Deadline is Near to Apply for SBA Physical Disaster Loan

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters in Pennsylvania affected by the severe storms and flooding that occurred Sept. 9, 2023, to apply for physical damage disaster loans by the March 25 deadline.

Anyone in Lackawanna County and the adjacent counties of Luzerne, Monroe, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming in Pennsylvania with physical property damage should apply for the low-interest disaster loan.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize future disaster damage. Approved loans may qualify for a loan amount increase of up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

Interest rates can be as low as 4% for businesses, 2.375% for private nonprofit organizations and 2.5% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to apply for property damage is March 25, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Oct. 25, 2024.

Link to the fact sheet can be found here.

Keystone College to Host Maple Sugar Open House and 5K Run/Walk

Keystone College will welcome the beginning of spring with a Maple Sugar Open House and a 5K “Sugar” Run/Walk on Sunday, March 3 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on campus.

The Maple Open House, which is free and open to the public, highlights the beginning of the annual maple sugaring season as Keystone’s Sugar Shack maple syrup operation on its Woodlands Campus. Guests will be able to see the maple sugar process from sap to syrup as it   takes place with the coming of spring each year. For more information, visit Keystone College Sugar Shack Open House – Keystone College

In addition, Keystone’s Future Healthcare Professional Club will sponsor a 5K charity run/walk during the Open House festivities. Registration for the 5K begins at 10 a.m. at the Eckel Family Pavilion and the race will begin at 11 a.m. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. To register, click on the following link or email club president Casey Stratton at cstratton@keystone.edu.

Scranton Mayor Appointed to Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation

Today, President Biden announced his intent to appoint the following individuals as members of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations:

  • Mitchell W. Berger
  • J. Michael Bowman
  • Amy Bircher Bruyn
  • Paige Gebhardt Cognetti
  • Chris James
  • Omar Khan
  • Rob Larew
  • Nimish Patel
  • Mark A. Turner

Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations

The Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations is an advisory committee established to provide overall policy advice to the United States Trade Representative on matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of the trade policy of the United States including: negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into trade agreements, the impact of the implementation of trade agreements, matters concerning the operation of any trade agreement once entered into, and other matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of the trade policy of the United States. The Committee includes up to 45 members recommended by the U.S. Trade Representative who are appointed by the President and have expertise in general trade, investment, and development issues, including representatives of non-federal governments, labor, industry, agriculture, small business, service industries, retailers, nongovernmental environmental and conservation organizations, and consumer interests.

Mitchell W. Berger

Mitchell W. Berger founded Berger Singerman LLP, a business law firm in Florida, in 1985, and has over 40 years of successful representation in commercial disputes for small businesses, medium-sized businesses, and Fortune 500 companies. Berger has received numerous industry accolades, including being named Co-Lawyer of the Year by the National Law Journal and being recognized by Chambers & Partners USA for 14 consecutive years.

Committed to furthering innovation in the legal industry, Berger established the Sharon and Mitchell W. Berger Entrepreneur Law Clinic at Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Shepard Broad College of Law. The clinic enables NSU to provide direct legal service to nonprofit organizations, students, and researchers associated with the NSU Center for Collaborative Research and innovators in the technology and life sciences communities. Berger currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of NSU.

Berger previously represented then-Vice President Al Gore and then-Senator Joe Lieberman in lawsuits following the aftermath of the 2000 presidential election. He also served as Chair of the Student Loan Marketing Association Sallie Mae, Commissioner on the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission, a member of the United States Small Business Administration Advisory Board, and a member of the Environmental Financial Advisory Board to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Berger currently serves on the Independent Audit Committee for the Alliance for Climate Protection. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Lafayette College and his J.D. from Temple University.

J. Michael Bowman

J. Michael Bowman is the Associate Director of the Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships at the University of Delaware. He holds two additional leadership roles, serving as Founder and CEO/President of the Delaware Technology Park and as the State Director of the Small Business Development Center. Over the past 25 years, Bowman has led the growth of a robust technology-based ecosystem and assisted a variety of small businesses to thrive throughout Delaware.

