April 2009 - poconobusinessjournal.com
Transcription
April 2009 - poconobusinessjournal.com
Pocono Business Journal Seven Bridge Road, RR# 5 Box 5198 East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 www.pbjonline.com POCONO Regional Business News & Resources THIS MONTH • PBJ Second Annual Green List...................p. 1 • Public Service With A Side Of Green.........p. 6 • Why Does Permitting Take So Long?.......p. 14 • Eco-Tourism in the Poconos....................p. 16 • New Exec Director For Pike Chamber Sees Growth...........................p. 21 • Energy Savings Comes In A Gray Steel Cabinet.........................................p. 22 • Kudos To The Locovore!..........................p. 25 • Merger Brings Wilkins/Coldwell Banker Full Circle...................................p. 15 • PBJ Columnists CareerLink................................................p. 13 Guest Columnist: EMAP.........................p. 10 Guest Columnist: Forensic Accounting....p. 5 Guest Columnist: GreenBuild EXPO.......p. 18 HR Toolbox.............................................p. 11 Leadership Tips......................................p. 15 Marketing Momentum...........................p. 14 Sustainable is Attainable.......................p. 12 Tax Facts................................................p. 10 QUOTE “Definitions of green jobs vary remarkably. If we can’t identify green jobs clearly, how will we track the success of efforts to create them?” April 2009, Vol. 5, Issue 4 Energy Consumption/Food Supply Winners Announced! PBJ’s Second Annual Green List By John Shortino and Tim Sohn Pocono Business Journal has identified the “Top 10” green businesses in Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties that demonstrate ‘savvy environmentalism’ in the workplace and in their community. Each year we receive nominations from all types of for-profit businesses in each of the four counties, and the challenge is to select only ten of them. Out of multiple nominees, we highlight this year’s winners with mini-profiles (see inside), listed below in alphabetical order: • Beach Lake Transfer Station, Beach Lake • Clemleddy Construction, Hawley • Eastern Propane, Hawley • The French Manor, South Sterling • Heron’s Eye Communications, Greeley • Josie Porter Farm, Stroudsburg • LTS Builders, East Stroudsburg • RGB Custom Homes, East Stroudsburg • Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, Shawnee-on-Delaware • Weiler Corporation, Cresco Honorable Mention Honorable mention goes to: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate/Wilkins and Associates (Stroudsburg); Close the Loop (Kunkletown); The Gilded Cupid (Jim Thorpe); Riley and Company, Inc. (Mt. Pocono); Settlers Inn (Hawley); Strunk-Albert Engineering (East Stroudsburg); Lattimore Construction (Milford); and Woodloch Resort (Hawley). Rose Baker and David Passmore, Penn State Workforce Education & Development Initiative Full story on Page 7 OBSERVE ancer Control Month C National Home Improvement Month 7 12 15 19 19 22 24 World Health Day Easter Sunday Income Taxes Due Start of Passover (sundown) Start of Administrative Professionals’ Week Earth Day Arbor Day Beach Lake Transfer Station Clemleddy Construction Eastern Propane The French Manor Heron’s Eye Communications Josie Porter Farm LTS Builders RGB Custom Homes Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort Weiler Corporation QUESTION How many women in Monroe County over 16 years of age are employed? See GPCC Business Magazine ad for the answer on page 12. www.pbjonline.com see GREEN page 8 Professional Profile - Ecotourism in the Poconos page 16 2 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 www.pbjonline.com POCONO Regional Business News & Resources Twin Willow Publishing Company Pocono Business Journal Seven Bridge Road RR#5 Box 5198 East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-9209 570.421.0100 | fax 570.421.0404 www.pbjonline.com PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Marynell Strunk EDITOR Debbie Burke REPORTERS Susan Jorstad Andrea Reiter Sharon Rothman Nicholas Sergi John Shortino Tim Sohn Angela Tullo CONTRIBUTORS Lisa Alexander Rose Baker Amy Berridge Holly Corcoran Heidi Blade Hewlett Scott E. Hutchinson John Casella Scott Elliott Sylvia Lafair Chris Lynch Victoria Mavis Scott Miller Robert Muller David Passmore Frank Pinto COPY EDITOR Susan Jorstad EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Danielle Eberhardt Chelsea McMahon CARTOONIST Tanya Kerkslag CIRCULATION [email protected] PRODUCTION/DESIGN Jason Trump SALES [email protected] COPYRIGHT: PBJ is protected under the federal Copyright Act. Reproductions of any part by any means or facsimiles without the express written permission of the publisher are not permitted. Reprints of PBJ articles are available. For rates and information visit http://www.pbjonline.com/reprints.html. PBJ cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material, manuscripts and photographs without the inclusion of a self-addressed stamped envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. Submission of information does not guarantee inclusion. PBJ is published monthly from offices located at Seven Bridge Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301. PBJ serves business owners, managers and professionals in the four county Pocono region: Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne. Subscriptions are available for $30 per year or $60 for two years. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Pocono Business Journal, RR#5 Box 5198, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Monthly Missive Make Haste With Green Solutions There is not much more that can be said about our growing environmental consciousness that has not already been touched on in this issue. The April – Green List – edition is one of Pocono Business Journal’s more popular editions. We could have doubled the size of this issue and still not had enough room to cover all the new programs, incentives, innovations and burgeoning ideas that center around ‘being green.’ It is a true testament to the high level of interest in the business community to find enterprising solutions and, of course, make a buck or two TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLES Dawn Ferrante, The Face Of Ec Dev In Carbon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 19 Eco-Tourism in the Poconos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 16 Energy Savings Comes In A Gray Steel Cabinet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 22 Gaming Revenues Go To Local Projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11 Greeley Summer Camp Gets Praise From EPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3 Kudos To The Locovore!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 25 Merger Brings Wilkins/Coldwell Banker Full Circle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 15 New Exec Director For Pike Chamber Sees Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 21 Not Quite Retired In The Poconos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 19 PA Shows Its Interest In 2010 Biodiesel Mandate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3 Pace Yourself, You Need Earth’s Resources To Do Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 17 PBJ Second Annual Green List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 1 Public Service With A Side Of Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 6 Recovery Act Divvies Up $343MM For PA Transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3 Region’s Economic Development Director Talks “Recovery Act” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 14 Stimulus: Small Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 22 Why Does Permitting Take So Long?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 14 DEPARTMENTS Book Review: “The Three Marriages”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13 Business Briefs – Who’s Who/What’s What . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 23 Business Cartoon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 26 HR Tidbit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11 Legislative Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 20 Letter to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4 Reader’s Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4 Workplace Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 10 Columnists CareerLink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 13 Guest Columnist: EMAP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 10 Guest Columnist: Forensic Accounting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5 Guest Columnist: GreenBuild EXPO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 18 HR Toolbox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11 Leadership Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 15 Marketing Momentum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 14 Sustainable Is Attainable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 12 Tax Facts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 10 Focus List – Environmental Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 25 Op Ed – Joint Commission On Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4 PA Assn. Community Bankers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 18 Penn State Workforce Education And Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 7 Register – Bankruptcies, Deeds, Mortgage Transactions and New Corporations/Fictitious Names. