Small Business Microgrants Grant Program (CDBG) The City of Scranton, in conjunction with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at The University of Scranton, announce the CDBG Small Business Micro-Grant Program for new or early-stage businesses located in Scranton’s low-moderate-income demographic areas (LMA). Funds, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 per business, will assist with start-up costs, thus contributing to their initial success and continued revitalization of our community. New and newly established is defined as businesses opened for business within the last 12 months or planning to open within 9 months of application. Business Owner must be or have worked with SBDC at The University of Scranton to complete a business education series and/or business consultation. Final applications must include a referral form from the SBDC at The University of Scranton. Eligible Uses of FUNDS• Inventory• Procurement of machinery, furniture, fixtures and equipment• Working/Operating capital (not to include interest or finance charges)o Defined working/operating capital – Utilities, rent, business services (accounting, IT, website development) Ineligible or Restricted Uses of Funds:• The repayment of existing debt• Employee/owner payroll taxes• 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 Tricia Zilaitis tzilaitis@scrantonpa.gov who will email you the application.
Johnson College News Johnson College Receives Grant Johnson College has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Women in Philanthropy Initiative Fund of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. This grant will support Girls on Fire, a unique one-day STEM event designed for 6-9th grade students to learn about career opportunities in non-traditional STEM fields. The event, part of Johnson College’s new Women in Industry Initiative, will be conducted in conjunction with International Women’s Day in March 2023. The event will include tours of the Johnson College campus, presentations on various STEM-related programs, a keynote speaker who is a successful woman in her field, lunch, and fun hands-on activities in 3D printing, carpentry, and more. Students will learn about mechatronics, computer science, HVAC-R, healthcare, and carpentry – all areas where women have a variety of opportunities for successful careers. Studies show that when the women’s labor force participation rises, so do the economy and the GDP. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes in “Women in the Labor Force: A Databook” that women may represent more than half of all workers within several industries. Despite this, women are substantially underrepresented in industries such as construction, manufacturing, utilities, and other industrial types of employment such as agriculture and mining. They are also underrepresented in services such as repair and maintenance, automotive repair, and commercial and industrial machinery repair. Women’s participation in the U.S. labor force has been a complicated narrative, especially in skilled trades. There are many opportunities, pathways, and resources available to women looking to enter skilled trades. Girls on Fire will help students understand the many pathways for women’s economic equity and increase participation in well-paid, skilled jobs traditionally held by men. Women in Philanthropy is an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation dedicated to transforming the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.supportnepawomen.org. Johnson College Enrolling Students in CNC Machining Training In conjunction with Don’s Machine Shop in West Pittston, Johnson College continues to bring CNC Machining training to Luzerne County. Starting June 20, 2022, students will train to utilize, maintain and program Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines inside Don’s Machine Shop’s classroom and lab at 100 Elm Street, West Pittston. Open enrollment for this 510-Hour CNC class is going on now. Space is limited. To learn more or enroll, visit johnson.edu/continuingeducation or contact the Johnson College Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu. CNC machinists manufacture precision products and components used in various applications such as automotive, medical, electronics, aerospace, transportation, military, and more. Industries throughout northeastern Pennsylvania are currently in need of well-trained CNC machinists. This 510-hour class for beginner-level students includes theory and hands-on learning experiences. The hands-on training, delivered at Don’s Machine Shop, is on some of the most state-of-the-art equipment in the region. This unique, one-of-a-kind training will help open new career opportunities right away. This relationship truly demonstrates how industry is a Johnson College student’s campus. The cost of the class is $7,500. Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.
