Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation from Fundraiser

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute received $7,675 from La Belle Soirée à Paris Fundraiser. In August, the family of Judi H. Perry Hartridge, a cancer survivor who passed away in 2007, hosted a fundraiser, La Belle Soirée à Paris. The event was held at Maiolatesi Wine Cellars. It featured live music by concert pianist, John Paris and Paul LaBelle and The Exact Change All Star Band. Additionally, there was a 50/50 and a basket raffle. Over $7,600 was raised from the fundraiser.  

Proceeds support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. The Judi H. Rock On Committee has been working with NRCI and hosting fundraisers for several years in honor of Judi H. Perry Hartridge. Paul LaBelle is the Founder of Judi H. Rock On.  

About The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute
The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a nonprofit community-based agency serving seven counties in northeast Pennsylvania with offices located in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.  Focusing on surveillance, community and patient services, and hospital and practice support services, the Cancer Institute invests 100% of its resources locally. 

PHOTO ATTACHED: La Belle Soirée Check Presentation   

The Judi H. Rock On Committee presented the Cancer Institute with a check from the La Belle Soirée event.  

From left to right: Amanda E. Marchegiani, Community Relations Coordinator, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, John Hartridge, Karen M. Saunders, President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Paul LaBelle, Founder of Judi H. Rock On, Johnny Hartridge, Sharon LaBelle, Carmel D’Angelo, and Dana Morris.   

Treasurer Announces Contributions Surpassed $100 million

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that total contributions to the PA ABLE Savings Program have surpassed $100 million. PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are a tax-free way for Pennsylvanians with qualifying disabilities and their families to save without affecting eligibility for means-tested government disability benefits.

“Reaching this milestone demonstrates the power of PA ABLE and reflects all the positive impacts the program has made for account owners and their families,” Garrity said. “Everyone deserves financial independence and security, and PA ABLE helps Pennsylvanians with disabilities to save money for necessary expenses without losing any of the disability benefits they rely on.”

Pennsylvanians have contributed $101.2 million to PA ABLE accounts since the program’s inception in 2017. More than $25.7 million has been withdrawn for disability-related expenses, like groceries, rent, healthcare, transportation, and longer-term expenses including education and assistive technology.

In 2022 alone, PA ABLE account owners contributed $28 million, while $9 million was withdrawn. Nearly 1,500 Pennsylvanians opened new PA ABLE accounts during that time.

PA ABLE offers seven different savings and investment options, including a checking account. Contributions of up to $17,000 per year can be deducted on PA state income taxes, and PA ABLE account owners pay no federal or state income tax on account growth when used for qualified withdrawals.

Treasurer Garrity was elected the inaugural chair of the ABLE Savings Plan Network (ASPN) late last year and will oversee ASPN’s strategic leadership and policies which aim to advance and bolster ABLE accounts nationwide.

In December, Congress passed the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which raised the age limit for onset of a disability from 26 to 46 beginning in 2026. An estimated 6 million more Americans, including one million veterans, will be eligible to open ABLE accounts beginning in 2026. The bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Bob Casey, who championed the original ABLE Act of 2014, and cosponsored by retired U.S. Senator Pat Toomey. A corresponding House bill had 17 cosponsors from Pennsylvania’s 18-member delegation.

PA ABLE is the largest program in the 18-member National ABLE Alliance, accounting for more than 25% of total Alliance assets. Currently, more than 7,100 Pennsylvanians have PA ABLE accounts. The program was created by state legislation with leadership from Sen. Lisa Baker and former Rep. Bernie O’Neill.

Visit paable.gov or call 855-529-2253 to learn more about PA ABLE.

Media contact:
Samantha Heckel, Press Secretary, 717-418-0206 or sheckel@patreasury.gov

Get Healthier with Commonwealth Health’s Challenge

This year, Commonwealth Health is taking the entire month of February to help people in the community learn ways to reduce their risks with the 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge. Participants will receive a daily email with short, informative articles, quick tips, and a daily challenge to promote heart health.

Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 650,000 people each year. Here are some other facts everyone should know about heart disease:

  • In the U.S., one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease.
  • Every year, about 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack.
  • Nearly half of American adults (47%) suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension, which increases the risk of a heart attack and stroke. However, only about 1 in 4 people with high blood pressure have their condition under control.

Another important fact is that most people can take steps right now to reduce the risks related to heart disease.

In most cases, heart disease is preventable. Adil Sattar, MD, FACC, RPVI, an interventional cardiologist tells us, “Prevention is better than cure. The cardiovascular system regulates the health and integrity of pretty much all the rest of our body organs. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol and treating high blood pressure, we are all able to reduce our risk for heart disease.”

Since 1964, February has been recognized as American Heart Month – a time of year dedicated to increasing awareness about heart health and highlighting steps we can take to create a heart healthy lifestyle.

The 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge includes 28 challenges that can help participants eat healthier, get up from a sedentary lifestyle, relieve stress and lower blood pressure. To sign-up for the 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge, visit: CommonwealthHealth.net/Heart-Challenge

To find a physician, call 570-871-6330 or visit https://www.cwhphysiciannetwork.net/ to be connected with one of Commonwealth Health Physician Network’s qualified primary care physicians or cardiologists.

Dr. Sattar is an interventional cardiologist with Commonwealth Health Physician Network in Wilkes-Barre and the Medical Director of the Structural Heart Program at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. His office is located at 545 North River Street, Suite 220. To schedule an appointment, call 570-819-2825.

Marywood University’s S.T.A.R.S. Program Receives Grant

Marywood University is the recent recipient of a 2022 Robert H. Spitz Foundation Grant. The $8,000 grant was awarded to the S.T.A.R.S. (Students Together Achieving Remarkable Success) program. To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation has been a significant source of support, awarding $60,000 to S.T.A.R.S. since its inception in 2018.

Marywood’s S.T.A.R.S. program offers Latino/a/x youth in grades 7–12 the opportunity to explore their long-term career goals through one-on-one academic assistance and exposure to diversified post-secondary educational paths, trades, and careers. Marywood students serve as tutors and mentors to the youth participants. In addition, monthly workshops, held in English and Spanish, provide parents with similar information about potential opportunities for their children and families.

Additionally, Marywood University, as well as other local institutions’ academic departments host students on campus 4-5 times a year, providing information and experiential activities that are focused on various majors and careers. This includes small-group and individual mentorship for students using a college and career readiness curriculum, as well as individual tutoring/mentoring sessions via zoom or in-person with a Marywood student.

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is a registered non-profit organization that supports initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Robert H. Spitz was born in Scranton and was a 1955 graduate of Scranton Central High School and the University of Miami, Florida. Prior to retirement, Spitz had been employed by the U.S. Department of Labor and was also the owner of several local Arby’s restaurants. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation was established from his estate in 2015. To date, the Foundation has provided more than $4.6 million in funding to the community. The Scranton Area Community Foundation serves as the administrator of the Robert H. Spitz Foundation.

For additional information about Marywood University’s S.T.A.R.S. program, please visit marywood.edu/community/youth-programs/stars/, or call (570) 961-4559. For additional information about The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, please visit https://safdn.org/1765/robert-h-spitz-foundation-announces-2019-grant-cycle/, or call (570) 347-6203.

PennDOT News

PennDOT Reminds High School Students of ‘Innovations Challenge’ Deadline

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds high school students of the upcoming deadline for the sixth annual PennDOT Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers. The Innovations Challenge is open to all students in grades 9-12, regardless of their school’s learning model.

For this year’s challenge, students are asked to develop ideas to help address the shortage of commercial truck parking along major interstate corridors in Pennsylvania. Trucks parking on highway shoulders and ramps is common during overnight hours and presents a significant safety issue.

The challenge asks students to select one of Pennsylvania’s interstate corridors where truck parking is a known issue and develop an innovative approach to increase commercial truck parking availability in that area and offset costs incurred for construction. The solution must consider local ordinances and zoning laws for the area selected, commercial entity interaction in land development, community impact, restroom facilities, and space requirements for commercial trucks that are generally 70-80 feet long.

