North Shore Railroad president and CEO Gary Shields speaks at last Friday’s awards ceremony.
Last week, it was announced that Chamber members that utilized the ChamberChoice business insurance program through Penn National Insurance will receive an 8% dividend in cash back for policies written and retained during the program’s fifth year (May 1, 2015 – April 30, 2016). The actual dollar amount that Columbia Montour Chamber members enrolled in the program will receive back this year is $38,695.38. This brings the five-year total of dividends distributed back to Columbia Montour Chamber members to more than $173,000. Checks for this year’s dividends will be mailed to participating members during June.
Overall, since the program’s inception in 2011, over $6 million has been returned to member businesses across all Chambers that offer this program through ChamberChoice, with an average annual dividend of 7.4%.
To see if this program could be a good fit for your business, contact Chamber members Associated Insurance Management at 570-275-0100 or Hutchison Insurance Agency at 570-784-5550, for a no-obligation quote.
Member News
Knoebels Voted Favorite Traditional Amusement Park for Fifth Straight Year
For the fifth consecutive year, Knoebels Amusement Park was voted the Favorite Traditional Park in the National Amusement Park Historical Association’s (NAPHA) 31st annual Amusement Park and Attractions Survey. Knoebels was also named the Best Park for Families, beating out Walt Disney World among many others, and the Phoenix was named the Favorite Wooden Roller Coaster.
North Shore Railroad Garners Third Industry Award of the Year
North Shore Railroad (NSHR) was recognized last week as the Norfolk Southern (NS) “Short Line of the Year” at NS’ Short Line Convention held in Norfolk, Va. NSHR’s Lycoming Valley Railroad in Lycoming County and Union County Industrial Railroad also received NS 250 Business Initiative Awards at the same event. This marks the third highly coveted industry award that NSHR has garnered this year. In March, it received an American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association marketing award, as well as the Railway Age Short Line Railroad of the Year honor.
Pennsylvania State Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver commented, “I applaud the commitment and dedication of the employees and leadership of North Shore Railroad for rising to the challenge and meeting and exceeding the needs in the transportation network. North Shore Railroad has been integral for the transportation industry in our area and our state, and I wish them many years of continued success.”
Attend a Yoga Mala Event to Help Beautify Downtown Danville
Join your community in raising awareness and funds to help beautify downtown Danville as you help Mill Street become a thriving and vibrant downtown destination for everyone to enjoy. A yoga mala event will bring together community members to support this common cause this Sunday, June 4, at 2 p.m at Goose Cove Field at the Montour Preserve. Those that attend will be guided through 108 sun-salutations to honor growth, transformation, and new beginnings. This is a donation-based event, and the public is welcome. All donations raised will help provide for new public amenities such as bicycle racks, flowers and decorative plant potters, benches, and much more in downtown Danville.
Free Cancer Screenings in Bloomsburg
Geisinger Health System will provide free skin cancer screenings next Tuesday, June 6 from 1–4 p.m. at Geisinger Bloomsburg, 2407 Reichart Road, Bloomsburg. Appointments are required. To register, visit geisinger.org/events or call 800-275-6401.
First Columbia Hosts Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening for New Danville Branch
First Columbia will celebrate the opening of its new community banking office at 400 Walnut St., Danville, with a ribbon cutting and a pair of grand opening events next week. The ribbon cutting will be held on Thursday, June 8 at 8 a.m. at the new branch. Then, later that day, as well as the following day, June 9, there will be a pair of public grand opening events from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., which will feature community picnic buffets.
Next First Step Seminar in Bloomsburg Set for June 9
Have you ever thought about starting your own business, but weren’t quite sure if it would be right for you? Or maybe you want to know what paperwork you need in order to open your doors? These and several other common questions for small businesses will covered at the next First Step Seminar given by the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on Friday, June 9, at noon at the Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. Business Incubator, 151 E. Main St., Bloomsburg. Laura Haden of the SBDC will speak about the different legal structures a business can be, how to write a business plan and create financial projections, and much more. Cost is $15 for the First Step book. Walk-ins are welcome but pre-registration is preferred. Register by calling 570-408-4334, email or online at pasbdc.org/events.
Downtown Bloomsburg Incorporated (DBI) is leading the effort to establish a business incubator/work co-space in downtown Bloomsburg. Currently, its partners include Bloomsburg University, the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, Kawneer, and the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center. It has secured a location and is working to design, build out and promote this new venture. It has one of the busiest locations in Bloomsburg.
The intention is to bring entrepreneurial-minded individuals of all ages together under one roof to share ideas and work together to start and grow their business ideas in Bloomsburg. DBI will also offer educational opportunities such as website design, social media consultation, financial projections, marketing plans and business plans for existing businesses in the community designed to accelerate their success while creating jobs and revenue for the region.
