Spring Management & Leadership Cohort Graduates
Employers in Columbia and Montour Counties who are seeking professional development opportunities for their employees are often pleasantly surprised to learn about the plethora of training opportunities available in our region. Whether it's small business owners looking for guidance from the Small Business Development Centers, or c-suite professionals looking to engage middle-managers or newcomers through Leadership Central Penn, webinars through McKonly & Asbury, MyBenefit Advisor, IMC, NEPIRC, SHRMA, or many more of our Chamber and regional partners, there's something for every audience. However, we're thrilled to remind employers that a key component of the Chamber's employee development programs is a collaboration between the Chamber and Commonwealth University: Bloomsburg Campus, that takes the form of a certificate program called "Leadership & Management".
Four aspects of this program make it incredibly worthwhile. First, it can be done on-site at your business for just your employees (class size depending), or your employees can join a seasonal cohort. Second, it includes incredibly relevant training and course materials, including the role of the supervisor and effective communication/listening, change management and understanding what motivates employees, coaching, feedback and performance management, navigating a multigenerational and diverse workforce and resolving conflict & reaching agreement. Third, participants who graduate leave the program with professional development goals in place. Finally and perhaps best of all, it's eligible for WEDnetPA funding.
If you're unfamiliar with WedNet, it's a program built into the Pennsylvania budget through the Department of Community and Economic Development, designed to give Pennsylvania a competitive edge. The program provides qualified employers training for new or existing employees, allowing them to stay competitive while keeping skills current and relevant. When employers enroll their employees in WEDnetPA-approved programs, their eligible costs for that training are reimbursable.
Low on professional development dollars in your budget, but need that competitive edge? Jennifer Williams, of Commonwealth University, our program partner in Bloomsburg, can help facilitate that funding for our approved program. Below, you'll see photos from our recent graduates, who participated in one of our Spring cohorts (the one below was hosted by Autoneum).
Congratulations to our Spring graduates! Interested in WEDnetPA funding or sending your employees to our Fall cohort? Contact Jennifer Williams at (570) 389-4004.
Recap: Chamber Hosts Candidate Forum
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of the full recording of the May 9, 2023 Candidate Forum, featuring eight of the nine Republican candidates seeking the office of Columbia County Commissioner. The election will take place on May 16. Originally livestreamed via the Chamber’s YouTube channel, some technical complications at the start of the evening prevented the opening 10 minutes from being seen by our original, livestream audience. Now, thanks to the tireless work (and great thinking) of the faculty and students of Central Columbia High School’s Communications and Technology program, the full program, including the opening introduction and the first few candidates remarks which were previously cut off, are now available in full. Please note that in viewing the new video, the opening card remains on the screen for the first seven minutes, but the audio exists in its entirety.
Thank you to the students who recorded and livestreamed our event!
As to the event itself, decorum, professionalism, rules of order and collaboration – the bulwark of the Chamber’s recently adopted Code of Conduct – were on full display during the forum, and we’re delighted to offer this video to all residents of Columbia County ahead of the primary election. We were also thrilled that the in-house audience provided excellent questions to supplement our own. Thank you for your engagement!
Special thanks to the following individuals and organizations who made this program possible:
Superintendent Jeff Groshek, Principal Adam Comstock, the Communications and Technology program, the students and faculty who turned over the facility from the musical (a huge feat), Mark Gardner of M&T Bank, who served as timekeeper for the forum, and the Visionary and Advocate members of the Chamber, whose investment in Chamber membership make possible the strategic initiatives of our five focus areas: advocacy, benefits program, employee development, and strengthening our communities.
Tune in to the program below, or visit our YouTube page, here.
Member News – May 10, 2023
PPL Donation Supports Hands-on Technology Education
PPL Electric Utilities is donating $8,000 to assist area high school students taking college-credit courses at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, PPL Electric is boosting Penn College Dual Enrollment, which enables academically qualified high school and career and technology education center students to take courses tuition-free during their regular school day. See Full Press Release.
Future Leaders in STEM Event - May 20
The Bloomsburg Children's Museum, The Foundation of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, The Bloomsburg YMCA, and the Teen Center are working together to bring TEDx-style talks, vendors, activities, and workshops. The event is free but registration is required. Register here.
