The NEPA Philharmonic Kicks Off Summer with Independence Day Celebrations and Community Events The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic kicks off its 2025-26 Season, Presented by PNC, with a lineup of summer festivities, Independence Day celebrations, and three nights of music under the stars on July 3-5, 2025. With full-orchestra fireworks performances, patriotic favorites, community education and wellness events, and chamber music in the great outdoors, the NEPA Philharmonic presents outdoor large-ensemble concerts in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre on July 3rd and 4th; an outdoor chamber music concert at Harmony in the Woods in Hawley on July 5th; and community programs in Scranton, Peckville, and Carbondale. On Thursday, July 3, 7:30 PM, the full NEPA Philharmonic returns to Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton for a free concert as part of the Lackawanna County Scrantastic Spectacular. The performance – led by guest conductor Jeffrey Spenner, Assistant Director of the U.S. Coast Guard Band – features the full orchestra for the first time since 2019, with an array of patriotic classics capped by a fireworks display. For more details, visit https://www.scrantasticspectacular.com/. “I’m thrilled to celebrate the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s performance at our annual Scrantastic Spectacular on July 3rd,” says Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak. “Their vibrant orchestra will bring patriotic spirit to Courthouse Square, uniting our community in a joyful Independence Day celebration. We’re proud to support their artistry and look forward to an unforgettable evening of music and fireworks.” Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan also notes, “The Scrantastic Spectacular always is a great event and it will be even more so this year, with the full Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic bringing its extraordinarily talented musicians to the perfect setting of Courthouse Square. I can’t think of a better way for the whole community to come together to celebrate the nation’s 249th anniversary.” The celebration continues Friday, July 4, 9:00 AM, with the 12th Annual Yoga on the Roof atop the Marketplace at Steamtown’s parking garage. The NEPA Philharmonic string trio joins Jaya Yoga Clarks Summit for a unique sunrise yoga session with live music, highlighting powerful connections between arts and wellness. Registration is $20, online at www.nepaphil.org/tickets or at the door; proceeds benefit NEPA Philharmonic community and education programs. Maximum Zen Bakery of Clarks Summit provides light breakfast. On July 4, 8:00 PM, the NEPA Philharmonic Brass and Percussion Ensemble return with guest conductor Paul Bryan to Wilkes-Barre’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration at Kirby Park. This free, festive event features music, food, games, and another evening of lighting up the sky with fireworks. The NEPA Philharmonic Brass also presents two all-ages educational events: Once Upon an Orchestra at Valley Community Library in Peckville on Thursday, July 3, 10:00 AM and Meet the Instruments outside at Memorial Park in Carbondale on Saturday, July 5, 11:00 AM. Once Upon an Orchestra blends music and storytelling, bringing to life Ben’s Trumpet by Rachel Isadora with a brass trio performing 1920s-style jazz, while Meet the Instruments features instrument demonstrations and short musical excerpts with brass quintet. Both events are free; registration for the July 3 library event is at https://lclshome.org/event/once-upon-an-orchestra/. The weekend concludes as the NEPA Philharmonic expands the Stoppini Chamber Series with a special concert in partnership with Harmony in the Woods, a premier outdoor performance venue in Hawley, PA. On Saturday, July 5, 6:00 PM, the NEPA Philharmonic Brass Quintet takes center stage with “Americana Brass in the Woods”. The performance will feature a dynamic mix of New Orleans jazz, lively ragtime, and classic film scores, alongside timeless works from Gershwin, Ellington, Bernstein, Irving Berlin, and more. Tickets ($50 for adults, $25 for children) are available at www.harmonyinthewoods.org. The Scrantastic Spectacular is sponsored in part by Lehigh Valley Health Network, Scranton Tomorrow, The Lackawanna County Commissioners, The City of Scranton, and Audacy Pennsylvania. Additional support for the NEPA Philharmonic at Scrantastic Spectacular is provided by PNC, Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, Fidelity, Geisinger, and Xfinity. Once Upon an Orchestra is presented by the Lackawanna County Library System. The NEPA Philharmonic Brass at Wilkes-Barre’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July is presented by the City of Wilkes-Barre. Americana Brass is presented by Harmony in the Woods, with additional support for the Philharmonic from PNC and the Stoppini Foundation. In case of inclement weather, the July 3rd, 7:30PM Scrantastic Spectacular concert will go on as scheduled, with a rain location at Scranton High School; rain location announcements will be provided by Lackawanna County on the event website. The rain location for the July 5th, 11AM Meet the Instruments event in Carbondale will be at the Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the NEPA Philharmonic’s summer programs and the upcoming 2025–2026 Season, Presented by PNC, visit nepaphil.org, or call (570) 270-4444.
