Rediscover Scranton Encourages Living and Working in Lackawanna County

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, along with The Scranton Plan – the economic development affiliate of the Chamber – have teamed up with community partners and DiscoverNEPA for a relocation initiative in Lackawanna County: Rediscover Scranton.

With Lackawanna County’s affordability and lifestyle benefits, Rediscover Scranton’s goal is to attract out-of-the-area professionals to our region, especially in the new work-from-home world, while at the same time reinforcing to the local workforce that our county is the best place to call home. 

“The initiatives started more than ten years ago with the concept of bringing people who are from the area or alumni back to Northeast Pennsylvania to start a business or raise their family,” said Amy Luyster, Chamber vice president. “The goal is to promote the many advantages of living and working in Lackawanna County, including our quality of life, available jobs, and opportunity for investment.”

Soon, the Chamber will launch a series of videos that focus on the benefits of living and working in Lackawanna County.

Community partners include Lackawanna County, the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Scranton Tomorrow, and local real estate agents.

Learn more and share our resources at www.RediscoverScranton.com.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update

The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently announced two additional categories of eligible individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as part of Phase 1A. Beginning January 19, all individuals 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the CDC that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. The Departments’ Updated Interim Vaccine Plan can be found here.

Those conditions are outlined by the CDC here and include: cancer; chronic kidney disease; COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies; immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines; obesity; severe obesity; pregnancy; sickle cell disease; smoking; and type 2 diabetes mellitus. 

If you are part of a group that is eligible for vaccination, you can use the Pennsylvania Vaccine Provider Map to find a place to schedule your vaccine. Contact the vaccine provider of your choice directly to schedule an appointment. This map will be updated as more locations receive vaccine. Although a provider may have received vaccine, there is no guarantee that they have open appointments as supply is still very limited. Check back frequently as the map will be updated multiple times per week.  We’ll be releasing additional information later today, including an FAQ, with more detailed information on how individuals can find a provider to schedule a vaccination. Thank you for your partnership and for all you are doing to serve Pennsylvania.

Scranton Small Business Relief Fund Established to Host Inaugural Scranton Ice Festival

A small group of community-minded volunteers in partnership with First Friday Scranton, Scranton Tomorrow, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and the Scranton Area Community Foundation, have joined together to host the inaugural Scranton Ice Festival, which will be held on Friday, February 5, through Sunday, February 7, 2021 in Downtown Scranton. 

The Scranton Ice Festival will feature a number of ice sculptures in front of businesses  in downtown Scranton including various businesses located on Adams Avenue, North Washington Avenue, Penn Avenue, Linden Street, and Wyoming Avenue. Family-friendly activities are also planned. Some of these activities include ice sculpting demonstrations, musical acts, and more. The event coincides with First Friday. The Scranton Ice Festival aims to bring people to downtown Scranton to support small businesses after a challenging year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This free and largely outdoor festival will be an opportunity for the community to safely patronize local businesses and generate charitable support for the Scranton Small Business Relief Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which will help small business owners and employees experiencing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic. Any and all remaining proceeds from this nonprofit event and its sponsorships will go towards this charitable fund. Contributions will be tax deductible.

Small businesses and those interested in getting involved in the Scranton Ice Festival can email scrantonicefest@gmail.com.

“The Scranton Small Business Relief Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation was established by community members, who really want to make a difference in the lives of small business owners and employees experiencing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic,” Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi stated. “The Scranton Ice Festival aims to be a novel charitable event to bring the community together safely during these challenging times while bringing awareness to the small businesses in the area,” she added.

“We want to encourage everyone to use this upcoming First Friday event to show the small business people of downtown Scranton—your friends and neighbors—that you support them during these challenging times,” stated Robert Durkin, President of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

For questions about the Scranton Ice Festival, please email scrantonicefest@gmail.com.

Watch Our PPP Reopening Webinar

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recently reopened for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

Rob Goza, lead economic development specialist from the Eastern PA District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, discusses the new PPP guidelines outlined in the Economic Aid Act, as well as other guidance related to financial assistance for small businesses.

WATCH WEBINAR
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ATHENA and SAGE Applications Open

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce pleased to announce that applications for the 2021 ATHENA Award and the 2021 SAGE Awards are now open.

The ATHENA Award is presented to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in her/his business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. This award is presented and celebrated at the Chamber’s International Women’s Day Celebration, to be held virtually on Monday, March 8, 2021. The award is sponsored by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants.  

The SAGE Awards, Scranton Awards for Growth and Excellence, recognize the outstanding efforts, talent, creativity and innovation in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This year’s SAGE Awards have been enhanced in order to honor and recognize the resourcefulness and innovation local businesses and organizations employed due to the challenges of COVID-19. In addition, the new IMPACT Award was created for 2021, which includes THREE categories: Community Outreach, People and Culture, and Products and Services. 

Nominations for the ATHENA Award will be accepted until Friday, Jan. 29 at 4:00 p.m. and applications for the SAGE Awards will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 5 at 4:00 p.m.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant SBA Webinar

Are you a theatrical producer, talent representative, venue promoter or do you operate a live venue, live performing arts organization, movie house or cultural institution and have been impacted by COVID-19? Register for SBA’s webinar on Thursday, January 14, at 3 p.m. ET, for a preliminary overview of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act. Eligible organizations with a reduction in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have the opportunity to receive up to a $10 million grant under the program.

This webinar will provide introductory information about the grants, who can apply, how potential organizations can prepare, and additional details re: eligibility and applications.  

REGISTER

PPP Reopens This Week

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will reopen the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.

This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

“The historically successful Paycheck Protection Program served as an economic lifeline to millions of small businesses and their employees when they needed it most,” said Administrator Jovita Carranza.  “Today’s guidance builds on the success of the program and adapts to the changing needs of small business owners by providing targeted relief and a simpler forgiveness process to ensure their path to recovery.”

“The Paycheck Protection Program has successfully provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to America’s small businesses, supporting more than 51 million jobs,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.  “This updated guidance enhances the PPP’s targeted relief to small businesses most impacted by COVID-19.  We are committed to implementing this round of PPP quickly to continue supporting American small businesses and their workers.”

Key PPP updates include:

  • PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
  • PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
  • The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, destination marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
  • The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:

  • Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses;
  • Has no more than 300 employees; and
  • Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

The new guidance released includes:

For more information on SBA’s assistance to small businesses, visit sba.gov/ppp or treasury.gov/cares. 

Application Deadline for EIDL Extended

The SBA recently announced that the deadline to apply for a COVID-19 pandemic Economic Injury Disaster Loan has been extended to December 31, 2021.

To date, SBA has approved $197 billion in low-interest loans, which provide U.S. small businesses, non-profits, and agricultural businesses working capital funds. Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications will continue to be accepted through December 2021, pending the availability of funds.

Loans are offered at affordable terms, including a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profit organizations, a 30-year maturity, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin. All eligible small businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to apply.

Learn more and apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan