Treasurer Announces Report Findings Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board Chairman Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23), Center for Rural Pennsylvania Vice Chairman Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121), and Center for Rural Pennsylvania Executive Director Dr. Kyle C. Kopko today announced the findings of a study analyzing the differences in how residents of rural counties use and benefit from the PA 529 College & Career Savings Program compared to residents of urban counties. The analysis, performed by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania at the request of the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, concluded that urban county beneficiaries of PA 529 accounts have more savings for postsecondary education than rural account beneficiaries even after taking into account various statistical factors. Treasurer Garrity said the report shows the importance of emphasizing outreach to rural counties across Pennsylvania, which she has focused on since taking office. “Every Pennsylvanian deserves access to quality postsecondary education opportunities – whether that means a four-year university, community college, technical school or an apprenticeship,” Treasurer Garrity said. “This report shows that we’re doing the right thing by increasing our outreach to our rural counties, which are all too often forgotten in Harrisburg. As a lifelong resident of Bradford County, one of our most rural counties, I’m committed to making sure every corner of the state understands the benefits of PA 529. I’ve visited every county in Pennsylvania each of the last two years, and I always talk about the benefits of PA 529 and how saving with PA 529 can help families reach their education goals.” Between January 2018 and March 2022, more than 60 percent of all contributions to PA 529 accounts, went to PA 529 Investment Plan (IP) accounts in the 19 counties defined as urban by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. “The Center for Rural Pennsylvania was pleased to partner with the Treasury Department to analyze its data and publish this new research,” said Chairman Sen. Yaw. “This report will help raise awareness among rural residents about PA 529 accounts and how these accounts may be useful to them to save for future education and workforce training needs.” “As a former teacher, I know how important a quality education is for a student’s long-term success,” said Vice Chairman Rep. Pashinski. “PA 529 savings accounts can make quality post-secondary education possible and affordable for more families.” “The data presented in this report yield several important findings,” said Dr. Kyle C. Kopko, Center for Rural Pennsylvania Executive Director. “Chief among them is the finding that there is a gap in 529 plan contribution levels between rural and urban account holders – even after accounting for a range of statistical factors that may influence contributions.” The report, Differences in Rural and Urban PA 529 Education Savings Accounts, 2018-2022, also found a sharp increase in PA 529 contribution amounts during the third and fourth quarters of 2021. This followed action by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to offer advances on the Child Tax Credit, allowing parents making less than $400,000 filing jointly to receive part of their CTC reimbursement as monthly checks. However, the report concluded that more evidence is needed as to whether those policy changes contributed to the increase. To better reach rural communities across the Commonwealth, Treasury expanded its outreach team in 2022 by adding a Director of Outreach and Marketing and creating three regionally located outreach positions. The outreach team attends county fairs, senior expositions, legislative programs, and other events to connect with people directly. They also connect with community organizations and educational institutions to establish stronger partnerships. The Keystone Scholars program has helped increase new PA 529 accounts for families in rural counties. Keystone Scholars provides $100 investment to every baby born to or adopted by Pennsylvania families on or after January 1, 2019, using no taxpayer money. PA 529 account ownership has increased in nearly all rural counties since the program’s launch. PA 529 accounts are designed to help Pennsylvania families steadily and strategically save for future educational expenses – including universities, community colleges, trade schools, apprenticeships, and K-12 education – with significant state and federal tax advantages. Treasury offers two PA 529 plans; the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP), which allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs, and the Morningstar Silver-Rated PA 529 Investment Plan (IP), which offers a variety of investment options. Treasurer Garrity has made many changes to ease access to PA 529 accounts and bolster savings for families using the program. She eliminated the minimum deposit to open a PA 529 account and lowered the minimum contribution to $1. PA 529 IP account owners have seen a state fee reduction, while PA 529 GSP account owners had asset-based fees waived for the current fiscal year and qualifying GSP accounts received a $100 deposit last summer funded by GSP fund surplus earnings. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania is a bipartisan, bicameral legislative agency that serves as a resource for rural policy within the Pennsylvania General Assembly. It was created by Act 16 of 1987, the Rural Pennsylvania Revitalization Act. The Center works with the legislature, educators, state and federal executive branch agencies, and national, statewide, regional, and local organizations to maximize resources and strategies that can better serve Pennsylvania’s nearly 3.4 million rural residents. For more information about PA 529 accounts, visit pa529.com. Media Contacts:Samantha Heckel, Press Secretary (Treasury), 717-418-0206 or sheckel@patreasury.gov Christine Caldara Piatos, Communications Manager (Center for Rural Pennsylvania), 717-787-9555 or caldarac@rural.pa.gov
Misericordia University Now Offering Accelerated Degree Options Misericordia University’s Expressway Program is the quickest routeto a bachelor’s degree. It is designed for working adults who want to earn their degree in a timely manner, have prior college credits (not required), and have work or relevant life experience. Students have the ability to enroll and start taking classes 6 times during the year, not just in the fall and spring. For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at (570) 674-6791, toll free at 1-866-262-6363, or e-mail admissmu@misericordia.edu.