Glen Brook Rehab to Host Open House
Tomorrow, May 11th from 3:00 - 6:00 pm, Glen Brook Rehab is celebrating its newly renovated sub-acute rooms. See their Open House Flyer 5.11
DBA Continues Downtown Fun
If you missed the 37th Annual Spring Fling in Danville on May 6th, you can catch up on the fun at the Danville Business Alliance's Third Thursdays this summer. May 18th kicks off this series of events with Bason's Coffee, Troop 47 Trading Co, and many other businesses open late. Check out all event details here.
Press Enterprise to hold "Best of the Best" Contest
First Keystone Community Bank Vice-President Wins National Banking Scholarship
Natalie Stackhouse, MBA Controller/Vice President at First Keystone Community Bank was one of 2 scholarship winners of the Owen Scholarship for Emerging Community Bank Leaders. See more details about the scholarship here.
2023 Covered Bridge Photo Contest Returns! - Experience Columbia -Montour Counties
Each year, the Visitors Bureau holds a photo contest to produce a 550-piece puzzle featuring one of the area-covered bridges. The 2023 Covered Bridge Photo Contest runs from Saturday, April 1st through Wednesday, May 31st at midnight EST. We’re excited to see another fantastic set of entries from everyone! Click HERE to learn how to enter!
PATHS Training May Webinars
The Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Health & Safety, will be offering numerous FREE safety webinars in May 2023. To access the PATHS Training Calendar visit www.dli.pa.gov/paths
First Commonwealth Bank Offering Virtual Seminar
Do you have customers that have questions about Buying a New Home? First Commonwealth Bank is offering a virtual seminar Thursday, May 18, 2023, 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Jeff Woodward, FCB Senior Mortgage Loan Originator Feel free to join or alert your clients. To RSVP, please visit here: Home Buyer Seminars | First Commonwealth Bank (fcbanking.com)
OSHA - National Beat the Heat Contest
OSHA is sponsoring a “Beat the Heat Contest” to raise awareness about the hazards of heat exposure in indoor and outdoor workplaces and identify how businesses across the nation control these hazards. Participants are asked to submit an awareness tool (e.g., infographic, poster, training curriculum, webpage, logo, etc.,) to increase heat hazard recognition among employers and workers.
To enter the contest and get more details go here. The contest is open now through June 9, 2023.
2nd Annual Recovery Picnic to be Held in June
Susquehanna United Way's United in Recovery program will be hosting its 2nd Annual Recovery Picnic on June 15, 11:00 am - 1:30 PM at 163 Briar Creek Lake Park Road, Berwick, PA, 18603. RSVP to the event here.
IMC to host Webinar Series
The Innovative Manufacturers' Center will be hosting a free four-part webinar series about attracting and retaining employees. The series starts July 25th. See full details.
Reset and Refresh: Spring Cleaning to Enhance Productivity at Work
Source: Mckonly & Asbury
Why Do We Talk About Spring Cleaning?
Spring cleaning isn’t some modern marketing campaign. Its roots trace back 3000 years to the Iranian practice of “shaking the house” before the Persian New Year each spring. Cleaning is also found in Chinese New Year’s traditions. Even Judaism encourages cleaning during Passover in spring. Symbolically, many cleaning rituals represent a clearing out of bad energies to make room for good things in the coming year.
In a practical sense, we clean our homes in spring because we used to use kerosene and coal in the 1800s. During winter, with windows closed, the soot from burning coal and kerosene would coat the house. You had to wait until warmer weather in spring to open the windows and start cleaning the grime. Winter and fewer daylight hours can also make us lethargic and unhappy (also called Seasonal Affective Disorder). When we finally start gaining energy in the spring is when we realize we need to catch up on tasks like cleaning.
Benefits of a Clean Workspace
But spring cleaning goes well beyond reorganizing our sock drawers. We must translate these principles into the workplace. From psychological to physical, the benefits of spring cleaning in the workplace are many.
Many people feel overwhelmed in their work with how much they must do. Often, this translates into piles of papers, projects, and even sticky note reminders plastered everywhere across the office. Introducing this chaos to your workspace can add unneeded psychological stress.
