FNCB Bank Provides $30,000 Grant to Crestwood School District FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, is pleased to announce our latest project supporting the community with a $30,000 grant used to purchase a new digital message center for the Crestwood School District. The new state-of-the art LED message center replaces one that stood for many years in front of the secondary campus along South Mountain Boulevard. “We expect the new message center will be a great addition to the campus and community, allowing the district to salute students for their many accomplishments and inform the community of upcoming events,” said Jerry Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO. The message center 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.
Shop Library Express Bookstore Online Library Express Bookstore customers can now shop the local Scranton store online through Bookshop.org. Visit Bookshop.org and type Library Express Bookstore in the search box or go directly to the bookstore’s page by entering this url: https://bookshop.org/shop/libraryexpress. Bookshop.org is designed to help support local bookstores and provide a way for customers to shop online while still supporting their community. It’s easy to sign up, shop, and support. Every time a customer shops the bookstore through Bookshop.org, Library Express Bookstore, as an affiliate, will receive a portion of the sales as a commission. This in turn supports the library-side of the bookstore and library, providing free programs for children, teens, and adults. Besides finding a variety of bestsellers and books for all ages, customers can also shop Library Express online for gifts including jigsaw puzzles, Dunder Mifflin books, and The Office merchandise. Customers can call the Bookstore at (570) 558-1670 for more information or visit their website at https://lclshome.org/b/library-express/.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update The Pennsylvania Department of Health recently announced two additional categories of eligible individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccination as part of Phase 1A. Beginning January 19, all individuals 65 and older, and individuals ages 16-64 with certain medical conditions, as defined by the CDC that increase the risk of severe illness from the virus, are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. The Departments’ Updated Interim Vaccine Plan can be found here. Those conditions are outlined by the CDC here and include: cancer; chronic kidney disease; COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease); heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies; immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant, blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines; obesity; severe obesity; pregnancy; sickle cell disease; smoking; and type 2 diabetes mellitus. If you are part of a group that is eligible for vaccination, you can use the Pennsylvania Vaccine Provider Map to find a place to schedule your vaccine. Contact the vaccine provider of your choice directly to schedule an appointment. This map will be updated as more locations receive vaccine. Although a provider may have received vaccine, there is no guarantee that they have open appointments as supply is still very limited. Check back frequently as the map will be updated multiple times per week. We’ll be releasing additional information later today, including an FAQ, with more detailed information on how individuals can find a provider to schedule a vaccination. Thank you for your partnership and for all you are doing to serve Pennsylvania.
Scranton Small Business Relief Fund Established to Host Inaugural Scranton Ice Festival A small group of community-minded volunteers in partnership with First Friday Scranton, Scranton Tomorrow, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and the Scranton Area Community Foundation, have joined together to host the inaugural Scranton Ice Festival, which will be held on Friday, February 5, through Sunday, February 7, 2021 in Downtown Scranton. The Scranton Ice Festival will feature a number of ice sculptures in front of businesses in downtown Scranton including various businesses located on Adams Avenue, North Washington Avenue, Penn Avenue, Linden Street, and Wyoming Avenue. Family-friendly activities are also planned. Some of these activities include ice sculpting demonstrations, musical acts, and more. The event coincides with First Friday. The Scranton Ice Festival aims to bring people to downtown Scranton to support small businesses after a challenging year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This free and largely outdoor festival will be an opportunity for the community to safely patronize local businesses and generate charitable support for the Scranton Small Business Relief Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which will help small business owners and employees experiencing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic. Any and all remaining proceeds from this nonprofit event and its sponsorships will go towards this charitable fund. Contributions will be tax deductible. Small businesses and those interested in getting involved in the Scranton Ice Festival can email scrantonicefest@gmail.com. “The Scranton Small Business Relief Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation was established by community members, who really want to make a difference in the lives of small business owners and employees experiencing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic,” Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi stated. “The Scranton Ice Festival aims to be a novel charitable event to bring the community together safely during these challenging times while bringing awareness to the small businesses in the area,” she added. “We want to encourage everyone to use this upcoming First Friday event to show the small business people of downtown Scranton—your friends and neighbors—that you support them during these challenging times,” stated Robert Durkin, President of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. For questions about the Scranton Ice Festival, please email scrantonicefest@gmail.com.