WVIA Announces Addition to its Board of Directors WVIA, the PBS and NPR affiliate for northeastern and central Pennsylvania, has announced that Jonathan H. Weis will be joining its Board of Directors. Jonathan H. Weis is chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Weis Markets, a Mid-Atlantic food retailer with 198 locations in seven states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and West Virginia. As president and chief executive officer, Mr. Weis oversees all aspects of Weis Markets’ operations and management. He is a member of the company’s executive committee and board of directors. “It is an honor to have Jonathan join the Board here at WVIA,” said Carla McCabe, WVIA president and CEO. “Jonathan’s experience and expertise will bring valuable insights to the board and the station as a whole.” “We’re pleased to welcome Jonathan as the newest Member of the WVIA Board. Along with the Weis family’s long-standing commitment to the community, he will add perspective through Weis Markets’ presence that is reflective of our diverse, 22-county, Public Media Service Area” said L. Peter Frieder, Chair of the WVIA Board of Directors. Mr. Weis joined the company full-time in 1989. Early in his career, he worked in produce merchandising, grocery procurement and store operations. Mr. Weis subsequently worked in Weis’ real estate department, and in 1996, he became the Company’s vice president of property management and development. In 2004, he became vice chairman and corporate secretary. A graduate of Shikellamy High School in Sunbury, Pa., Mr. Weis holds a B.A. from Yale University. He has served on various boards including Susquehanna University’s Board of Directors.
Railfest Returns to Steamtown Steamtown National Historic Site’s 2022 Railfest weekend is being offered in partnership with the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum’s Arts on Fire event held at the Scranton Iron Furnaces. Both sites are excited to be collaborating to provide an interactive and immersive experience showcasing our community’s history. In addition to free admission, there will be no cost for Steamtown’s short train rides, the Scranton Limited and the Caboose Experience. Free transportation between Steamtown and the Iron Furnaces will also be available. Steamtown will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 11th to celebrate the restoration of the Union Pacific “Big Boy” No. 4012. Shortly after the ceremony, scheduled tours of the cab of the “Big Boy” will be provided by NPS staff and volunteers. Special programming will be offered throughout the weekend, including tours of Mattes St. Tower, demonstrations of Maintenance of Way equipment provided by the New Jersey Trackcar Excursions group, hand car demonstrations, tours and demonstrations within the locomotive shop including updates on the Boston & Maine No. 3713, special Railfest-exclusive Junior Ranger activities, scheduled Ranger Programs, and of course, our short train rides, the Scranton Limited and the Caboose Experience. Several community partners will be in attendance with site information and exhibits. For those interested in genealogy, our Historian will be on-site with the Lackawanna Historical Society to assist those digging into their family history. Arts on Fire at the Scranton Iron Furnaces will take place 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 11th, kicking off at 11 a.m. with a ceremonial lighting of the furnace. Arts on Fire will feature Lackawanna Markets arts vendors, arts demonstrations, food trucks, music by Bryan Banks, Steamtown’s “Ring of Fire” demonstrations, and the return of Hot Metal to the furnaces. The Lackawanna Historical Society will feature a community participation mural project, and artist and sculpture professor Brian Glaze will fire up his cupola furnace and melt iron. Scratch blocks will be available for your artistic expressions in cast iron. Steamtown’s Railfest weekend continues into Sunday, June 12th with an excursion to Gouldsboro, departing from Steamtown at 11 a.m. and returning at 3 p.m. Tickets for this excursion may be purchased in advance online through recreation.gov by searching “Steamtown National Historic Site”, or on-site at the Information Kiosk during regular business hours. Please note: due to limited crew availability, there will be no Yard Shuttle available on excursion day, only the Caboose Experience. Stay informed by visiting www.nps.gov/stea or @SteamtownNHS on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Learn about the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum by visiting www.anthracitemuseum.org or @AnthraciteHeritageMuseum on Facebook and @AnthraciteMuse on Twitter.