A Princeton study found that when we focus, our brains hone in on a singular purpose. But add visual clutter to that, and these competing objects pull our attention away. “The more objects in the visual field, the harder the brain has to work to filter them out, causing it to tire over time and reducing its ability to function.” This causes us to lose focus, lowering our productivity.
But messiness at work or at home (where many of us work now) affects our physical and mental health too. In one study, women who described their surroundings as cluttered or stressful showed “flatter diurnal slopes of cortisol, a profile associated with adverse health outcomes.” Women whose homes were deemed restorative spaces were less likely to experience depressed feelings daily.
How to Make Your Office More Productive with Spring Cleaning
Albert Einstein once joked: “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk?” A chaotic workspace might have worked for Einstein, but we’re not him. Therefore, it’s best that we stick to our spring-cleaning rituals.
If you want a more productive office, you need to clean. Here are three ways to maximize efficiency and build teamwork while you organize.
Make it Social: Office spring cleaning can be a social activity. Pair people together for tasks or even have them help each other clean individual workspaces. A second opinion can help with reorganizing or determining the priority of items to be left on the desk. Make sure managers and executives are involved to really drive home the community effort aspect.
Set Dedicated Time for It: Cleaning together at the office is easy to get going, but cleaning your home workspace is often a task left for outside of working hours. Instead, set a meeting for thirty minutes and have everyone clean their individual home spaces during that time. Have everyone on Zoom, so they can share what they’ve accomplished and inspire others to become or stay organized.
Throw Down a Challenge: Gamification is a great way to get people involved in work activities. Add some flair to your cleaning process by introducing a contest or challenge. Awards could go to the cleanest desk, best desk accessories, best desk organization skills, etc. Don’t forget to set some encouragement to keep up their neatness after the initial clean.
Spring Cleaning Motivation Playlist
Kids learn clean-up songs in preschool. Why not have a playlist of jams going to give you cleaning motivation?
Here are ten songs to enjoy as you organize, rearrange, and clean up your workspace.
- “Try Everything” by Shakira (from Zootopia)
- “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
- “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen
- “Shake it Off” by Taylor Swift
- “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles
- “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi
- “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
- “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves
- “The Fighter” by Gym Class Heroes
- “Believe” by Cher
Unlock more of the Secrets of Motivation with our Dale Carnegie courses and resources.
From improving our work performance to leading others to setting a vision for your life, Dale Carnegie is here to help.
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As an owner of the Dale Carnegie Mid-Atlantic franchise, McKonly & Asbury is able to offer an extension of services to our clients and friends of the firm, expanding our expertise in the areas of leadership, team building, and people development as Dale Carnegie offers programs in leadership, management development, customer engagement, service, sales, communication, and more.
Dale Carnegie’s Professional Training Courses offer endless options and unlimited opportunity. You can use their event finder to explore the right fit for you and your organization or take a look at some upcoming classes on our website by clicking here.
US Chamber Creates “America’s Top Small Business” Awards. Applications are now open
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of a new awards program for small businesses: America's Top Small Business! Applications for the program are now open.
Formerly known as the Dream Big Awards, America’s Top Small Business (ATSB) aims to recognize small businesses doing big things in their industries and communities through innovation, job creation and a commitment to being an integral part of a thriving business ecosystem.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will be choosing Top Small Businesses across America (10 in each of seven regions). The highest scoring business in each region will be named one of America’s Top Small Businesses and one finalist will win America’s Top Small Business of the Year Award — a $25,000 cash prize!
Find out everything you need to know about the ATSB program, including who is eligible to apply, how winners are chosen, important dates and deadlines, and more on the FAQ page. As members of the U.S. Chamber, we're pleased to help our own members take advantage of these programs. Reach out to Taryn Crayton at tcrayton@columbiamontourchamber.com for assistance.
Member Highlight – -Mind and Thrive Wellness
We are pleased to showcase Mind and Thrive Wellness, LLC of Danville. They joined the Chamber in January of 2023.
