Coronavirus Resources for Employers

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Updated 9/10/2021 at 3:00 p.m. Updates in bold

We appreciate the ongoing support of all of our members, including our Visionary Members: Bloomsburg University, First Columbia Bank & Trust, First Keystone Community Bank, Geisinger, Kawneer, PPL Electric Utilities, USG, & SEKISUI KYDEX
 

Business Operations

On Thursday, September 9, President Biden issued executive orders regarding new policies to combat COVID-19. The White House has released a document summarizing the orders, which can be found here.

The orders include the following:
• Department of Labor Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring employers with more than 100 people to require vaccination or weekly testing
• Department of Labor rule requiring employers with more than 100 people to provide paid time off for vaccinations
• Require federal employees to get vaccinated within 75 days or risk termination (which would remove the option for weekly testing in lieu of vaccination)
• Extend the federal employee vaccination requirement to federal contractors
• Require Medicare and Medicaid funding recipients to fully vaccinate their staff
• Urge schools to set up regular testing based on community spread
• Expand free COVID testing

On Friday, September 10th, Seema Nanda, Solicitor for the U.S. Department of Labor, explained that these orders will be implemented via an OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard expected “in weeks.” Details on how employers will have to report information, what employees will be included in the requirement, and who bears the cost of testing, were not available. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is compiling employer questions and we will be providing answers as the information becomes available.

– Restaurants, bars, stores, salons, gyms, theaters, event venues, nightclubs, and other businesses can operate at 100% capacity, and crowd-size limits are lifted on all indoor and outdoor gatherings.

– While Pennsylvania’s face covering order was lifted on June 28th, the PA Department of Health continues to urge individuals to follow CDC guidance for wearing a mask where required by law, rule, and regulations, including healthcare, local business, and workplace guidance. For the protection of themselves and others, individuals who have not yet been vaccinated or are partially vaccinated are still encouraged to wear a mask when in public. The CDC requires individuals to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs, such as airports and stations. Masks are also recommended, regardless of vaccination status, while indoors in areas of substantial or high transmission. As of August 30th, Columbia and Montour counties are at a high transmission rate.

The latest CDC guidance regarding masking indoors is not an OSHA regulation. However, an employer could be cited for creating an unsafe working condition if a claim is filed, according to OSHA’s Wilkes Barre office.

Vaccination and Testing

 

Vaccination

The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Geisinger in encouraging eligible individuals to get vaccinated. Resources to help employers communicate with their employees about vaccination are available from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, provides recommendations for developing a workplace vaccination strategy.

Vaccine Distribution

Geisinger is offering vaccines to anyone age 12 or older either by appointment or through a walk-in clinic. Click here for information. 

Click here to find vaccination sites statewide. 

Columbia County EMA is assisting Susquehanna Valley Medical Specialties with COVID-19 vaccination appointments.  Those eligible should call 570-389-5735, Monday through Friday only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Provide name, date of birth, address and phone number.  Someone from Susquehanna Valley Medical Specialties will call back to schedule an appointment. The clinic expects to experience a large volume of inquiries and asks callers to allow ample time for a call back. Callers who are not contacted within 72 hours are asked to call again. Another way to schedule an appointment time for their vaccination, patients simply need to log on to our website at svmedspec.com and click on our Covid-19 vaccination link to enter their contact information.

Individuals needing a ride to a vaccination appointment can call 1-800-632-9063 to schedule a free ride with rabbittransit.

Testing

Geisinger offers both symptomatic testing and testing for travel.  Visit here for details.

If you are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, contact your physician for a referral to a testing site.

Financial Assistance

 
Federal programs

– The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) included a tax credit for small employers that offered paid time off for receiving and recovering from the COVID-19 vaccine. This tax credit makes it easier for businesses to incentivize their workforce to get vaccinated, as well as give employees the proper time they need to get vaccinated and recover from it if they experience side effects. In July, the program was expanded to provide tax credits for employees who need time to take care of family members. 

The original employer tax credit for COVID-19 vaccine paid time off was announced in April 2021. It allowed eligible businesses and nonprofits to be reimbursed for up to 80 hours of paid sick leave or family leave (10 days or two work weeks) given to any employee to get vaccinated or recover from vaccination side effects. The reimbursement of $511 per day or $5,110 in total is deducted from the employer-portion of Medicare taxes and applies to paid time off taken between April 1 and September 30, 2021.

The July 2021 update to the ARP’s paid sick leave and family tax credits now allows employers to claim tax credits for paid time off given to employees to get vaccinated themselves or to accompany a family or household member to get vaccinated. It also includes paid time off for employees who need to take care of a family or household member that is recovering from vaccine side effects.

Click here for additional information from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce about the Small Business Vaccine Tax Credit.

– The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is now closed. Applications are no longer being accepted.

