Penn State Scranton LaunchBox’s New Fellowship Program Mary McDermott graduated from Penn State Scranton this spring with her bachelor’s degree in business and is now using the knowledge and skills she gained earning her degree, and during an internship with the Scranton LaunchBox, to help budding entrepreneurs and local businesses in a newly created fellowship program there. The LaunchBox, opened its doors in South Scranton in 2018 and is a pre-incubator/accelerator service that helps advance local entrepreneurial concepts to business plan development using the resources of Penn State. Services are provided to the community by Penn State Scranton faculty, staff and students free of charge. As an undergraduate, McDermott’s internship included manning the LaunchBox office – answering phones, greeting visitors, assisting anyone who came in looking for help with their potential start-up business ideas, and helping with special events. Now as a LaunchBox fellow, she will spend the next year working in tandem with Penn State faculty, the Scranton Chamber and local community leaders in northeast Pennsylvania to promote a variety of entrepreneurial activities in the region. The newly established Scranton LaunchBox fellowship program was established in part through a $50,000 grant from the Willary Foundation. It is the second part of a two-stage program currently being offered through Penn State Scranton’s LaunchBox. Eligible candidates must have completed a senior-year internship at the Scranton LaunchBox and be a graduate of Penn State Scranton. The 45-week position consists of 24 hours per week over the course of one year, with the fellow overseeing the operational activities of the Scranton LaunchBox and reporting to the director of Penn State Scranton’s Center for Business Development and Community Outreach (CBDCO) and a business program faculty member charged with helping to oversee the LaunchBox operations. In addition to working with University faculty and staff, the fellow also will interact with area business leaders as well as local and state government officials, non-profit executives and other regional community development principals – gaining exposure to economic development efforts in both the local community and the surrounding region. The position is geared toward students with an interest in economic and small business development, entrepreneurship and community involvement. “The fellowship program allows us to develop a student intern from just assisting entrepreneurs to a role that understands, and is active in, the larger operation — helping us to make a greater impact for our community,” said John Drake, director of CBDCO. “We are grateful for the Willary Foundation for the opportunity to better serve entrepreneurs, but also to give students an avenue to further engage in economic development.” McDermott is the first campus business graduate to become a fellow with the LaunchBox, having completed her senior-year internship before graduating this past May. Now working in a more advanced role there, she is also an intern with the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce’s IGNITE Program, an entrepreneurship and business incubation affiliate that helps new businesses grow in Lackawanna County, further expanding her exposure to, and experience in, economic development initiatives in northeast Pennsylvania. “Working at the LaunchBox is a great opportunity and it has exposed me to many different experiences and learning opportunities,” she said. “This experience is allowing me to apply the knowledge I have gained in my [college] courses and is an excellent place to help me to further my professional development.” The Willary Foundation is a family foundation dedicated to developing ideas and projects that are interesting, creative and imaginative, and which benefit communities in northeast Pennsylvania. Willary seeks to foster groups with unique, innovative, or unusual ideas and efforts. LaunchBox is a signature program of the Invent Penn State Initiative, a commonwealth-wide system to spur economic development, job creation, and student career success. It is a $30 million initiative to generate economic development, create jobs and drive student career success. The initiative, started in 2015 by Penn State President Eric J. Barron, redefines the University’s land-grant mission to include entrepreneurship and innovation programs, including the development of “Innovation Hubs” in campus communities across the Commonwealth. Invent Penn State blends entrepreneurship-focused academic programs, business startup training and incubation, funding for commercialization, and University-community collaborations to facilitate the process of turning ideas into viable products and services.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NEPA Hosts 2nd Annual Rhythm & Wine Festival Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania is excited to announce its 2nd Annual Rhythm & Wine Festival on Saturday, August 27 from 12-4pm. The event will be held again this year at the Moonlite Drive-In, 1190 Shoemaker Ave., West Wyoming. This year’s presenting sponsor is M&T Bank. Come join us for a fun-filled afternoon with your friends, family, or business partners to enjoy a variety of wineries, cideries, breweries, food vendors and live music. Back by popular demand is the contemporary rock band, “Down by Five.” Festival chair Dave Kuharchik says “We’re excited to have this fun event returning for 2022 after a successful first year. All proceeds benefit critical one on one mentoring relationships through Big Brothers Big Sisters of NEPA. Please consider supporting this great cause.” Our alcohol distributing vendors include Deep Roots Hard Cider, Staggering Unicorn, Stone Lake Winery, Lucchi Family Cellars, Susquehanna Brewing Company, Nomad Distilling Company, Case Quattro Winery, and Bartolai Winery. Food vendors include, Keystone Farms and Cheese, Fondippity, Sugar Plum Chocolates, Pittston Popcorn, Yogi’s Potato Pancakes, Marianacci’s Restaurant, and Fiamma Rosa. General Admission Price is $40 (includes drink samples, & tasting glass). Designated driver tickets are just $10. General parking is $10. VIP Parking is $20 (limited to 100 spots – includes a tailgate spot & closest spots to the music stage.) Tickets can be purchased online at: www.bbbsnepa.org. Tickets go on sale Monday, June 6th. If you are interested being a sponsor for Rhythm & Wine, please contact Camille Sicolo at csicolo@bbbsnepa.org or visit www.bbbsnepa.org. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s mission is to match children in need with an adult role model & mentor. Please call 570-824-8756 or visit www.bbbsnepa.org to learn more about our program or to become a mentor or refer a child.
