Member News – February 22, 2023
The Exchange Listening Room Jam Session Tonight
Tonight at 7 pm (after the Business After Hours, perhaps?), swing over to the Exchange Listening Room for a unique jam session with Gabe Stillman called "Four Great Guitarists". Check out more details here.
March Events at Lions Gate
Lions Gate continues to hold regular community events for all ages, including yoga, spin, movie matinees, kids canvas painting, open houses, trivia and live music. Check out the calendar here.
Upcoming Bucknell Small Business Development Center Workshops
Don't miss these free workshops offered by the Bucknell SBDC:
- March 2, 2023 - 12 pm - The Power of Building a Subscription Business
- March 9, 2023, 9:30 am - Business Startup Basics for Central PA: The First Step
- March 23, 2023, 12 pm - Basic Legal Considerations for Startups and Small Businesses
Columbia County Placemaking Initiative Requests Your Input
Over the next several months, the Columbia County Placemaking Initiative will create and implement a county-wide placemaking plan that makes Columbia County an even better place to live, work, play, and learn. The information gathered through this survey will inform the plan. It takes 15 minutes, and all responses are anonymous. Residents, businesses, and community leaders are strongly encouraged to participate! Complete the survey here.
This project is funded through the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge.
Artspace Gallery Closed This Week
The space is closed for renovations this week but reopens and looks forward to its next show on March 2, 2023.
Encina Plans Community Engagement Opportunity March 1
Encina will be holding a telephone event for those interested in learning more about The Point Township Circular Manufacturing Facility. This phone event will take place on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Prior to 6:30 pm, simply dial 877-228-2184 from a cell phone or landline and you will be prompted to enter a participation pin number which is 111947.
Montour County Human Services Coalition Senior Expo
On Thursday, March 9, MCHSC will offer free resources and support, 2023 tax filing assistance, a cooking demo, and more for seniors at the Montour County Admin Building. Registration is not required. Share the flyer. Sign up to be a vendor.
IMC Bringing No-Cost Electrical Safety Training for General Industry to Central PA
in partnership with The Manufacturer's Association, this training is now available at no cost thanks to an OSHA grant. Open enrollment will be offered, and companies are also able to host training sessions onsite with a minimum of 10 participants.
Training Topics Include:
- General Electrical Safety Information
- General Electrical Safe Work Practices
- Common Hazards
- Permitted and Non-permitted uses
- Arc Flash
- Energy Control Procedures (ECPs) & Lockout/Tag-out (LOTO)
This NO COST training is available to workers and employers covered under the OSH Act of 1970, SEC. 4, codified at 29 U.S.C. 653 (Appendix B). This also includes multiple small businesses and temporarily unemployed workers who are planning to reenter the workforce in a position covered by the OSHA Act within the next three months.
To schedule Electrical Safety Training at YOUR location or to be added to the list to receive information on open enrollment classes, please contact Lauri Moon at (570) 329-3200×8085 or by email at laurim@imcpa.com. You can also visit IMC’s Events page for these and all our open-enrollment classes.
Columbia County EMA Announces CodeRED Community Notification System
Residents and businesses are encouraged to go to ema.columbiapa.org and click on the CodeRED logo located on the home page to ensure all of the data in the system is accurate and current. Learn more.
Guest Post (Brookdale Senior Living): 5 Things to Declutter Your Kitchen
Sometimes, decluttering is the key to better living. Keep these criteria in mind when you’re choosing what to keep and what to discard: how often the item is used, how difficult the item is to clean, how versatile it is, and how many duplicates of the item you have. Read more.
Solicitation Open for the FY22-23 Spring 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program
This is a grant program with awards that range from $5,000 to $150,000 (A match is required for awards over $25,001) for nonprofit organizations that principally serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single-bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication. Applicants are eligible for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the Commonwealth that is owned or operated by the nonprofit organization. The 30-day period to submit your funding request is from Tuesday, January 31 to Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 11:45 PM.