– The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Small businesses and nonprofit organizations may qualify for EIDL loans with a 3.75% fixed rate for companies and a 2.75% fixed rate for nonprofits. Businesses can apply directly with the SBA for EIDL loans.

Businesses needing assistance in applying for an SBA loan can contact the Small Business Development Center network.

Columbia & Luzerne County businesses – wilkes.edu/sbdc
Montour County businesses – bucknell.edu/sbdc

– The Employee Retention Credit is extended through December 31, 2021. The new credit, beginning January 1, is 70% on $10,000 in wages per quarter (or a maximum $28,000 per employee through December 31, 2021).

The new law expands eligibility to include employers who experienced a decline of more than 20% in a qualifying quarter.

Employers can also apply to the PPP program and take advantage of the tax credit program, provided the same wages are not used.

The IRS has issued updated guidance on utilizing ERC.

– The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) grant program provides assistance to live venues that were harmed by COVID-19 restrictions. The SVO grant program will distribute $16 billion in funds to live venue operators, including eligible movie theaters, concert spaces, museums and performing arts organizations.

SVO grants are being administered directly by the SBA. Click here for program details and to apply. 

Local programs

– It is the intent of the Columbia County Commissioners to provide qualifying small businesses a grant to assist in covering the business’ operating expenses incurred in 2021. Operating expenses include but are not limited to: payroll, rent, mortgage, utilities, costs of goods, supplies, raw materials, etc. Grant proceeds may not be used to acquire another business entity. $1,250,000 will be made available for the Columbia County Commissioners Small Business Grant.

Eligible businesses must have experienced a net reduction in revenue of at least 25% in calendar year 2020 compared to calendar year 2019.

Grants will be awarded on a first come, first served basis until all grant funds are awarded. The application period opens September 1, 2021. Grants are to be awarded in $4,000 increments. No awarded grant will exceed $40,000.

Additional details and the application link are available at csgiving.org/cccsbg.

A program for non-profit organizations in Columbia County will follow the small business program.

– SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) has created a loan program with funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. For-profit businesses can apply for loans of at least $10,000 with an interest rate of 3.25%. Funds can be used for working capital and can be disbursed based on past working capital expenses. No payments are due in the first six months. 

There is a $500 underwriting fee and a $100 filing fee.

For more information, visit https://seda-cog.org/covid-19/ or contact SEDA-COG’s Business Finance Department at cwca@seda-cog.org.

– The Chamber’s low-interest loan program is offering loans of up to $10,000 for members at 3% interest for 30 months, with interest only payments for the first 12 months. If you are interested in the Chamber’s loan program, contact Fred Gaffney at the Chamber of Commerce at 570-784-2522 as funds are limited.

Unemployment, Benefits & HR Issues

 

 

The PA Department of Labor and Industry provides UC guidance for employers with impacted employees.

Small Business Recovery Program

The Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Zeigler College of Business has established a Small Business Recovery Program (SBRP) to assist local businesses in recovery from the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We know these are challenging days for small businesses throughout the region, and the Zeigler College of Business wants to be a partner to help solve those problems,” said Todd Shawver, dean of the Zeigler College of Business.”

The SBRP will assist regional small businesses with any aspect of their business, except for financial assistance. These services can include, but are not limited to:
• Professional sales assistance
• Social media and marketing strategy
• Business strategy redevelopment
• Cost structures and monitoring
• Tax guidance
• Open to customizing services depending on business needs.

Anyone wishing to access the services of the SBRP can do so by filling out a request form. 


Member News – September 15, 2021

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Bloomsburg Fair Returns September 24 through October 2 

The Bloomsburg Fair Association’s Board of Directors previewed the return of the Fair at its annual media luncheon held September 8th. This year’s event runs September 24th through October 2nd. The full schedule of events and ticket information are available at bloomsburgfair.com. Brochures are also available at The Chamber of Commerce, 238 Market Street, Bloomsburg, and the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau, 121 Papermill Road, Bloomsburg.

Boy Scouts Sponsoring Community Day this Saturday

The Columbia Montour Council BSA is sponsoring Columbia Montour Community Day this Saturday, September 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Bloomsburg Airport. Meet first responders, pilots, and enjoy activities, games and great food. The event is free to attend.

Community Giving Foundation Breakfast Celebrates Giving Stories

The Community Giving Foundation: Bloomsburg held its annual grant breakfast on September 8th to celebrate the impact of grant recipients and share stories of community giving from Foundation board, staff, and donors. The breakfast, held at Monty’s at Bloomsburg University, was a wonderful time of reflection on the Foundation’s presence in the Bloomsburg community and the many dedicated individuals, families, and organizations that make this work possible.

