NEPRIC PMAC Releases Playbook for Competitiveness As Pennsylvania’s third-largest employment sector – with more than 560,000 full-time workers generating nearly $115 billion of goods last year alone – manufacturing drives Pennsylvania’s overall economy. On August 31, 2022, the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council, a nonpartisan partnership of manufacturers and industry experts, released Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook – an actionable strategy document that identifies three game changers and 10 specific recommendations to make Pennsylvania’s manufacturing economy more robust and resilient – thus creating more good-paying jobs for Pennsylvanians. The efforts of the industry-led, 25-member Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council were focused on developing recommendations that government leaders across the Commonwealth should consider as ways to expand Pennsylvania’s manufacturing economy. The Council’s resultant Playbook includes data and advice derived from insights and commentary offered by more than 500 Pennsylvania manufacturers. “Over the course of the past year, the Council conducted industry roundtables, one-on-one interviews, and surveys to learn directly from manufacturers what statewide policy and programmatic or procedural changes would most immediately and dramatically enhance their ability to compete, win and grow in today’s economy, and the Council’s report reflects that knowledge and insight,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, President and CEO of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center and Council Co-Chair. Through careful analysis of industry input, the Council, within its Playbook, recommends three game changers for strengthening Pennsylvania’s manufacturing competitive position: Recapture Pennsylvania’s manufacturing competitive advantage by aggressively pursuing manufacturing growth sectors to drive prosperity.Invest in the factory of the future to boost the performance of small and medium-sized companies, improve the quality of manufacturing jobs and provide better career options for more of Pennsylvania’s citizens.Unleash the power of advanced manufacturing to drive regional prosperity through policies and services that are more responsive to the needs of manufacturers.
Johnson College’s First-Ever Cornhole Tournament Johnson College announces Net Credit Union as the sponsor of its first-ever cornhole tournament. This tournament will take place during the College’s inaugural Fall Fest event on October 1, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Johnson College campus in Scranton, PA. The tournament will feature both Social ($20/team) and Competitive ($40/team) divisions with double elimination. A team will consist of two players, and anyone from beginners to pros can play. Prizes for the Social division will include: 1st place, $100 cash; 2nd place, $50 in gift cards. Prizes for the Competitive division will include: 1st place, $300 cash; 2nd place, $150 cash. There will be food and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Teams can pre-register online at johnson.edu/cornhole-registration-form/ or register at the door from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
WVIA To Broadcast Pennsylvania’s Congressional District Debate Live WVIA will broadcast the 2022 9th Congressional District Debate live from the WVIA Studios in Pittston, PA on Friday, October 21 at 7 p.m. The debate will simulcast live on WVIA-TV and WVIA Radio and will livestream on WVIA’s Facebook and Youtube channels as well as at wvia.org. The live debate for the 9th Congressional District will feature incumbent Congressman Dan Meuser (R) and Amanda Waldman (D). Information on Dan Meuser can be found at https://www.meuserforcongress.com Information on Amanda Waldman can be found at https://waldman4pa.com The producer and moderator of the debate will be WVIA’s Larry Vojtko. Panelists for the debate will be Brian Smith, City Editor of the Pottsville Republican, Francine Schertzer, Sr. Vice President and Chief Content Officer, PCN, and Andy Mehalshick, lead member of the Eyewitness News I-Team, WBRE.
Outreach Center To Host Cintas Job Fair The LEAD Center at Outreach is hosting an on-site job fair with Cintas. The job fair is open to the public. Meet with Cintas, bring your resume, and explore the amazing job opportunities Cintas has to offer. Available positions at Cintas include: Production Associate-Picker-$15/hr.Production Associate-Garment Processor-$16.75/hr.Hiring for 1st and 2nd shift for both positions. Cintas is dedicated to helping businesses across North America stay clean, prepared, and looking professional. They take care of the important tasks that help their customers keep their workplaces running smoothly through Cintas’ innovative solutions and routine service visits. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cintas is a Fortune 500 company that serves more than one million businesses in all types of industries. Their diverse customer base ranges from small manufacturing companies to mid-sized hotel chains to major corporations with thousands of employees. Cintas creates a culture for employees that leads to success. They know that every job is critical, that teamwork promotes excellence, collaboration is key to innovation, and training prepares Cintas team members to participate in a meaningful work environment.