Businesses Reminder of Deadline for Submitting 2025 First Quarter Payroll Preparation Tax Return Entities conducting business within the City of Scranton are reminded that the due date to submit their first quarter tax return for the 2025 Payroll Preparation Tax is May 31, 2025. A person shall be deemed to be conducting business within the City if they engage, hire, employ, or contract with one or more individuals as employees, partners, or is self-employed and, in addition, does at least one of the following: Maintains a fixed place of business within the City; Owns or leases real property within the City for profit; Maintains a stock of tangible, personal property in the City for sale in the ordinary course of business; Conducts continuous solicitation within the City related to such business; or Utilizes the streets of the City in connection with the operation of such business (other than for the mere transportation from a site outside the City, through the City, to a destination outside the City.) Institutions who are exempt from the Payroll Preparation Tax as a result of their status as a nonprofit are required to file quarterly returns claiming their exemption. Returns submitted after May 31, 2025, will be subject to penalty and interest on the balances due. The Payroll Preparation Tax is a tax levied separately by both the Scranton School District and the City of Scranton. The 2025 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the Scranton School District is 0.7553 percent and the 2025 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the City of Scranton is 0.2787 percent. The combined 2025 Payroll Preparation Tax rate is 1.034 percent. The City of Scranton and the Scranton School District have both appointed Berkheimer Tax Innovations, Inc. to administer the Payroll Preparation Tax on their behalf. Tax forms are available on Berkheimer’s website at hab-inc.com/pptforms. Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found at scrantonpa.gov/payroll-prep-tax-information, https://www.scrsd.org/departments/business-office and www.hab-inc.com/ppt-faq. Please direct all questions regarding the Payroll Preparation Tax to Berkheimer by emailing ebpt@goberk.com or by calling (610) 599-3140.
The City of Scranton Announces Tax Return Deadline Reminder for Businesses Entities conducting business within the City of Scranton are reminded that the due date to submit their third quarter tax return for the 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax is November 30, 2023. A person shall be deemed to be conducting business within the City if they engage, hire, employ, or contract with one or more individuals as employees, partners, or is self-employed and, in addition, does at least one of the following: Maintains a fixed place of business within the City; Owns or leases real property within the City for profit; Maintains a stock of tangible, personal property in the City for sale in the ordinary course of business; Conducts continuous solicitation within the City related to such business; or Utilizes the streets of the City in connection with the operation of such business (other than for the mere transportation from a site outside the City, through the City, to a destination outside the City.) Institutions who are exempt from the Payroll Preparation Tax as a result of their status as a nonprofit are required to file quarterly returns claiming their exemption. Returns submitted after November 30, 2023, will be subject to penalty and interest on the balances due. The Payroll Preparation Tax is a tax levied separately by both the Scranton School District and the City of Scranton. The 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the Scranton School District is 0.7553 percent and the 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the City of Scranton is 0.2787 percent. The combined 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate is 1.034 percent. The City of Scranton and the Scranton School District have both appointed Berkheimer Tax Innovations, Inc. to administer the Payroll Preparation Tax on their behalf. Tax forms are available on Berkheimer’s website at hab-inc.com/pptforms. Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found at scrantonpa.gov/payroll-prep-tax-information, https://www.scrsd.org/departments/business-office and hab-inc.com/ppt-faq. Please direct all questions regarding the Payroll Preparation Tax to Berkheimer by emailing ebpt@goberk.com or by calling (610) 599-3140.