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 28 Advertisers Index Associated Libraries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Astraia Security Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 BC/BS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Carbon County Chamber of Commerce Expo . . . 25 Clemleddy Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ESSA Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Express Employment Professionals. . . . . . . . . . . 26 First National Bank of Palmerton. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 HRG Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce Business Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce Business Magazine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Holly Corcoran, CPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Keegan Tees, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Liberty Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Maid to Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Monroe County Career Link. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Penn’s Peak Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Pinnacle Financial & Mortgage Solutions . . . . . . 21 Pocono Arts Council. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Pocono Medical Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Reilly Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Schaedler Yesco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Sherman Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Strunk-Albert Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 TN Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 University of Scranton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 in this new green collar industry. Sounds like a recipe for prosperity: growing need makes way for new industry in need of good ideas. The only thing missing from this equation for success is profit. Innovative, energy-saving solutions are still being outrun by their lower cost, lower-efficiency predecessors and the pervasive mentality that cheaper is better. Despite the infatuation with being green, in most cases, cost is the bottom line. Solutions for the long term are not solved quickly. Regardless of all the hyperbole, as a society, we have not quite overcome this beast. Even the minutest of green gestures have not quite caught on in the mainstream. The simple motto ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ in some circles is considered chic -- but only when it’s convenient. It’s not exactly convenient when it comes at a price three or five times the cost. How to conquer this social and economic dilemma with an affordable solution is at the crux of this concern. SUBSCRIPTION FORM If you would like to guarantee receiving the Pocono Business Journal monthly, please mail subscription form along with check made payable to: Pocono Business Journal Seven Bridge Road RR#5 Box 5198 East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-9209 Name:_______________________________ Title:_ _______________________________ Company:____________________________ Address:_ ____________________________ Phone:_______________________________ City:________________________________ State:________________________________ Zip:_________________________________ ____ 1 year (12 issues): $30.00 ____ 2 years (24 issues): $60.00 Thank you for choosing Pocono Business Journal History shows that solutions to big problems happen either too late with extreme and desperate measures, or over a period of time with the dedication of legislators, idea-generators, entrepreneurs and citizens. Based on all the efforts and ideas in the Pocono region reflected in this issue, we are well on our way to finding solutions. Let’s not wait until the last resort of extreme measures. Marynell K. Strunk Publisher/Editor Contact me at [email protected] 3 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 NEWS PA Shows Its Interest In 2010 Biodiesel Mandate By Nicholas Sergi With the passage of recent legislation, diesel fuel companies in Pennsylvania will have no alternative but to begin to incorporate an alternative fuel into their manufacturing processes. According to Douglas Wendt, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Biodiesel Producers Group (Shiremanstown, Cumberland County), Governor Edward Rendell, in conjunction with members of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, announced a new initiative in January to use biodiesel fuels. The mandate states that all diesel fuel pumped in Pennsylvania will have to contain 2% biodiesel fuel as of January 2010. Wendt added that the move by the Governor to institute such a mandate is the cornerstone of his Energy Independence Strategy. “I am proud that Penn- sylvania’s biodiesel producers are demonstrating how America can make that happen,” said Ben Wootton, president of Keystone BioFuels Inc., and founder of the Pennsylvania Biodiesel Producers Group. “We’re showing the nation that when it comes to our energy future, Pennsylvania is indeed the Keystone State.” According to Wendt, biodiesel fuel is a renewable and environmentally-friendly form of energy that is derived from soybeans, yellow grease, and other organic sources. He noted that using biodiesel in lieu of petroleum would not only be cheaper, but cleaner, as it would cause less air pollution. . To create this new form of renewable energy, David Williams, a council member of National Association of Farm Broadcasters and member of Wayne/ Pike County Farm Bureau, said that regular diesel fuel is often combined with soybean oil, resulting in a final product that is not only cleaner, but also acts as a better lubrication Greeley Summer Camp Gets Praise From EPA By Sharon Rothman Photo courtesy of Pine Forest Camps Camp, for some, may evoke memories of lazy summer days and a time of youthful innocence, but behind the scenes it is still all business. At Pine Forest Camps in Greeley owner and grandson of the camp’s founder, Mickey Black, explained, “Pine Forest Camps were started by my grandparents 79 years ago, making our camp organization one of the oldest under continuous ownership in America.” Pine Forest is a combination of three camps, which have undergone some improvements for profitability, while making less of an imprint on the environment. The camps originally used $60,000 of electricity in 2006 and $150,000 in propane in one year alone. About 30,000 gallons of water is used daily and cans of prepared foods and cardboard containers used to be just tossed out. To get advice on where to start, Black contacted the Environmental Management Assistance Program of the Pennsylvania. EMAP is a no-cost, confidential service assisting small businesses with environmental compliance and improvements (see their energy tip column in this issue). Black continued, “These green initiatives were new for us. We really were inspired to make these changes by our own clientele. Today’s young people, campers, their families and the counselors, care about the environment in a way that propelled us forward. It really matters to them and so it mattered to us. By taking these very simple steps (really things that any business of any size can do) we not only saved energy but set a good example.” The benefits, he asserts, were not only about dollars, but about the goodwill, loyalty and enthusiasm that it generated. The initial changes to the camps were to use energysaving metal halide bulbs for outdoor lighting; replacing incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent lamps throughout the properties; and changing the pool covers with an energy efficient blanket Mickey Black, Pine Forest Camps owner pool cover to retain heat. With these minor changes, the camp has saved nearly $13,000 in annual energy costs. Black says this electricity and propane savings represents a reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) of over 50 tons, the equivalent of the CO2 emissions from the electricity use of six homes. All their hard work paid off when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had selected the Camp to receive the 2008 Energy Star Award for Small Business for making energy efficiency improvements that help make our nation’s air cleaner. “Pine Forest Camp is demonstrating the environmental and financial rewards of going green. We hope that small businesses across the country will realize that getting the most from their energy dollars just makes sense,” said Donald S. Welsh, mid-Atlantic regional administrator at the DEP. Black added, “We just received a grant to continue our green efforts. We are adding energy efficient outdoor decorative lighting, and plan to continue improvements by adding green roofs and solar panels. We hope that our story may inspire other business to be more energy efficient.” agent compared with traditional fossil fuels. Williams said that using it comes with an additional “fringe” benefit: “One of the bi-products of biodiesel fuels is glycerin, and that can be turned into ethanol, which can be used in gasoline.” And using ethanol in gasoline would lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oils. “In the U.S., if we went to 10% ethanol (in gasoline) it would be equal to all the oil that we import from Saudi Arabia.” Williams believes that the Pocono region will benefit greatly from this new mandate. “I expect (use of biodiesel fuel) to happen quickly,” he said. “There is a push to change gears.” For more information, visit http://pabpg.memberlodge. org. Add Green To The BIZZYS Stroudsburg, PA – The 4th Annual Bizzy Awards competition of the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce is adding a new category this year: Best Green Marketing Campaign, given for excellence in a single marketing campaign strategy revolving around energy efficiency or promoting green products. The new category is one of 12 that entrants can now choose from. Also new is that the Chamber will take entry fees by credit card as well as by check. The Bizzy Awards is an academy awardsstyle contest pitting business against business. It is a fundraising event with proceeds going to a scholarship for Monroe County Students attending East Stroudsburg University’s College of Business & Management. Entry forms are now available and the deadline to enter is May 28th. The chamber membership will receive a ballot to vote on all entries in July. Five nominees will be chosen for each category and announced in August. Winners will be announced at a special TELEVISED red-carpet black-tie awards banquet to be held September 24th, 2009. Each winning business will receive a specially-designed crystal Bizzy Award. To get an entry form, go to www. BizzyAwards.com or contact the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce at (570) 421-4433. Shown below is the logo announcing PBJ’s 2008 win for Best New Business. Recovery Act Divvies Up $343MM For PA Transit The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gives $343,703,209 to mass transit projects for PA, including $80,303,844 for rail modernization projects, $233,190,181 for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas and $30,209,184 for public transportation in areas of less than 50,000 in population. According to the PA Dept of Transportation, Rural transit agencies are in line for $30.2 million and the rail modernization program goes for existing rail systems. (Source: US Sen. Bob Casey Press Office, PA Dept. of Transportation.) Don’t Be Without Your “Taste” Now As Business News Happens! In order to bring you even more business news, the staff at Pocono Business Journal has increased the frequency of “Taste of PBJ: Business News Update.” This e-newsletter is now available as business news occurs each month. If you don’t already receive your “Taste” of more business news, please send your email address to [email protected]. 4 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 OP ED Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee Rep. Scott E. Hutchinson A state as large and naturally diverse as Pennsylvania offers many different attractions to visitors and residents. But, there is one constant which should never be forgotten. We must maintain and improve Pennsylvania’s attractiveness or we are asking for trouble. I chair the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, which has worked on issues - recycling, illegal dumping, mandatory trash collection and roadside aesthetics - which speak to that constant. We have seen illegal dumping’s damaging effects and know that by recycling more, we can reduce the amount of trash dumped illegally. The committee is examining whether mandatory trash collection is part of the answer, and if we should re-examine Act 101 - the Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act. Skeptics say that trees, bushes and landscaping might be pretty, but question if the issue is deserving of greater state attention. The evidence justifies investment on several levels. Pennsylvania, organizations like Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, and citizens already invest resources and sweat equity in projects like the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup and Adopt-A-Highway, and in anti-litter education and enforcement. The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau (PMVB) and the Delaware River Bridge Commission fund a “Sponsor A Highway” program to do cleanups along Interstate 80, and PMVB provides community grants for plantings in public places, recognizing the aesthetic and economic benefits of dedicating resources to beautification. Tourism is Pennsylvania’s second largest industry, and appearance plays a big role. Why would people spend their hard-earned money to visit a state whose first impression is of littered, filthy highways and parks? According to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, in 2007 about 107 million leisure visitors traveled to or within Pennsylvania. Leisure and business travel spending here is almost $27 billion, and Pennsylvania is the nation’s fourth most visited state. Tourism supports more than 609,000 Pennsylvania jobs with an $18 billion payroll, and generates $2.7 billion in tax revenue. In a time of tight budgets and a tough economy, we need to be creative in continuing seemingly small but important acts like picking up after ourselves, reducing and reusing waste and beautifying roadsides. As Fredrick Olmstead, landscape architect and designer of Central Park stated, “It is a scientific fact that the occasional contemplation of natural scenes of an impressive character…is favorable to the health and vigor of men….” Olmstead’s conclusion was borne out by answers to the committee’s questions in the 2006 Mansfield University Statewide Survey. Ninety percent of 1,100 respondents said they notice highway litter and it bothers them. Three-quarters also notice landscaping, and a majority said better roadside aesthetics would improve business and tourism. Meanwhile, studies by Ohio State and Texas A&M universities found nature-dominated roadsides improve highway safety by reducing driver stress and fatigue. The point is that how Pennsylvania presents itself is important on a multitude of levels. It needs to be considered in highway construction and improvement projects, in economic development and job creation strategy, in tourism campaigns, and in PBJ Sponsors Carbon EXPO Pocono Business Journal will again sponsor the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce Expo on April 15 and 16, from 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Penn’s Peak in Jim Thorpe. Come meet our publisher and editor, and find out how we can better serve the business community in the Pocono region. For more information call (610) 379-5000. Business Humor by Stoosh highway safety efforts. Rep. Scott E. Hutchinson was first elected to represent the 64th Legislative District in 1992 and is now serving his ninth term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Hutchinson is Republican chairman of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, and also chairs the bipartisan House/Senate Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee. NOTE TO READERS: Opinions expressed in any commentary published in PBJ are not necessarily a reflection of the opinions of PBJ. Likewise, PBJ will not be held responsible for any suggestion or advice published by PBJ and PBJ assumes no liability for actions that result based on such material. The publisher and staff welcome your opinions on issues. Write to PBJ at the address listed on the inside front cover or e-mail [email protected]. | PBJ READER’S RESOURCE www.fmi.org Letter To The Editor Thanks for the interview on the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Group and our view on Pocono infrastructure issues. I enjoyed reading the last issue of Pocono Business Journal focused on Infrastructure. Kudos for covering the same! Infrastructure remains critical for the region and State. It was encouraging to see the Monroe County townships are FINALLY working together to get the Route 611 wastewater systems built. I can only image the opportunity costs of the 5 year delay. besides the readily apparent decision of Sanofi to move corporate offices to the Lehigh Valley (Editor’s Note: See “What’s What” in this issue for sanofi’s most current statement on this item). The Sanofi announcement should act as a big a WARNING to the Poconos. More than ever there is a pronounced need for good, family-sustaining jobs and Pocono streams protected by improved wastewater systems. Sanofi goes out of their way to be good corporate citizens, they have great jobs and good people that work in those jobs. The Route 611 corridor and very-soon the Route 209 corridors should have the BEST wastewater systems to support existing and future growth. The best: State College, PA has drinking water coming out of their sewage plant. To protect the Poconos, the County should be moving in the same direction. Kelly Lewis President/CEO Technology Council of Central PA The food distribution industry has its own advocacy body, the Food Marketing Industry, that provides information on topics as diverse as sustainability resources; a retail food price index; animal welfare; updates on food recalls (such as the recent one on peanut butter products); and data like the media annual salary for drivers of wholesale food businesses. Industry conferences, Web casts, books and links are presented side-by-side with regulatory affairs and info on supermarket operations. Debbie Burke 5 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 COLUMN How Prevalent Is Fraud? Guest Columnist Scott Miller In 2003, global tax and auditing firm KPMG released its US Fraud Survey of 450 executives in medium and large businesses and in state and federal government. 