FNCB Bank Donates New Scoreboard to Girls Softball Program

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, is pleased to announce its latest project supporting the community with the donation of a brand-new scoreboard for the Hanover Area Girls Softball program. The scoreboard is located at the Bobby Strish Memorial Park in Ashley, PA.

The scoreboard donation represents part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. Through outreach programs, donations, and an employee volunteer network, FNCB is committed to helping the communities they serve.

About FNCB Bank

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, continues as one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s premier community banks — offering a full suite of personal, small business and commercial banking solutions with industry-leading mobile, online, and in-branch products and services. FNCB remains dedicated to the communities it serves with an ongoing mission to make your banking experience simply better. For more information on the BauerFinancial 5-Star rated FNCB, visit www.fncb.com.

ATTACHED PICTURE

Representatives from FNCB Bank and Hanover Area Girls Softball recently dedicated a new scoreboard at Bobby Strish Memorial Park. The scoreboard was donated by FNCB Bank as part of their community giving program. Pictured: L-R (front row): Allison Johnson; Ella Grillz; Giana Pericci; Gabby Pericci; Ayla Schappert; Stelia Styczen; Destiny Valenzuela. L-R (middle row): Olivia Mihalchik; Maddy Spencer; Nicole Nevel, Community Office Manager, FNCB Bank; Paisley Hliwski; Emily Weinbrect; Jules Morio; Lizzy Miscavage; Jillian Weidner; Cam Wellington; Lena Maclusky. L-R (back row): Mike Hliwski; Brian Hogan; Tony Johnson; Matt Noss; Tenley Mishanski; Abby Miller; Maddy Martin; Jason Styczen; Mike Conahan; Jude Shappert.

PEMA’S Public Damage Assessment Link

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) has launched a Public Damage Assessment Link (below) for area residents and businesses to report the damage done to their properties in the affected municipalities by the September 9 storm. 

PEMA and Lackawanna County 911 and EMA officials stress the reporting link is not an application for assistance nor a guarantee of assistance. 

It is a step in the State’s process to alert Commonwealth and local officials where to go for damage assessment. 

The link will be open from today (September 13) through Sunday, September 24. 

 The link of Public Damage Assessment is link https://damage-assessment-3-pema.hub.arcgis.com

After clicking on the link, residents must then look for the incident name/title from the drop-down box 09/09/2023 Northeast PA Flooding Public Report. 

This is the only location where the information can be submitted and accepted. It vitally important to fill out the assessment to help State and local officials gauge the damage and then plan the recovery effort.

County staff will be available at the Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) to assist residents and business owners in filling out the assessment if they are experiencing difficulties in navigating the form.        

It is also very important that all residents and business owners document all of the damage to their property via written copy and photos.  Everyone should also keep track of the expenses and hold onto all receipts involved in the cleanup and recovery of their properties. 

Next Steps For Those Impacted By The September 9th Storm

Lackawanna County’s Emergency Management and 911 agencies are working with PEMA and State officials on the next steps needed to provide information to the residents and businesses affected by the Weather Event that occurred on September 9th.    

Lackawanna County EMA and 911 are also collaborating with PEMA and State officials on setting-up a Multi Agency Resource Center (MARC) where impacted residents and businesses can obtain information on available programs, learn what the next steps would be for their repair and cleanup work, and connect with resources and personnel that can help. The proposed dates for the MARC would be September 21, 22, and 23, with a location to be determined.

Over the next several weeks, State and local officials will be out assessing damages for the purpose of meeting State and Federal guidelines for Emergency Declarations.

The Lackawanna County Commissioners, Lackawanna County Emergency Management, and 911 stress once again that all residents and business owners must document all the damage to their property via written copy and photos. Everyone should also keep track of the expenses (receipts) involved in the cleanup and recovery of their properties in case individual assistance becomes available in the future. 

Residents and business owners should check the County’s website, social media, and the news for updates on the storm recovery initiatives.  

PS Bank Hosts Chamber Business Card Exchange

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce held its Business Card Exchange at PS Bank’s South Abington Twp. location. Business members joined to network and enjoyed food from local restaurants and bakeries. Tony Gabello, president and CEO of PS Bank, and Bob Durkin, president and CEO of The Chamber, announced the Disaster Relief Fund for those affected by the flooding from the past weekend. The Scranton Area Community Foundation established the fund.