Wright Center/Weinberg Food Bank Feeds NEPA Families Families throughout Northeast Pennsylvania are struggling to put food on their tables. The lingering supply-chain effects from the COVID-19 pandemic and the surging rate of inflation, combined with the rising costs of food, gasoline and medicine, are forcing many families to choose between those three essential items. Sadly, many times food becomes the item families skimp on. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank and The Wright Center for Community Health partnered several years ago to provide food to underserved areas of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties where food pantries aren’t as plentiful. “We’re doing it together. The Weinberg Foundation has been wonderful to work with. They get grants and donations for food. I reach out to Mary Ellen Spellman when we need to distribute food and she gets the order together for us,” explained Gerri McAndrew, co-director of Patient & Community Engagement at The Wright Center for Community Health. McAndrew works out of The Wright Center’s Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn and oversees the organization’s food pantry and donation schedule. Donations of food, hygiene supplies and children’s backpacks are stored in what the Mid Valley staff refers to as “Gerri’s She Shed,” a shed housing refrigerators, freezers and storage shelves to properly stock and organize all the donations. “We have food drives for as many families as need it. Usually there are 30 families in the up-valley area who need food, but The Weinberg Foundation supplies us with enough food to accommodate 50 families,” McAndrew explained. “We have employee volunteers who organize and pack the food into bags and another group of employees who load the groceries in the families’ trunks, gather their information, and they’re on their way.” McAndrew stresses that no one who needs food will ever be turned away, and recipients do not have to be patients. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the drive-thru food pantries are only being held at the Jermyn location. She sends food to The Wright Center’s clinical locations in Clarks Summit, Scranton and Kingston for distribution there when needed. “We don’t want families driving all the way up here, especially with the price of gas,” she added. Thanks to donations from The Weinberg Foundation, The Wright Center’s staff provides three or four heaping bags of nutritious foods to each recipient. A typical donation will include fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, zucchini and rutabagas; frozen meats such as ground beef and pork tenderloin; block and shredded cheese; milk; canned vegetables and dried fruits. “The Weinberg Foundation always gives us a generous supply of fresh and canned foods and dairy and I think that’s great. A lot of people and businesses donate canned goods which we appreciate,” said McAndrew. “Groceries have gotten so much more expensive. Not that everyone we help is on a fixed income, but some of these people must make a choice between their food and medicines.” At a food pantry day in May, one woman told McAndrew, “I need a cow with my children. You don’t know how much milk I go through.” Even if the donated food helps them for one week, it’s a week that parents do not have to worry about what or how to feed their children. It isn’t just families that benefit from the food pantry. Many recipients are older individuals who are on fixed incomes that don’t cover all their expenses. “We have an older couple who lives next door to us here in Jermyn, and when I’m out at the shed and I see the woman outside, I’ll ask if she needs anything and bring her something over from our freezer. She’s so appreciative of the help,” said McAndrew. The partnership between these two organizations clearly demonstrates their commitment to the Northeast Pennsylvania community. McAndrew looks forward to the day when the COVID-19 pandemic is a thing of the past and more food pantry donation days can take place. “I love my job. I love doing what I do for the community. I realize how fortunate we are. I’m so grateful to The Weinberg Foundation for helping make all of this happen,” said McAndrew.
Talking to Your Kids About Recent Tragedies Tawnya Meadows, PhD, Geisinger director of pediatric primary care behavioral health For the second time in two weeks, the nation is faced with a mass shooting, this time taking the lives of 19 fourth-graders and two teachers in Texas. It is easy to immerse ourselves in the media and get caught up in the emotions of the tragedy. But as parents, we should take time to understand the impact on our children and be prepared to talk about these events with them. There is no parenting handbook for this type of discussion, but as a behavioral specialist with a focus on children, I hope I can provide some ways to help parents navigate these uncomfortable but important conversations. The anxiety and stress we feel as parents can impact our children as well. Limiting media exposure and not immersing yourself in 24-hour coverage is the first step to reducing anxiety. Be mindful of your conversations and the words you choose. Try not to project emotions of frustration or hate. Our children pick up on our moods and overhear conversations, and those can play a role in amplifying their anxiety or other negative feelings. Second, make time to discuss your child’s feelings — from a developmentally appropriate perspective. For elementary or middle school children, you may want to have a conversation while doing a preferred activity, such as coloring, playing catch or kicking a soccer ball. This can help children feel relaxed and express their emotions. Third, be a good listener. Find out what your child knows about the subject and their feelings on it. Don’t have these conversations right before bedtime, though, as it could cause kids to have trouble sleeping. Finally, be reassuring. Let your child know that they are safe and that in general, schools are safe. Point out the security measures that their own school takes for visitors. Remind them about the adults that are around to keep them safe. For kids of high school age, who are more aware of such situations, know that they will have conversations with their friends to find comfort and understanding. Remind them to me mindful of others when they discuss the events in public situations. They may inadvertently increase anxiety in a peer who they are not aware has a history of trauma. Furthermore, stress that if they see something they are uncomfortable with or that looks suspicious, they should say something. Simply put, there is no easy way to discuss tragedies with children. But making time to listen to their feelings and understand their concerns can go a long way toward helping reassure your children and making them feel safe. And above all, trach your children to choose kindness and notice the kindness in others.