75% of the companies surveyed reported that they experienced an instance of fraud. This survey revealed that employee fraud was most prevalent while financial reporting fraud and insurance fraud were the most costly. In September of 2006 the National Retail Security Survey estimated that 47% of retail losses were due to employee theft of inventory. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimates that fraud costs an organization about 5% of gross revenues and that the median loss per organization is highest in organizations with fewer than 100 employees. Locally, in Monroe County, larcenies and thefts rose 38% in 2007 to 705 reported incidents. While your business may not be one of these statistics, they should convince you that you need to take steps to protect yourself from fraud. There are many different types of fraud that employees perpetrate against their employers, including: check tampering, skimming of cash receipts, fraudulent expense reimbursement, corruption, cash larceny, padding payroll, theft of non-cash items, stealing inventory, unauthorized use of company assets, theft of equipment and supplies. You can also be victimized by your customers, in credit card schemes and shoplifting; or by your vendors through overbilling for purchases or billing for non-existent services. You can also be the victim of collusion between your vendors and employees in bribery and kickback schemes. As a business owner, you take risks every day. You took a risk when you decided to open your own business. Fraud prevention programs cost money and time to implement and you have to evaluate whether the program is worth the cost in relationship to the risk of loss. Once you understand how fraud takes place can you begin to make an informed determination of the true cost of fraud to your organization. While most employees are honest and would not steal from their employer, they are human and some will give in to temptation if provided the opportunity. Generally if an employee is going to steal from you, s/he needs the motivation and the ability to rationalize the theft before this develops into the intent to steal from you. The motivation may be that the individual needs money to pay bills, pay for drugs or other addictions, or to live beyond his/her needs. There are also many ways in which the fraudster will attempt to rationalize or depersonalize the act. They include: It’s not criminal; It’s explainable if discovered; I was only borrowing; I did it because…; I needed it to provide for my family; Everyone does it; I did it to get even; They treat me unfairly; I deserve it. These are personal characteristics of the employee, beyond the control of the employer. That means if you are to do anything to prevent your employees from stealing from you, you must remove the opportunity. Most often employees only start out intending to steal only one time. However, once an employee starts stealing, and gets away with it, s/he becomes addicted to the extra income. As stealing becomes the norm, the losses tend to get larger, more frequent, or both. e\\[ jfclk`fe Typically, fraud is not committed by a career criminal. In fact, when fraud occurs in a small business, it is most often perpetrated by a long-time and trusted employee. Most employers are shocked when they discover fraud and particularly by who committed it. Often, it is the trust that you have in that person which provides the opportunity to steal from you. Scott Miller, CPA, CFE, CVA, CFF, is with Riley and Company, Inc. in Stroudsburg. • LUXURY CUSTOM HOMES • SEASONAL-TO-PRIMARY HOME CONVERSIONS • REMODELING 570-226-2899 SERVING: Pike & Wayne Counties È8c\e[\ik_Xkle[\ijkXe[j dpYlj`e\jj%É <JJ8Ëj:fdd\iZ`Xc C\e[`e^k\Xd =fi[\g\e[XYc\YXeb`e^j\im`Z\j %%%ZfdY`e\[n`k_k_\\og\ik`j\kf_\cgpfljkXpfekiXZb#aljk ZXccfe\f]fli:fdd\iZ`XcC\e[\ijXk,.' +)($',*(% I\Xc<jkXk\CfXej <hl`gd\ekCfXej C`e\jf]:i\[`k K\idCfXej C\kk\ijf]:i\[`k ¿Xe[k_\Ylj`e\jj[\gfj`kj\im`Z\jpfle\\[% Pflie\\[j%Flijfclk`fej%K_\i`^_ki\cXk`fej_`g% 9XZbifn#c\]kkfi`^_k1 =ifekifn#c\]kkfi`^_k1 KfepBfee#:fdd\iZ`XcCfXeF]ÔZ\i 9fY?fn\j#J\e`fiM`Z\Gi\j`[\ek# C\e[`e^J\im`Z\j;`m`j`fe ;Xm`[Fiijfe#Gfik]fc`fDXeX^\i 9`ccC\n`j#M`Z\Gi\j`[\ek#:fdd\iZ`XcC\e[`e^ C`jX?lkZ_`ej#:fdd\iZ`XcCfXeF]ÔZ\i K_\i`^_knXpkfYXeb]fi pfliYlj`e\jj% 6 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 NEWS Public Service With A Side Of Green By John Shortino Although many Pocono businesses would like to go green, it is an unfortunate reality that the high costs of converting to more environmentally friendly practices make the transition difficult. The problem is the often steep costs at the outset, making it impossible for a business to recoup their investment without a subsidy or incentive program. To make things a bit easier, many of our area legislators support programs that reward green businesses by making state funds available to utilize alternative energy sources and minimize pollution. In addition, many of these lawmakers support programs to start new businesses in green fields, including the creation and manufacture of the technology that will create energy solar, wind, and geothermal systems. The most important step taken by lawmakers to make going green economically feasible for Pennsylvania businesses occurred in July 2008, when Special Session Acts 1 and 2 were enacted by the state Legislature and signed by Governor Edward Rendell. These pieces of legislation, known as the “Alternative Energy Investment Act” and the “Alternative Fuels Incentive Act,” make $650 million available to residents and businesses to develop and sustain environmentally conscious practices, and support Pennsylvania businesses in emerging green sectors (some of how this money is divided up follows below; the remainder of the money is for individuals in low-income brackets, homeowners, and others not denoted here). Many of our representatives, including Rep. Mario Scavello (R, 176) and Rep. John Siptroth (D, 189), were instrumental in introducing and passing these bills in the House of Representatives, and Senators Baker (R, 20), Boscola (D, 18), Musto (D, 14), and Mellow (D, 22) all voted to pass these pieces of legislation. Through these acts, the state government hopes to ensure that Pennsylvania will directly benefit from the growing fields of green energy and technology, creating jobs for residents and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. These bills provide, in part, $165 million to businesses and residents to spur the development of alternative energy sources, excluding solar. This will effectively help to recoup up to 35% of the costs of converting to a greener business model. With this money, businesses can begin to think of going green as an economic benefit, rather than a waste of money. The bills also give $25 million to wind and geothermal energy development, which will grant businesses and residents greater access to these renewable sources. Solar energy, which in the past has been economically unrealistic to install due to the cost of parts such as solar panels, has $100 million set aside for its growth. For residents and businesses that wish to convert to solar power, this is an important step forward, as Pennsylvania will now be one of the growing number of states providing financial rewards to those who wish to transition to solar power. Additionally, the bills provide funding for new businesses, with $80 million being used to help grow businesses in the solar fields, meaning those which manufacture parts for solar panels or generators. This could mean that startups will have opportunities to emerge in the Poconos, creating manufacturing jobs and building a “green economy.” There is another $40 million that the bill provides to the Ben Franklin Technology Partners (Bethlehem) for its business incubator programs, which help businesses by giving them the support they need to develop working prototypes. Monroe County is already home to one of these facilities, the East Stroudsburg University Business Accelerator, and this section of the bill is directly benefitting Monroe County by adding another Business Incubator at the intersection of Brown Street and Route 447 in East Stroudsburg. This new facility will assist new business and help them grow in our area, Why which means more jobs and more opportunities in the Poconos. The coming-of-age of green business on a national scale can fuel the growth of the middle class in the coming years, with Vice President Joe Biden’s “Middle Class Task Force” that has $150 million (part of the $650 million total as above) set aside to continue green programs over the next ten years. The Task Force had its first meeting in February, in Philadelphia. For more information, visit www.whitehouse.gov/strongmiddleclass. Blue? LH=JPD=P?KRANO UKQNDA=HPD L=NPJANODELPD=P ?KRANOUKQN>=?G Blue goes beyond the expected to support group benefits administrators like you. Managing benefit costs while contributing to a healthier and more productive culture is a big job. That’s why Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania provides valuable tools and programs to support you every day. From innovative health and wellness programs for your employees…to online enrollment, reporting, and management tools for you…we’re always looking out for you. Call 800-432-8032 to learn more about the fBLU-GROUP_7.40x10.53v3.indd 1 value of Blue Cross®. You + Blue. Your insurance for good health. 