How can you help? Like any new venture, this project has numerous needs. DBI wants to establish a professional, first class facility for its clients. Its committee has identified a wish list of furnishings, appliances, equipment and supplies needed for the facility. It is requesting assistance in the form of donations of any new or gently used items, or a monetary donation for it to purchase the necessary items. Additionally, discounts on items and/or labor would be greatly appreciated.
Wish List
- Paint and painting supplies including rollers, brushes, pans, drop cloth and tape
- Conference table and chairs
- Printer/copier/scanner
- Flat screen television and wall mount
- Security camera system
- Projector
- Lockable filing cabinets
- Phone system
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Coffee Pot
- Office supplies including copy paper, hanging files, file folders, staplers, staples, paper clips, ink pens
Please contact Andy Gegaris, DBI Downtown Manager at 570-784-2522 or email with any questions or concerns.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration of this request.
The Celebrate Historic Berwick festival, which was previously scheduled for May 13 before being postponed due to rain, will be held this Saturday, June 3. The festival started by the Chamber to encourage people to come to Berwick is now being coordinated this year by the Berwick Area Marketing Committee. Live music, ethnic food, kids activities, and competition to crown the best pizza in Berwick will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday on Market Street in front of the Jackson Mansion. There will be craft beer along with wine from Freas Farm Winery and O’Donnell Winery. Gold sponsors for the event are the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, First Keystone Community Bank, and the Berwick Industrial Development Association.
Find out more as the event draws near on Facebook.
Chamber members that utilize the ChamberChoice business insurance program through Penn National Insurance will receive an 8% dividend delivered back to them in form of a check for policies written and retained during the program’s fifth year (May 1, 2015 – April 30, 2016). Members enrolled in the program should expect to receive their checks in the month of June.
Since the program’s inception in 2011, over $6 million has been returned to member businesses in dividends out of over $30.9 million in annually paid premiums. The average annual dividend return in the five years of the program has been 7.4%. Columbia Montour Chamber members enrolled in the program have received over $140,000 in dividends over the last five years.
To see if this program could be a good fit for your business, contact Chamber members Associated Insurance Management at 570-275-0100 or Hutchison Insurance Agency at 570-784-5550, for a no-obligation quote.
Bill Seigel, Chief of SEDA-COG’s Community Development program, provided an overview of the Biggert-Waters Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and its impacts on flood insurance at a recent public meeting in Danville.
SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) has begun an education and training process that helps municipalities and residents in the region find solutions to flood-related issues.
SEDA-COG received funding for the completion of a planning process to develop a Self-Help Assessment Tool for several central Pennsylvania riverine communities. The assessment is aimed at assisting the municipality and its citizens in defining and designing flood resiliency strategies and to better implement those strategies. The planning process has been tested in the pilot community of Selinsgrove and are proposed to be replicated in five additional communities to include the boroughs of Milton, Danville, Newport, and Lewisburg; and the Town of Bloomsburg.
Specific project activities include public meetings to educate and increase awareness about flood-impacts and flood insurance reform. A meeting was held in Danville on May 18 and the Bloomsburg meeting is Tuesday, May 30, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Residents learn how to develop a response to these threats through a series of community working groups and data analysis. The community teams identify appropriate flood-mitigation options, match structures with best-suited options to mitigate flood impacts, and identify means of financing those options. Additionally, SEDA-COG will assist each community with the creation of a Flood Task Force Committee, and members of this Task Force will be recommended to Council for approval. The Task Force Committee members will vary from community to community, but may be comprised of a combination of citizens, insurance agents, real estate agents, and Council members.
SEDA-COG has also entered into a contractual agreement with a professional services provider to provide discounted Elevation Certificates for citizens in these communities. The need for Elevation Certificates has become increasing important with the increase in flood insurance, particularly for Pre-FIRM structures with the enactment of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and the Homeowner Affordability Act of 2014.
The completion of this initiative will allow SEDA-COG to examine legislative solutions to flood insurance reform with local, state, and federal officials. For more information, or to participate in either the Danville or Bloomsburg working group, contact Teri Provost at SEDA-COG at 1-800-332-6701.
The 18th Leadership Central Penn class celebrated its graduation last Thursday at Frosty Valley Country Club. The keynote speaker was Dr. Holly Morrison, CEO of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, and the elected class speaker was Randy Hartranft of PPL Electric Utilities. The class community service projects this year benefitedThe Women’s Center, EOS Therapeutic Riding Center, Camp Victory and the Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center. Special thanks also go out to the program’s sponsors: Welch Performance Consulting and the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation.
