FNCB Bank Donates $25,000 to NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania

FNCB Bank, locally based for over 114 years, recently donated $25,000 through the PA Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) Special Program Priorities initiative, to NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania for their Beautiful Blocks Program.

The Beautiful Blocks program provides matching grants of up to $1,000 per property to groups of five or more residents in participating communities to help them make exterior improvements to their homes. Grants are awarded annually through a competitive application process.

The support of NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.

The Dime Bank Supports United Neighborhood Centers

The Dime Bank donated $18,000.00 to United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.

UNC uses the funding to help run Project Hope Day Camp, a safe, healthy place for low-income families who reside in the City of Scranton to learn and grow during the out-of-school months. Campers learn skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness meditation, physical activity, and connecting with others. It provides an opportunity for children ages 5 to 12 to gather with their peers during four weeks in July for social, educational, recreational, and artistic opportunities that they otherwise would not be able to access. Each child receives nutritional meals and transportation to and from Camp Kelly in Tunkhannock, a 60+ acre country setting. It is expected that 140 youth will participate in this outdoor summer day camp.

Jeffrey Roche stated, “At The Dime Bank, we believe that investing in early childhood education is investing in the future of our community. We’re proud to support UNC’s Project Hope and help nurture the bright minds of tomorrow.”

Crystal Pennsylvania Receives a Visit from US Congressman Cartwright

Crystal Window & Door Systems recently welcomed US Congressman Matthew Cartwright of Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District to tour its northeast Pennsylvania production facility, located north of Scranton in Benton Township.  As a business constituent in Congressman Cartwright’s district, Crystal was pleased to have the Representative meet its dedicated workforce in Pennsylvania and see its products and manufacturing equipment.

“Crystal was delighted that Congressman Cartwright could visit our facility in Benton Township and see firsthand the fabrication of our quality window and door products made by our skilled employees,” said Thomas Chen, Chairman.  “Our team was proud to describe the window manufacturing and insulated glass assembly processes and answer his questions.”

Crystal recently added several vinyl product lines to the roster of products fabricated at its northeast Pennsylvania factory, as well as expanded insulated glass unit assembly, including triple-pane units.  The company also invested in several pieces of new equipment to accommodate these additional products and future planned products.

During the visit with Congressman Cartwright, Crystal presented its general plans for further development on the property with additional production and warehouse space.  Crystal’s Pennsylvania facility is currently a 336,000-ft2 building on a 226-acre site adjacent to Highway 81.  Additional warehouse and production space will be needed as the company further integrates operations with Crystal’s New York factory and continues to add product lines to meet future demand.

“I am glad that Congressman Cartwright and his team learned more about Crystal and our plans to continue to grow in northeast Pennsylvania,” said Chen.  “We are proud to be part of the vibrant manufacturing community here in this district, and the understanding and support of elected officials is very important.”

Golden Awarded Five Scooter Categories in Fourth Consecutive Contract

Golden Technologies is excited to announce they have been awarded their fourth consecutive, five-year contract since 2003 by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to supply mobility products. Golden proudly provides power scooters across the VA nationwide to enhance the quality of life for Veterans and allow them the freedom of movement and independence they so deserve. This significant partnership ensures continued quality products for America’s Veterans with Golden’s commitment as they celebrate 40 years in business next year.

Golden submitted scooters in five categories and was awarded the contract for all five. The VA will continue to provide veterans with Golden’s popular Companion GC240 Mid-Size 3-wheel and GC340 Full-Size 3-wheel scooters. Additional products new to the VA contract include the Companion GC440 Full-Size 4-wheel and the newly launched GC540 Heavy-Duty 3-wheel scooters – now fully representing the entire Companion Series product offering. The compact portable BuzzAround HD 4-wheel scooter rounds out the fifth category.

“We are ecstatic and incredibly honored to have been awarded the contract to continue providing top-of-the-line power mobility scooters to our Veterans and introduce even more exceptional models in additional categories with this new commitment from the VA,” said Rich Golden, CEO of Golden Technologies. “The Golden brand is associated with quality, innovation, and compassion, focused on supplying home medical equipment that changes lives. It is profoundly humbling to provide our amazing Veterans with power scooters to access critical medical care and accomplish necessary tasks in home and community environments that are so important as they gain more independence in their daily life,” he added.

“I am extremely proud and grateful that Golden Technologies was awarded the Nationwide Scooter Contracts by the VA. For the past 21 years, the continuous effort and determination of the entire Golden team – from our VA Customer Service, VA Technical Service, Production, Research & Development, and Shipping departments have demonstrated our dedication and commitment to the Department of Veterans Affairs and our nation’s Veterans,” said Donna Payer, VA National Account Director. She added, “We are all very proud of our awards and are excited to continue our strong working relationship with our VA Medical Centers.”

