Episode Six: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update The 155th Chamber Annual Dinner, featuring keynote speaker Shawn Kanungo and presented by PNC Bank, is on Wednesday, March 27, at the Scranton Cultural Center. Purchase your tickets today. Read the March Momentum online today! The Chamber’s Small Business Lending affiliate, MetroAction, provides one-on-one counseling services and small business loans ranging from $2,500 to $100,000. MetroAction is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Complete the Survey The survey will take less than one minute to complete. Let the Chamber know your thoughts about the new “All Things Chamber” video series. Click the button below to access the survey today. SURVEY Event Update The March 19 Capitol Conversations with Secretary Nancy Walker is postponed until further notice. The Chamber staff apologizes for the inconvenience. More details will come on a new date. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
Chamber Hosts Lackawanna County Commissioners On Thursday, February 29, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted Lackawanna County Commissioners Chris Chermak, Bill Gaughan, and Matt McGloin at a breakfast meet and greet. The County Commissioners interacted with Chamber and affiliate organizations’ board members. Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber, Jerry Musheno, chair of the board for The Chamber, and Vince Galko, chair of the Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee for The Chamber, provided remarks to guests and welcomed County Commissioners. The county commissioners gave short salutations and spoke on the County’s and The Chamber’s strong connection in attracting, sustaining, and growing businesses to Lackawanna County.
Episode Five: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update The International Women’s Day Breakfast will be held on Friday, March 8, at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center. The Breakfast includes the recognition of the 2024 ATHENA Award recipient, and Dress for Success Lackawanna will recognize Women Making an Impact Honorees. Member Benefits – Did you know that as a member you can offer AND receive bonus benefits and discounts? E-mail Tina Bechaver with your bonus benefit today! New Member? You can be featured in a future publication of Momentum Magazine. Fill out a Fresh Faces application today. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
Donate Non-Perishable Food to United Neighborhood Centers The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted the Mardi Gras Business Card Exchange at Urban Co-Works on Wednesday, February 21. Chamber members networked, toured the facility, and ate great food. The Chamber and Urban Co-Works partnered to collect non-perishable food items from Chamber members to support the United Neighborhood Center pantry. Chamber members are encouraged to continue supporting UNC by donating directly to the organization. Through collected efforts of The Chamber and members like FNCB Bank, UNC was gifted non-perishable food items to stock their pantry. You and your business can continue to support UNC and other nonprofit members in the greater Scranton community by donating directly to them. Search for fellow members and see how you can help them.
Episode Four: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update Workforce Summit and Career Fair set for April 4 – Students, job seekers, and business professionals are invited to attend. You could start and grow your career at the Workforce Summit. February’s Momentum Magazine hit the streets! 60+ Chamber members have been included in the publication. Read the latest edition, and let us know if you want to be included. “Did you know?” Chamber members have several benefits at their disposal. You can reserve the Executive Conference Room or the Chamber Board Room for meetings. Contact Tina to learn more. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE
The Chamber Announces Land Sale by SLIBCO to PNK Group The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, through its business development affiliate, Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Business Company (SLIBCO), is pleased to announce the sale of 88.73 acres of prime industrial land in Jessup and Archbald, to PNK Group, with the intent to develop industrial facilities totaling 765,000 square feet. PNK Group, an investor with expertise in financing, development, engineering, and construction, has identified northeastern Pennsylvania as a strategic location for its latest investment. Recognizing the region’s proximity to major markets and its exceptional labor force, PNK Group seized the opportunity to acquire these parcels of land to implement its industrial development projects. This transaction highlights the region’s appeal to prominent investors seeking to capitalize on its economic and workforce potential and The Chamber’s commitment to fostering economic growth and attracting investment to the area. “The acquisition of prime industrial land in Jessup and Archbald marks a significant step forward for our expansion efforts in northeastern Pennsylvania. We are excited to bring our expertise in financing, development, engineering, and construction to this strategic location. This investment underscores our confidence in the region’s economic prospects and our commitment to driving growth and innovation. We look forward to bringing our industrial development projects to fruition and contribute to the continued success of the local economy” shared Mark Stiles from PNK Group. PNK Group specializes in constructing multipurpose industrial buildings for large-unit blocks, leveraging their expertise to create state-of-the-art facilities that meet the needs of modern industries. With this acquisition, PNK Group aims to enhance the region’s industrial infrastructure while creating opportunities for job growth and economic advancement. Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber shares, “The PNK Group has a reputation for high quality developments that attract a balance of industry types to their facilities. This perspective fits well into the commitment of the Chamber and SLIBCO to diversify our economy in Lackawanna County and our region.” The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is committed to facilitating further business development initiatives and fostering partnerships that drive prosperity and innovation in Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information regarding the sale to PNK Group or on The Chamber’s business development affiliate, SLIBCO, please contact Bruce Reddock, director of business development, at breddock@scrantonchamber.com or (570) 342–7711 ext. 136. About The Greater Scranton Chamber of CommerceThe Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com. Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Business Company (SLIBCO) Scranton-Lackawanna Industrial Business Company (SLIBCO), an affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, develops multi-tenant buildings and industrial and office parks in northeastern Pennsylvania. SLIBCO also owns and manages two technology incubator facilities to start-up and expand small businesses. For more information, visit www.SLIBCO.com.