Regional Innovations Challenge winners will be selected and invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT Secretary and a panel of judges, who will determine the statewide winner. For this year’s challenge, the Transportation Policy and Education Foundation, an educational arm of the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors (APC), has donated $2,500 and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Pennsylvania (ACEC/PA) has donated $1,500 for a combined total award of $4,000 to the statewide winning team.

For complete Innovations Challenge details, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/innovation and click on Innovations Challenge. The submission deadline is Jan. 27, 2023.

MEDIA CONTACT:    Alexis Campbell, 717-783-8800 or alecampbel@pa.gov

PennDOT and Human Services Urges PA Residents to use Find My Ride

The Pennsylvania departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Human Services (DHS) today urged Pennsylvanians to use Find My Ride (FMR) to learn about public transit options and apply for transportation assistance programs. More than 12,500 Pennsylvanians have been approved for services since FMR launched in May 2021.

Public transportation services are available in every county in Pennsylvania, including:

  • Shared ride service in all 67 counties;
  • Fixed route bus service in 49 counties; and
  • Fixed route rail service in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

“We’re pleased that so many Pennsylvanians have been connected to these important services and we encourage more to apply,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “Transit provides a vital connection to jobs, to medical appointments, and to our communities.”

Citizens are encouraged to use FMR Apply, an online tool which was developed collaboratively with transit agencies and streamlines the application process for eight transportation assistance programs in the state, including the Senior Shared Ride program, the Medical Assistance Transportation Program (MATP), ADA complementary paratransit, the Persons with Disabilities program; the Free Transit Program; Area Agency on Aging funded trips for people 60-64, fixed route half/reduced fare for persons with disabilities, and discounted shared ride service for veterans. Additionally, FMR Apply allows third-parties, such as a family member or healthcare provider, to apply for services on behalf of a rider.

Collectively, 24.4 million trips supported by these programs were provided to Pennsylvanians in the 2020-21 fiscal year. An additional 141 million trips – including 17.7 million free senior trips – were provided through fixed route service in the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Since the rollout of FMR Apply in May 2021 via transit agencies, it’s easier for the public to access these programs. Customers do not need to determine what programs they are eligible for, and this, coupled with the user-friendly application, has resulted in increased applications. Automatic data validation within the application has resulted in improved data accuracy, saving transit agencies time and money in processing applications. Transit agencies can process applications more efficiently, which allows transit users to access benefits faster. 

“Find My Ride is an excellent example of collaboration between state agencies, and we encourage anyone who may need transportation services to use this too. Nobody should let a lack of transportation keep you from getting to a doctor’s appointment or filling your prescription,” said DHS Acting Secretary Meg Snead.

DHS’ MATP program provides non-emergency medical transportation for Medicaid-eligible consumers who do not have access to transportation. MATP has funded more than 15 million trips since 2019, and each county provides the type of transportation that is the least expensive while still meeting an individual’s needs.

Find My Ride’s education and application modules were developed over two years, made possible by $1 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and $1 million in state transit funding. In June 2022, additional FTA funds were awarded through a program that was expanded under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The new FTA funds will allow for the expansion of upgrades of FMR to simplify the public’s access to the tool as well as streamline processes for healthcare providers and MATP administrators. Some examples of enhancements to the system supported by these new grant funds include:

  • Allowing consumers to request fixed route and mileage reimbursement assistance directly via FMR and give them the option of having reimbursements transmitted directly to their bank account;
  • Creating an interface between FMR and DHS’s PROMISe system, which will allow MATP administrators to verify a consumer’s MATP eligibility automatically;
  • Allowing MATP administrators to issue fixed route tickets and passes directly to a consumer’s mobile ticketing app; and
  • Giving health care providers a means to verify a visit occurred using the system.