Service 1st Invites Amateur Photographers to Participate in the 2024 Calendar Photo Contest
Kawneer Launches Redesigned Website
Architects, planners, and specifiers can now easily find sustainability credentials on every page. Visit Kawneer.com
Member News – February 15, 2023
Columbia County Placemaking Initiative Requests Your Input
Over the next several months, the Columbia County Placemaking Initiative will create and implement a county-wide placemaking plan that makes Columbia County an even better place to live, work, play and learn. The information gathered through this survey will inform the plan. It takes 15 minutes, and all responses are anonymous. Residents, businesses, and community leaders are strongly encouraged to participate! Complete the survey here.
This project is funded through the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge.
Save the Date: Encina Plans Community Engagement Opportunity March 1
Encina will be holding a telephone event for those interested in learning more about The Point Township Circular Manufacturing Facility. This phone event will take place on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additional details on how to participate are forthcoming.
SERVPRO Urges Bloomsburg Property Owners to Focus on Disaster Readiness as Spring Approaches
Property damage remediation specialist says the importance of advance planning grows as severe weather and climate events become more frequent. Read more.
IMC Bringing No-Cost Electrical Safety Training for General Industry to Central PA
in partnership with The Manufacturer's Association, this training is now available at no cost thanks to an OSHA grant. Open enrollment will be offered, and companies are also able to host training sessions onsite with a minimum of 10 participants.
Training Topics Include:
- General Electrical Safety Information
- General Electrical Safe Work Practices
- Common Hazards
- Permitted and Non-permitted uses
- Arc Flash
- Energy Control Procedures (ECPs) & Lockout/Tag-out (LOTO)
This NO COST training is available to workers and employers covered under the OSH Act of 1970, SEC. 4, codified at 29 U.S.C. 653 (Appendix B). This also includes multiple small businesses and temporarily unemployed workers who are planning to reenter the workforce in a position covered by the OSHA Act within the next three months.
To schedule Electrical Safety Training at YOUR location or to be added to the list to receive information on open enrollment classes, please contact Lauri Moon at (570) 329-3200×8085 or by email at laurim@imcpa.com. You can also visit IMC’s Events page for these and all our open enrollment classes.
Local Musician Patrick Sullivan Live at Lions Gate - February 16
Live music and light refreshments in the Lions Gate Club House from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm tomorrow night. Not able to make it? See a full calendar of free community events at Lions Gate. 
Columbia County EMA Announces CodeRED Community Notification System
Residents and businesses are encouraged to go to ema.columbiapa.org and click on the CodeRED logo located on the home page to ensure all of the data in the system is accurate and current. Learn more.
Solicitation Open for the FY22-23 Spring 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program
This is a grant program with awards that range from $5,000 to $150,000 (A match is required for awards over $25,001) for nonprofit organizations that principally serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single-bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication. Applicants are eligible for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the Commonwealth that is owned or operated by the nonprofit organization. The 30-day period to submit your funding request is from Tuesday, January 31 to Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 11:45 PM.
EPA Virtual Public Hearing on National Ambient Air Quality Standards
The EPA has a virtual public hearing on plans to reconsider the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter (PM2.5), taking place February 21-22. The proposed rule would impose stricter PM2.5 standards, which could hurt the economy and slow manufacturing growth. The NAM is advocating for the EPA to reconsider the proposal and instead focus on ensuring current strong air standards already on the books are being met before instituting new regulations. Register to speak at the upcoming hearing by clicking here.
Application Deadlines Approaching for Berwick Grants
Tomorrow is the last day to submit for Community Giving Foundation: Berwick's 2023 competitive grant round. (This grant round includes the Berwick Health & Wellness Fund.) The deadline for requests $10,000 and under is February 16th, and requests over $10,000 are due March 9th. Learn more about the application process and apply at csgiving.org/grants
Service 1st Invites Amateur Photographers to Participate in 2024 Calendar Photo Contest
Winter Weather Safety Tips from Columbia County & PennDOT
- Flashlight and batteries
- Cell phone and charger
- Snow shovel
- Jumper cables
- Blanket
- Battery-operated radio
For more supplies to include in your kit, check out Ready PA's Build a Kit for Your Vehicle here.