The Scranton Cultural Center to show Bluey Big Play The Stage Show WACKADOO! EMMY® AWARD-WINNING PHENOMENONBLUEY BRINGS FIRST LIVE STAGE SHOW TO THESCRANTON CULTURAL CENTER AT THE MASONIC TEMPLETWO PERFORMANCES ONLY * APRIL 11 & 12, 2023 Grab the sticky geckos, break out the duck cakes, and alert the grannies! It’s time to meet the much-loved Heeler family, who will be coming to the Scranton Cultural Center on April 11 & 12 at 6PM with the Bluey live show, Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show! The Emmy® Award-winning animated preschool series, which airs on Disney Junior, Disney Channel, and Disney+, will be “taking the show on the road” to the Scranton Cultural Center with 2 shows: Tuesday, April 11 and Wednesday, April 12. Tickets go on sale Monday, January 23 at 10AM and will be available at the Scranton Cultural Center box office and online at Ticketmaster.com. BLUEY is presented at the Scranton Cultural Center by NAC Entertainment and Albert Nocciolino. Fans of all ages will get to see Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chilli as they’ve never seen them before, as the Heelers embark on their very first live theater show in the U.S. featuring puppetry, live actors, and iconic sets. Based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show also contains new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. “After seeing the amazing reaction the show received during its Australia run, we are delighted to bring this standout live theater show to U.S. audiences,” said director Rosemary Myers of Windmill Theatre Co. “We know how much love there is out there for Bluey and are thrilled and honored to translate these brilliant characters into the three-dimensional world and to share this special experience with fans throughout America.” Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show is presented by BBC Studios and Andrew Kay in association with Windmill Theatre Co. The stage show enjoyed much success in the home market of Australia, where it premiered in Bluey’s hometown Brisbane and went on to perform 447 times across 65 venues, including the Sydney Opera House. Contact: Ali Basalyga ali@nacentertainment.com570.702.1514
Explore the Benefits of the United States Air and Space Force The United States Air and Space Force has countless career opportunities and benefits they can offer you. Travel opportunities, tuition assistant, rent and food allowance, free medial coverage, 30 days paid vacation, and so much more! If interested in enlisting or finding out more information please contact SSGT. Taylor Holt, Enlisted Accession Recruiter. Please call (570)-840-9871 or email taylor.holt@us.af.milt 3 West Olive Street, STE #113 Scranton, PA 18508
Marywood University’s New Executive MPA Program Marywood University is launching an Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) Program to fast track graduate degree completion for those working in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. The program, set to begin in the fall 2023 semester, is currently accepting applicants. Designed for working professionals with at least five years of post-bachelor’s degree experience, the EMPA program allows students to take graduate courses in public policy and administration without taking time off from their careers. Consisting of only six courses (18 credits) divided between two semesters, classes are completely online and asynchronous (no specific date/time for meeting), giving students a path to completing a master of public administration degree in just one year. The curriculum features both practical and theoretical skills applications and engagement with practitioners in the classes. Students learn principles of public administration, public policy analysis, human resource management, research methodology, and public budgeting and finance, in addition to completing a capstone project. “The style of the online classes fits the students’ demanding professional lives, while they are able to deploy their newly learned skills and knowledge in their chosen work,” said Alexander Dawoody, Ph.D., public administration program director. “It is the best of both worlds. The students continue to work as they learn, and, at the end of one year, they earn an MPA degree, helping them to advance in their career aspirations.” For more information about Marywood University’s master’s program in public administration, including the EMPA program, visit marywood.edu/public-administration-masters-degree or contact Marywood University Admissions by email at GoGrad@marywood.edu or by phone at 570-348-6234.
