Chamber Hosts 8th Congressional Candidates for Private Forum The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted a private forum on Monday, October 14, featuring 8th Congressional Candidates Congressman Matt Cartwright and Rob Bresnahan. This exclusive event allowed candidates to network with Chamber members and representatives from regional Chambers of Commerce and Visitors’ Bureaus. “We are pleased that the candidates for the 8th Congressional District recognized the importance of addressing the questions and concerns of our members. And we are proud to once again team with our fellow regional Chambers and Visitors Bureaus to speak with a unified voice on behalf of the business community of northeastern Pennsylvania,” shared Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber. The forum, structured to foster engagement, allowed attendees to hear directly from the candidates on various business, economic, childcare, affordable housing and healthcare, and workforce topics that impact northeastern Pennsylvania. Moderated by Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber, the questions asked of the candidates were geared towards legislative priorities submitted by Chamber members. In partnership with the Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, The Chamber collaborated with the Pocono Television Network to film and distribute the 8th Congressional Forum to media outlets across the region. The Chamber and its leadership are committed to facilitating important dialogues between the business community and local government, ensuring that the voices of area businesses are heard and represented in legislative matters. Regional Chambers of Commerce that participated in the 8th Congressional Forum: Back Mountain Chamber of Commerce; the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce; the Chamber of the Northern Poconos; and the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. Watch the 8th Congressional forum online here!
The Chamber’s 2023 Legislative Forums The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce two upcoming Legislative Forums. The Forums will feature the Democratic and Republican candidates for the Lackawanna County Commissioner race: Bill Gaughan (D), Matt McGloin (D), Diane Campbell (R), and Chris Chermak (R). These Forums are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Oct. 5, beginning at 8:30 AM. Hosted by Bob Durkin, president and CEO of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and Jerry Musheno, chairman of the board of directors for The Chamber, The Legislative Forum will engage candidates in open discussions regarding priority topics that are important to Chamber members and business community. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the candidate priorities that influence our community’s economic growth. The legislative forum will be held The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, located at 222 Mulberry Street. Member businesses wishing to attend the Forums should register at www.scrantonchamber.com.
Coffee With Your Congressman Matt Cartwright The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce government advocacy and affairs committee wants to share an upcoming opportunity for Chamber members to meet and discuss important issues with Congressman Cartwright. Congressman Cartwright will be at the Abington Memorial VFW Post 7069 on Monday, July 10, from 3:30-5:00 PM. Enjoy coffee and contribute to the discussion with your local community. AddressAbington Memorial VFW Post 7069402 Winola RoadClarks Summit, PA 18411
Boback Announces the Unanimous Passage of Veterans Bills Package by the House Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, announced the unanimous passage of the Veterans Day package of bills through the House today. “Just in time for tomorrow, Veterans Day, we took action this week in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to support our veterans and their families,” said Boback. “This package of bills that passed through the House today will enhance the lives of our veterans community across the Commonwealth. “The package seeks to improve professional licensure provisions, increases the blind and paralyzed veteran pension program and provides for improvements to the Pennsylvania National Guard Life insurance program. It also allows for further protections in military discharge records and the care of veterans graves. Additionally, we took action to create a recognition day for veterans of the Persian Gulf War and the Global War on Terrorism, in which many of my House and Senate colleagues valiantly served. Lastly, we passed a resolution I authored with the minority chair of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee to commemorate Veterans Day 2021 in Pennsylvania. “I am grateful to my colleagues in the House for their support of the legislation that was before us this week. I look forward to continuing to provide veterans throughout Pennsylvania with the benefits and services they so rightfully deserve.” The Veterans Day package of bills includes House Bills 1055, 1220, 1612, and 1868; House Resolution 153; and Senate Bills 248 and 550. For more information on the legislation, go to www.legis.state.pa.us.
SLIBCO Receives $100,000 for Talent Attraction Campaign From left to right: Bob Durkin, president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Rep. Kyle Mullins, Rep. Bridget M. Kosierowski, Senator Marty Flynn, Rep. Mike Carroll, and P. Timothy Kelly, Esq., Needle Law, attend a meeting and luncheon at the Chamber. The Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO) – the economic development affiliate of the Chamber – received a $100,000 Local Share Account (LSA) grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a national advertising campaign targeted at remote workers and talent attraction. The goal is to draw awareness of career opportunities available and recruit new talent to Lackawanna County. The campaign, which will be managed by The Scranton Plan, the economic development marketing arm of the Chamber and SLIBCO, will consist of digital marketing – including web, social media, and video – in the metro areas of New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Audience segments will include remote workers, corporate executives, real estate professionals, entrepreneurs, millennials, retirees, and more. “The demand for a highly-skilled workforce has never been greater. We are grateful to have the engaged support of our local state-elected officials in these efforts to attract and retain talented individuals for career opportunities in Lackawanna County,” said Bob Durkin, president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. As an extension of The Scranton Plan’s Rediscover Scranton campaign from earlier this year, the messaging will highlight Lackawanna County’s affordability, lifestyle, and location benefits for young professionals, families and retirees, as well as the advantages for being a well-positioned region for real estate development and company relocation or expansion. The Chamber would like to thank our local state-elected officials for their support in receiving the grant, including Senator Marty Flynn and state representatives Mike Carroll, Bridget M. Kosierowski, and Kyle Mullins.