2D Hydraulic Modeling Analysis of the West End Flood Mitigation Study Final Report Published
The final report for the Two-Dimensional (2D) Hydraulic Modeling Analysis of the West End Flood Mitigation Study is now published. The Columbia County Board of Commissioners, working with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG), engaged Borton-Lawson to develop the West End Flood Mitigation Study. This supplemental 2D report is an addendum to the Final Report for the West End Flood Mitigation Study published in June 2022.
The Final Report outlined the recommendations for a levee system to mitigate flooding risks from Fishing Creek and the Susquehanna River. The purpose of this supplemental 2D hydraulic study was to determine the impacts of a proposed levee more accurately during the Base Flood (100-Year flood flows) on Fishing Creek and the neighboring municipalities and residents. Based on the impacts determined in the 2D hydraulic modeling analyses, the viability of various proposed mitigation solutions was assessed to minimize or eliminate any induced flooding impacts.
In the initial phase of the West End Flood Study, it became evident that the complexity of the Fishing Creek hydraulics exceeded the capability of One-Dimensional (1D) analysis. Due to the size and breadth of the floodplain and floodway, multiple occurrences of split flow and flow junctions, density of development in the floodplain, and superelevated water surfaces around channel bends, a 2D hydraulic model was determined to be required for analysis of existing and proposed Fishing Creek hydraulic conditions related to the recommended flood mitigation project for the West End of the Town of Bloomsburg. Advanced hydraulic modeling with 2D software offers powerful computational methods to better understand the behavior of flows under existing conditions and to predict flows under the proposed conditions with a levee system.
SEDA-COG assisted Columbia County in the grant administration of the studies. The study was financed by grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth Financing Authority and the Department of Community and Economic Development.
The results of the study can be found on the Columbia County website.
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SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.
Momentum Building Around Code of Conduct
In December 2022, the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors adopted a code of conduct to encourage greater collaboration among elected and other officials. The document was developed in response to increasing polarization and unprofessionalism among people in leadership positions, resulting in organizational dysfunction and decreasing engagement in the decision-making process. Elected officials and governing bodies, including non-profit organizations, are invited to adopt the code of conduct.
Organizations and governing bodies across the region are reviewing this code of conduct, as well as like codes of conduct that may exist within their industry. In January, the Chamber reported that the Columbia County Commissioners, the Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC), and the Millville Area School District, respectively, each formally adopted the Chamber Code of Conduct for their own organizations.
Now, we are pleased to report that three more entities have signed the Code of Conduct. They are Catawissa Borough (Columbia County), Liberty Township (Montour County), and the Montour County Commissioners, respectively.
Special thanks to these organizations for their commitment to decorum, professionalism, collaboration, and an open decision-making process.
To review their commitments or to make one for your own business, non-profit, or community organization, visit the Code of Conduct page on our website.
The Secure 2.0 Act of 2022
Author:
It’s official – the SECURE 2.0 Act (the Act) has been signed into law! In a nutshell, the Act represents a package of retirement reform that will have widespread implications for the industry and will increase the savings potential for many Americans. The passing of the Act is certainly welcome for many retirement plan service providers. Voya Financial, one of the country’s largest retirement plan record keepers, stated in an email,
“SECURE 2.0 will make a number of important changes to help working individuals save more for retirement and increase their access to workplace retirement plans.”
Similarly, Vanguard, another large retirement service provider, wrote:
“This landmark legislation makes it easier for participants to save for their future by broadening Americans’ access to the retirement savings system…”
Here is an in-depth look at the more significant provisions and their impact on the retirement plan world. Plan sponsors and advisers should be aware of the various time frames for each specific provision and how to manage them accordingly.
Effective Prior to January 1, 2023
- Disaster Relief Withdrawals – Participants may withdraw up to $22,000 to pay for natural disaster-related expenses. These would be taxed as gross income over three years without additional penalty. This provision applies to disasters occurring on or after January 26, 2021, for DC plans and IRAs.
- Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) – Except as otherwise provided in authoritative guidance, most inadvertent plan failures may be self-corrected under the EPCRS without a submission to the IRS. This provision applies to DC plans, DB plans, and IRAs, and is effective December 29, 2022.
- Employer Matching and Nonelective Contributions (as Roth) – Plans may choose to allow vested participants to elect to receive employer matching and nonelective contributions as Roth contributions. This provision applies to DC plans and governmental 457(b) plans and is effective on or after December 30, 2022.
Effective for Plan Years Beginning on or After January 1, 2023
- Employee Self-Certification of Hardship Withdrawals – Plan sponsors may rely on employee certification that deemed hardship withdrawal conditions have been met. This provision applies to DC plans.
- Elimination of Most Ongoing Notices for Non-Participants – Plans are permitted to exclude unenrolled participants from certain ongoing required notices. An annual reminder of the participant’s eligibility to participate is still required annually. This provision applies to DC plans.
- Increase in Ages for Required Minimum Distributions – Increase in age to age 73 for those turning 72 on or after January 1, 2023; increased to age 75 for those turning 74 on or after January 1, 2033. This provision applies to DC plans, DB plans, and IRAs.
Effective for Plan Years Beginning on or After January 1, 2024
- Student Loan Matching – Employers can treat student loan payments of eligible employees as if they are elective deferrals to make matching contributions. Things to consider include matching contributions must follow the same matching formula as that for regular deferrals, employee self-certification is permitted, separate ADP testing is allowed, and the IRS is directed to issue regulations allowing the match to be made at a different frequency than the match on deferrals. This provision applies to DC plans, SIMPLE IRAs, and governmental 457(b) plans.
- 403(b) Plan Hardship Withdrawals – 403(b) plans may allow employer contributions and earnings for hardship withdrawals.
- Personal or Emergency Withdrawals – Participants will be permitted to withdraw up to $1,000 in one withdrawal per year without an early-withdrawal tax penalty. There will be an option to repay the amount in three years. This provision applies to DC plans and IRAs. Employers can also offer a retirement plan-linked emergency savings account (maximum $2,500) that would allow four penalty-free withdrawals per year. This provision applies to DC plans only.
- Extension of IRS Safe Harbor Protection for Inadvertent Auto-Enroll Errors – Permanent safe harbor protection is in place provided the errors are corrected, without penalty, by the earlier of a) 9 ½ months after the plan year or b) the first compensation payment date on or after the last day of the month following the month in which the employer is notified of the error. Employers must also make up for missed matching contributions. This provision applies to DC plans.
- Catch-up Contributions for Compensation in Excess of $145,000 – Catch-up contributions for participants whose compensation is more than $145,000 must be made as Roth contributions. This provision applies to DC plans and is effective for taxable years on or after January 1, 2024.
Effective for Plan Years Beginning on or After January 1, 2025
- Increase in Catch-up Contributions – For all plans except SIMPLE plans, for individuals ages 60-63, catch-up contributions will be increased to $10,000 or 150% of the regular catch-up amount for those aged 50 and over, whichever is greater. The limit is $5,000 for SIMPLE plans. This provision applies to DC plans and is effective for taxable years on or after January 1, 2025.
- Long-Term, Part-Time Eligibility – Employees with at least 1,000 hours of service in a one-year period or 500 service hours per year in a two-consecutive-year period are eligible to participate in their employer’s retirement plan. This provision applies to 401(k) and 403(b) plans.
- Mandatory Auto-Enrollment and Escalation – New 401(k) and 403(b) plans will be required to use automatic enrollment with an employee pre-tax contribution of at least 3% of compensation, but not more than 10%. The default contribution would then increase annually by 1%, up to a minimum of 10% and maximum of 15% of pay. Participants may override this by affirmatively electing a different contribution amount or opting out altogether. The mandatory automatic enrollment will not apply to existing plans. In addition, small businesses, new businesses, and church and government plans are exempt from this provision.