More information on public transit and alternative transportation options like ridesharing, biking, and walking, is available on PennDOT’s website.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Alexis Campbell, PennDOT, 717-783-8800 or alecampbel@pa.gov;

Brandon Cwalina, DHS, ra-pwdhspressoffice@pa.gov

PennDOT District 4 Now Hiring for Paid Internships and Summer Maintenance Positions

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is seeking hardworking individuals for paid internships, summer maintenance and student summer workers. If you enjoy working in an active, fast-paced environment with the potential for promotion into a permanent position, check out the various opportunities at PennDOT and apply today!

Engineering Internship – PennDOT – Statewide (College)

Are you looking for a paid internship?  The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) offers statewide paid internship opportunities during the summer to students in a variety of majors, predominantly in engineering, science, and technology fields; however, PennDOT does more than just road construction and snow removal. PennDOT is a customer-driven service organization responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of Pennsylvania’s multimodal transportation system.


PennDOT interns enjoy opportunities in various areas of PennDOT operations. Internship opportunities associated with this posting will be headquartered throughout PennDOT’s Engineering Districts. Although all assignments may not be offered in every location, additional examples of work and special projects may be available. View PennDOT’s District map to see where your home county lies.

You may be able to obtain academic credit through participation in PennDOT’s internship program. Ask your academic advisor if your college offers credit for paid internships.

Additionally, some internships may offer the flexibility to telework if determined operationally appropriate by the hiring organization.

PennDOT College Student Summer Worker

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is seeking hard-working college students for employment during the summer months for the 2023 Summer Employment Program! If you enjoy working in an active, fast-paced environment while performing a public service, check out this opportunity and apply today!

PennDOT Summer Employment Program (Non-Student)

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pabureau/jobs/3826246/penndot-summer-employment-program-non-student?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Ruddy, (570) 963-4044

The Dime Bank News

The Dime Bank Opportunity Account Receives Certification

Today The Dime Bank announced that its Opportunity Account was officially certified by the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards (2023 – 2024). The national safe account Standards, co-created by consumer advocates, leading national nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, and other financial institutions, designate both core and strongly recommended features that ensure low cost, high functionality, and consumer safety.

Key features of The Opportunity Account include a monthly cost of only $5.00, no overdraft or nonsufficient fund fees, the ability to pay bills and make purchases, and federal deposit insurance. The Opportunity Account is available at The Dime Bank‘s nine (9) branches located in Wayne, Pike, and Lackawanna Counties, Pennsylvania.

“We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to access safe and affordable banking through a trusted financial institution like The Dime Bank. Our staff are here to assist customers along the way to improved financial wellness,” stated Peter Bochnovich, The Dime Bank President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to offer this certified account to help our customers learn responsible financial habits with confidence at low cost and low fees.”

“The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund is delighted to award its national Bank On account certification to The Dime Bank’s Opportunity Account,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “The Opportunity Account offers Wayne, Pike, and Lackawanna County residents who are looking to improve their finances a safe, affordable, and truly useful mainstream banking product to access and manage their money. The Dime Bank’s offering of this terrific account brings them into the forefront of national banking access efforts, and we thank them.”

The goal of Bank On is to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable financial products and services. The Bank On National Account Standards identify critical product features for appropriate bank or credit union accounts, making it easier for local coalitions across the country to connect consumers to accounts that meet their needs.

The Dime Bank Opportunity Account is available at nine (9) branches in Pennsylvania. With the addition of the Opportunity Account, accounts that meet Bank On National Account Standards are now available at over 46,000 branches in all 50 states and Washington, DC; financial institutions with Bank On certified accounts already comprise over 56% of the national deposit market share. In addition to The Dime Bank’s Opportunity Account, there are over 300 other Bank On certified accounts available at financial institutions across the country. Data collected by the CFE Fund in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis through Bank On’s national reporting platform shows that these accounts are meeting consumers’ needs; since their offering, millions of consumers have opened Bank On certified accounts, with approximately 80% of them opened by consumers new to the financial institutions.

