Member News – July 20, 2022
Community Giving Foundation Welcomes New Operations Assistant
The Community Giving Foundation is pleased to welcome Shelli Sarge to the Foundation team as Operations Assistant. Sarge will work closely with the Foundation’s Director of Philanthropy to provide support for the development and finance departments by processing incoming donations, offering technical support to donors and fundholders, and utilizing the Foundation’s database software to its fullest capabilities. Prior to joining the Foundation team, she worked for KN-AN Inc. and Lehrine Inc. as a bookkeeper, and also owned and operated Red Brick Studios for many years. Sarge is a native of Nescopeck and continues to call the community home with her husband. Their daughter lives in York, PA.
“I am excited to work with the Foundation and am impressed with its ideals. I appreciate the value of helping others in our local area and look forward to serving the community with this team,” said Sarge.
Sarge joins the following Foundation staff: Holly Morrison, D.Ed., President and CEO; Kara G. Seesholtz, incoming President and CEO; Al Meale, Chief Financial Officer; Christine Orlando, Director of Philanthropy; Eric Pangelinan, Program Officer; Katie Simpson, Communications & Events Associate; Karri Harter, Program Associate; and Kim Groshek, Administrative Assistant.
State Budget Deal Includes New Child Care Tax Credit
As part of Pennsylvania’s 2022-23 budget deal, the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Program provides a permanent state tax credit of up to 30% of child care-related expenses. Income-eligible people will be able to claim up to $3,000 for one dependent, and $6,000 for two or more dependents. Final details on the percentage of expenses that can be credited based on income level have yet to be determined.
Click here for more details.
Technology Advances Help Employees To Get More Value From Benefits
Since the widespread shift toward remote and hybrid work began a little over two years ago, a rapidly increasing number of employers have implemented and expanded their use of benefit administration technology. And as the technologies involved have continued to advance, employees have enjoyed greater access to their employee benefit program information and administrative functionalities.
For many individuals working from home, there is less opportunity to learn about employee benefit details through in-person meetings, bulletin board postings and other more traditional means. The benefit administration platforms remedy this by improving access to data, including detailed benefit descriptions, plan comparisons, cost illustrations, provider network information and prescription drug details and other decision-support tools, allowing workers to make more informed choices regarding benefit selections and changes. The employer benefits as well since these same technology enhancements will allow human resource staff the ability to better perform their responsibilities from remote work locations and with less opportunity for human error.
Although these platforms have already been in use for some time by larger companies, the technology has now made its way down to small groups as well, eliminating obstacles for just about any company to employ digital benefit administration capabilities for the benefit of their employees.
The Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at cmcc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Stephen Lylo at (800) 377-3539.
TKO Graphix Joins The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce
TKO Graphix is a national fleet graphics and vehicle wraps company. Since 1985, TKO Graphix has been helping businesses, large and small, brand their fleet of tractor-trailers, service trucks, and company vehicles with their full-service solutions including print production, design, graphics installation, removal, project management, and inventory fulfillment.
TKO Graphix employs the largest 3M™ Certified installation crew in the country. Their graphics installers, along with their established national UASG network of professional installers, allows them to brand any size fleet, anywhere!
Despite being headquartered in Plainfield, Indiana, TKO Graphix also has a location in Danville on 891 Strick Rd. You can click here to view more information on our newest member.
TKO Graphix joins over 400 members of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce to receive benefits and support the Chamber’s efforts to enhance the region.
Java Momma Featured on TV Show “World’s Greatest”
Java Momma, based in Danville, is one of the “World’s Greatest” when it comes to direct sales.
Read more at www.wnep.com.
Geisinger Career Closet Offers Free Professional Outfits for Public
The Geisinger Career Center in downtown Danville is hosting free Career
Closet events every Thursday and Friday in July from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During these free
events, participants can make an appointment at the career center, located at 529 Mill St. in
Danville, to try on and choose an outfit or articles of clothing for a job interview or to kickstart
their professional wardrobe.
“As more of our neighbors prepare to re-enter the workforce, they want to feel confident when
they go for a job interview,” said Jean Wingard, recruitment coordinator for Geisinger’s human
resources talent acquisition. “This free resource helps you put your best foot forward, whether
you’re entering the workforce for the first time or you’re seeking a different position. Nothing
should keep you from taking the next step in your career and landing your next role.” Men’s and women’s professional attire sizes range from XS to XXXL, and shoes from size 5 to
8.5. The Geisinger Career Center opened in downtown Danville in 2020 to guide community
members and Geisinger employees through available job opportunities in the health system.