Effective for Plan Years Beginning on or After January 1, 2026
- Annual Paper Statements – Unless a participant elects otherwise, DC plans must provide one paper statement annually and DB plan must provide one paper statement every three years.
Please contact McKonly & Asbury if you have questions about the information outlined above, their seasoned and experienced employee benefit plan professionals are here to help. You can also learn more about their Employee Benefit Plan Audit services by visiting their website.
Berleth Selected as Chamber President
On Friday, the Chamber’s Board of Directors selected Chris Berleth, the organization’s Vice President, to succeed Fred Gaffney in the role of President. Gaffney will be leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities. The two will be working together through a transition period to be completed by March, 31st. The process to fill the Vice President position will begin immediately.
“On behalf of the entire board, I extend our sincere thanks and best wishes to Fred Gaffney who has provided inspiring and tireless leadership for the Chamber, its members, and the community at large,” said Chris Stamatedes, Chairperson of the Chamber Board. “While we are sad to see Fred move on, we do consider ourselves fortunate that we have a depth of talent in our staff, allowing us to quickly fill this position with our current Vice President, Chris Berleth.”
Berleth joined The Columbia Montour Chamber in August of 2022. Previously, Chris was with the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber in Shamokin Dam for six years as Executive Director of Membership and Leadership. In his role with the Columbia Montour Chamber, Berleth has provided leadership in delivering a high return on investment to members through the development and coordination of communications, programs, and events of the Chamber and its Foundation. He is an Eagle Scout and a 2015 graduate of Leadership Susquehanna Valley, and holds a B.A. in Political Science and French from Gettysburg College. Chris, his wife Kali, and their two children, Remington, and Rutledge, reside in Pine Township, Columbia County.
“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to lead the Chamber in the counties I call home,” said Berleth. “For more than twenty years, Fred Gaffney has served the business community and the chamber industry, positively impacted countless organizations and individuals, and served as a mentor to many in the profession. I will work hard to continue his good work, learn from his example, and match his energy so that we may continue to prosper together.
I look forward to working with the Chamber’s board, members, volunteers, and staff to grow the organization, promote an increasingly vibrant community, and ensure the vitality of organizations in the region.”
Gaffney was first hired by the Chamber in March of 2002 as Director of Marketing and Communications. He was later promoted to Vice President and left the Chamber in November 2006 to become the Executive Director of the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce in Seneca Falls, NY. Gaffney was rehired by The Columbia Montour Chamber in May of 2010 as president upon the retirement of his predecessor and mentor, Ed Edwards.
“It has been my privilege to serve the Chamber and its members over a nearly 21-year timespan in my various capacities,” said Gaffney. “With a dedicated board and staff in place and Chris’ leadership, I am excited for the future of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce and offer my assistance whenever appropriate.”
Recap: 2023 Annual Meeting
The 2023 Annual Meeting sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities was a smashing success, with nearly 200 Chamber members in attendance at Frosty Valley Resort. Check out the photos taken by Kali Berleth of Cozy B Photography. Click on the album below and swipe left/right to advance the pictures!
Member News – February 9, 2023
Small Business Roundtable (Zoom) with Congressman Dan Meuser
Members are invited to join Congressman Dan Meuser for this Zoom event on February 15 from 10:15 am to 11:15 am. Contact Tom Gerhard, Deputy District Director with your interest.
McKonly & Asbury Wins ClearlyRated’s 2023 Best of Accounting 5-Year Diamond Award for Service Excellence
Just 27% of 2023 Best of Accounting winners earned the Diamond award distinction.
Hodrick Installed as District Vice President of Pennsylvania Association of Realtors
Kevin Hodrick was installed during a ceremony at the Sunoco Performance Theater, Whitaker Center, in Harrisburg this week. As the District 7 Vice President, he will represent members from Bradford, Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Elk, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Montour, Northumberland, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, and Union counties.
Columbia County EMA Announces CodeRED Community Notification System
Residents and businesses are encouraged to go to ema.columbiapa.org and click on the CodeRED logo located on the home page to ensure all of the data in the system is accurate and current. Learn more.