Amy Bircher Bruyn

As CEO and Founder of MMI Textiles, Inc. Amy Bircher Bruyn leads her team in sales and product development. She is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Advanced Textiles Association. In 2016, Bircher Bruyn invented and filed a design and utility patent for the creation of CTEdge, a concealed edge technology used in webbing and tape within the military and law enforcement markets. She recently opened her own narrow weaving facility in Lenoir, North Carolina to produce her patented webbing product and other military spec webbing to support the needs of our military and tactical markets. Bircher Bruyn has over 40 years of experience in the U.S. textile industry and supplies her products all over the world. She has successfully acquired three other textile businesses since founding MMI Textiles.

Bircher Bruyn received a B.S. in Textiles and Clothing from West Virginia University (WVU). While advancing her career and the industry she loves, Bircher Bruyn has stayed connected to her roots, sharing what she knows with others as a part of the Visiting Committee at WVU. Most recently, she pledged $200,000 to her alma mater for the development of a new textile lab, which opened on April 17, 2021, and is named the Amy A. Bircher Textile Laboratory.

Paige Gebhardt Cognetti

Paige Gebhardt Cognetti was sworn in as Mayor of Scranton, Pennsylvania in January 2020, and was re-elected to a full term in November 2021. Cognetti’s background is rooted in government oversight, investment management, international relations, and political campaigns. She serves on the Advisory Board of the U.S. Conference of Mayors and chairs the Conference’s Metro Economies Standing Committee. She serves on the boards of numerous other local leadership organizations, supporting fellow elected officials nationwide in promoting economic mobility, environmental sustainability, and efficient, transparent government.

Prior to becoming Mayor, she advised the Pennsylvania Auditor General, served as a Director on the Scranton School Board, and worked in wealth management at Goldman Sachs. Cognetti served in the U.S. Treasury Department during the Obama-Biden Administration as a Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for International Affairs and as Managing Director for China Operations.

Cognetti graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oregon Clark Honors College with a B.A. in English Literature and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She lives in Scranton with her husband and their two daughters.

Chris James

Chris James is the President and CEO of The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the premier organization focused on American Indian and Alaska Native economic development. James is an expert in the Indigenous economy, Native American policy, supply chains, and rural economic development. His expertise is enriched by his personal experience, having grown up with his family’s businesses on the Qualla Boundary, the home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Under his leadership, The National Center has flourished, tripling its revenue and expanding its reach significantly. James spearheads both the Reservation Economic Summit, the world’s largest conference focused on Native American economic development, and the Native Edge Institute series, which equips entrepreneurs with essential skills for success. His tenure has seen a heightened emphasis on international Indigenous trade and connecting Native businesses with corporate America.

James’ professional background is marked by senior roles in the U.S. Department of Treasury and the U.S. Small Business Administration. In these capacities, he led initiatives like Supplier Pay and Startup in a Day, both designed to enhance business efficiency and entrepreneurship. Supplier Pay focused on accelerating payments to small business suppliers, while Startup in a Day aimed to streamline the process for entrepreneurs to start a business in just one day. James is known as an expert and versatile leader in rural America. His engagements span delivering keynote addresses to hosting discussions with notable experts. Additionally, he is a skilled panel leader at both large and small global conferences.

Omar Khan

Omar Khan is a senior government and public affairs executive with more than 20 years of experience across the public and private sector and political campaigns. With a proven track record managing budgets exceeding $48 million and teams of over 200, Khan excels in building coalitions and implementing effective engagement strategies across a diverse range of policy issues and campaigns.

Khan serves as the Senior Vice President for State and Local Government Affairs at WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and infrastructure firms, where he heads strategy, government relations, and political and civic engagement for the East Region of the U.S. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the Public Engagement Unit of New York City, where he led the unit, overseeing a $25 million budget and managing a team of more than 200 people. In this role, Khan served as senior advisor to City Hall, led the unit’s COVID-19 response, and developed a nationally replicable model for data-driven outreach, increasing accessibility to government services.