The career center staff offers information on open positions, professional development
resources and job interview coaching. The Geisinger Career Closet events are free to the community and Geisinger employees. Visit
go.geisinger.org/careercloset to reserve your time at the Career Closet in July
Blues Performance in Bloomsburg Town Park This Evening
Fresh off opening the Billtown Blues Festival last month, the Uptown Music Collective’s new Blues band will make its Bloomsburg debut this week in a free performance at the bandshell in Bloomsburg Town Park. The UMC’s Country band will also play a set.
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a great concert by some of this region’s most talented teenaged musicians. You can walk, bike, or drive to Town Park, by the bank of the Susquehanna River at the foot of Market Street; plenty of free parking available.
McKonly & Asbury Announces Promotion
Robert Grey joined McKonly & Asbury in January 2019 through the firm’s acquisition of Brewer & Company, LLC, and is currently a Manager with the firm. He provides a wide range of services to his clients by performing audits, reviews, and compilations working with non-profit organizations and local government entities. He also oversees the individual tax return preparation process. Robert works out of the Bloomsburg office and holds a degree in Accounting from Bloomsburg University.
Summer Edition of Business Matters Tab Published in Press Enterprise
Today’s Press Enterprise includes the Summer edition of our Business Matters tab. This season’s publication includes information about the state budget, which was finalized late last week, details on the Chamber’s upcoming events including women’s Leadercast and our Third Annual Mixer w/ Nonprofits, and expanded information on programs to support members. You can also view the full Summer edition of our Business Matters tab online here.
LEGISLATURE REACHES COMPROMISE TO END BRIDGE TOLLING
The State Legislature has passed a bill led by Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Jr. (R-35), chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, and co-sponsored by Senator John Gordner to stop the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) from imposing new tolls on existing bridges with a Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3).
“Bipartisan compromise was reached on my Senate Bill 382 to save over 550,000 daily motorists from paying a new toll on major bridges that drive local economies,” said Langerholc. “As elected leaders, our duty to this Commonwealth will require tremendous action to preserve our freeways for future generations.”
Langerholc was appointed chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee in January 2021, and the committee’s first public hearing was on PennDOT’s P3 bridge tolling initiative. In February 2021, Langerholc introduced Senate Bill 382 to reform the P3 statute and end PennDOT’s P3 bridge tolling initiative. Following the Senate’s passage of the bill in April 2021, Langerholc unveiled the DRIVE SMART Act in June 2021 to reform and invest in the Commonwealth’s transportation system. The House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 382 in November 2021 and returned it to the Senate for concurrence.
Senate Bill 382, as amended, is agreed-to with Gov. Wolf, who previously intended to veto the bill. Following extensive negotiations, this legislation now includes the following:
- Increases transparency by requiring PennDOT to publish a detailed analysis and requiring PennDOT to distribute a copy of the P3 Board’s resolution.
- Incorporates public comments by creating a new 30-day public comment period prior to the P3 Board’s voting meeting.
- Creates a checks-and-balance by reducing the scope of PennDOT’s power to optional user fees for new infrastructure and ensuring the General Assembly has more time to assess any transportation projects passed by the P3 Board.
- Rescinds the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative and limits the scope to the nine candidate bridges (instead of any major bridge in the State) without user fees.
- Saves taxpayer dollars by allowing PennDOT to preserve the preliminary designs and engineering plans for the nine candidate bridges.
“I had serious concerns with PennDOT’s authority to essentially tax and appropriate funds without additional oversight from the General Assembly,” said Langerholc. “At a time when the price of gas is hitting historic records under the Biden Administration, we had to stop PennDOT from adding more costs on Pennsylvania’s hardworking families.”
The compromise to the bill was reached following the Commonwealth Court’s two rulings against PennDOT’s oppressive overreach. The last order issued by the Commonwealth Court on June 30, 2022, voided the entire Major Bridge P3 Initiative.