Watch Our PPP Reopening Webinar The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) recently reopened for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. Rob Goza, lead economic development specialist from the Eastern PA District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, discusses the new PPP guidelines outlined in the Economic Aid Act, as well as other guidance related to financial assistance for small businesses. WATCH WEBINAR DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
City of Scranton Donates Fire Engine to Johnson College The city of Scranton recently donated a Sutphen Fire Engine to Johnson College. This donation will assist the College in providing its students the hands-on training they need to enter the region’s essential workforce. Johnson College’s Diesel Truck Technology, Automotive Technology, and Heavy Equipment Technology students will be trained on every system of the truck, from the front bumper to the rear bumper. Student training will include engine and driveline, electrical and lighting, and basic preventative maintenance. They will also be trained on systems that are unique to firefighting vehicles including the water pumping system, water storage system, and emergency vehicle lighting and warning systems. Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering associate degrees in 15 programs and 3 academic certificates. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional business and industry to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Pennsylvania Paper and Supply Company Enters Agreement with Local Established Business Pennsylvania Paper and Supply Company, 211 N. State St., Clarks Summit, is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire certain assets of American Janitor and Paper Supply Company located on Sanderson Avenue in Scranton. Both companies will be functionally merged together and begin operating as one effective immediately.
ATHENA and SAGE Applications Open The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce pleased to announce that applications for the 2021 ATHENA Award and the 2021 SAGE Awards are now open. The ATHENA Award is presented to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in her/his business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. This award is presented and celebrated at the Chamber’s International Women’s Day Celebration, to be held virtually on Monday, March 8, 2021. The award is sponsored by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants. The SAGE Awards, Scranton Awards for Growth and Excellence, recognize the outstanding efforts, talent, creativity and innovation in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This year’s SAGE Awards have been enhanced in order to honor and recognize the resourcefulness and innovation local businesses and organizations employed due to the challenges of COVID-19. In addition, the new IMPACT Award was created for 2021, which includes THREE categories: Community Outreach, People and Culture, and Products and Services. Nominations for the ATHENA Award will be accepted until Friday, Jan. 29 at 4:00 p.m. and applications for the SAGE Awards will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 5 at 4:00 p.m.
One Point Celebrates Fortieth Anniversary One Point, a printing and office supply company located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is celebrating its fortieth year in business. Since the business was founded in 1980, it has experienced significant change and has supported its community through philanthropy and volunteerism. In 1980, Chief Executive Officer Patrick McMahon cofounded Forms Plus, Inc. with his partner Alan Cunningham. At the time it was a forms and printing company. Since then, Forms Plus grew both organically and through the acquisition of companies whose services and products would advance strategic growth. After the acquisition of the Luzerne County office supply company, Deemers, in 2005, Forms Plus re-branded as One Point, Inc. Under Mr. McMahon’s leadership, One Point has added promotional products, online company stores, print on demand, direct mail programs, commercial furniture and Jansan products. Most recently, in response to COVID-19 concerns, the company expanded its product offerings to include health and safety products. In 1997, the One Point of Light charitable committee was formed. Since then, One Point has contributed to its community through volunteer hours and philanthropic giving. Patrick McMahon, the company’s chief executive officer, commended his employees on reaching the 40-year milestone. “Our employees are dedicated to customer service and high standards of excellence in everything they do,” he said. “It’s their hard work that has made our company’s strategic vision a reality. I speak for myself and for all of them when I say that we look forward to serving our clients for the next 40 years.” In 2019, Patrick’s son, Adam, joined the organization after spending seven years as a commercial lender in the Arlington, Va. market. Adam’s current position is general manager of the commercial furniture division, Corporate Environments, headquartered in Bethlehem, Pa. Adam becomes the third generation working in this industry as his grandfather, Henry McMahon, started Anthracite Business forms in 1955.