Khan held several senior roles in the Obama-Biden Administration working on complex issues at the intersection of policy and politics, including serving as the Assistant United States Trade Representative for the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement at the White House, Director of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations for the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, and Director of Public Engagement at the Environmental Protection Agency. Khan is also a nationally recognized campaign operative who has held senior and advisory roles in major presidential, gubernatorial, and mayoral campaigns including President Obama’s 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns.

Rob Larew

Rob Larew is President of National Farmers Union (NFU), the nation’s foremost grassroots agriculture organization dedicated to supporting and empowering family farmers, ranchers, and their communities. Elected to lead the organization in 2020, Larew previously served as NFU Vice President of Public Policy and Communications.

Larew’s career includes more than two decades working in Congress and at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing agriculture policy. As Staff Director of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, he coordinated and oversaw key initiatives during the formulation of the 2008 and 2014 Farm Bills.

Larew’s lifelong connection to agriculture began, and continues, in Greenville, West Virginia, where he actively participates in the management of a diversified family farm that has been in continuous operation since 1798. He received his B.S. in dairy science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and pursued graduate studies in agronomy at Pennsylvania State University. Larew also serves as an active board member of the Cultivating Change Foundation and Consumer Federation of America.

Nimish Patel

Nimish Patel is the Chair of the Corporate and Securities Department at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, LLP, a law firm based in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. Patel’s experience includes mergers and acquisitions for private and public companies, angel and venture capital financing, IPOs, and other financing and corporate restructurings. Patel currently advises private businesses and publicly traded exchange listed companies on governance and regulatory filing requirements. Patel’s clients are from across a broad range of industries and sectors including artificial intelligence, life sciences, technology, ecommerce, new media, and entertainment.

Previously, Patel was a CPA and a senior auditor in the Orange County, California office of Deloitte working on private and public company audits and other attestations services. Patel’s clients ranged from private closely held businesses to Fortune 500 publicly traded corporations and was involved in many complex transactions including restructurings and cross border transactions.

Patel was elected and previously served on the School Board of Education for the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. During his tenure, Patel was involved in making education policy decisions affecting the 11,000 school district students, overseeing a $100 million operating budget and a $300 million capital expenditure budget. He is the Past President and Trustee of the American India Foundation in Los Angeles and the Past President and member of the South Asian Bar Association of Southern California. Patel received his J.D./M.B.A. degrees from University of San Diego and undergraduate degree from University of Southern California.

Mark A. Turner

Mark Turner is a member of the Boards of Trustees of Christiana Care Health System (Delaware) and LaSalle University (Pennsylvania). He is also a member of the Wharton Leadership Advisory Board and a Senior Fellow at the Center for Leadership and Change Management at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Turner is a frequent guest speaker at universities and executive forums on banking, leadership, governance, and innovation.

Turner helped lead WSFS Financial Corporation’s growth in size, profitability, and market value of near 20 times each, and was CFO, COO, CEO, and Executive Chair during his tenure. During his career, Turner has also been a leader on numerous community, industry, and business boards, including serving as Chair of the Delaware Bankers’ Association, Chair of the Delaware Business Roundtable, and on the U.S. Federal Reserve’s Advisory Council.

Turner was born and raised in North Philadelphia and received his B.S. from LaSalle University, M.B.A. from University of Pennsylvania, and M.A. from University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He has homes in Pennsylvania and Delaware with his wife, Regina, and their two daughters.

Keystone College to Offer Servsafe Class

Keystone College will offer a ServSafe manager certification class on Wednesday, March 13, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at 120 College Avenue, Factoryville. The training will cover topics involving food-borne illnesses and health risks that commercial food service establishments must learn in order to provide safe food for customers.

ServSafe, a nationally recognized certification program for safe food handling practices, meets Pennsylvania regulations and is accredited by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. For more information or to register, contact brenda.lidy@keystone.edu  or call (570) 657-0248.    

The Wright Center’s Recognized for Patient-Centered Care

Two of The Wright Center for Community Health’s primary and preventive care practices in Lackawanna County recently received commendations from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.

The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit Practice, 1145 Northern Blvd., S. Abington Township, and The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley Practice, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, each has again maintained certification for NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition, acknowledging that they have the tools, systems, and resources to provide patients with the right care at the right time.