Golden was awarded their first nationwide scooter contract by the VA in 2003 for Mid-Size 3-wheel and Full-Size 3-wheel scooters. Scooters awarded to the new contract will begin shipping on May 20th. The period of performance for the contract will end in May 2029. Visit www.goldentech.com for more information.

Settlers Hospitality 8th Annual Wally Wine Fest

Visitors to the Settlers Hospitality 8th Annual Wally Wine Fest, May 31-June 2, at the Waterfront at Silver Birches can soak in all the festivities lakeside. For the first time, the event will feature indoor and outdoor activities including two stages with live music. Wally Wine Fest draws thousands of attendees over three days to sample vintages from more than 100 domestic and international labels. Wineries from as far away as New Zealand, Italy, France, Napa Valley and the Pacific Northwest are represented as well as varietals grown and produced in Northeastern Pennsylvania. “Holding Wally Wine Fest this time of year allows us to take advantage of the beautiful outdoor spaces at Silver Birches,” explains Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner, Settlers Hospitality. “We’ll have a tent on the lakeside lawn with wine samplings and vendors to shop.”

Claude Briere, sommelier for Settlers Hospitality, personally selects each wine. Briere is a renowned wine expert who travels the globe as a consultant and lecturer advising on wine selections, pairings and service. Novice wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to sample a variety of pours and discover which wine suits their palate. Wine connoisseurs will relish the opportunity to interact one-on-one with wine makers, restauranteurs and sommeliers who are knowledgeable in flavor profiles, can discuss the differences among wine, grapes and varietals, plus point out the notes to be enjoyed for each.

Bottles of every wine featured are available for sale. With prices ranging from $10-$100, there’s something to match every taste and budget. An indoor and outdoor marketplace will overflow with fine food, gift items and decor fit for wine lovers– all available for purchase. Visitors may shop offerings from places such as Art on the Edge, which features home/wine décor. Grain to Glory will showcase its handcrafted wooden American flags. A Silent Auction benefits Lake Wallenpaupack’s Fourth of July Fireworks and features overnight stays at some of the area’s finest accommodations plus gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Golf and spa packages, as well as boat and paddle board rentals, are also up for grabs. Satellite events at other Hawley area venues extend the Wally Wine Fest celebration. On Friday, May 31, The Settlers Inn hosts a Spring Has Sprung Wine Dinner featuring pairings with the finest flavors of the season in a five-course meal. The Settlers Inn will also offer a Bubbly Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am. to 2:30 p.m. Visitors may savor a prix fixe brunch menu, live music and a tasting flight of sparkling wine. Glass-wine.bar.kitchen at Ledges Hotel will present a special Cali Wine Tasting Dinner menu all weekend long featuring dishes such as grilled octopus and poached pheasant paired with fine Napa Valley wines. Wally Wine Fest at Silver Birches runs from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Everyone who attends receives a commemorative wine glass. Admission is $40 in advance or $50 at the door and includes 15 sampling tickets. The sampling tickets may be exchanged for wine tastings. A $50 VIP admission allows entry to the festival one hour early and 25 sampling tickets. The $200 Platinum admission price offers early entry, increases the sampling tickets to 25 and includes a seat at the Spring Has Sprung Wine Dinner at The Settlers Inn on May 31. Admission for designated drivers is $20. Tickets are available at wallywinefest.com

Keystone College Provides Update on its Future

On Friday, May 17, 2024, Keystone College announced that it is in the final stages of executing a letter of intent and funding agreement with a strategic partner to create a new partnership that will provide Keystone with a roadmap for a long-term path forward. While details of the agreement are not yet public, the day-to-day operations of the College and its academic mission will remain essentially unchanged. Both parties felt that discussions had crossed a critical point which would allow the College to announce that an agreement is imminent.

Any agreement will be subject to the final approval of the College’s accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which will be notified of the parties’ intentions as soon as the signed agreement is finalized. Approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Higher Education and the United States Department of Education will also be necessary. During the review period, which may take up to a year, Keystone intends to continue uninterrupted operation of classes, as well as all other college activities and intercollegiate sports, and continues to accept and enroll freshman and transfer students for the Fall 2024 semester. Keystone will conclude its current academic year with its 153rd commencement on Saturday, May 18, on campus.

“Keystone College is absolutely thrilled to reach this point in our discussions with our strategic partner,” said Keystone President John F. Pullo, Sr. “For the past several months, we continued to say we were hopeful that an agreement with an innovative partner could be reached while fulfilling every obligation to our accreditor to prepare for closure, should that be necessary. We are so thankful to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who continued to believe in us as well as to the educational partners that are included in our teach-out plan. Since its founding in 1868, Keystone’s motto has been “Progress Through Effort” and we continue to work long and hard to secure a positive outcome so we can look to the future with promise and optimism. The agreement is just the beginning as there will be much work to do on our path forward in the days ahead. But we do have a path forward and we intend to work very closely with Middle States to ensure successful continuation of operations.”

