As a business owner or decision maker, you probably often get contacted by people trying to sell you cheaper electricity. However, most people – business owners and consumers alike – don’t have the time to truly look at their options and figure out which ones are questionable and which ones could actually save you some real money. That is a problem you shouldn’t have. As a Chamber member, you exclusively have access to OnDemand Energy Solutions, part of the ChamberChoice portfolio. OnDemand is the largest energy consultant and broker in Pennsylvania that annually serves over 6,500 active businesses, which include small businesses up through large industrials, and over 23,000 residential customers. More than 40 Columbia Montour Chamber members have cumulatively saved millions of dollars in electricity costs since this program was implemented. OnDemand can provide a free, no-obligation quote so you can see how much money you can potentially save. They are also able to evaluate any existing energy contract. The process is quick and easy – all you need to do is sign an authorization form allowing OnDemand to access your energy information and act on your behalf to get supply pricing from various competitors. Because we know your time is short, members of the Chamber staff are also willing to help facilitate this process if necessary. For more information, please contact Matt Beltz at 570-784-2522 or email.From the Better Business Bureau
Beware of a new email phishing scam trying to fool small businesses. The message looks like an email alert from accounting software QuickBooks, but it’s not. It’s really a clever phishing con designed to fool small businesses into giving up private information.
How the Scam Works: You receive an email with the subject line “QuickBooks Support: Change Request.” The message is “confirming” that you changed your business name with Intuit, QuickBook’s manufacturer. However, you never made such a request. It must be a mistake, but fortunately the email contains a link to cancel.
Pause before you click! Scammers know that you didn’t make this request, and the link to cancel is simply bait. It downloads malware to your device, which scammers use to capture passwords or hunt for sensitive information on your machine. This can open you up to identity theft. Click here for tips on how to spot and report a phishing scam or register for the next Learn at Lunch for more in depth information on how to protect your organization’s data.
In the last two years, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have passed mandates for private employers to provide paid and unpaid leave to employees in addition to provisions of the Family & Medical Leave Act. PA Senate Bill 128, co-sponsored by Senator John Gordner, would require that any such mandates be implemented at the state level.
The Chamber Board recently approved a letter to Senator Gordner supporting the legislation with the understanding the Chamber is not advocating for such a mandate to be passed. The Board feels that local mandates of this type would create a confusing patchwork for employers across the state. Further, additional requirements at the state level would be burdensome for employers.
On Monday, Bloomsburg Town Council unanimously passed an update to its signage ordinance. The changes were primarily aimed at establishing guidelines in the Business Campus district, which encompasses the former Bloom Mills site. Members of Council recommended a more comprehensive review of the signage ordinance to consider issues raised by the Chamber and Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc.
The Chamber and DBI Boards expressed concerns about potential conflicts in the revisions. Also, the ordinance prohibits certain types of signage that are already in use. While existing signs are grandfathered, guidelines for any new signage would be more restrictive. Several Council members expressed an interest in conducting a comprehensive review of the ordinance. The Chamber looks forward to being a part of this process. (more…)
The Chamber of Commerce and Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau recently announced that the organizations will return to operating as independent entities. The dissolution of the Columbia-Montour Partnership for Community Development, which was initially communicated at the Partnership’s annual dinner, is expected to be complete by March 31, 2017. Long-standing Chamber and Visitors Bureau programs will continue uninterrupted, and members should receive separate dues invoices for each organization in March. (more…)
The 2017 PA CareerLink Job Fair for Columbia County is quickly approaching. The event is co-sponsored by the Chamber, Sykes Enterprises, and WHLM and serves as a prime venue to connect employers and post-secondary schools with hundreds of students and potential employees from the Central Pennsylvania area. (more…)
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
This week kicks off several weeks of State budget hearings, where lawmakers on the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will hear from the heads of state-run agencies, state row offices and educational institutions that receive state funding. These hearings, which are held each year in the weeks following the governor’s budget address, give these entities the opportunity to weigh in on the level of funding that the administration has proposed they receive in the coming fiscal year and allows committee members to ask questions about the funding and the function of their agencies. Updates will be provided in the coming weeks and the Columbia-Montour Chamber will be planning a budget breakfast later this spring.
Bloomsburg Town Council is considering changes to its zoning ordinance related to business signage in its Commercial, Commercial-Residential, and Business Campus districts. While existing signs would be grandfathered, some of the proposed changes would prohibit new signage that is similar to what is currently being used.
A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, February 27th at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall prior to Council’s vote. A copy of the proposed amendment is available here , and at Town Hall during normal business hours. The Chamber’s Board of Directors is expressing concerns about the proposed changes in a letter to Council. Additionally, there appears to be conflicting language in amendment. Business and commercial property owners in the Town are encouraged to review these proposed changes and attend Monday’s hearing to express any concerns.
An upcoming informational program aims to encourage people to run for local office. The Candidate Academy will outline the basic requirements, issues, expectations, and practices associated with public service. The no-cost program is being presented by the Joint Governmental Affairs Committee of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce and Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau and sponsored by ArchCentral Architects of Bloomsburg.
The Candidate Academy will be held on Thursday, February 23rd from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the front meeting room of the Bloomsburg Fire Hall, 911 Market Street. Anyone considering running for a local office such as borough or town council, township board of supervisors, or school board, or who would simply like to better understand the election process is welcome to attend. Topics to be covered will include: timing and deadlines for circulating and filing petitions, campaign financing, reporting requirements, ethics, the Sunshine Act, and other issues. A panel of local elected officials will also share their insights about campaigning and public service.
The last day for candidates to circulate and file nomination petitions for the 2017 elections is March 7th.
As space is limited, anyone interested in attending should register online or by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 570-784-2522. For more information, contact Fred Gaffney, Chamber President, by phone or email at fgaffney@cmpartnership.org.
Member businesses and individuals of the Chamber and Visitors Bureau were recognized during the organizations’ Annual Meeting Thursday, February 9th. The event was held at Rolling Pines Golf Course & Banquet Facility in Berwick, and sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities.
Five awards were presented to recognize businesses and individuals for their significant contributions to the community. To begin, The Travel & Tourism Buddy Award, sponsored by Knoebels Amusement Resort, was presented to Bob Stoudt, Executive Director of the Montour Area Recreation Commission. The Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by First Columbia Bank & Trust, was presented to Freas Farm Winery. The Large Business of the Year Award, sponsored by The Columbia Alliance of Economic Growth, was presented to Central Columbia School District. The Community Progress Award, sponsored by Berwick Hospital Center, was presented to Geisinger Health System – Woodbine. The Outstanding Citizen Award, sponsored by Berwick Industrial Development Association, was presented to Daniel S. Jankowski. Daniel is an RN in the Emergency Department at Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital. Outside of his work at the hospital, he has been a dedicated community volunteer and advocate for the Benton area. A special thank you to those who were able to attend this year’s meeting, and to all sponsors of the event who made the night possible.