SBA offers relief to Pennsylvania small businesses and private nonprofits affected by severe storms The U.S. Small Business Administration announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania to offset economic losses caused by severe storms that occurred on July 4, 2026. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Governor Josh Shapiro on July 29, 2026. The declaration covers the Pennsylvania counties of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Pike and Wayne, as well as New Jersey counties of Sussex and Warren, which are eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans from SBA. SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations — including faith‑based organizations — with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises. EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster. “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.” The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. Beginning Tuesday, August 4, 2026, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at an SBA Business Recovery Center in Monroe County to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are welcome, and you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov. The hours of operation are listed below: MONROE COUNTY Business Recovery Center Schoonover Municipal Building 147 Municipal Dr. East Stroudsburg, PA 18302 Opens at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The center will close early at 4:40 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 19 Closes permanently at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 To apply online, visit 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 filing deadline to return economic injury application is April 30, 2027.
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Hires Nicholas Emmett as Finance Manager The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of Nicholas Emmett as its Finance Manager. In this role, Emmett will be responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial operations of The Chamber and its divisions. He will also coordinate the annual financial audit and assist in preparing the annual operating budget. “We’re excited to welcome Nick Emmett to our team as finance manager,” said James Coleman, Vice President of Internal Administration at The Chamber. “His expertise, attention to detail and collaborative approach will be tremendous assets as we continue to strengthen our financial operations and support the Chamber’s long-term goals.” Prior to The Chamber, Emmett worked for the Department of the Auditor General in Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, where he holds a Master’s Degree in Accountancy and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Accounting.
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at Forest Mills Fountain The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Forest Mills Fountain, a restored soda fountain location on Main Street in Forest City. Chamber and community members gathered to celebrate the shop, which serves old-fashioned sugar-cane sodas, ice cream floats, milkshakes and hand-dipped ice cream. It’s located inside Sweet Tooth by Chocolate Creations.
The Scranton Plan hosts annual Summer Festival The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, alongside its business development marketing division, The Scranton Plan, recently hosted its annual Summer Festival at The Country Club of Scranton on July 13th. Summer Festival, sponsored by Lackawanna County, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, UGI Utilities, Inc., Quandel Construction Group, Inc., Colwell-Naegele Associates, Inc., Leeward Construction, Inc., GPI, KSG Engineers and Mac Sign Systems, welcomed nearly 80 attendees, including real estate professionals, site selectors and consultants. “Summer Festival allows us to engage directly with professionals who influence business location decisions,” said Kira Loomis, Business Development Specialist at The Chamber. “Bringing them into our community helps showcase what makes northeastern Pennsylvania a strong choice for investment.” This annual event highlights the region’s prime location, resources and business climate, all aimed at driving long-term economic success.
ShopRite of Daleville hosts ribbon cutting for new EVgo station ShopRite of Daleville hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony with The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce to debut its new EVgo electric vehicle charging station on Tuesday, July 14. Community members joined ShopRite representatives and employees for the ceremony. The new station has four charging stalls, including one high-power charger that’s capable of charging two vehicles at the same time. ShopRite representatives say this new addition will help provide convenient, reliable access to power for electric vehicle drivers throughout the community.
Cornerstone Caregiving celebrates grand opening with ribbon cutting Cornerstone Caregiving has opened its facility at 1310 Church Street in Moscow and celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 10. The Cornerstone team also hosted an open house event after the ceremony, where community members were able to tour the facility and learn more about the compassionate care the center provides. Cornerstone provides round-the-clock in-home services for senior citizens.
Ribbon cutting for World Cup Scranton The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 6, 2026 for World Cup Scranton’s new location at the historic Watres Armory on Adams Avenue in Scranton. Chamber staff and influencers joined community members to congratulate the all-star competitive cheer organization and fitness center.
Big Boy No. 4014 brought estimated $16-$17 million in revenue to northeastern PA The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Steamtown National Historic Site are celebrating the tremendous success of Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 visit to Scranton, an event that captivated tens of thousands of visitors and generated an estimated $16 million to $17 million in economic impact throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. The historic locomotive’s appearance at Steamtown National Historic Site marked one of the region’s largest tourism events in recent years, drawing railroad enthusiasts, families and visitors from across the country to experience the rare opportunity to see the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. The event was part of Big Boy No. 4014’s nationwide tour commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. “The success of the Big Boy Reunion represents far more than a milestone for Steamtown National Historic Site – it demonstrates what can be achieved when a national park and its gateway community embrace a shared purpose,” said Jeremy Komasz, superintendent of Steamtown National Historic Site. “The Big Boy Reunion demonstrated that when we invest in exceptional visitor experiences through strong partnerships, everyone benefits—the National Park Service, our partners, local businesses, residents, and the gateway communities that welcome millions of visitors to America’s national parks each year.” The successful visit also highlighted northeastern Pennsylvania’s growing reputation as a destination for heritage tourism and large-scale events, creating opportunities for continued economic growth and increased visibility on a national stage.
KSG Civil Structural Engineers celebrates presence in Downtown Scranton KSG Civil Structural Engineers hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new location at 318 Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton on Tuesday, June 23. Friends, community leaders, and local professionals gathered for the event. KSG is committed to building stronger communities through innovation, expertise, and engineering excellence.
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Appoints Taryn Talacka as Marketing and Communications Director The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of Taryn Talacka as our new Director of Marketing and Communications. In this role, Talacka will be responsible for creating marketing materials and strategies for The Chamber and its divisions, gathering content for Momentum Magazine, and producing All Things Chamber and All Things Members, two of The Chamber’s successful video productions. Before joining The Chamber, Talacka served as the Marketing Manager for dining services at King’s College, where she created print and digital marketing materials and led student-centered dining events. With a proven track record of social media management, video production, and media relations, Talacka brings valuable experience that aligns perfectly with our mission to attract, sustain, and grow business throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. “We are excited to welcome Taryn Talacka as The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s new Director of Marketing and Communications,” said Kristine Augustine, Vice President of Membership and Marketing at The Chamber. “Her extensive experience in strategic marketing, storytelling, and audience engagement will be a tremendous asset as we continue to strengthen our brand and serve our members and community.” Members of the local business community are encouraged to reach out to Talacka at ttalacka@scrantonchamber.com or 570-341-7711 ext. 157.