“I would like to congratulate The Dime Bank for attaining Bank On certification for its Opportunity Account. PA Bankers Association has been working with its member banks statewide since mid-2021 to increase the number of banks offering Bank On accounts in PA, and The Dime Bank becomes the 40th financial institution to offer a Bank On account in the state. We are grateful to The Dime Bank for its commitment to making sure all Pennsylvanians have access to safe and affordable banking products and services to improve their financial capability, health, and independence,” said Duncan Campbell, President & CEO, PA Bankers Association.

The CFE Fund leads the national Bank On movement, supporting almost 100 local coalitions working to connect individuals and families to the financial mainstream through partnerships between governments, financial institutions, and community organizations. To learn more about Bank On and the National Account Standards click here, or follow the conversation on Twitter @CFEfund #BankOn

The Dime Bank Introduces My Credit Manager

Now you can access your credit score and report when you log into Online and Mobile Banking! My Credit Manager is a credit score and report monitoring tool which is FREE to The Dime Bank Online and Mobile Banking users.
Utilizing My Credit Manager will help you understand, manage, and protect your credit.
Your credit score and report are available right now. Log in to your account and look for the My Credit scorecard in your dashboard. This free service helps you stay on top of your credit quickly and easily. 
Knowing your credit standing is essential when you want to open a loan or credit card, but it’s also important to track changes to your score since it can alert you to suspicious activity. My Credit gives you the tools to help protect your financial health. 
You’ll get 24/7 access to your credit report, a credit score simulator that estimates your score when you open new lines of credit, and resources to learn more about managing your score. 
Take advantage of this free resource at The Dime Bank to keep on top of your credit score.

WVIA & Geisinger Launch Podcast

WVIA and Geisinger have launched The Mind Over Matter Podcast.  Hosted by Tracey Matisak and produced by Jim Donnelly, The Mind Over Matter Podcast is a continuation of the award-winning mental health initiative produced by WVIA in partnership with Geisinger. Over the next 24 weeks, hear from leading experts who will provide helpful information on a variety of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, grief, and substance abuse.


On the first episode which premieres on Thursday, January 12th, Monica Mongiello, who has been living with psychosis for more than 20 years, turns to her mother and others within her support network for strength and perseverance. Hear her story of living with her illness and how it led her to become an advocate for others going through similar struggles.

On the second episode Geisinger’s Operations Manager for Virtual Care Ben Gonzales discusses his road to long-term recovery, what led him to seek help, the support he received from loved ones, and how it can serve as a model for others who need help.

On January 26th, host Tracey Matisak speaks with Amber Viola. Amber grew up in NEPA and graduated from North Pocono High School. She left the area to join the United States Navy. Amber was a Gunners Mate and Naval Military Training Instructor. While in the Navy, Amber worked as a Department of Defense Sexual Assault Victim Advocate.

Future podcast guests include Isabella DiBileo, Dr. Samantha Fitzgerald, Dr. Jessica Sevecke, Darren Weber, Dr. Joshua Blum, and many more.

Listeners can find the show at wvia.org/mindovermatterpod or subscribe through any major podcast provider, including Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon Alexa, Stitcher, and Pandora.

Pennsylvania American Water Awards Grants to 8 Organizations

In advance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, celebrating the life and legacy of this prominent civil rights leader, Pennsylvania American Water today announced eight recipients of grants supporting the company’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity efforts. Grants in the amounts of $3,000-5,000 were awarded to eight organizations across the company’s service territory, totaling $35,000.

“Investing in organizations that promote inclusion, diversity and equity-related initiatives is a key component of our community engagement strategy,” said Justin Ladner, president of Pennsylvania American Water. “Through these grants, Pennsylvania American Water shows its continued commitment to helping create inclusive and welcoming communities across the Commonwealth.”

Pennsylvania American Water selected the following organizations across its service territory that support and reflect the company’s inclusion, diversity and equity values and efforts:

Scranton Awards First ARPA Grants for Small Business Development

The City of Scranton awarded nearly $350,000 to support the creation and expansion of small businesses on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Businesses applied in the Fall of 2022 for the grants that are part of the City’s $68.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

“By investing in small businesses, we’re helping others create new jobs, revitalize buildings, and find solutions to emerging problems in our community,” Mayor Paige G. Cognetti announced at Downtown Deli, 300 Biden St., Scranton. “Our first ARPA Startup and Expansion grants support businesses that are as diverse as the City itself, and there’s still more grant money to help others realize their dream of building or growing their business right here in Scranton.”