Check out more photos in The Chamber’s photo album.

University of Scranton Small Business Center Development News

Gretchen Kukuchka Honored as Pennsylvania’s State Star at SBDC Annual Conference

Gretchen Kukuchka, Business Consultant, has been named the (Pennsylvania) State Star, an award celebrating outstanding performance and client satisfaction, and recently had the opportunity to celebrate the award at America’s SBDC 44th annual conference during the State Star Reception. The State Star Award is the highest honor that the PASBDC awards, celebrating one exceptional individual who has truly made a difference in their state network.

Develop a Strong Business Idea in 8 Simple Steps

Tuesday, 9/19/23 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Discover the essential steps to turn your business idea into a reality. This webinar will guide you through:

  • Choosing your business idea: Learn how to select a viable business concept.
  • Resource assessment: Understand the financial and time commitments required.
  • Navigating industry regulations: Get insights on industry-specific rules.
  • Target market definition: Identify your ideal customers.
  • Competitive advantage: Determine what sets you apart from competitors.
  • Business plan writing: Recognize the importance of a well-structured business plan.

Register here.

Applications Are Now Open for StartUP’s Fall Series

StartUP is a six-week series where participants learn through live sessions on Zoom and meet weekly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Sessions kick off on Tuesday, September 26.

Topics covered include:

  • Business start-up basics
  • Legal and insurance considerations
  • Marketing and social media essentials
  • Business plan development
  • Accounting and budget skills
  • Financing options and requirements
  • Goal setting
  • and other essential skills…

Apply here.

Horizon Farm Credit Announces Third Annual ‘Farmers on the Rise’Award Competition

Horizon Farm Credit is hosting the third annual Farmers on the Rise award competition this fall. Established in 2021, the Farmers on the Rise program was created to honor outstanding beginning farmers (three to ten years of experience) within the diverse agricultural community who excel in their field. This year’s program will award up to ten $10,000 awards. The application is now open and closes on October 6, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. Visit the link below for additional details, including eligibility requirements. 

Learn more here.

Creative Entrepreneurs: You May Be Eligible for Financial Support from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Partner Organizations

The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the PCA’s Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) partner organizations are pleased to make available the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program. This program is designed to pair access to existing small business consulting services with financial resources up to $2,000 for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business

Learn more here.

Master Online Marketing for Freewith this Webinar from the PennWest Clarion SBDC

Tuesday, 9/19/23 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Getting your business online is one thing, making sure the content is engaging and actionable is another. Now, more than ever, businesses need to have a strong brand and web presence. Doing so can seem overwhelming, from a time and monetary perspective. This webinar will go over tips and tricks to marketing online that cost $0! We will go over no-cost solutions to help you create and diversify your marketing, such as Canva, Unsplash, Bit.ly, and a few other free programs.

Register here.

Wayne Bank Promotes Collin Ennis

Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Collin Ennis to Commercial Loan Officer.

According to Mr. Donnelly, “I’m so proud to announce this promotion of Collin.  His expertise and client skills have made him an asset to our company, and his new role will allow Collin to work more closely with our commercial customers, to help them grow and expand their business.

Since first joining Wayne Bank in 2022, Collin has served as a Commercial Loan Associate.  In Collin’s new role, he will be responsible for providing exceptional customer service, initiating new business, and deepening current business relationships within our Wayne and Pike County service areas.  He is a graduate of the University of Scranton, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance.

Wayne Bank Promotes Derek Bellinger

Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is happy to announce the promotion of Derek Bellinger to Residential Mortgage Sales Manager.

According to Mr. Donnelly, “I’m so pleased to announce this promotion. Derek’s extensive experience and commitment to the communities we serve, makes him an asset to our mortgage team and well-deserving of this promotion. Derek has acted as a mentor to our new mortgage team members for a number of years.  His deep knowledge of the product set, natural leadership style and inherent kindness make him ideal for this role.  In Derek’s new role, he will be responsible for managing the sales efforts of our team of Mortgage Originators to meet and exceed our customer expectations.”

Derek has 27 years of banking and management experience and has held several titles during his banking career, including Commercial Loan Officer, Financial Center Manager, and Multi-Site Branch Manager.

Derek is an active member of the community and is involved in many non-profit organizations.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Human Resources Center, The Chamber of the Northern Poconos, and the Honesdale Lions Club.  Derek holds a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Administration from the University of Scranton.