Treasurer Garrity Returns Bronze Star to WWII Veteran’s Family During a ceremony at VFW Post 92, Treasurer Stacy Garrity returned a Bronze Star to the family of the late Frank Musto, a U.S. Army veteran who served his country in World War II. “It’s an incredible honor to return this Bronze Star to the Musto family,” Garrity said. “Frank Musto enlisted when he was just 19 years old and served our country during World War II. He was wounded during battle in France. As a fellow veteran, and on behalf of the entire Commonwealth, I extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude for Frank’s service and his and his family’s sacrifices for our country.” “We’re all very proud of our father’s service in World War II, and it means the world to us that the Bronze Star is now back with his family,” said Ron Musto, one of Frank Musto’s sons. “Our entire family would like to thank Treasurer Garrity and her team at the Treasury Department for taking care of these military decorations and for making sure they were reunited with us.” In addition to the Bronze Star and related military decorations, an engraved bullet casing from Musto’s military funeral was returned to his family at the ceremony, including several of his children and grandchildren. Like most tangible unclaimed property, these military decorations – along with a black and white photo of Frank Musto and several other items – were received by Treasury as the contents of a safe deposit box. It was determined that the box owner was Frank’s late son Jody Musto, so Treasury staff researched by scouring newspaper articles and the internet to find prospective family members or heirs to the property. Treasury staff made cold calls and eventually connected with the family to start the return process. The Musto family had thought the contents of the box were lost for good after an unsuccessful attempt to obtain a list of its contents from the bank. For his military service, Frank Musto was also awarded a Purple Heart, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. Those medals were already in the family’s possession. The Pennsylvania Treasury works diligently to return all unclaimed property with special attention given to military decorations and memorabilia. Since taking office, and including today’s returns, Treasurer Garrity has returned 262 military decorations including 3 Purple Hearts and 2 Bronze Stars. Treasury has returned a total of 560 military decorations and memorabilia. Treasury’s vault still holds hundreds of military decorations including Purple Hearts, Bronze Stars, Legion of Merit awards, campaign medals, military identification tags and more representing every branch of the military and nearly every major conflict. These items are never auctioned and are held in Treasury’s care in perpetuity or until a rightful owner is found. Treasury’s dedicated military decoration database can be searched by visiting patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property/medals.
Payroll Prep Tax Information When the City of Scranton was declared a financially distressed municipality pursuant to the Municipalities Financial Recovery Act, Act 47 of 1987, as amended, (Act 47) it was authorized to levy a payroll preparation tax in lieu of the City’s business privilege tax and mercantile tax. On December 14, 2021, Scranton City Council adopted ordinance File of the Council No. 95 repealing the City of Scranton’s business privilege tax and mercantile tax and authorizing the levy of a payroll preparation tax to begin on January 1, 2022. WAIVER OF INTEREST AND PENALTIES THROUGH JUNE 30, 2022In the interest of assisting City’s businesses as they prepare their initial Payroll Preparation Tax return, on May 24, 2022, Scranton City Council approved Resolution No. 79 which provides a one-time waiver of the interest and penalties that would otherwise be due from June 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022. This, in practical terms, extends the due date from May 31, 2022, to June 30, 2022, of a business’s initial Payroll Preparation Tax return. Read more about the Payroll Prep Tax on the City’s website. Read More
