founded to give area residents the opportunity to take advantage of all the great things this area has to offer. This group is for everyone, which means any age, ability, or area of residence. It holds multiple events each month. For more information about Co., including future events, visit its Facebook page.
- PPL Electric Utilities and its supply chain division is hosting a Diversity Meet and Greet event on Friday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the PPL Conference Center at Walbert, 1639 Church Rd., Allentown. This event is designed for business owners who are veterans, women, minorities, LGBT and disabled, to have an opportunity to find out more about PPL and its opportunities for suppliers. Attendees will have a chance to meet and speak to PPL leaders and the staff that works with suppliers. There is no cost to attend, but those interested in attending should register online by Friday, Oct. 27. For more information, see this flyer.
- The Bloomsburg Area YMCA will host its annual Trunk or Treat Halloween event on Friday, Oct. 27, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at its location at 30 East 7th St., Bloomsburg. Join it, The Exchange, AGAPE Love From Above to our Community, First Keystone Community Bank and others for a night of spooky family fun. There will be fun activities, a haunted walk-through and plenty of Halloween candy. The Bloomsburg YMCA Y-Care program, a before and after-school program for children, will also be waiving its registration fee on Oct. 27. For more information on this event, visit the Bloomsburg Y’s website.
- PA CareerLink of Columbia/Montour Counties, along with the Innovative Manufacturers Center (IMC), will host a collaborative robot workshop on Monday, Oct. 30, from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Pine Barn Inn, Danville. There is no cost to attend and a light breakfast will be served. Around the world, thousands of robots work collaboratively alongside humans with no safety guards and no problems. Come and learn about universal robots, robot programming, end effector solutions, stands and protective covering, and participate in hands-on activities. Visit online to register or learn more about this event.
- Innotek Computer Consulting will host its annual Technology and Security Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Sand Springs Country Club, 10 Clubhouse Dr., Drums. This annual event, billed as “Northeast Pennsylvania’s biggest technology and security expo,” brings together IT managers, executives and business owners to discuss the impact of technology and security on business. There is no cost to attend. For more information or to register, visit the event page on Innotek’s website, or the Facebook event page.
- Along with the Bloomsburg University Regional STEM Education Center, the Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber will co-sponsor the Future Careers Expo on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Kehr Union Ballroom on the BU campus. The annual event allows attendees to explore career in science, technology, engineering and math and it open to all students in grades 7-12, as well as their parents. Participants can receive a BU application fee waiver just for attends, and there will also be door prizes for those that sign up. For more information and to register, visit here. For businesses that are interested in participating as vendors, please fill out this form and return it to the email address on the form by Oct. 20. For questions from businesses, please call the Chamber Foundation at 570-784-2522 or email.
- State Rep. Dave Millard will host his third annual Veterans Expo on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. – noon at Central Columbia High School, located at 4777 Old Berwick Rd., Bloomsburg. Exhibitors with veteran-related information will be available.
From ChamberChoice
Employers whose health care plans include prescription drug benefits for active employees, retirees, COBRA participants, or spouses and dependents who are Medicare-eligible must notify those covered individuals by Oct. 15 of each year whether their drug benefit is creditable or non-creditable coverage. This means the health plan is expected to cover, on average, as much as the standard Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Under regulations issued by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), disclosure notices must be provided to Part D eligible individuals at the following times:
• prior to commencement of the annual coordinated election period (ACEP) for Part D;
• prior to an individual’s initial enrollment period (IEP) for Part D;
• prior to the effective date of coverage for any Part D eligible individual that enrolls in the employer’s prescription drug coverage;
• whenever the employer no longer offers prescription drug coverage or changes it so that it is no longer creditable or becomes creditable;
• upon request by the Part D eligible individual.
However, if disclosure notices are provided to all plan participants annually, prior to October 15 each year, CMS will presumably consider the listed disclosure times met (with the exception of the notice being requested). Thus, JRG Advisors suggests that employers distribute this notice to all plan participants at open enrollment with enrollment materials.
CMS posts the Model Disclosure Notices on its website.
This notice is especially important to those who are Medicare eligible, since if they are not covered with creditable coverage and decline to enroll in Part D, a penalty will likely be imposed when enrolling at a later date.
Employers Need to Know:
• The Notice of Creditable or Non-Creditable Coverage is an employer responsibility.
• Check with the health plan insurer to verify if coverage is creditable or non-creditable, especially if offering a qualified High Deductible Health Plan.
• Notice must be provided no later than Oct. 15 of each year.
• Distribution to all participants during open enrollment meets the October 15 deadline and other time requirements to provide the notices.