Solicitation Open for the FY22-23 Spring 2023 Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program
is a grant program (awards range from $5,000 to $150,000; a match is required for awards over $25,001) for nonprofit organizations that principally serve individuals, groups, or institutions that are included within a bias motivation category for single-bias hate crime incidents as identified by the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics publication. Applicants are eligible for security enhancements designed to protect the safety and security of the users of a facility located in the Commonwealth that is owned or operated by the nonprofit organization. The 30-day period to submit your request for funding is from Tuesday, January 31 to Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 11:45 PM.
EPA Virtual Public Hearing on National Ambient Air Quality Standards
The EPA has a virtual public hearing on plans to reconsider the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter (PM2.5), taking place February 21-22. The proposed rule would impose stricter PM2.5 standards, which could hurt the economy and slow manufacturing growth. The NAM is advocating for the EPA to reconsider the proposal and instead focus on ensuring current strong air standards already on the books are being met before instituting new regulations. Register to speak at the upcoming hearing by clicking here.
Geisinger recognized as top employer by military organizations
Geisinger has been recognized as a top employer for its continued support of military veterans and active service members with two recent designations. The Pennsylvania-based health system was recognized by Military Times on its 2022 Best for Vets: Employers rankings and earned the 2023 Military Friendly® Employer with Gold distinction designation by VIQTORY.
Application Deadlines Approaching for Berwick Grants
This is the last week to submit for Community Giving Foundation: Berwick's 2023 competitive grant round. (This grant round includes the Berwick Health & Wellness Fund.) Deadline for requests $10,000 and under is February 16th, and requests over $10,000 are due March 9th. Learn more about the application process and apply at csgiving.org/grants
Service 1st Invites Amateur Photographers to Participate in 2024 Calendar Photo Contest
Columbia Montour Chamber Announces 2023 – 2024 Board
The 2023 – 2024 Board of Directors of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce was announced at the organization’s Annual Meeting sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities, held on Tuesday, February 8 at the Frosty Valley Resort in Danville.
The following individuals were elected to the Board of Directors and will begin serving on April 1, 2023.
Elected to serve a 3-year term on the Chamber Board:
Renee Gerringer, Ronald McDonald House of Danville
Adrienne Mael, Susquehanna Valley United Way
Bruce Schlichter, Kawneer
Chris Hill, Pine Barn Inn
Elected to serve a 1-year term on the Chamber Board:
Todd Shawver, Commonwealth University
Deb Shade, Elmdale Inn Bed & Breakfast
Dan Good, Marr Development
Elected to fill unexpired, three-year terms:
Mike Morgan, Geisinger
Travis Petty, Grieco & Petty
Elected to serve as Officers:
Chris Stamatedes, Chair
Bob Stoudt, Vice-Chair
Holly Morrison – Treasurer
Appointed by the Board Chair for 1-year terms:
Jason Huff, Autoneum
Aaron Stagliano, McKonly & Asbury
Jon Littlewood, First Keystone Community Bank
Other Board members continuing to serve:
Jeff Cerminaro, Walker’s Jewelers
Holly Morrison, Community Giving Foundation
Josh Nespoli, Community Strategies Group
Bob Stoudt, Montour Area Recreation Commission
Tim Wagner, Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc.
Jeff Whitenight, First Columbia Bank & Trust
Megan Kiliti, Berwick Area YMCA, Dan Knorr, Commonwealth University of PA, Denise Stone, eXp Realty, Karen Wood, Service 1st Federal Credit Union, and Elaine Woodland, First Keystone Community Bank, were recognized for their service to the board as their terms expired.
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Organizations and Individuals Recognized at Annual Meeting
Member businesses and individuals of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce were recognized during the organization’s Annual Meeting sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities, on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at the Frosty Valley Resort in Danville.