On May 15, the College submitted all of the necessary components of an “implementable teach-out plan” and institutional status report as requested by MSCHE. That plan is under review by MSCHE. “This partnership agreement demonstrates the need for innovation and forward-thinking in today’s highly competitive educational market,” said Tim Pryle, Vice President of Enrollment, Institutional Advancement and Marketing. “With a continued decline in college-age population, and other challenges, many colleges and universities across the nation, including Keystone, will continue to find themselves in financially difficult situations. The need to find and develop strong partnerships with organizations willing to share responsibilities, goals, and missions is becoming increasingly more important, even critical. We believe we have found just such an innovative and dedicated partner and are grateful to join with them on our journey.”

The Dime Bank Donates to Local Wayne County Organization

The Dime Bank donates $125,000.00 to the Wayne County YMCA Project through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development under the Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit Program (NAP).

The Wayne County YMCA Project qualifies for the NAP grant under a Special Programs Priorities as this project is considered a rural initiative which encourages nonprofit organizations to develop projects that have a positive community and economic impact in rural areas. This is a multi-phase project to build a new state-of-the-art facility.

Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Roche stated, “At The Dime Bank, community involvement is not just a value – it’s a way of life. We understand the importance of supporting and nurturing the areas we serve. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of our customers and neighbors. At the YMCA, strengthening community is their cause, and we are happy to help them accomplish that goal.”

“A community project of this size and scope would not be possible without the support of The Dime Bank. This donation will enable us to complete phase II of this project that includes the completion of final engineering / design which will position the Project for the construction phase. Thank you to The Dime Bank for their commitment and participation in this critical community project,” stated Paul Edwards, Co-Chairperson Wayne County YMCA Board of Trustees.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Offers Discount to College & Military Fans

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have announced two special offers for the upcoming 2024 season. An upgraded College Rush ticket offer has returned for students and the club has also updated its offer for active or retired members of the military.

College Rush

The RailRiders College Rush ticket offer has been improved for 2024. College students can get $10 bleacher seats for any home game at PNC Field this season. Tickets can be purchased using the student’s valid .edu email address on the RailRiders website, limited to two tickets per transaction.

Military Discount

Active or retired members of the military will receive $2 off tickets purchased at the RailRiders Box Office at PNC Field when they show a valid identification card. The offer is good for up to four tickets per person for all games this season.

Please note that these offers are valid for every game of the 2024 season with the exception of July 4.

The Chamber Announces Land Sale by SLIBCO to PNK Group

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, through its business development affiliate, Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Business Company (SLIBCO), is pleased to announce the sale of 88.73 acres of prime industrial land in Jessup and Archbald, to PNK Group, with the intent to develop industrial facilities totaling 765,000 square feet.

PNK Group, an investor with expertise in financing, development, engineering, and construction, has identified northeastern Pennsylvania as a strategic location for its latest investment. Recognizing the region’s proximity to major markets and its exceptional labor force, PNK Group seized the opportunity to acquire these parcels of land to implement its industrial development projects.

This transaction highlights the region’s appeal to prominent investors seeking to capitalize on its economic and workforce potential and The Chamber’s commitment to fostering economic growth and attracting investment to the area.

“The acquisition of prime industrial land in Jessup and Archbald marks a significant step forward for our expansion efforts in northeastern Pennsylvania. We are excited to bring our expertise in financing, development, engineering, and construction to this strategic location. This investment underscores our confidence in the region’s economic prospects and our commitment to driving growth and innovation. We look forward to bringing our industrial development projects to fruition and contribute to the continued success of the local economy” shared Mark Stiles from PNK Group.

PNK Group specializes in constructing multipurpose industrial buildings for large-unit blocks, leveraging their expertise to create state-of-the-art facilities that meet the needs of modern industries. With this acquisition, PNK Group aims to enhance the region’s industrial infrastructure while creating opportunities for job growth and economic advancement.

Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber shares, “The PNK Group has a reputation for high quality developments that attract a balance of industry types to their facilities. This perspective fits well into the commitment of the Chamber and SLIBCO to diversify our economy in Lackawanna County and our region.”

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is committed to facilitating further business development initiatives and fostering partnerships that drive prosperity and innovation in Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania.

For more information regarding the sale to PNK Group or on The Chamber’s business development affiliate, SLIBCO, please contact Bruce Reddock, director of business development, at breddock@scrantonchamber.com or (570) 342–7711 ext. 136.

About The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com.

Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Business Company (SLIBCO)

Scranton-Lackawanna Industrial Business Company (SLIBCO), an affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, develops multi-tenant buildings and industrial and office parks in northeastern Pennsylvania. SLIBCO also owns and manages two technology incubator facilities to start-up and expand small businesses. For more information, visit www.SLIBCO.com.