Making the choice to seek therapy requires strength and courage. Barriers such as time and cost can make the search difficult and dishearten so many. The therapists at Mind and Thrive Wellness, LLC, aim to increase access to mental health services via Telehealth. If you are in need of help or know someone who needs help reach out to Mind and Thrive Wellness to take that first step in your journey to wellness!
Chamber Joins Coalition Calling for Legal Immigration Reforms
On May 1, a bipartisan coalition of more than 430 business associations, including The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, launched the LIBERTY Campaign (Legal Immigration and Border Enforcement Reform This Year) with a letter to members of Congress, calling on them to address the crisis at our border and the workforce shortage crisis before the year’s end.
The majority of American voters – both Republican and Democrat – support policies to strengthen border security and make it easier to immigrate to the U.S., according to a recent Fox News poll. Three-quarters of voters (73%) favor making it easier to immigrate and increasing the number of border agents at the southern border (74%).
The LIBERTY Campaign is comprised of over 430 business associations from all 50 states and spanning across a host of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, restaurants, hospitality, retail, construction, agriculture, engineering, and food processing, among others. LIBERTY’s letter to Congress reads, in part:
“When it comes to individual priorities, our organizations may differ, but the one thing we agree on is that another year of inaction on border security and legal immigration reform is not an acceptable option. The failure to enact reforms will deepen these current crises.
“That is why we have formed the Legal Immigration and Border Enforcement Reforms This Year (LIBERTY) Campaign, to call upon Congress to enact measures this year to improve our borders and our legal immigration system. Any progress that Congress can make can become the foundation for additional reforms.
“Ultimately, elected officials will have to negotiate what can secure the necessary votes in both Houses of Congress and the President’s signature. We are committed to working with lawmakers who share our view that finding reasonable compromises is the only path forward to securing our borders, averting further humanitarian crises, and meeting the economic needs of the United States.”
Read the full letter sent to Congress and review the list of LIBERTY members.
Chamber to Host Candidate Forum Ahead of Primary Election
Voters in Columbia County will have a chance to learn more about registered Republican candidates vying for County Commissioner during a public candidate forum to be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 7:00pm at the Central Columbia High School Auditorium. The event will be hosted by the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee, and is set to take place one week before the municipal primary election.
On the May 16 Republican primary ballot for Columbia County Commissioner, nine individuals are vying to represent their party on the general election ballot. Of those nine (Earl Skip Mordan, Dean A Brewer, Roger D. Glidewell, Kerry J Parkes, Tim Burke, Randy Karschner, Rich Ridgway, Andrew L Detwiler, and Matthew Good), only two will be selected by voters.
In the Democratic primary, there are two registered candidates for County Commissioner seeking two spots on the ballot: David M Kovach and Patricia Lawton.
“We think there’s an opportunity to offer voters an informative and meaningful forum” said Chamber president Chris Berleth, who will serve as the event’s moderator. “We’re also grateful to the students of the Central Columbia Communications and Technology Department who will be helping us live stream the event.”
The event is open to the public, pre-registration is required.
The format for the event will be a modified debate. Each candidate will be presented with the same questions in rotating order with two minutes for each response. Questions screened from the in-person audience may also be presented if time permits. Candidates will also be given time for closing remarks.
“As a Chamber, we continue to host these events for primary and general elections to spotlight important business issues and offer voters a chance to gain exposure to candidates. We don’t endorse candidates or parties,” said Berleth."
The Chamber has hosted candidate forums for several recent primary and general elections, including the general election forum for the 109th Legislative District (2022), the forum for the Democratic primary candidates in the Bloomsburg Mayoral Race (2021), and the Bloomsburg Town Council Candidate Forum (2021). To register for the event on May 9, visit www.columbiamontourchamber.com.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce represents employers in supporting vibrant, sustainable communities in Columbia and Montour Counties.
Get Out the Vote: May 16th Primary & Special Elections
According to a new report from the U.S. Chamber Chamber of Commerce, public companies’ concerns about policy risks—like changes in taxes, regulations, and enforcement—have increased by 27% over the last decade.
“The data show what business leaders tell us every day—rising public policy risks threaten business growth and innovation and our country’s global competitiveness,” said Suzanne P. Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “In Washington, the polarization, gridlock, regulatory overreach, and inability to act smartly and strategically for our future are making it harder for businesses to do their jobs and move this country forward.”