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.
Geisinger Health Plan Medicaid Coverage Expands Statewide Geisinger Health Plan Medicaid coverage will be available to Medicaid-eligible recipients statewide beginning Sept. 1, 2022, as part of an expansion of HealthChoices, Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance managed care program. “We’re excited to expand our services throughout Pennsylvania and make healthcare more affordable for eligible individuals,” said Kurt Wrobel, president of Geisinger Health Plan. “Our Medicaid plan, Geisinger Health Plan Family, helps ensure that people throughout the commonwealth have access to quality care.” Geisinger Health Plan currently serves more than 200,000 Medicaid members. If you’re an eligible Medical Assistance recipient in Pennsylvania, GHP Family can provide comprehensive health insurance coverage. Many services are covered at no cost, including doctor’s visits, preventive services, diabetes care, prescription drugs and more. Coverage also includes valuable extras like health and wellness programs, mental health and substance abuse resources, online tools, and enhanced vision and dental benefits. You must be enrolled in Medicaid with the Department of Human Services (DHS). You can then choose a plan and enroll online using the PA Enrollment Services website or by calling 800-440-3989 (TTY: 800-618-4225) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Learn more about Geisinger Health Plan Family Medicaid coverage at ghpfamily.com.
RailRiders Sweep Weekly International League Awards The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders swept the International League awards for the week of June 27 through July 3. Outfielder Estevan Florial and left-handed pitcher Matt Krook were tabbed by Minor League Baseball as the best-of-the-best for their efforts as the Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. Florial hit .550, playing in all six games with 11 hits over 20 at bats. He his four home runs, including two on Saturday night, drove in seven, scored ten times and stole three bases while helping pace the RailRiders’ offense to a series sweep against Buffalo. Florial, 24, was signed by the Yankees in 2015 and made his Major League debut in 2020. This season, the Barahona, Doinican Republic native sports a team-best .311 batting average with nine home runs, a team-high 28 runs batted in and leads the international league with 28 stolen bases. Krook pitched 7.2 perfect innings on Friday evening as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre beat Buffalo 8-1. The lefty struck out 10 and didn’t allow a hit until an infield single in the eighth. Krook, 27, is a native of Hillsborough, CA, and was selected in the Triple-A phase of the 2020 Rule 5 Draft from the Tampa Bay Rays. He has gone 4-6 this season with a 4.01 ERA. The southpaw has 90 strikeouts over 74 inning pitched, good enough for second among all International League pitchers this season. Florial and Krook are the first Scranton/Wilkes-Barre players to be honored by the International League this season. The RailRiders are on the road in Worcester this week. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre returns to PNC Field on Tuesday, July 12, to host the Louisville Bats. Tickets and promotional information can be found on www.swbrailriders.com.