Four Wright Center practices have retained the NCQA voluntary accreditation in recent months. Late last year, the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre practices were notified of their successful retainment of the recognition seal.

Every year, the practice locations undergo a formal review to ensure they remain in compliance with the Washington, D.C.-based organization’s high standards.

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Its Patient-Centered Medical Home program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Osteopathic Association, and others. It was developed to assess whether clinician practices are functioning as medical homes and recognize them for these efforts.

The Patient-Centered Medical Home model is designed to allow patients and their care teams to build better relationships, help patients to more effectively control chronic conditions, and improve the overall patient experience. In addition, the model has been shown to increase staff satisfaction and reduce health care costs.

For the public, the NCQA accreditation is a signal that The Wright Center for Community Health maintains a focus on quality improvement and has key processes in place so its clinics are prioritizing the needs of patients.

“We are proud to retain this recognition seal at our four larger practices,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, chief medical and information officer of The Wright Center for Community Health. “The NCQA seal lets the public know we are doing all we can to put patients at the forefront of care, including by opening these clinics outside traditional business hours to meet people’s primary care needs.”

In particular, Dr. Sheth credited the work being done by The Wright Center’s employees to use a team-based delivery system and information technology to coordinate care and get the best results possible for patients.

The Mid Valley Practice’s certification carries an additional NCQA distinction in behavioral health integration. This recognition is for practices that have proven they have the appropriate care team in place to manage the broad needs of patients with conditions related to behavioral health.

“Many times, behavioral health conditions are first identified by a primary care provider,” said Margaret E. O’Kane, NCQA president. “So, adding behavioral health care services in a primary care setting is a real opportunity for patients. It knocks down barriers to behavioral care and improves overall health.”

The Wright Center operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person care, typically giving patients the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services.

The Wright Center accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Medicare, and CHIP. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay.

For more information about The Wright Center’s practice locations, hours, and many services, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.

WVIA Adds News Editor and New Reporter to Flourishing News Team

WVIA, Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania’s public media station, is excited to announce the addition of two new WVIA News Team members. These additions mark the latest of five new hires in roughly one month and significant expansion for the award-winning news team.

WVIA welcomes Faith Golay as News Editor and Roger DuPuis as the newest WVIA News reporter. 

Faith Golay comes from the Times-Tribune, and brings over 27 years of experience to this new position. Faith will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the news department, as well as digital content production and news publication for WVIA News. She will play a key role in shaping the digital presence and overall voice of the WVIA News Team. 

“WVIA’s mission to report on issues that impact the community’s quality of life with passion, accuracy and fairness is at the heart of what all journalists must do,” said Golay. “Public trust is not a gift. It must be earned, so I am privileged to join the WVIA News Team of incredibly talented journalists to honor that profound responsibility.” 

Roger DuPuis comes from the Times Leader, bringing 24 years of experience in journalism. Roger has numerous community connections and has built a large network over the last two decades. He will play a crucial role in unearthing and reporting on the stories that matter most to the region. Roger has extensive reporting experience, particularly around the area of transportation.

“I’m proud of where I’ve been, and the work I have done during more than 20 years in newspapers. I am excited to be joining WVIA as the organization expands its news team to bring thoughtful reporting that matters to 22 counties across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania,” said Roger. “Local news is more important to our communities and our country than ever before. WVIA truly understands that, and I look forward to working on stories that will make a difference to the audiences we serve.” 

With each new addition to the team, WVIA underscores its unwavering commitment to delivering high-impact, in-depth local journalism and continues to shape and preserve the local news landscape in our region.

“WVIA News is committed to amplifying the voices of the communities we serve,” said WVIA’s Director of Journalism Julie Sidoni. “We know there are untold stories out there. This latest expansion helps us get a little closer to finding them.” 

“As WVIA’s News Team grows and we continue to expand our reach, we also expand our understanding of each of the rich and complex communities we serve and the stories that need to be told,” said WVIA President & CEO, Carla McCabe. “Each of these new additions brings with them a wealth of knowledge and an abundance of experience, both of which will translate to greater impact on the lives of people in our region.”