The study analyzed how many times S&P 500 companies referenced terms commonly associated with public policy risk in their 10-K filings with the SEC from 2011 to 2021, finding that policy risk mentions dramatically increased over the last decade as compared with other risks, which were relatively flat.
The terms that saw the greatest percent increase in mentions were: “data privacy,” “immigration issues,” “labor” and “intellectual property.” The healthcare and utilities sectors saw the biggest increase in concerns about public policy risk over the last decade.
The most prominent drivers behind this significant jump in public policy risks are constant shifts in power in Washington, an increasingly partisan approach to lawmaking, and a growing willingness by both parties to pursue aggressive policy changes through regulation rather than Congressional legislation.
“Companies of all sizes face increasing headwinds from Washington and those risks are diversifying and intensifying,” said U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley. “This report confirms what we have been hearing from our member companies about the growing threat of government overreach and the risk it poses to their businesses.”
Management of Public Policy Risks
Like other risks, companies must anticipate, monitor, manage, and, when necessary, mitigate risks posed from changes in public policy. This includes closely monitoring public policy developments, engaging with policymakers, and—as we saw for example in response to trade restrictions—adjusting their business operations.
Against the backdrop of this unprecedented increase in public policy risks impacting businesses of all sizes, the U.S. Chamber has stepped up its efforts to help companies navigate legislative and regulatory risks, hold agency heads and regulators accountable, and challenge overreach at every turn.
The full report can be accessed here.
What We Can Do About It
This is simple: let's get out the vote, beginning with the upcoming May 16, 2023 municipal primary elections, and in Montour County, the special election to fill the open seat in the 108th PA Legislative District. "Primary elections are often overlooked by voters, and that's a mistake," says Chris Berleth, President of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce. "We should take all elections as opportunities to bring our voices to the political conversations happening within our communities."
Thanks to technology and the resources provided by our local elections offices, its easier than ever to gain valuable information about what to expect when entering our polling places. Check out the links below to local county election resources and pdf version of the sample ballots for both parties in every community in the region.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce represents employers in supporting vibrant, sustainable communities in Columbia and Montour Counties.
Celebrate National Small Business Week
In honor of National Small Business Week, The Columbia Montour Chamber is celebrating our members and continuing our efforts to provide local businesses the access they need to critical resources. As you celebrate your small business this week, don't forget that your membership entitles you to access to the Chamber's low-interest loan program, benefits consulting with My Benefit Advisor, a cost-reducing commercial and residential energy program with World Kinect Energy, and the dozens of networking and employee development programs developed throughout the year. Be sure to check out our website for all of these opportunities.
Our friends and partners at the Small Business Development Centers also have programs and grants which can help you to grow your business. Here are just a few:
May 4th - Business Startup Basics for Central PA - Register here.
May 10th - 1 Million Cups (1MC) Susquehanna Valley engages & empowers entrepreneurs - with conversation & coffee - at monthly events throughout the Susquehanna Valley. Register Here
May 18 - Strategies for Creating Your Marketing Identity - Register Here
Grants & Loans Available to Small Businesses
Value Added Producer Grant Program - helps agricultural producers generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase income. Here are a few examples of farms and food product companies recently receiving grants of up to $250,000. (Due 5/11/2023)
DEP Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate - Farmers who are commercial agriculture producers are eligible to apply for rebates for energy efficiency projects such as LED lighting and variable frequency drives for milk vacuum pumps or ventilation fans . (Due 6/3023)
Economic Injury Disaster Loans - are available throughout the Bucknell SBDC's service region for agricultural cooperatives and small businesses engaged in aquaculture affected by drought from June 10 through August 31, 2022. (Due 8/21/23)
Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program - provides up to $2,000 grants to PA-based creative entrepreneurs, prioritizing individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, or persons of color, and those located in and whose work benefits low-income communities. (Ongoing)
Global Access Program Grant - reimburses businesses up to 75% of qualifying expenses for specific export promotion activities. Businesses can receive a maximum award of $10,000 per grant, and up to two awards per award period. (Ongoing)