Applications Now Open for 3 Leadership Lackawanna Programs

Leadership Lackawanna, the premier community leadership and professional development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, is now accepting applications for three of its programs.

Leadership U with Penn State Scranton

  • For Lackawanna County High School Seniors (Apply as a Junior)
  • Application Deadline May 7
  • Collegiate Level Course on Community Engagement, Financial Literacy, and More. Earn 3 College Credits!
  • In-Person Program Begins June 30
APPLY

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

  • For Lackawanna County High School Juniors (Apply as Sophomores)
  • Application Deadline May 7
  • Leadership program to gain real-world experiences in the areas of philanthropy, non-profit organizations and community service
  • Program Begins October 2021
APPLY

Core Program

  • For Lackawanna County Professionals
  • Application Deadline June 30
  • Areas of focus include leadership, interpersonal communications, equity, community development, project management, history and more
  • Program Begins September 2021
APPLY

SBA Announces Application Opening for Restaurant Revitalization Fund

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT and open applications on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted. 

“Restaurants are the core of our neighborhoods and propel economic activity on main streets across the nation. They are among the businesses that have been hardest hit and need support to survive this pandemic. We want restaurants to know that help is here,” said Administrator Guzman. “The SBA has focused on the marketplace realities of our food and beverage businesses in designing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to meet businesses where they are. And we are committed to equity to ensure our smaller and underserved businesses, which have suffered the most, can access this critical relief, recover, and grow more resilient.”

Established under the American Rescue Plan, and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides a total of $28.6 billion in direct relief funds to restaurants and other hard-hit food establishments that have experienced economic distress and significant operational losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023. 

“Recognizing the great urgency to help restaurants keep their doors open – and with a clear mandate from Congress – the SBA worked at a breakneck speed and is excited to launch this program,” said Patrick Kelley, SBA Associate Administrator, Office of Capital Access. “From day one, we engaged with diverse stakeholders in the food industry community to make sure we built and delivered the program equitably, quickly, and efficiently.”

In preparation, the SBA recommends qualifying applicants familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application experience, specifically by:

  • Registering for an account in advance at restaurants.sba.gov starting Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT.
  • Reviewing the official guidance, including program guide, frequently asked questions, and application sample.
  • Preparing the required documentation.
  • Working with a point-of-sale vendor or visiting restaurants.sba.gov to submit an application when the application portal opens. [Note: If an applicant is working with a point-of-sale vendor, they do not need to register beforehand on the site.]

Attending a live recorded virtual training webinar:

For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as the portal opens. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Consistent with the legislation and the intent of Congress, the SBA continues to take steps to ensure the equitable distribution of relief, particularly for the smallest businesses, by creating a $9.5 billion set-aside: $5 billion for applicants with 2019 gross receipts of not more than $500,000; $4 billion is set aside for applicants with 2019 gross receipts from $500,001 to $1,500,000; and $500 million for applicants with 2019 gross receipts not more than $50,000.

For more information, visit sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at sba.gov/restaurantes.

COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Tomorrow, April 20

Lackawanna County is holding a COVID-19 vaccine clinic tomorrow, April 20, at Montage Mountain from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sign up below.

UPDATE as of 8:00 p.m. 4/19/21 –
No appointment necessary. Clinic is first come, first served.

Process information:

  • After completing this form, you will be added to our waiting list.
    • Please note, select “Medicap Olyphant” as the pharmacy location on the form, even though this clinic will be at Montage Mountain. Directions and more information will be provided upon confirmation.
  • The system will automatically send invitations (via text) to the phone number provided.
  • You can then select an appointment time that works best for you.
  • A phone that can receive texts, as well as internet service, will be required to confirm an appointment.
  • For HIPAA compliance, patients will need to enter the birth date provided on the form to access the scheduling.

You may also call 211 to sign up via the phone.

SIGN UP

What to Know About the Restaurant Revitalization Fund from the SBA

1. Get the program details

Get the program details such as eligibility, funding amount, allowable use of funds and more. If you haven’t already, sign up for RRF email updates.

All info about RRF

2. How to prepare

Currently, SBA is not accepting applications for RRF. However, you can prepare your application by reviewing the sample application, program guide and cross-program eligibility chart on SBA COVID-19 relief options. You will be able to apply through SBA-recognized Point of Sale Restaurant Partners or directly via SBA in a forthcoming online application portal. Registration with SAM.gov is not required. DUNS or CAGE identifiers are also not required.

Prepare now

3. When to apply

The official application launch date will be announced shortly. Ahead of the application launch and over the next two weeks, the SBA will establish a seven-day pilot period for the RRF application portal and conduct extensive outreach and training on how to apply, application requirements and where to apply. Participants in this pilot will be randomly selected from existing PPP borrowers in priority groups for RRF and will not receive funds until the application portal is open to the public.  

Following the pilot, the application portal will be opened to the public. For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize reviewing applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Following the 21-day period, all eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications. 

Learn more

Scranton Chamber Participates in Geisinger Meals in Spring

Program supports local restaurants hit hard by pandemic

Geisinger partnered with eight local chambers of commerce to launch Meals in Spring and give back to the restaurants in the community hit hard by the pandemic.

As part of the program, more than 23,000 Geisinger employees can redeem a $10 meal voucher at more than 250 participating restaurants across 12 counties through June 30.

“Our local chambers of commerce were among the first organizations that came to us during the early days of the pandemic offering help,” said John Grabusky, senior director of community relations. “They collected N95 masks and gloves, organized sewing groups for homemade masks and they were behind many donations of pizzas, sandwiches, coffees and snacks that started to flow into our facilities. Now, it’s our turn to help them by supporting our local restaurants with Meals in Spring.”