RailRiders Announce Promotions and New Hires The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are excited to announce key promotions and additions to their front office staff. Opening Day is March 31 and the team is gearing up for the new campaign with several promotions and hires across multiple departments. “The 2023 season will be here before we know it and we are thrilled to promote several staff members while also adding talent to our staff,” said Katie Beekman, General Manager of the RailRiders. “Any new season in Minor League Baseball always brings some change in every front office. We believe these promotions will put our staff in a tremendous place to succeed. Our new hires are primarily focused on expanding our ticket and premium sales departments to improve customer service and make it easier for fans to enjoy a game at PNC Field.” In December, Matt Hamilton was promoted to the role of Assistant General Manager. Kristina Knight was promoted to Senior Director, Partnership Management & Marketing. Ryan Long has been promoted to Senior Director of Stadium Operations and Dustin Spiegel is now the team’s Manager of Field Operations. Hamilton joined the RailRiders staff before the 2022 season as the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. He graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2010 and spent seven years as a news reporter and anchor before a transition to media sales. He joined the Amarillo Sod Poodles in 2018. In three seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks Double-A affiliate, Hamilton advanced from serving as a corporate partnerships executive to leading the department. In his new role with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Hamilton’s responsibilities will include overseeing corporate partnerships, premium sales, group sales and ticketing. Knight joined the RailRiders front office team in January 2006 as a Ticket Account Executive. After the announcement of the New York Yankees affiliation, she was promoted to Group Sales Manager. After one year in Group Sales, she was named Sponsor Service Manager. She was then promoted to the position of Senior Sponsor Service Manager. In addition to handling sponsorship accounts and activations, she will oversee the RailRiders Marketing and Game Day Entertainment. She is a 2001 graduate of Riverside Jr./Sr. High School and in 2005 earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Bloomsburg University. Long joined the RailRiders staff in January 2021 as Director of Ballpark Operations. He attended Lackawanna College, graduating with an Associate Degree in Sports Administration. He then went on to Misericordia, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Management. Long has over 15 years of experience, serving in buildings such as Comerica Park in Detroit, the American Airlines Center in Dallas and the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Spiegel has been with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since the 2019 season as the Assistant Groundskeeper. Before joining the RailRiders, he spent three years in the same role for the Lexington Legends in the South Atlantic League. Spiegel is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Turfgrass Management. In addition to these promotions, the RailRiders have added seven staff members to the front office over the last few months. Patrick Cawley has rejoined the RailRiders front office as the Director of Finance. He is a 2002 graduate of Pittston Area High School and a graduate of Misericordia University. During his time at Misericordia University, he received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2007 and went on to complete his MBA in 2010. Cawley worked for SWB as their Senior Accountant from October 2020 through December 2021. Mark Ambrose joined the RailRiders in December as an Account Executive in Season Ticket Sales. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sport and Recreation Management in 2021 and will finish his masters in Business Administration in 2023, earning both degrees from Keystone College. Ambrose, a Honesdale, PA, native was a member of the men’s basketball team as a walk-on from 2018 through 2021. Colby Emma has been hired as a Group Sales Executive. He grew up in Scituate, Rhode Island. He attended Clarkson University, where he received his bachelor’s degree, as well as attending Northeastern University, where he received his master’s degree in Sports Leadership. Spencer Barberree joins the staff as an Account Executive in Premium Sales. He is from Carlsbad, California, and after high school attended Texas A&M at Galveston, graduating in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies. During the 2022 season or shortly after, Anthony Daniel, Krista Lutzick and Dan Ross were added to the front-office roster in full-time positions. Daniel joined the RailRiders last summer as Account Executive in the Season Ticket Sales department. A native of Easton, PA, he attended East Stroudsburg University and majored in Sports Management. After graduating in 2021, he went on to work for Kevin Garnett’s Big Ticket Sports as their event operations intern. Lutzick was a Community Relations Intern at the beginning of the 2022 season and was hired as the Community Relations Manager in August. Originally from Northeast Pennsylvania, she moved to Nashville in 2013 to attend Belmont University to study the music business. She graduated from Belmont University in 2016 and worked in the music industry for seven years. Lutzick will graduate with her Master of Science in Sport Management from Liberty University this spring. Ross joined the franchise’s front office in January 2022 after serving as a sales intern for the 2021 season. In October, he was hired full-time as the Ticket Operations Manager. He is a native of Stroudsburg and attended East Stroudsburg University. Ross graduated from ESU in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business Management. For more information on these personnel moves or the upcoming season, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-2255 or visit swbrailriders.com.