Scranton Area Foundation WIP Engagement Summit Rescheduled The Civic Engagement Summit hosted by Women in Philanthropy that was previously scheduled for September 16, 2022, has been rescheduled to take place on Thursday, October 6, at the Century Club of Scranton. This new date allows Women in Philanthropy the opportunity to include additional national and regional partners in the conversation who are prepared to lend their voices in these discussions and support the local work on civic engagement and advocacy. Last week, Women in Philanthropy announced a partnership with the National Constitution Center, a private nonprofit organization in Philadelphia that will provide Women in Philanthropy with a thorough understanding of government and the importance of civic engagement. Together with experts in the field, Women in Philanthropy will host this Civic Engagement Summit to engage in valuable discussion and explore topics including how to encourage voter participation, promote the development of leadership and advocacy skills across the region, and engage youth in civic education. Participation in this event will help in creating action plans to further engage individuals and communities in civic life in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Women in Philanthropy, the initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation comprised of over 100 regional supporters, announced earlier this month that it would be hosting a Civic Engagement Summit to explore the topic of civic engagement and advocacy as it relates to women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. After much research and many organized panel discussions with regional, state, and national experts over the past two years, Women in Philanthropy learned that the COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges causing people to feel disengaged from civic life and from advocating for important causes. Women in Philanthropy also learned that there are a variety of ways to make a difference in the area of Civic Engagement and Advocacy that focus on breaking many of the barriers women, girls, and their families are facing. Civic engagement can look like activism, voting, volunteering, environmentalism, community and national service, running for office, service-learning, and many other activities. Civic engagement is an important part of the democratic process. It affects not just individuals but also improves entire neighborhoods and impacts societies. “What we’ve identified is that there is a tremendous opportunity to help make civic engagement and advocacy more inclusive, and to further support women and youth in the civic space,” stated Laura Ducceschi. “Women in Philanthropy hopes to advance this important topic and work to eliminate the barriers to civic engagement that exist across the region.” The Civic Engagement Summit will take place on Thursday, October 6, at the Century Club of Scranton (612 Jefferson Avenue, Scranton from 11:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Registration is $30 for the general public, $10 for students, and complimentary for Women in Philanthropy supporters. The cost includes lunch, refreshments, and an evening networking reception from 4 to 5 p.m.
PennDOT Updates to Identification Products and Real ID Deadline The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds Pennsylvania residents that, as part of ongoing security enhancements, PennDOT is updating the design and enhancing the security features of its driver license and identification card products and urges residents who are renewing their products to decide if they will need a REAL ID before the federal enforcement deadline of May 3, 2023. “PennDOT remains vigilant in taking proactive measures to mitigate fraud, such as identity theft, by updating our security features regularly,” PennDOT Deputy Secretary Kurt Myers said. PennDOT began piloting the new products at the Summerdale Driver License Center in Enola on September 12, 2022. Since then, another 15 locations have started issuing the new products. All driver licenses and photo centers statewide will transition to the new products by mid-November 2022. The new products will be phased in during renewal cycles and will replace existing products. Both current and new card designs will be in circulation during the transition period. The cards look different and have additional enhanced security features that improve fraud prevention and protect from counterfeiting. Both standard and REAL ID compliant products will use the new design and security features. “All of these measures are important enhancements to fight against fraudulent driver license or identification cards being produced or used. Fraudulently obtaining and using a counterfeit product can have an adverse impact on highway safety and national security, so the need to deter and detect fraud is of paramount importance,” PennDOT’s Risk Management Director Brent Lawson said. “These new security features make it more difficult to produce a fraudulent product.” Additionally, beginning May 3, 2023, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, photo ID card, or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a federal building or military installation that requires ID. To date, PennDOT has issued approximately 1.8 million REAL ID products. “We encourage our customers who want a REAL ID to get one as soon as possible,” PennDOT REAL ID Director Sarah Baker said. “Making the conscious decision about your REAL ID needs now will help ensure you are well prepared prior to the May 3, 2023 federal enforcement deadline.” All Pennsylvania residents are encouraged to use the upcoming months to gather the needed documents now to ensure they leave plenty of time to get their REAL ID before the federal enforcement date, especially if their driver license or ID card is up for renewal. There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT continues to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs