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce joins the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry in applauding the General Assembly and Governor Tom Wolf for passage of significant reforms to the Commonwealth’s tax structure, including a reduction to the state’s uncompetitive Corporate Net Income Tax (CNI) rate and tax relief for small businesses.
“There’s been discussion about reducing the CNI for years,” said Columbia Montour Chamber President Fred Gaffney. “This agreement supports existing Pennsylvania employers, and significantly improves our opportunities for business growth.”
The Columbia Montour Chamber worked with the PA Chamber and a broad coalition of fellow chambers from throughout the Commonwealth to advocate for tax reductions and reforms to support employers, including sending a letter signed by more than 50 chambers of commerce that urged lawmakers to reduce the CNI for the economic benefits that studies show it will bring to the Commonwealth – including an increase in state GDP, wages and home values, job creation and the attraction and retention of new talent.
“This monumental tax reform package is a win for businesses and the people of Pennsylvania,” said PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein. “Chambers of commerce have been our steadfast allies in this effort and their joint advocacy proved critical. In a time when compromise can be elusive, this bipartisan measure is a good illustration that by working together, we can put Pennsylvania jobs, businesses, and investment first and chart a path towards a brighter future for our Commonwealth.”
For decades, Pennsylvania’s CNIT rate, which at 9.99 percent was the highest flat rate in the country, served as a barrier to growth. The budget cuts the rate in half over the course of eight years – starting with a full one percent reduction in 2023 to 8.99 percent and then phasing down each year by .50 percent until reaching 4.99 percent in 2031. Based on current state corporate tax rates, the full reduction takes Pennsylvania from the highest CNI tax rate in the country to the sixth lowest by 2031 and is the first change in the rate since 1995 – giving our economy a vigorous boost in our post-pandemic recovery.
The tax reform package also targets relief to small businesses, including allowing tax liability to be deferred when small businesses upgrade property assets, known as “like-kind exchanges”, and allowing small businesses to deduct qualifying equipment purchases, just as federal law provides for under Section 179 of the federal tax code. These tax reforms will make it easier for small businesses to expand, buy equipment, and invest in their operations and workforce.
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce applauds state lawmakers for working in a bipartisan way to advance these important priorities and support Pennsylvania employers.
From the PA Chamber of Business & Industry
PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein issued the following statement on the Commonwealth Court’s granting an injunction suspending the state’s implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which took effect July 1:
“This delay is an important, much-needed step for Pennsylvania residents and businesses. We appreciate the Court pressing pause on this policy, which threatens to significantly increase energy prices at a time of high inflation, while also pushing more economic activity to states on our grid that are not in RGGI. Businesses and families are already facing high energy prices due to a lack of supply and infrastructure, and this is an opportunity for policymakers to embrace abundant domestic energy production, facilitate building new infrastructure, support competitive markets, and set long-term policies that encourage innovation.”
“As we noted at the onset, and as we did throughout the comment process and through an amicus brief, the regulation did not sufficiently protect the state’s electricity and manufacturing sector, nor did it guard against the potential for significant run-up in electricity or commodity prices. Businesses, whether they generate or consume power, need both affordable energy and long-term certainty. We look forward to working with the General Assembly, this administration, and the next governor on policy that leverages our state’s strengths for the benefit of our economy, national security, and the environment.”
The Chamber of Commerce’s website, columbiamontourchamber.com, has been recently redesigned to better provide information to area employers, residents, and people interested in coming to the area. Resources include news of importance to businesses, information on money-saving programs, job listings, wage rates, and cost of living comparisons. The new layout also improves functionality for mobile devices.
Individuals can connect with the Chamber’s 400+ members through the online directory, or search for products and services by category. Special offers from members are listed on the ChamberPack page. The public is also invited to connect with the Chamber’s social media through the site to stay up to date on the activities of the organization and its members.
Visitors can learn about some of the area’s major assets and find restaurants and lodging during their stay. A link to the Columbia-Montour Visitor’s Bureau’s Calendar of Events provides a comprehensive list of festivals, carnivals, and other activities.
The News section also highlights members and provides information on legislation and other items impacting employers. Chamber programs that can help employers save on their energy costs, get money back on business insurance, and provide assistance with benefits and human resources are listed on the Member Benefits and Discounts page. Data that employers regularly request to assist in hiring employees is available in the About the Region section.
The website is designed to be a general portal to information about Columbia and Montour counties.