6/30/08 4:36:26 PM 7 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 COLUMN What Is A Green Job, Really? Penn State Workforce Education & Development Rose Baker and David Passmore Just what is a green job anyway? Nobody really knows. Yet, the Obama administration hopes to create a lot of them. The designers of the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package are banking on recapturing our leadership and innovation, stabilizing our economy, and making up for lost manufacturing jobs through evolution of an alternative energy economy. The package aims to create or save 3.5 million jobs over the next two years, many of them green jobs. To create these green jobs, the economic stimulus will double renewable energy capacity and leverage $100 billion in private investment in renewables through financing and tax credits. Definitions of green jobs vary remarkably. If we can’t identify green jobs clearly, how will we track the success of efforts to create them? The Apollo Alliance, a coalition of industry, labor, and environmental groups, described a green collar job as one that pays “decent wages and benefits that can support a family. It has to be part of a real career path, with upward mobility. And it needs to reduce waste and pollution and benefit the environment.” Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club, said, “A green job has to do something useful for people, and it has to be helpful to, or at least not dam- aging to, the environment” (Greenhouse, 2008). A recent book, The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems, defined green collar jobs as “good local jobs that pay well, strengthen communities, provide pathways out of poverty, and help solve our environmental problems.” As inspiring as these definitions might sound, they are too vague and indistinct to guide measurement and projection of green jobs and to evaluate potential investments leading to new job growth in an alternative energy economy. With such an indefinite handle on the definition of green jobs, it is not surprising that counts of the number and kinds of green jobs vary remarkably. For instance, on one extreme, a report commissioned by the American Solar Energy Society indicated that the nation had 8.5 million jobs in renewable energy or energy efficient industries. On the other end of the continuum, a report for the U.S. Conference of Mayors estimated that, as of 2006, there were approximately 750,000 green jobs in the U.S. economy. Defining and identifying green jobs in a clear, defensible manner is important to avoid investments based solely on good intentions—or on criminal intentions—in the name of green job creation. What are needed now, more than ever, are data–driven decisions about policies and legislation for linking energy and jobs to take us out of the policy environment in which nearly every job seems to be identified as “green” and every interest group seems to define green jobs within their interests. Investments meant to affect green jobs are likely to progress quickly no matter whether a consensus definition of green jobs emerges. We hope we know what we are doing. Baker and Passmore are leaders of the Penn State Workforce Education & Development Initiative (http://PennStateWED.notlong.com), which conducts various types of economic and workforce analyses for employers, industry partnerships (groups of employers), not-for-profit organizations (workforce development and economic development organizations), and government entities. Their opinions are their own, not those of Penn State. Their full report on the Pocono region’s competitive advantage in industry jobs is available at http://PSU-Pocono.notlong.com. Experience Great Eating In Monroe County Pocono Restaurant Week, held this year from April 23 – May 2, will include crossover promotions, events, and other specials to bring more of the dining public to a variety of Pocono eateries in countywide. This promotion includes customer voting in a Zagat-syle rating program. The week culminates in a Restaurant Week Gala on May 2. To participate or for more information, visit www. poconorestaurantweek.com or call Ali Schratt, Local Flair Magazine, at (570) 839-8393. 8 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 FEATURE STORY GREEN... cont. from page 1 Clemleddy Construction, Hawley Beach Lake Transfer Station, Beach Lake Dan Card, Manager Beach Lake Transfer Station provides a full array of waste container, collection, transport and disposal services in Wayne and Pike counties and in a small area of Susquehanna County. Photo shows Beach Lake Transfer Station recycling truck. What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? Waste Management’s Beach Lake Transfer Station in Wayne County introduced single-stream recycling to its commercial customers in 2008. Single-stream recycling allows participants to place all recyclable materials – glass, metal cans, cardboard, newsprint and plastics – in a single container. The station processed 310 tons of recyclables in 2007 but watched its single-stream volume skyrocket to 700 tons in 2008. Results of the program included customer savings and a healthier environment. The introduction of single-stream recycling allowed business operators to spend less time sorting recyclables and lowered their waste disposal costs. Each new ton of recyclables allowed Beach Lake’s customers to avoid paying $82 per ton to landfill these materials as waste. Why did your company decide to “go green”? Green is more than one of our company’s colors; it’s in our DNA. Waste Management each year recycles more materials than anyone else in North America and its landfill gas- and waste-to-energy projects create enough electricity to power more than 1 million homes. The team at Beach Lake knew that our customers wanted to be better recyclers and lower their costs, and wanted to help Waste Management make progress on its goals. Introducing single-stream recycling brought these desires together to the benefit of our customers, community and the environment. Craig Smyth, Owner and President Clemleddy Construction is a builder of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly luxury custom homes and renovations in the Lake Wallenpaupack region of Wayne and Pike counties. Photo shows first row, left: Mark Nilsen, Craig Smyth (owner), Ellen Chorba; middle row, Clyde Kreider, Tim McHale, Barb Theobald; back row, Ryan Smyth, Tony Buda. What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? We understand the significant benefits of maintaining our region’s scenery and natural beauty. These qualities are what attract so many people to the Pocono Mountains, in particular to the Lake Wallenpaupack area. We use renewable products whenever possible, and our staff stays current with the latest technologies and smart practices. Why did your company decide to “go green”? At Clemleddy, we have always built and renovated homes with the best efficiencies available while keeping the environmental impact to a minimum. There is no sacrifice in quality when building green. In fact, benefits of the green building include: lower operating costs, reduced maintenance issues, increased home value, and improved environmental quality. Our clients have worked hard to get to where they are today, and they want a luxurious home in a scenic natural setting. We are equipped to handle the job, and we focus on personal service and attention to detail at every level. mentally friendly, propane-powered vehicles and sell, service and install propane heating systems and appliances. Photo shows Robert B. Nicholson III (President/CEO), Robert B. Nicholson (Chairman), Shirley M. Nicholson, Debra Nicholson-Marcellus, Wendi Nicholson-Hayden, Scott E. McRoy, Linda Nicholson-McRoy. What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? Eastern Propane works closely with builders to install high-efficiency propane-powered appliances and heating systems. In addition to the benefits of being high-efficiency and reducing energy consumption, propane is a cleanburning fuel compared to other energy sources. Toward this end, Rich Arnold, manager of business development for the Pennsylvania district, has pursued education toward his Certified Green Professional designation and continues to be actively involved in the promotion of clean-burning propane fuel. Arnold also promotes energy efficiency and the use of clean energy sources through his participation in local trade shows. Why did your company decide to “go green”? We are able to service our customers while reducing our environmental