Scranton Area Community Foundation Announces Flood Relief Grant Program to Lackawanna County Residents In response to the severe storms that struck Lackawanna County in September, the Scranton Area Community Foundation is in the process of establishing a flood relief grants program aimed at supporting individuals and community organizations directly affected by these recent flood events and which are experiencing hardship as a result. There will be two grant programs aimed at flood relief hardship issues—the Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund and a grants program in partnership with the City of Scranton. Specific eligibility and application process parameters for the flood relief grants programs will be provided when the process opens the week of October 23rd. The first program, The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund, has been established by the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support community organizations and small businesses in the Lackawanna County area experiencing hardship from being directly affected by flood events. The second grants program, developed in partnership with the City of Scranton, will support individuals residing in the City of Scranton experiencing hardship from having been affected by flood events. This flood relief grants program will provide support to eligible recipients through resources available from Scranton’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Additional details on both grant programs, which will be forthcoming, will include eligibility information, areas covered under the grant programs, and how to apply. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund was created with seed money from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Generous individual donors, foundations, and organizations, including The Moses Taylor Foundation, Pennsylvania American Water, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and PS Bank, have provided additional support to the Fund. These donations will directly support grants made from the Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund as funds are available. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will continue soliciting additional charitable donations from other organizations and individuals to respond effectively to the incoming needs. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will aim to meet the greatest array of needs of the organizations and communities disproportionately impacted by flood events in Lackawanna County. “In critical situations like this, we know the needs are great, so as a Community Foundation, we are preparing for how best to serve those who need assistance. We understand the importance of listening to the communities we serve and responding to these needs,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We are fortunate to have a very generous community, who we believe will continue to step up and support this very important cause.” The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund is currently accepting charitable donations, 100% of which will go toward supporting those affected in Lackawanna County. Contributions to the Fund can be made online at https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4598. Donations can also be mailed via check to The Scranton Area Foundation, 615 Jefferson Ave., Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510, and made payable to “Scranton Area Foundation” with “LC Flood Fund” in the memo line. For more information about the flood relief grant programs, please contact Frank Caputo, Grants & Communications Coordinator at the Scranton Area Community Foundation at grants@safdn.org. ABOUT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021: ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill. The City of Scranton received $68.7 million in ARPA funds to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts. The mission of Scranton’s ARPA program is to give people access to resources, rebuild the infrastructure systems that impact their everyday lives, and foster equitable wealth generation that targets the needs of Scranton residents.
USS Scranton Commanding Officer and Crew to Visit the City of Scranton In conjunction with the USS Scranton Commanders’ Commemoration Committee, the City of Scranton will be welcoming Commanding Officer Jeffrey Ransom and five of his officers to the City. The crew will tour City Hall, the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center, local universities, and other attractions. The Committee has planned a Public Gathering for the public and community stakeholders to participate in honoring the crew’s visit. Details: Welcome Reception in Honor of the Commander of the USS Scranton Wednesday, October 11 6:00 PM: Reception and Light Refreshments 7:00 PM: Presentation of Colors and Speakers Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, 525 Pine Street, Scranton, PA 18509 Speakers will include Congressman Matt Cartwright, Mayor Paige Cognetti, C.O. Ransom, President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Bob Durkin, USS Scranton Committee Chairman Matthew A. Berger, Dean of the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Julie Byerley, and Veteran’s Promise representative Patrick Heart. Members of the public wishing to attend should RSVP to Committee member Liz Dengler at 570-575-3826. For media inquiries, contact Kaitlin Scott, Executive Assistant to Mayor Cognetti, at 570-780-1207.