Noteology Debuts Custom Candle Studio Parade Day may be on the horizon but “getting lit” in Scranton has a whole new meaning! When you think of Noteology, your mind, or shall we say your nose, goes right to their Custom Perfume Studio experience where you make your very own perfume. Since they opened in 2013, this has been their signature experience, with over 10,000 guests coming to Scranton from around the world to experience it. But when the calendar flipped into the new year, a new experience made its debut! “Ever since we opened in 2013, customers always wanted to make candles with us. We simply didn’t have the room in the shops to do it. With our recent expansion and move to 537 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton came the opportunity to do it! We’ve made hundreds of thousands of candles over the years but all behind the scenes. Now you can make them with us using the exact same methods and ingredients that we use.” “What’s great about the Candle Studio experience is that it truly is custom; from picking your vessels to your scents, you get to customize it in very hands-on way.” Each participant gets to pick 2 vessels (aka candle jars) from their vessel wall of over 20 options to choose from, with names like Midnight Black and Mercury Gold, it’s a fun process right from the start. The customization doesn’t stop there. Participants can blend up to 2 scents per candle to create their blend from notes that are brand new to Noteology customers while using the same methodology of the Custom Perfume Studio. “Customers sniff and create their blends with our patented fragrance blotter technique. This really allows you to smell the purity of the scents instead of smelling them in wax like other studios do.” In regards to the hands-on approach, Fleming shares with us that the process is very hands-on, “it’s like being in a chemistry class and an art class at the same time!” Participants select 2 vessels, 2 scent combinations, set their wicks, pour their wax and blend the scents into the wax. Candles need 2 hours to cool, so participants can return later to pick up their candles or have them shipped. “In mimicking our Custom Perfume process, we will also keep your formula on file so you can have it re-made at any time. I always felt this was an important offering for our customers and something that sets us apart from other candle studios. Love you candle? We will be happy to make it again for you!” The experience is $60 per person, takes about an hour, and you’ll make 2 candles. Noteology also offer candle-making parties called Wax and Wine, that are BYOB that occur during hours or after hours for a private event where the shop is reserved exclusively for your group. They are now also offering individual charcuterie boxes to accompany your party package. Sessions and parties are by reservation only and reservations can be made by calling 570-343-2100. “With Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day and Mother’s Day coming up, it’s a great time to spend with friends and family while having fun and creating something scent-sational.” What’s happening in the studio this week? Some popular winter combinations have been Scarlet Plum + Beachwood and Vintage Cedarwood + Vetiver. What does your next candle smell like?
Small Business Internship Informational Webinar Could hosting an internship propel your business forward this summer? Join The University of Scranton SBDC and their Small Business Internship Initiative for a quick 30-minute session to learn about what a paid educational internship is, different types of internships (traditional, micro, hybrid or virtual), and what makes up a great internship. Determine whether you’re ready to host an internship this coming summer and learn more about the Small Business Internship Initiative. You’ll also learn about the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Internship Fund resource. Registration links: Friday, 2/17, 12 noon – 12:30 pm: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/30196 Tuesday, 2/28, 12 noon – 12:30 pm: https://pasbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/30197