Studies have shown that for every $100 spent at locally owned businesses, $68 stays within the community. By patronizing local restaurants, Geisinger employees are contributing to the local economy, which benefits their friends, neighbors, school districts and nonprofit organizations in their communities.

Participating chambers of commerce include Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, Greater Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce, Clinton County Economic Partnership & Visitors Bureau, and Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.

COLTS to Add Saturday Service to 11 Mid Valley Industrial Parks Route


Beginning April 24, Saturday Service will be available on the #11 Mid Valley Industrial Parks route with the same schedule as weekdays. Additionally, beginning Monday, April 19, a 5:35 a.m. outbound trip will be added to the route.

“We are certainly pleased to be able to expand this route and offer service on Saturdays,” said Executive Director Bob Fiume. “The addition of a morning trip should also be helpful for employees getting to early shifts.”



Specific details are below:

● Outbound trips leave at :35 past the hour every hour from the Giant Market in Dickson City, starting at 5:35 a.m.

● The last outbound trip of the day leaves at 5:35 p.m.

● Inbound trips leave at :10 past the hour every hour from the Jessup Youth Sport Complex, starting at 6:10 a.m.

● The last inbound trip of the day leaves at 6:10 p.m.

Official Notice to Members

In accordance with the by-laws of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the Governance Committee has presented a slate of candidates for election to the Board of Directors. The names of the candidates are herewith submitted for your review:

Megan Alpert, Merrill Lynch; Ronda Beemer, Senior Director of Business Development, Quandel Construction Group; Ronald R. Beer, Chief Administrative Officer, Geisinger Northeast Region; Joseph Fasula, Co-owner, Gerrity’s Supermarkets; Vincent Galko, Vice President, Mercury Public Affairs; William Nasser, President & Co-owner, Backyard Ale House; Kathleen Pearage, Administrator, Tri-Star Academy and Wee Care Day Care; Anna Ponas, Account Executive, Kelly Services; Alana Roberts, Regional Aff airs Director, PPL Electric Utilities; and Daniel J. Santaniello, President & CEO, Fidelity Bank.

Additional candidates for directors can be nominated by petition bearing the genuine signature of at least 15 members of the Chamber, in good standing. Such petition must be filed with the Governance Committee by April 23, 2021. The determination of the Governance Committee as to the legality of the petition(s) shall be final.

If no legal petition is fi led by April 23rd nominations shall be closed and the candidates declared elected by the Board of Directors at its May meeting.

If a legal petition presents additional candidates, you will be notified and an election by ballot initiated.

Members of the Governance Committee are: Dr. Marwan Wafa, Chair; Megan Alpert, Ronald Beer, Jessica Kalinoski, P. Timothy Kelly, Esq., Dr. Jill Murray, Sister Mary Persico, IHM, , Laurie Schwager, and Lisa Zielinski; Patrick A. Fricchione, Jr. and Robert F. Durkin, Ex-Officio.

Scranton Chamber Announces Community Block Party

We are excited to announce our plan to host a Community Block Party featuring entertainment, shopping, children’s activities, music, dining and more. “The Chamber Community Block Party” will take place on First Friday, May 7, from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 8 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. on the 200 & 300 blocks of Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton and is in lieu of the Chamber’s Annual Dinner this year. The event will follow all CDC guidelines.

“The Chamber exists because of our local businesses, and we are here to support them. After the turbulent year of 2020 – and as we continue to come out on the other side of the pandemic – our board and staff wanted to plan a safe, family-friendly event that supports all businesses and celebrates our community,” said Bob Durkin, Chamber president.

The Chamber is grateful for the local support from businesses already, including “The Chamber Community Block Party” chairs Peter Danchak, regional president of PNC Bank; and Sarah Effertz, owner of Blu Elefante Event Consulting and Management. The family-friendly event will include three stages featuring 24 bands and multi-cultural performance groups, as well as vendor marketplaces, children’s activities, art exhibits and more. Beginning May 2 and running through May 8, the Chamber will also celebrate and promote “Chamber Restaurant Week” across the greater Scranton community.

Small business members of the Chamber can apply for a FREE vendor booth in one of our three Marketplaces along Penn Avenue. To secure a vendor booth and learn more, visit our event page.

CANPACK Group Hosts Ceremonial Event

The CANPACK Group held a ceremonial event on Friday March 19 with state and local officials along with community leaders. A short program was presented marking the 908,000-square-foot aluminum can manufacturing plant being completely under roof with final construction expected to be in May.

In July of 2020, The CANPACK Group – a subsidiary of Blandon, PA-based GIORGI GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC. (GGHI) – announced the construction a state of the art aluminum beverage can body and ends manufacturing plant. President and CEO of GGHI Peter Giorgi remarked that “this is CANPACK’s first plant in the United States and will feature a North American Center of Excellence which will demonstrate our R&D and lithographic capabilities. In anticipation of this ceremonial event, Mr. Giorgi added: “We are extremely excited to be bringing CANPACK to the United States and to my home state of Pennsylvania, and we are very pleased that Roberto Villaquiran, CEO of the CANPACK Group, will be joining us in person for this event as well as our leadership team for CANPACK US.”

The new $366 million facility in Olyphant will create more than 400 skilled and semi-skilled jobs. CANPACK will open the first of its assembly lines in September with further lines to follow.
Roberto Villaquiran, CANPACK’s CEO, notes that “providing life sustaining jobs while creating essential packaging products which can be recycled again and again is foundational with respect to CANPACK’s focus on sustainability, being a responsible corporate citizen, and passionately serving the needs of our customers.” Brooke Lipperini, HR Manager o f CANPACK US, added, “We are hiring passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team. This is an exciting time for CANPACK and we welcome those who want to be a part of the creation of a major manufacturing facility that brings great sustainable product to our great country.”

Learn more at Canpack.com.