Educator in the Workplace Finishes 2023 Cohort Scranton, PA—Skills in Scranton, the workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, concluded the 2023 Educator in the Workplace (EIW) program on Thursday, May 4. The program was partially funded by the City of Scranton American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Non-Profit COVID Relief Grant and sponsored by Pennsylvania American Water and the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Twenty-six participants, including teachers, school counselors, principals, administrators, and school board directors, participated in the cohort, learning about Northeastern PA’s in-demand careers and industries. Various sessions included a State of the Workforce presentation, tour of the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, an in-depth look into manufacturing regionally, on-site business tours, presentations by CareerLink Lackawanna and a facilitated curriculum writing session. “The EIW program provides an opportunity for educators to learn from and network with community business leaders and peers from adjacent school districts,” said Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “Participants share best practices, career pathways resources and essential career skills that can be brought back to their districts and integrated into classroom instruction. The resources provided by the EIW program is supporting the development of a robust regional talent pipeline.” Throughout the 2023 EIW program, the participants have applied what was learned during the program integrating basic workforce skills into classroom instruction. Takeaway lessons included interviewing, resume writing, clocking into class to earn credit, and simulating real-time workplace practices. The Chamber and Skills in Scranton have begun preparations for next year’s EIW cohorts. For more information or to register for future EIW programs, contact Emily Pettinato at epettinato@scrantonchamber.com or visit www.SkillsinScranton.com. The 2023 Educator in the Workplace participants Include: Johanna Chorba, Scranton School DistrictThomas Murray, Scranton School DistrictHayley Miller, Scranton School DistrictLaurie Marino, Valley View School DistrictJohn Fox, Riverside School DistrictRichard Hensel, Scranton School DistrictKarlene Cicco, Scranton School DistrictBonnie Baker, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna CountySamantha Masco, Carbondale Area School DistrictLicia Olivetti, Carbondale Area School DistrictDalyana Gillette, Scranton School DistrictJohn Ray, Scranton School DistrictNanine Gramigna, Scranton School DistrictJessica Norris, Scranton School DistrictGabrielle Pidgeon, Carbondale Area School DistrictAmanda O’Brien, Scranton School DistrictCarrie Wittenbrader, Western Wayne School DistrictJessica Capwell, NEIU19Melinda Arcuri, Marywood University Adult Basic Literacy Education ProgramSandy Morahan, Forest City School DistrictTeri Erdmann, Forest City School DistrictKatelyn Phillips, Lakeland School DistrictLarry Pegula, Valley View School DistrictLori Kelley, Valley View School DistrictChristina Burak, Valley View School DistrictMary Swift, Scranton School District About Skills in Scranton Skills in Scranton, an affiliate organization of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, integrate workforce and economic development through collaborative partnerships, connecting industry and education to drive local economic prosperity. 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.
Loan to Grant Program (HUD) Overview:This federally funded gap loan program was developed to enhance job creation by providing assistance to existing businesses looking to expand, for starting up a new business, or for businesses looking to relocate to Scranton. As per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, borrowers must create one full time equivalent job for every $35,000 borrowed. If job creation and guidelines are met, the loan can transfer to a grant, with no repayment necessary. Any business located in the City of Scranton may qualify for a Small Business Loan. You can borrow up to 30% of total project costs. Therefore, you should speak to your lending institution first about financing options. Businesses can potentially access $35,000 to $245,000 of funding. Eligible Uses of Funds: InventoryProcurement of machinery, furniture, fixtures and equipmentWorking/Operating capital (not to include interest or finance charges)Defined working/operating capital – Utilities, taxes, rent, employee payroll (owner’s payroll is exempt)Construction, building or other improvements when Davis Bacon and Related Acts must be applied (prevailing wage rate requirements for all construction employees) Ineligible or Restricted Uses of Funds: The repayment of existing debtConstruction, building or other improvements when Davis Bacon and Related Acts are not applied to the project (prevailing wage rate requirements for all construction employees)Reimbursement of costs incurred prior to loan/grant awardReimbursement for interest charges or finance changes of any kind with no exceptionsPolitical or religious activitiesLobbying any governmental entity Interested in Applying:If you are interested in learning more and applying for this program, please email Tiffany Cross-Luciani at tcluciani@scrantonpa.gov who will email you the application.
