The City of Scranton Announces Tax Return Deadline Reminder for Businesses

Entities conducting business within the City of Scranton are reminded that the due date to submit their third quarter tax return for the 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax is November 30, 2023.  A person shall be deemed to be conducting business within the City if they engage, hire, employ, or contract with one or more individuals as employees, partners, or is self-employed and, in addition, does at least one of the following:

  1. Maintains a fixed place of business within the City;
  2. Owns or leases real property within the City for profit;
  3. Maintains a stock of tangible, personal property in the City for sale in the ordinary course of business;
  4. Conducts continuous solicitation within the City related to such business; or
  5. Utilizes the streets of the City in connection with the operation of such business (other than for the mere transportation from a site outside the City, through the City, to a destination outside the City.)    

Institutions who are exempt from the Payroll Preparation Tax as a result of their status as a nonprofit are required to file quarterly returns claiming their exemption.

Returns submitted after November 30, 2023, will be subject to penalty and interest on the balances due.

The Payroll Preparation Tax is a tax levied separately by both the Scranton School District and the City of Scranton.  The 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the Scranton School District is 0.7553 percent and the 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the City of Scranton is 0.2787 percent.  The combined 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate is 1.034 percent.

The City of Scranton and the Scranton School District have both appointed Berkheimer Tax Innovations, Inc. to administer the Payroll Preparation Tax on their behalf.  Tax forms are available on Berkheimer’s website at hab-inc.com/pptforms.  Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found at scrantonpa.gov/payroll-prep-tax-information, https://www.scrsd.org/departments/business-office and hab-inc.com/ppt-faq.

Please direct all questions regarding the Payroll Preparation Tax to Berkheimer by emailing ebpt@goberk.com or by calling (610) 599-3140.

Scranton Area Community Foundation Announces Flood Relief Grant Program to Lackawanna County Residents

In response to the severe storms that struck Lackawanna County in September, the Scranton Area Community Foundation is in the process of establishing a flood relief grants program aimed at supporting individuals and community organizations directly affected by these recent flood events and which are experiencing hardship as a result.  

There will be two grant programs aimed at flood relief hardship issues—the Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund and a grants program in partnership with the City of Scranton. Specific eligibility and application process parameters for the flood relief grants programs will be provided when the process opens the week of October 23rd. 

The first program, The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund, has been established by the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support community organizations and small businesses in the Lackawanna County area experiencing hardship from being directly affected by flood events. 

The second grants program, developed in partnership with the City of Scranton, will support individuals residing in the City of Scranton experiencing hardship from having been affected by flood events. This flood relief grants program will provide support to eligible recipients through resources available from Scranton’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Additional details on both grant programs, which will be forthcoming, will include eligibility information, areas covered under the grant programs, and how to apply.

The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund was created with seed money from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Generous individual donors, foundations, and organizations, including The Moses Taylor Foundation, Pennsylvania American Water, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and PS Bank, have provided additional support to the Fund. These donations will directly support grants made from the Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund as funds are available. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will continue soliciting additional charitable donations from other organizations and individuals to respond effectively to the incoming needs. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will aim to meet the greatest array of needs of the organizations and communities disproportionately impacted by flood events in Lackawanna County.

“In critical situations like this, we know the needs are great, so as a Community Foundation, we are preparing for how best to serve those who need assistance. We understand the importance of listening to the communities we serve and responding to these needs,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We are fortunate to have a very generous community, who we believe will continue to step up and support this very important cause.” 

The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund is currently accepting charitable donations, 100% of which will go toward supporting those affected in Lackawanna County. Contributions to the Fund can be made online at https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4598. Donations can also be mailed via check to The Scranton Area Foundation, 615 Jefferson Ave., Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510, and made payable to “Scranton Area Foundation” with “LC Flood Fund” in the memo line. 

For more information about the flood relief grant programs, please contact Frank Caputo, Grants & Communications Coordinator at the Scranton Area Community Foundation at grants@safdn.org.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021: ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill. The City of Scranton received $68.7 million in ARPA funds to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts. The mission of Scranton’s ARPA program is to give people access to resources, rebuild the infrastructure systems that impact their everyday lives, and foster equitable wealth generation that targets the needs of Scranton residents. 

USS Scranton Commanding Officer and Crew to Visit the City of Scranton

In conjunction with the USS Scranton Commanders’ Commemoration Committee, the City of Scranton will be welcoming Commanding Officer Jeffrey Ransom and five of his officers to the City. The crew will tour City Hall, the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center, local universities, and other attractions.

The Committee has planned a Public Gathering for the public and community stakeholders to participate in honoring the crew’s visit.

Details:

Welcome Reception in Honor of the Commander of the USS Scranton

Wednesday, October 11

6:00 PM: Reception and Light Refreshments

7:00 PM: Presentation of Colors and Speakers

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, 525 Pine Street, Scranton, PA 18509

Speakers will include Congressman Matt Cartwright, Mayor Paige Cognetti, C.O. Ransom, President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Bob Durkin, USS Scranton Committee Chairman Matthew A. Berger, Dean of the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Julie Byerley, and Veteran’s Promise representative Patrick Heart.

Members of the public wishing to attend should RSVP to Committee member Liz Dengler at 570-575-3826.

For media inquiries, contact Kaitlin Scott, Executive Assistant to Mayor Cognetti, at 570-780-1207.

Educator in the Workplace Finishes 2023 Cohort

Scranton, PA—Skills in Scranton, the workforce development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, concluded the 2023 Educator in the Workplace (EIW) program on Thursday, May 4. The program was partially funded by the City of Scranton American Rescue Plan (ARPA) Non-Profit COVID Relief Grant and sponsored by Pennsylvania American Water and the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Twenty-six participants, including teachers, school counselors, principals, administrators, and school board directors, participated in the cohort, learning about Northeastern PA’s in-demand careers and industries. Various sessions included a State of the Workforce presentation, tour of the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, an in-depth look into manufacturing regionally, on-site business tours, presentations by CareerLink Lackawanna and a facilitated curriculum writing session.

“The EIW program provides an opportunity for educators to learn from and network with community business leaders and peers from adjacent school districts,” said Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “Participants share best practices, career pathways resources and essential career skills that can be brought back to their districts and integrated into classroom instruction. The resources provided by the EIW program is supporting the development of a robust regional talent pipeline.”

Throughout the 2023 EIW program, the participants have applied what was learned during the program integrating basic workforce skills into classroom instruction. Takeaway lessons included interviewing, resume writing, clocking into class to earn credit, and simulating real-time workplace practices.

The Chamber and Skills in Scranton have begun preparations for next year’s EIW cohorts.  For more information or to register for future EIW programs, contact Emily Pettinato at epettinato@scrantonchamber.com or visit www.SkillsinScranton.com.

The 2023 Educator in the Workplace participants Include:

  1. Johanna Chorba, Scranton School District
  2. Thomas Murray, Scranton School District
  3. Hayley Miller, Scranton School District
  4. Laurie Marino, Valley View School District
  5. John Fox, Riverside School District
  6. Richard Hensel, Scranton School District
  7. Karlene Cicco, Scranton School District
  8. Bonnie Baker, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County
  9. Samantha Masco, Carbondale Area School District
  10. Licia Olivetti, Carbondale Area School District
  11. Dalyana Gillette, Scranton School District
  12. John Ray, Scranton School District
  13. Nanine Gramigna, Scranton School District
  14. Jessica Norris, Scranton School District
  15. Gabrielle Pidgeon, Carbondale Area School District
  16. Amanda O’Brien, Scranton School District
  17. Carrie Wittenbrader, Western Wayne School District
  18. Jessica Capwell, NEIU19
  19. Melinda Arcuri, Marywood University Adult Basic Literacy Education Program
  20. Sandy Morahan, Forest City School District
  21. Teri Erdmann, Forest City School District
  22. Katelyn Phillips, Lakeland School District
  23. Larry Pegula, Valley View School District
  24. Lori Kelley, Valley View School District
  25. Christina Burak, Valley View School District
  26. Mary Swift, Scranton School District

About Skills in Scranton

Skills in Scranton, an affiliate organization of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, integrate workforce and economic development through collaborative partnerships, connecting industry and education to drive local economic prosperity.

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.

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:

  • Inventory
  • Procurement of machinery, furniture, fixtures and equipment
  • Working/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 debt
  • Construction, 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 award
  • Reimbursement for interest charges or finance changes of any kind with no exceptions
  • Political or religious activities
  • Lobbying 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.