Through a spending plan approved by City Council in May 2022, the City allocated a total of $1.25 million to support the creation and expansion of Scranton’s small businesses. Applications opened in September 2022, but the City revised grant guidelines in November to make funding more accessible. Applicants can receive up to 25% of eligible costs in their startup or expansion project budget, with a $100,000 limit per business. Approximately $900,000 remains to support startup and expansion projects, and submissions are under constant review. Applications remain open, and funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications were weighed based upon the City’s ARPA mission, which aims to give people access to resources, rebuild infrastructure systems that impact everyday life, and foster equitable wealth generation targeting residents’ needs. All applications were reviewed by the City, compliance consultants from Anser Advisory, and representatives of both the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania for business sustainability and duplication of benefits, among other factors.

At Tuesday’s announcement, Mayor Cognetti was joined by grant recipients including Downtown Deli, Retro Café, and Unison Workforce Technologies.

“This project is three years in the making. We had the idea to expand into a catering business before the pandemic, but we needed a little extra help to get it off the ground,” said Downtown Deli General Manager Denise Leppo. “It’s wonderful to get this funding from the City to finally get up and running.”

“We have been developing our app FYSH (Fuel Your Side Hustle) for over a year now! Covid really delayed our project, yet we continued to pay our staff through the entire pandemic,” added Marilyn Major, CEO of Unison Workforce. “I am so appreciative of Mayor Cognetti and the city for this generous funding that will help make our app successful so we can hire more people in the near future.”

Grant recipients, the funding they will receive, and their project details, in alphabetical order, are:

  • Downtown Deli, 300 Biden Street, $77,234 towards the addition of catering services, including the physical expansion of their downtown footprint along Biden Street for both food preparation and service. The Deli will also build a new accessible restroom.
  • Little Wild Refillery, 343 N. Washington Avenue, $19,376 for the ongoing support of the seven-month-old sustainable goods and zero-waste shop, including the creation of a new part-time position. The business previously received a $5,000 Small Business Microgrant from the City.
  • Nlyten Corp., doing business as GUIDE, located at the Scranton Enterprise Center, 201 Lackawanna Avenue, $100,000 for the tech startup’s creation of multiple full-time positions, with a focus on hiring recent graduates of local colleges and universities. The company anticipates a February 2023 launch of its GUIDE mobile app, which is designed to deliver proven behavioral health and wellness practices to veterans and first responders, empowering them to resolve past trauma, improve their well-being, and achieve their highest potential. Details at www.theguideapp.com.
  • Retro Café, 1139 Capouse Avenue, $53,000 for the conversion of a former derelict and condemned Lackawanna County Landbank property into a new café in the Pine Brook section. Funding will support construction costs, inventory, payroll, and more. Retro Café previously received a $70,000 loan-to-grant from the Scranton Office of Community and Economic Development to help fund two new employees.
  • Unison Workforce Technologies, located at the Scranton Enterprise Center 201 Lackawanna Avenue, $100,000 for the ongoing development of its mobile application “FY$H – Fuel Your Side Hustle,” an app designed to support the thriving self-employed gig economy. Grant funding will support user experience development, quality testing, and an ambitious employment growth plan through 2025.

The City also announced a $25,000 ARPA grant for small business financial recovery to Crotti’s on Ash, 1431 Ash Street.

ARPA funding opportunities for small businesses remain open. The second round of applications for business recovery grants of up to $25,000 and Wage Boost grants of up to $50,000 over two years closes on January 31. Façade improvement grants of up to $10,000 remain open with applications closing in September. Information about Scranton’s ARPA plan is online at scrantonpa.gov/arpa.

  • ARPA funding supports 25% of business development and expansion budgets.
  • The first five organizations will receive a total of $349,610.
  • Nearly all projects include plans for job creation directly in the City.