impact by doing so in clean-burning propane powered vehicles, and we are able to assist them in reducing their own environmental impact by becoming more energy efficient and “clean and green” by using this type of energy. It’s a win/win/win: good for us, good for our customers, good for the environment. The French Manor, South Sterling Ron and Mary Kay Logan, Innkeepers The French Manor is an elegant small hotel/bed and breakfast. Eastern Propane, Hawley Wendi Nicholson-Hayden, Vice President What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for We perform residential deliveries of propane in environ- Pittston, PA Stroudsburg, PA see GREEN page 9 570-654-2473 570-421-7320 www.reillyengineering.com • Civil • Surveying • Environmental • Transportation • Land Development • Municipal • Storm Water • Structural • Water • Wastewater Providing Expert Engineering Services in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania Since 1930 9 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 FEATURE STORY GREEN... cont. from page 8 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? The French Manor plans on opening Le Spa Forêtin in May after two years of research and development on this “green” project. Huber Engineered Woods’ ZIP system is being used for exterior sheathing; less mature trees will be cut down to provide lumber. Onsite trusses will eliminate waste due to cutting of material for the roof. The spa will install energy-efficient windows that have protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer; they also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings. Each of the faucets will use at least 20 percent less water than the norm. Recyclable carpets will help minimize the amount of old carpeting at landfills. Lighting fixtures will accommodate compact fluorescent lights, which use 20 percent less electricity. The builder, Outlook Construction, is a certified green builder, and has been instrumental in implementing designs to incorporate green construction and sustainable materials. Why did your company decide to “go green”? If we can set an example in the community, we hope that others will feel the same and help to conserve our best characteristic – our own backyard. Heron’s Eye Communications, Greeley Krista Gromalski and Sandy Long, Co-Founders Heron’s Eye Communications is a marketing, publishing and project management firm founded in 2006 to foster positive change and awareness on issues related to community, the environment and how people interact with and affect each. Photo shows co-founders Krista Gromalski (left) and Sandy Long. What “green” initiatives” have you put into place for 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? A significant part of our recent work involves projects and initiatives that create local economic opportunities or support existing efforts to bolster our local economy. For example, in partnership with our local land trust, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, we have developed the “Shop Local, Save Land” initiative that drives consumers toward fresh and healthy foods produced right here in our region. There is an antiquated misconception that being “green” is a practice better left to tree huggers or environmental activists. But when you understand the important economic benefits that go hand-in-hand with protecting land or saving energy, it’s clear that good stewardship is an essential tool in creating prosperity. Why did your company decide to “go green”? Our company’s guiding principles existed in our personal practices before Heron’s Eye Communications was formed. In part, our principles drove our decision to start a mission-driven company committed to positive change and awareness on issues related to community, the environment and how people interact with and affect each. For example, even before Heron’s Eye was officially formed, we were actively involved in regional conservation measures like Pike County’s Scenic Rural Character Preservation bond, which passed overwhelmingly in 2005. Josie Porter Farm, Stroudsburg Heidi Secord, Owner/Manager Josie Porter Farm is a working farm that uses sustainable growing practices to provide fresh food for local residents. Photo shows owner Heidi Secord. What “green” initiatives have you put into place for 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? The Cherry Valley Community-Supported Agriculture program, a farming program supported by local volunteers, continued to expand in 2008, and today has a membership base of 90 families. Using environmentally friendly farming methods, including the use of many hand-operated tools, the farm makes fresh food available to local families, fostering a connection to nature while educating participants in farming methods. In 2008, the farm also hosted a statewide educational workshop through the Women in Agriculture Network (WAgN) on how to build a hoop house. By connecting with both the community (through Northampton Community College and many other local organizations) and nature, the farm has helped to teach the most important tenet of green living: that human life is connected to the well being of the Earth. Why did your company decide to “go green”? The nature of the farm is green, with its entire existence based on the rhythm of nature and on eating food when it is in season. By using organic farming methods and hand tools, the Josie Porter Farm demonstrates a responsible method of farming that keeps the land healthy and able to sustain life for the future. This farm is a model for creating access and opportunity for emerging farmers to grow food for our communities. LTS Builders, East Stroudsburg Lawrence T. Simon, Chairman/CEO LTS is one of the largest homebuilders in the Poconos, with over thirty years experience in building affordable, quality homes in the area. Photo shows Longchamp 2 home. What “green” initiatives have you put into place for 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? In 2008, LTS Builders committed as a company to complete, 100% ENERGYSTAR certification for every LTS home built. This rating signifies that a home uses at least 15% less energy than the average home. Each LTS Builders home is inspected by qualified, Federal Environmental Protection Agency third party technical agents to ensure it meets the 100% ENERGYSTAR commitment. Each LTS Builders home provides the customer maximum energy efficiency and reduced energy costs from day one. Additionally, the environmental impact of the home is reduced and the long term, appreciable value of the home is increased. Why did your company decide to “go green”? LTS Builders has been committed to environmental initiatives since its inception – with a multitude of “green” business practices put into practice in the company’s 33 year history. At LTS Builders environmental stewardship is simply an everyday practice – an inherent part of our commitment to the community and our customers. RGB Custom Home Builders, Inc., East Stroudsburg Robert Brown, President RGB is a custom home builder with a 23-year legacy of building high-quality homes in the Pocono region. Photo shows owner Robert Brown. What “green” initiatives have you put into place for 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? Being conscientious of the environment, RGB decided to embrace the new voluntary NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) Green Home Program. The program’s stringent guidelines focus on energy efficiency, water efficiency, air quality, and renewable resources and recycled materials. Bringing the NAHB Green Building Standards to the area will encourage other area builders to join in the efforts to provide more environmentally friendly homes that are affordable to the average homebuyer. Why did your company decide to “go green”? In February 2007, RGB Custom Home Builders became the first Certified ENERGYSTAR Partner in the area. When the independent Energy Rater began testing RGB Homes, he was impressed with the ratings of the homes. They scored well above the minimum score required for labeling under the EPA’s ENERGYSTAR guidelines. Since that time, many other builders have followed RGB’s lead. The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee-on-Delaware The Kirkwood Family, Owners The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is a leading travel and tourism destination located on the Delaware River, featuring many outdoor amenities, including golf and canoeing, which allow visitors to take in the beautiful natural setting. What “green” initiatives have you put into place for 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort has always made its partnership with Mother Nature a major priority. 