During the event, Bloomsburg Board member Tom Kapelewski spoke on the giving spirit that is evident through Foundation stakeholders and the philanthropic commitment of donors to Bloomsburg funds. Holly Morrison, Foundation president/CEO, shared Bloomsburg’s journey to affiliate with the Foundation and the excitement behind last year’s re-branding at the Foundation. Karri Harter, Foundation program associate, celebrated the good work accomplished in the Bloomsburg community through the dedication of area nonprofit organizations. Grant recipients from Bloomsburg’s 2021 competitive grant round were also recognized. Becky Stender, case manager with Central Susquehanna Opportunities, shared her organization’s experience with the Foundation and the services provided across our region because of local grants and donor support. Representing the BHS Class of ’86 Scholarship Fund, Leslie Temple spoke on creating a fund with the Foundation as a philanthropic partner to benefit future BHS graduates.

Click here to watch a video from the grant recipients as they say “thank you” to the donors that make these grants possible.

SBA Enhances EIDL Program to Aid Small Businesses

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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced significant enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, a federal disaster relief loan designed to support small business communities dealing with the pandemic, especially hard-hit sectors such as restaurants, gyms, and hotels. The SBA is ready to receive new applications immediately from small businesses looking to take advantage of these new policy changes.

Key changes being announced by the SBA include:

· Increasing the COVID EIDL Cap. The SBA has increased the COVID EIDL cap from $500,000 to $2 million. Loan funds can be used for any normal operating expenses and working capital, including payroll, purchasing equipment, and paying debt.
· Implementation of a Deferred Payment Period. The SBA will ensure small business owners will not have to begin COVID EIDL repayment until two years after loan origination so that they can get through the pandemic.
· Establishment of a 30-Day Exclusivity Window. To ensure Main Street businesses have additional time to access these funds, the SBA will implement a 30-day exclusivity window of approving and disbursing funds for loans of $500,000 or less. Approval and disbursement of loans over $500,000 will begin after the 30-day period.
· Expansion of Eligible Use of Funds. COVID EIDL funds will now be eligible to prepay commercial debt and make payments on federal business debt.
· Simplification of affiliation requirements. To ease the COVID EIDL application process for small businesses, the SBA has established more simplified affiliation requirements to model those of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

How to apply

Eligible small businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural businesses in all U.S. states and territories can apply. Visit www.sba.gov/eidl to learn more about eligibility and application requirements. The last day that applications may be received is December 31, 2021. All applicants should file their applications as soon as possible.

For additional information on COVID EIDL and other recovery programs please visit www.sba.gov/relief. Small business owners may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard of hearing) or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov for additional assistance. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Multilingual representatives are available. 

President’s Executive Orders Include New Mandates for Larger Employers

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On Thursday, September 9th, President Biden announced a series of executive orders to combat COVID-19.

The orders include the following:
• Employers with more than 100 employees will need to require that employees be vaccinated or verify weekly testing
• Employers with more than 100 employees need to provide paid time off for vaccinations and recovery
• Federal employees are required to get vaccinated within 75 days or risk termination (which would remove the option for weekly testing in lieu of vaccination)
• Federal employee vaccination requirement are extended to federal contractors
• Medicare and Medicaid funding recipients are required to fully vaccinate their staff
• Schools are urged to set up regular testing based on community spread
• Free COVID testing will be expanded

A document summarizing the orders can be found here.

On Friday, September 10th, Seema Nanda, Solicitor for the U.S. Department of Labor, explained to a group of chambers of commerce that the orders related to private employers will be implemented via an OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) in a matter of weeks, not months. Once live, it is effective immediately, except for the 22 states that have a state plan (Pennsylvania is not among those 22 states). In those states, the state has 30 days to adopt an equally protective policy or implement the federal ETS. The public comment period will begin once the ETS is announced and thus effective. 

The Chamber has expressed concerns to the U.S. Chamber and Congressman Dan Meuser’s office about the additional burdens and costs to employers and raised questions about enforcement and testing. The legality of the President’s orders is also being questioned. The U.S. Chamber is compiling questions/concerns to share with the Department of Labor. Those questions can be sent to vaccines@uschamber.com.

PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued a statement about various ambiguities in the plan.

“Our organization shares questions and concerns about this plan with the rest of the nation’s business community – including whether employers will have access to funding to help pay for expanded testing; how penalties for non-compliance will be enforced; and – perhaps most notably – whether liability protections exist for businesses acting in compliance with the latest round of OSHA standards,” Barr said.

The Chamber will provide additional details as they become available, though the Department of Labor did not indicate when those details might be released.

Welcome Jeremy Clausen – Director of Marketing and Communications

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The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce welcomes Jeremy Clausen as its new Director of Marketing and Communications. Jeremy received his bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University, followed by his graduate degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. A native of Berwick, PA, Clausen returns to the area after spending the previous two and a half years working for Lehigh University and has over five years of experience working in the marketing and communications field. In his spare time, Jeremy likes to spend quality time with his family and is interested in podcasts, music and traveling. 