Summer and Autumn Rail Experiences at Steamtown NHS Steamtown National Historic Site encourages you to make the most of the summer season and invites you to ride the rails! Rail experiences vary from short 30-minute trips exploring the park’s historic railroad yard to full-day trips through the Poconos. Short train rides, the Scranton Limited and Caboose Experience, are offered Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. New for the 2022 season, all ticket sales will be credit card only. Visitors are now able to purchase advance tickets for our summer excursions (Jul.-Aug.) online through recreation.gov or on-site at our Information Kiosk during regular business hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, daily. Tickets for our short train rides, the Scranton Limited and Caboose Experience, are not available online or for advance purchase and must be purchased on-site at the Information Kiosk, the day of your visit. Those looking to plan for our autumn excursions (Sep.-Oct.), will be able to purchase tickets starting Friday, July 15th. Short Train Rides – offered through November 5, 2022: The Scranton Limited or the Caboose Experience will operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as staffing permits. Departure times are: 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:15pm, and 2:30pm.Tickets are $6 for adults and kids over the age of 5; kids 5 and under are free. Tickets must be purchased on-site at the Information Kiosk, the day of your visit. On dates we run our longer excursions, Short Train Rides may be cancelled due to limited crew availability. To check on the status of the Short Train Ride schedule the day of your planned visit, please call 570-340-5204. Plan like a Park Ranger and scout out your next rail experience! Specific event information can be found by visiting the event calendar on the park website anytime. Here’s what to come for the remainder of the 2022 season. 2022 Summer Excursions: Tickets available through recreation.gov or on-site at Information Kiosk Saturday, July 16th – Tobyhanna: Ice House TourSaturday, July 23rd – Archbald: Penn Division HistorySunday, July 31st – Cresco: Antique Cars and Live MusicSaturday, August 13th – East Stroudsburg: Lunch in the ParkSunday, August 28th – Cresco: Antique Cars and Live Music 2022 Autumn Excursions: Tickets available starting Friday, July 15th Saturday, September 24th – Carbondale: Autumn MarketplaceSaturday, October 1st – East Stroudsburg: Pickle Me PoconosSaturday, October 8th – Gouldsboro: Pumpkin PatchSaturday, October 15th – Delaware Water Gap: Fall FoliageSaturday, October 22nd – Tobyhanna: Fall Foliage and Town TourSaturday, October 29th – Gouldsboro: Ghoulsboro Halloween NOTICE: Masking requirements in NPS buildings and on passenger coaches are based on local conditions. Updates are posted weekly, on Fridays, to www.nps.gov/stea.Train rides are subject to cancellation due to mechanical issues, inclement weather, or crew availability. The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. While the listed areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, services may be limited. The CDC has offered guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. Located in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, Steamtown NHS is open 9:00am to 5:00pm, daily. From Interstate-81 follow exit 185 (President Biden Expressway, formerly known as Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning (570) 340-5200, or by visiting the park website anytime.
NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania SafetyWorks Week for Seniors NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania (NWNEPA) served 47 older adult homeowners with much needed home repairs and improvements throughout Lackawanna County as part of SafetyWorks Week for Seniors, formerly NeighborWorks Week, July 4th – 8th, 2022. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 300 volunteers will be coming from all over the northern portion of the United States through a partnership between NeighborWorks and Group Mission Trips, Inc. to make the weeklong event possible. Throughout the week, repairs and improvements will include installation of exterior solar lights, exterior painting, weatherization, landscaping, porch repair, as well as installing wheelchair ramps. Each of the homes being provided services are headed by older adults, many of whom rely on volunteers and organizations like NeighborWorks to assist with repairs and modifications to increase their health and safety, allowing them to be able to continue residing in their homes and communities. NeighborWorks has hosted Group Mission Trips, Inc. volunteers for seven previous workcamps, mobilizing 1,858 volunteers, equating to approximately 50,000 hours of volunteer labor (worth over $1.4 million) to make needed repairs to over 280 separate properties in Lackawanna County
The Dime Bank Scranton Branch Coming Soon In order to better service your needs, you will soon be able to bank with The Dime Bank at 300 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, in the Marketplace at Steamtown! This will be a full-service branch with two ATMs, one in a secure vestibule available 24/7/365 and the other at the Marketplace entrance.
SACF Announces James F. Swift Scholarship Recipients Twenty students from twelve different high schools in the area have been awarded a prestigious scholarship through the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, which provides $5,000 per year for each recipient for up to four years to assist with continuing education expenses. The James F. Swift Scholarship Fund has awarded over $3.7 million since 2008, benefiting over 280 local students to date. Created in 2002 through a gift by Mr. James F. Swift to the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund provides support for higher education for students graduating from high schools in Lackawanna County. Following Mr. Swift’s death in 2006, the Scranton Area Community Foundation gratefully received a significant gift from his estate to the scholarship fund which has allowed a great number of students from Lackawanna County the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional goals through higher education. The scholarship aims to provide an ongoing stream of matriculation at Lackawanna County colleges and universities. It is the goal of the Scranton Area Community Foundation to award 75% of the scholarships to students who plan to attend institutions of higher learning in the Lackawanna County region. Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi praised the generosity of Mr. Swift, noting “he has left a permanent and enduring legacy for the young people of our region. His scholarship fund makes higher education more attainable for generations of students.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation is a partner with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) in their Partnership for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Program to offer qualifying students additional financial aid. Through PHEAA, these scholarship recipients may be eligible for additional dollars toward their tuition. For more information on the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation, please contact Brittany Pagnotti, Communications Manager of the Scranton Area Community Foundation at 570-347-6203.