2008 brought a series of very exciting environmental programs to the Shawnee Inn. We established the Shawnee Green Team, which is a group of employees that represents each department at the resort. The goal of the Shawnee Green Team is to examine every facet of the resort’s offerings to identify areas in which we can further green our efforts. We also focused on greening our purchasing. The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is proud to say that we are now 100% chemical free! Everything from cleaning supplies to detergents has been replaced with environmentally friendly alternatives. We even replaced our laundry system to be able to accommodate the new products. Why did your company decide to “go green”? So much of what makes Shawnee special is our natural surroundings. Where else in the world can a person stand on the edge of the Appalachian Range, Delaware River and a national park all in one location? We are blessed with a fantastic landscape that we have made a commitment to preserve. More than anything else, it is the right thing to do. Weiler Corporation, Cresco Chris Weiler, President; Weiler family, owners Weiler Corporation is a leading Pocono manufacturing company, producing industrial wire brushes and abrasives. Photo shows from left: Ed Madden, Kathy Motz-Hinton, Ed Bankston, Esther Dieter, Zsa Zsa Clark, Linda Getz, Karl Weiler (Chairman), Frank Slinger, Jane Fry, Joy Wright, Caroline Puntorno, Tom Burbage, Alicia Matthews, Kathy Titus, Heather Tintle, Robert Thomas, Patti Perardone, and Kassi Miller. What “green” initiatives have you put into place for 2008, and what are the results from such efforts? The Weiler Corporation completed construction of a 21,000 sq. ft. office building in 2008, focusing on energy conservation. We began the process of installing more energyefficient lighting throughout their buildings, beginning by improving lighting systems in the warehouse area. This consisted of replacing outdated sodium-based lighting with updated lighting featuring electronic ballasts and highefficiency fluorescent bulbs. We expect a minimum of 35% savings in each area with updated light systems. In addition to continuing existing recycling programs and purchasing recycled paper products, the Weiler Corporation began using a new model of hand dryer in 2008. The air-stream hand dryer is expected to save 500 rolls of paper towels per year, and will cost only $50/year to operate. Why did your company decide to “go green”? Weiler Corporation is not new to operating in a “green” way, as its founder, Karl E. Weiler, was always looking for ways to be responsible to the environment since he started manufacturing in the U.S. in 1944. Even then, the Weiler Corporation knew the economic benefits of encouraging employees to keep lights off in unoccupied areas. It was in the 1990s that we really embraced the green initiatives and programs that we still utilize today. 10 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 COLUMN The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Tax Benefits Tax Facts Holly R. Corcoran Virtually every client I have met with during tax season is asking “what’s in it for me?” They’re asking about the new economic stimulus package. For workers there is a refundable “making work pay credit” for 2009 and 2010. This will result in a decrease in federal withholdings at approximately $13 per week during the year and is available for individuals who are not a dependent of another taxpayer, a nonresident alien or an estate or trust. Individuals who were eligible to receive social security, SSI, railroad retirement and veterans on disability or receiving pension benefits November 2008 to January 2009 will be receiving a $250 payment. The IRS will not be issuing these payments and taxpayers are encouraged to contact the agency from which they receive their benefits. For instance the Social Security Administration’s Web site (http://www. socialsecurity.gov/payment/) outlines when to expect the payments and any action necessary. This $250 will reduce the “making work pay credit” if the taxpayer receives one of the above benefits and has earned income making them eligible for the $400 credit. If an individual or couple purchased a home between April 8 to December 31, 2008 and they had not owned a home in the prior three years, they would qualify for a refundable credit of 10% of the purchase price of the home up to $7500. This credit is repayable over the next 15 years. If a first-time homebuyer purchases a home between January 1 to November 30, 2009, they will qualify for up to $8,000 refundable credit which is not required to be repaid. There are certain recapture rules when the home is sold that the taxpayer can discuss with a tax professional. Other provisions in the law in relation to individuals are as follows: In 2009, $2,400 in unemployment benefits will be excludable from the taxpayer’s income. The Hope Education Credit has been expanded and renamed the “American Opportunity Tax Credit” for 2009 and 2010, making it better for more individuals. New higher education expenses such as Internet access and technology equipment are eligible distributions from 529 Plans without penalty. The child tax credit’s refundable portion has changed for 2009 and 2010. Certain Earned Income Credit changes have occurred for families with three or more children and the EIC phase-out has increased for taxpayers filing jointly. For businesses and self-employeds, there are changes as well. Now businesses with net operating losses (NOL’s) can carry-back those losses for five years instead of two years for losses incurred starting in 2008. Carrying back losses can free up old tax dollars and generate a refund. There is a decrease in estimated tax to 90% of the current or prior year liability for certain qualifying individuals (there are certain limitations). Keep in mind that this will involve some cash flow planning to make sure the taxpayer has the funds available in April 2010 to pay any taxes owed. Holly R. Corcoran, CPA is the president of Holly R. Corcoran, CPA, Inc. providing quality, professional accounting and tax services for businesses and individuals since 1991. Visit www.hrcorcorancpa.com. Workplace Wellness Give Germs The Pink Slip Computer keyboards, mice, phones, and desk surfaces are the perfect home for germs. To keep your office space healthy, wipe surfaces with an anti-bacterial or sanitizing wipe at least once a week. The Smart Small Business Owner Is Always Looking For The Green Environmental Management Assistance Program Chris Lynch Today’s news is flush with stories about “toxic” mortgages and other “toxic” investments floating around. But small business owners may not even be aware of a “toxic” waste right in their own places of work – the wasteful consumption of energy, a waste that is poison to the very success of a small business. Most small business owners can achieve 25-30% reductions in their energy consumption and related costs by employing proven energy efficiency strategies to wring out this waste. In the current economy can smart business owners continue to ignore such waste? Where else does a smart business owner spend 25-30% more than he or she actually needs to? The steps for ridding a small business of this waste are fortunately easy to identify and require the adoption and installation of proven and reliable methods and technologies. Such waste is ubiquitous. It is in places right under everyone’s nose: those leaking windows and doors, the poor insulation and roofing, the aged lighting, office equipment and electronics, the old heating and cooling system, the antiquated boilers, and the old school motors and outdated manufacturing equipment. There is no better time to start looking into energy efficiency than now; electricity prices are due to increase soon when the rate caps expire for the PPL Electric Utilities service territory at the end of 2009. PPL’s own Web site predicts that total monthly bills could increase by 30% or more once those caps come off. The Environmental Management Assistance Program (EMAP) of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers works with hundreds of small business owners each year to identify energy saving opportunities through no-cost onsite assessments and helps busy business owners sort through potential funding including grants, rebates, tax incentives, and loans. We keep current with the various funding incentives available from the state, the federal government, your local utility, and others. Our community. Our commitment. During times of concern, we all depend on trusted relationships for support and reassurance. For over 100 years, our family of depositors has relied on us for safe and stable monetary guidance. To continue earning your trust, we pledge to never relax our prudent standards when dealing with your financial assets. Additionally, we offer you peace of mind knowing your deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the maximum level. If we can be of any assistance during these unique times, we invite you to stop by any of our branches. Our promise to you is our century old commitment of protecting your family’s financial stability. Since 2004, our clients have been approved for over $1 million in state grant funding to implement 189 different projects that improve energy efficiency, install renewable energy systems, and cut out the waste. This includes over $177,000 for projects at 30 small firms in the Pocono region. Our exceptional team is running full steam right now to help Pennsylvania businesses take advantage of the new Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant program which opened in January and offers matching grants of 25%, up to $25,000, to help firms invest in their future with energy efficiency. To learn more about strategies for reducing your exposure