Episode Three: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update The Mardi Gras Business Card Exchange has been postponed until Wednesday, February 21. The event is taking place at Urban Co-Works, and don’t forget to bring non-perishable food items to donate to United Neighborhood Centers Submit Your News to The Chamber! Every Thursday is a dedicated eBlast sharing upcoming events, news, and milestones from the Chamber membership. Be included in next Thursday’s eBlast. Send news to Editor@ScrantonChamber.com. New Location? Anniversary? or New Business? The Chamber and its team of Chamber Influencers will hold a ribbon cutting for your business. Contact Tina to get on the Chamber calendar for your ribbon cutting. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE
2024 ATHENA Leadership Award Recipient Announced The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Deborah Kolsovsky, executive vice president and regional director for PNC Institutional Asset Management®, as the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient. The ATHENA Award, sponsored locally by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants, honors an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals, and leadership skills. Kolsovsky embodies these characteristics wholeheartedly. For 34 years, Kolsovsky has made significant strides as a leader, mentor, and strategic partner at PNC and in the greater Scranton community. As the Northeast regional director, Kolsovsky leads teams in Boston, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania; one-third of PNC’s Institutional business revenue is generated under her direction. She provided the solution to build out PNC’s Outsourced Chief Investment Officer. A champion for women in the workplace, she has hired and mentored several who now hold leadership positions throughout the financial institution. “I can think of no more deserving recipient of this prestigious award than Debbie Kolsovsky,” shared Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber. “Her accomplishments in the professional arena are only matched by her long and rich history of community service throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Congratulations Debbie!” In the community, Kolsovsky is the immediate past chair of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and currently serves on the executive and DEI committees. She is the senior vice chair of the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne, and Pike Counites; a vice chair for The Wright Center for Community Health; a board member for Johnson College and Geisinger Northeast; and a Circle 200 member. Kolsovsky is active with the Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, taking opportunities to turn girls into young women. The ATHENA Award will be presented to Kolsovsky at The Chamber’s International Women’s Day Breakfast on Friday, March 8. This event is sponsored by The Honesdale National Bank and will be in partnership with Dress for Success Lackawanna. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ScrantonChamber.com. The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan, and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture, symbolizing the strength, courage, and wisdom of the recipient. The ATHENA Award® Program is nationally underwritten by General Motors and National City Bank. PHOTO: Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Donna Barbetti; Deborah Kolsovsky, ATHENA Award recipient; Mari Potis, director of membership and events, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Kristine Augustine, Vice President of Membership and Marketing, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
Episode Two: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss these Deadlines The Chamber 155th Annual Dinner is on Wednesday, March 27, at the Scranton Cultural Center. Hear a special message from keynote speaker Shawn Kanungo. Mardi Gras Business Card Exchange — Join The Chamber on “Fat Tuesday” and bring a non-perishable food item to donate to benefit the United Neighborhood Center. New Member Welcome Lunch — New Members are invited to attend a free luncheon at The Chamber. Register today! Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE
Byron Transitions to Executive Assistant Position The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Amanda Byron’s transition to Executive Assistant to the President. As the executive assistant, Byron will serve as a liaison to The Chamber and its various affiliate boards and committees. She will also be responsible for board management, communications, and reporting requirements. Byron originally joined The Chamber as the board and office administrator, where she acted as the point of contact between The Chamber and its affiliate organizations, Skills in Scranton and Leadership Lackawanna. Her transition to executive assistant will allow her to use her communicative skills to assist Durkin with the progression of The Chamber’s mission, goals, and strategic plan. “Amanda brings a unique perspective to this important position in Chamber operations. I am looking forward to the changes she will bring based on her background and experience,” says Durkin. Byron graduated from Lackawanna College where she received an associate degree in paralegal studies. She has worked as a customer care office manager, an insurance customer service representative, and as a paralegal for multiple law firms, including her most recent position as a litigation paralegal.