Applications for the 2017-18 Leadership Central Penn class are now being accepted and sought. The application deadline is July 31. For more information about this program or for questions, contact Donna Eyerly.
Congratulations to the 2016-17 class members:
Athena Aardweg
Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center
Phil Baney
Autoneum North America, Inc.
Jordan Barbour
Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital
Nikki Dietterick
First Keystone Community Bank
Gordy Evans
Geisinger Medical Center
Wren Fritsky
Bloomsburg University
Robert Geiger
Girton Manufacturing
Kevin Gordon
Autoneum North America, Inc.
Randy Hartranft
PPL Electric Utilities
Mark Hepler
Kawneer, an Arconic Company
Artur Jagielski
Kawneer, an Arconic Company
Megan Kiliti
Berwick Area Swimming Pool Association
Brian Klinefelter
First Keystone Community Bank
Shelly Tyson
Geisinger Medical Center
Aubry McConnell
Bloomsburg University
Christiana Paradis
The Women’s Center
Hannah Sick
First Columbia Bank & Trust
Cassie Weaver
Columbia Child Development Program
Member News
Wild for Salmon to Host Spring Cookout
Wild for Salmon will host its spring cookout, customer appreciation and fisherman farewell event this Saturday, May 27 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at its retail store at 521 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11), Bloomsburg. Join the owners and staff at Wild for Salmon for this free event as they welcome spring and say farewell to the fishermen before they depart for their annual Alaskan fishing trip in early June. They’ll be grilling sockeye fillets and sharing samples, and the crew will be on hand to discuss health benefits, cooking tips, and sustainability, and explain why wild salmon is the best choice to make for you and your family.
Larson Design Group Among Best Firms to Work For
The Larson Design Group (LDG) was recently listed on ZweigWhite’s 2017 Best Firms to Work For, an annual list that recognizes top architecture, structural, civil, environmental and geotechnical engineering, landscape architecture and planning, and multidisciplinary firms on the in the U.S. and Canada based on workplace practices, employee benefits, employee retention rates and more. LDG ranked fifth in geotechnical firms, seventh in landscape architecture and planning, and 29th on the multidisciplinary list. This marks the second straight year that LDG has appeared on this list. LDG employs over 300 people in five states, with headquarters in Williamsport, Pa.
Attend a Yoga Mala Event to Help Beautify Downtown Danville
Join your community in raising awareness and funds to help beautify downtown Danville as you help Mill Street become a thriving and vibrant downtown destination for everyone to enjoy. A yoga mala event will bring together community members to support this common cause on Sunday, June 4, at 2 p.m at Goose Cove Field at the Montour Preserve. Those that attend will be guided through 108 sun-salutations to honor growth, transformation, and new beginnings. This is a donation-based event, and the public is welcome. All donations raised will help provide for new public amenities such as bicycle racks, flowers and decorative plant potters, benches, and much more in downtown Danville.
Free Cancer Screenings in Bloomsburg
Geisinger Health System will provide free skin cancer screenings on Tuesday, June 6 from 1–4 p.m. at Geisinger Bloomsburg, 2407 Reichart Road, Bloomsburg. Appointments are required. To register, visit geisinger.org/events or call 800-275-6401.
Geisinger Seeks Community Members for Hot Air Balloon Festival Planning Committee
Geisinger Health System will host the inaugural Dream Big Hot Air Balloon Festival, October 6-7 at Spyglass Ridge Winery in Sunbury. In order to encourage participation and feedback from the community and gain more ideas, Geisinger is currently seeking additional community members to serve on a planning committee for this event. If interested in participating, please contact Linda Vaji at 570-214-2581 or email.
Mike Atchie from Williams gives the Chamber Board an update on the status of the Atlantic Sunrise project at last week’s Board meeting.
The Atlantic Sunrise gas pipeline project is expected to begin construction late this summer and be completed by mid-2018. Williams anticipates that the project will support over 1,000 jobs in Columbia County and create an economic impact of $85.5 million. The company seeks to promote local businesses to those who will be in the area working on the project.
While Williams is attempting to work with regional contractors, several workers will be from outside the area, staying in local hotels and campgrounds for up to a year. To help those workers find goods and services, a mobile app is being developed by Williams. Any local business that would like to be included on this app can register, free of charge.
The long-discussed Atlantic Sunrise project includes construction of 183 miles of new greenfield transmission pipeline, 12 miles of pipeline loop, and two compressor stations in Pennsylvania. To expedite the process, the project will be divided into seven sections, all of which will be constructed simultaneously. A portion of the main pipeline and one of the compressor stations will run through Columbia County. The new pipeline will allow more efficient transmission of natural gas from the existing Transco pipeline to distribution facilities in southeast Pennsylvania.