He succeeds Allison Turayev, who left the Chamber in July to pursue other opportunities.

Member News – September 8, 2021

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United in Recovery Celebrating Recovery Month

National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible. United in Recovery, an initiative of the United Way of Columbia and Montour Counties, is participating with a number of activities throughout the month. Visit www.cmcuw.org/unitedinrecovery to learn more. 

Central Susquehanna Opportunities Conducting Community Needs Assessment

The Community Needs Assessment is completed every three years. It provides the necessary information about the community and stakeholder needs so Central Susquehanna Opportunities can seek necessary funding, create/strengthen programs, and provide appropriate services to meet current needs.

Links to surveys for residents and service providers are on CSO’s website. 

Bloomsburg Children’s Museum and Forest and Field Partnering to Offer Free Cooking Class

Learn to make traditional homestyle Italian food with Chiara Menini Whitmoyer who is from the Veneto region of Italy. Italian foods are simple. Italian recipes usually involve only 4-8 ingredients at any one time. The secret to great Italian cooking is the quality of the food, not the complexity of it. Pasta, sauces, bread, learn why traditional Italian food is revered around the world. Ages 12+ and adults are welcome. The program is being offered free through the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum and will be held at Forest and Field’s demo kitchen on Alliance Park Drive in Bloomsburg.

Music and Dance from Bali Comes to the Weis Center in Free Performance, Lecture/Demo Precedes Performance

Çudamani: Gamelan and Dance of Bali will perform on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts at Bucknell University.

The performance is free, but tickets are required by calling 570-577-1000 or online at Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice.

There will be a pre-performance lecture and demonstration on Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 6:45-7:15 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium facilitated by Music Professor Bethany Collier.

The performance is sponsored in part by the Candland family, Remembering Mary Candland. It is co-sponsored by Bucknell University’s Department of Music in partnership with the Bucknell University Gamelan Ensemble. This engagement of Çudamani is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Service 1st Federal Credit Union’s 27th Annual Charity Golf Tournament Raises $40,000

Service 1st Federal Credit Union held its 27th Annual Charity Golf Tournament Friday, August 27 at Frosty Valley Resort in Danville. During the tournament, Service 1st presented two local charities with donations totaling $40,000.

“Our annual charity golf outing was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic,” said Bill Lavage, President/CEO, Service 1st. “It was heartwarming to see the 150 people who golfed or volunteered at our outing this year. With their support, we raised $40,000 for two local non-profit organizations. It is a wonderful feeling to know we have all worked together to make this possible.”

Beneficiaries of the 27th Annual Service 1st Golf Outing included: Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC) and Evangelical Community Hospital Children’s Health and Wellness Program.

“It is always great to see a community come together for a common cause of supporting local groups that benefit everyone,” said Jeff Balestrini, Chair, Service 1st Annual Charity Golf Tournament Committee and Chief Lending Officer, Service 1st. “Since last year’s golf tournament was canceled due to COVID-19, everyone seemed even more enthusiastic to support this year’s event. We are extremely grateful for everyone that helped us raise the proceeds that in turn are donated to these very worthy causes.”

Since 1994, Service 1st’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament has raised $553,500 to benefit area charities. In 2020, Service 1st made the difficult decision to cancel the golf outing due to the pandemic. This year’s tournament included 136 golfers, numerous volunteers, sponsors, and fellow credit unions.

B.U. Film Series Open to the Public

Dr. David Heineman of Bloomsburg University’s Department of Communication Studies will host a weekly film screening in conjunction with his “Persuasion in Popular Film” course, which examines relationships between popular film and culture, highlighting the role of cinema in constructing ideology, identity, and history. Screenings will be followed by Q&A and discussion and will occasionally feature guest experts. All screenings are on Tuesday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Greenly Center Lecture rooms B and C. The screenings are free and open to the public. Masks will be required for everyone attending.

• Sept. 14 American Psycho (2000) (R)
• Sept. 21 Four Oscar-Winning Documentary Shorts (Nine From Little Rock (1964) / If You Love This Planet (1982) / Saving Face (2012) / Period. End of Sentence. (2018)) (R)
• Sept. 28 The Thing from Another World (1951) (NR)
• Oct. 5 Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) (PG-13)
• Oct. 12 It Happened One Night (1934) (NR)
• Oct. 19 1917 (2019) (R)
• Oct. 26 Suspiria (1977) (R)
• Nov. 2 Do The Right Thing (1989) (R)
• Nov. 9 The 13th (2016) (NR)
• Nov. 16 The Matrix (1999) (R)
• Nov. 30 Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) (R)