Nearly 200 people attended the evening event which celebrated outstanding member achievements, elected members to the Board of Directors, highlighted Chamber activities of the past year, and previewed the year ahead. The Chamber’s five annual awards were presented to businesses and individuals for their significant contributions to the community. The following awards were presented:
Small Business of the Year - Sponsored by First Columbia Bank & Trust
Awardee: Shanty Secrets
Large Business of the Year - Sponsored by DRIVE
Awardee: Millville Mutual Insurance
Nonprofit of the Year - Sponsored by PNC
The Children’s Museum, Inc.
Community Progress Award- Sponsored by My Benefit Advisor & World Kinect Energy Services
Awardee: Elmdale Inn Bed & Breakfast
Outstanding Citizen - Sponsored by Berwick Industrial Development Association
Awardee: Harry Mathias
The Small Business of the Year award is presented to a member business or organization of 30 employees or fewer than has done one or more of the following: demonstrated business or community leadership evidenced by diversification and creativity in the development of new products, services and/or markets; demonstrated staying power and positive response to adversity; or demonstrated community involvement.
Shanty Secrets is nestled along the Susquehanna River outside of Riverside on Boyd Station Road. They offer a memorable dining experience with fresh, local ingredients as well as cooking classes. The small business has grown with the help of partnerships and friendships that they have developed in the area. Shanty Secrets is vegan-centric, which is in growing demand. The business has been involved in the community by providing meals for frontline workers and a Cinco De Mayo celebration for teachers in the Danville School District.
The Large Business of the Year Award is presented to a business with 31 or more employees, and the criteria are the same as for the Small Business of the Year.
One of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Columbia County, Millville Mutual Insurance Company has been in business since 1875 and strongly supports its local community. Some of the biggest events in the small but mighty borough of Millville, PA, such as the annual Fireman's Carnival, the 4th of July parade, and two exceptionally large fireworks celebrations, simply wouldn’t happen without their support. They are also big supporters of youth sports and organizations like the Little League and Camp Victory.
The Nonprofit of the Year Award is presented to a nonprofit organization with 100 or fewer employees that have provided diversified and creative aid to the Columbia Montour region utilizing business, personal, and community resources.
Founded in 1985, the Bloomsburg Children's Museum has been enriching children’s lives through interactive programming for thirty-eight years. In 2021, over 25,000 people visited the museum and that number does not include all of the programs offered at outside venues. It's a boon to the economy, an incredible resource for children and families, and a growing gathering place that continues to thrive year after year thanks to Ginny Weibel, Executive Director, her staff, and many engaged volunteers.
The Community Progress Award goes to a member business or organization that showed improvement in the internal or external appearance of a commercial property through either new construction, renovation, restoration, or remodeling, and completed that construction within the last three calendar years or by December 2022.
Featured in the walking tour of Bloomsburg, the historic, Colonial Revival Style house (with Federal and Georgian elements) at 503 Market St. has been a landmark in the community for years as a private residence. In 2021, Jack Devine and Deb Shade transformed the property into Elmdale Inn Bed & Breakfast, a B&B that adds much to the charm and welcome of the Bloomsburg community – it’s an adaptation of a classic landmark in the historic district.
The Outstanding Citizen Award is presented to an individual that is an employee or volunteer of a member organization who is involved in civic activities beneficial to the Columbia Montour region and who projects a positive community image.
Harry Mathias served as Interim Superintendent of the Danville Area School District from July through November last year after serving as Superintendent of the Central Columbia School District for 19 years. Mathias guided Danville through challenging times and led the search for a new superintendent.
He serves as a Board Member of the Community Giving Foundation and served as a grant advisor to the Columbia County Commissioners as they administered $12 million in American Rescue Plan funds. Funding supported public water and sewer projects, non-profit organizations, and small businesses impacted by the pandemic.
He is also President of the Harry C. Mathias Sr. Charitable Foundation serving Montour County through grants to the Exchange Swimming Pool and Warrior Run Area School District, including for their needy student food and clothing funds and scholarships to Warrior Run Area graduates.
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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that represents more than 400 businesses and organizations from the Columbia and Montour region.