RailRiders Unveil New Collaboration with Wallenpaupack Brewing Company

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce a new collaboration with Wallenpaupack Brewing Company in 2024, the Home Half Hazy Pale Ale. The Hawley, PA-based brewery is introducing a new beer into its catalog and the offering will be available at PNC Field this season. Coming in with 5.5% Alcohol by Volume, 30 International Bitterness Units and a generous addition of Citra and Mosaic hops, fans can expect a juicy blast of citrus, tropical fruit and melon from this sessionable pale ale while taking in nine innings of action.

“We are thrilled to welcome this custom brew from Wallenpaupack Brewing Company into our starting lineup,” said Katie Beekman, General Manager of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. “This tremendous partnership has provided our fanbase with their well-known local offerings and we know the Home Half Hazy Pale Ale will quickly become a fan favorite at PNC Field. We always look for ways to grow with our partners and this is a natural next step with Wallenpaupack Brewing Company.”

“In baseball vernacular, the Home Half is the part of the inning where the home team is up to bat and we thought that it was a great message that no matter what a fan’s Major League team might be, people from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area truly embrace the RailRiders as their home team and PNC Field as their home ballpark,” said Brad Beneski, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company’s Director of Business Development. “And, so we wanted to find a way to make every visit to the ballpark as immersive of a local experience as possible with an official beer for the home crowd.”

Wallenpaupack Brewing Company and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are entering their second year of a four-year partnership that gives the award-winning, local brewery naming rights to a craft beer stand on the third base side of the team’s concourse where fans can find a variety of draft and canned options including their flagships, current seasonals, and now an exclusive collaboration with the team. The brewery also conducts social media contests to give away tickets for each home stand.

“As community members, we know how fortunate we are to have a team like the RailRiders and a space like PNC Field right in our backyard, so to be a part of the experience is an honor in which we take a lot of pride,” Beneski added. “And with our brewpub being an easy trip from the ballpark, we’ve even had a fair amount of baseball fans make the trek to see our brewery and taproom for themselves.”

Please drink responsibly!


The RailRiders open their 2024 season on March 29 with a three-game weekend set at Buffalo. The home opener is set for April 2 at 6:35 P.M. as the Syracuse Mets come to PNC Field. Season tickets, mini plans and the flex plan are all available now.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL or visit swbrailriders.com.

Wayne Bank Announces Promotion in Loan Operations Department

Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Corissa O’Malley to Assistant Vice President and Loan Documentation Manager.

In her new role, O’Malley will lead the New York and Pennsylvania retail loan processing and documentation teams.

O’Malley joined the Bank in 2011, and has held several positions during her tenure, most recently as Residential Mortgage Processor and Loan Documentation Officer.

According to Mr. Donnelly, “I’m very pleased to announce Corissa’s promotion, as her dedication to Wayne Bank over these last 13 years make her the ideal individual for this role. I look forward to her continued leadership as she oversees the residential loan documentation and processing department, while ensuring efficient systems are in place and loans remain in good standing.”

O’Malley resides in South Canaan, PA, with her husband, Eugene, and their two children.

Pennsylvania American Water Awards $36K+ in Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Funding

In conjunction with Black History Month, celebrating the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and struggles of one the United States’ diverse populations, Pennsylvania American Water today announced the recipients of its annual corporate funding aimed at supporting inclusion, diversity and equity efforts. Charitable donations awarded to 13 organizations across the company’s service territory totaled $36,500.

“Investing in organizations that promote inclusion, diversity and equity-related initiatives is a key component of Pennsylvania American Water’s community engagement strategy,” said company president Justin Ladner. “Through this funding, we demonstrate our continued commitment to helping create inclusive and welcoming communities across the Commonwealth.”

Pennsylvania American Water selected the following organizations across its service territory that support and reflect the company’s inclusion, diversity and equity values and efforts:

“We are extremely thankful for the generous donation that Pennsylvania American Water contributed to the Layers of Black History book drive,” said Corey Dupree, one of the organization’s co-founders. “With their donation we were able to provide over 150 books highlighting diversity and representation in literature. We are beyond excited to continue spreading the mission of sustainability and environmental justice alongside partners like Pennsylvania American Water!”