to the “toxic” waste of energy at your small business, check out www.askemap.org, or contact us toll-free at 877ASK-EMAP. Chris Lynch is the director of the Environmental Management Assistance Program for the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers, a statewide economic development group headquartered at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. r Business Checking rBusiness Loans r Lines of Credit r Merchandising Services r Commercial Mortgages r Business Now Account rTerm Loans r Letters of Credit r Statements on CD ROM r Cash Management Business Banking with Confidence 101 Years of Experience www.fnbpalmerton.com 11 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 HR Religion In The Workplace HR Toolbox Victoria Mavis with Tom Ford A common lesson that we’ve all learned at one time or another is to avoid talking about religion and politics, especially in business circles. Although the workplace has relaxed a bit and politics are often discussed, religion is still a topic that is treated carefully by business executives and human resource professionals. In recent years, spirituality in the workplace has been on the rise as evidenced by the growing numbers of prayer breakfasts and spiritual conferences that are attended by business executives. Additionally, the workplace has seen a rise in religious study and prayer groups which meet regularly. As religion begins to have a bigger presence in the workplace, it is important to consider the forces behind this increase, which include the continuing globalization of business, shifting patterns of immigration, increasing cultural diversity and a renewed spiritual awakening in some segments of the population. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals because of their religious beliefs and calls for reasonable accommodation of employees’ religious practices unless doing so would cause undue hardship for the employer. It may be seen as a gray area of the law as “undue hardship” is often interpreted as anything from minor inconvenience to true hardship. However, many practical accommodations require no more than workable schedule changes for employees to attend religious services or brief blocks of time for observing religious practices. If you’re sponsoring a company spiritual event, consider that it is necessary to ensure that all employees receive equal treatment. This means that attendance at such events is wholly voluntary; those who attend receive no special consideration for doing so, and those who decline participation are not penalized in any way. Every company should have a written policy concerning religion in the workplace. A model policy to consider is the “Guidelines on Freedom of Religious Expression in the Federal Workplace” issued by the White House in 1997. However, with or without a formal policy, there are some important considerations to be observed concerning employees’ religious practices: Individual observances must not disrupt normal activities or impinge upon the rights of others; No one must suffer harassment because of one’s religious beliefs or practices; No attempt should be made to convert others to one’s own religious beliefs; Company officials should not sanction one set of religious beliefs over another; and Complaints of harassment or discrimination based on religion should be promptly investigated and resolved. According to Tom Ford of Stroudsburg-based Smithford Business Lawyers, if an employer were to incorporate any religious ritual or expression as part of the workplace events/environment, it would run a serious risk of liability under Title VII. “Religious Coercion would be one potential claim, i.e., that an employee was made to feel as though participation (which includes passively being in the room when it occurs) were either required as a part of the employment, or refusal to participate would have an impact on the employee’s conditions of employment (promotion opportunity, raises, continuation of employment, etc.),” says Ford. Another potential claim would be Hostile Work Environment, the unwelcome imposition of religious views or practices on an employee, which in and of itself can be sufficient to create a hostile work environment. “I think it is a thoroughly bad idea for an employer to incorporate prayers or religious expression of any kind in the workplace events/environment.” As workplace diversity increases so might the need to better understand this issue. Make your company a safe place for your employees when it comes to their religious beliefs and practices, and protect yourself, by understanding the laws. Source: SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management Magazine) article by Charles McConnell as provided by Victoria Mavis, CorePeople Resources LLC; and Tom Ford of Smithford Business Lawyers. HR Tidbit By Victoria Mavis Q. We’re trying to organize our employee files and have files from people that were terminated over 10 years ago. Do we still need to keep these? A. No. Employee records (excluding payroll records) should be kept for a period of three years. In order to comply with the Federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA), be sure that all documents that are disposed of are shredded. Gaming Revenues Go To Local Projects The first gaming fund revenues from Mount Airy Resort and Casino will help Monroe, Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike and Carbon counties improve roads, redevelop brownfields and enhance downtown business districts, Department of Community and Economic Development acting Secretary George Cornelius announced last month. “These projects will greatly enhance the lives of thousands of residents in northeast Pennsylvania while stimulating local economies suffering under the weight of a severe recession,” Cornelius said. “They also represent further evidence of how Pennsylvania’s efforts to generate new revenue from the gaming industry can extend important community development benefits to more of our citizens.” Twenty-nine projects will share $12.3 million that was generated by the Pennsylvania Horse Race and Gaming Development Act, or Act 71, which set up a “local share assessment account” and required DCED to distribute money that is generated by licensed gaming facilities to support community and economic development projects and mitigate the impact of gaming activities. Cornelius said the projects chosen fall in the categories of public interest, community improvement and economic development and noted that gaming fund revenues were divided equally between Monroe County projects and those in neighboring counties. Projects receiving grants from the Monroe County Gaming Fund follow: Economic Development • $1.05 million to Monroe County Industrial Development Authority for the East Stroudsburg University Research and Technology Park. • $1.05 million to Monroe County Industrial Development Authority for the Pocono Mountains Regional Airport • $1.05 million to Monroe County Industrial Development Authority for the Northampton County Community College’s Monroe County campus • $631,958 to Carbon County Commissioners for Packerton Business Park • $420,000 to Carbondale City Redevelopment Authority for enhancements to Main and Church Streets • $425,636 to Dingman Township for the township’s first public park • Green Borough for play- What You Need To Know: New COBRA Requirements For Employers Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), many employers must offer former employees group health plan continuation coverage upon certain “qualifying” events. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains changes to the COBRA rules for these employers. Under the new law, employees who were (or are) “involuntarily terminated” between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009 may continue coverage under an employer’s group health plan for up to 9 months by paying only 35% of the coverage cost. The employer or plan sponsor advances the 65% of the insurance cost, which is then subsidized by the federal government through a credit against the employment tax obligation of the employer (or plan sponsor, if applicable). The COBRA provisions are effective immediately. Visit http://pna.informz.net and search for “COBRA” for the entire article. (Source: Teri Henning, General Counsel, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association.) ground equipment and reconstructing the soccer field • $1 million to Pike County Industrial and Commercial Development Authority for Pike County Public Library Headquarters and Dorothy E. Warner Community Center Public Interest • $250,000 to Hawley Borough for downtown enhancement projects • $1 million to Wayne County Commissioners for the Wayne County 911/Emergency Operations Center • $293,475 to Jim Thorpe Borough for replacing a retaining wall (Source: Dept. Community and Economic Development) iLÊ*ÀiÃà Ê7 ` Ê> ` i ÌÊ i - i *, / љň Й̜Ɏʜз˙ ǪѠљŐʜǪзίΒǪȸͩʜ ͩͩљňЙίɎʜззљ@ίͩίЙ ͩίЙзљǪΒɳљ҇ Ϝ҃̚̚ѯљŝϱίѠљ@ί љίΒљ9ίѠ̉љňЙʜззʜз ڙǪ̜ͩǪȸͩʜ UÊ," 1,-ÊUÊ9,-ÊUÊ/ /UÊÊ-/1,-ÊUÊ//,UÊ 7-**,-ÊUÊ*,",-ÊUÊ 1- ЙίљǪљȸ҇з̜ΒʜззљɎǪЙɳљѠίљǪљ ɎίϱͩʜѠʜљΒʜڠзϱǪϱʜЙљʹљڠʜљɎǪΒ ɳίљѠ̉ʜљ͕ίȸљ˜ίЙљ˜ǪЙљͩʜззљίΒʜڮϼ >Ê/ÊÀii £nää{{ÎäÎÇÇ 12 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 COLUMN Forest Invaders Near and Far Sustainable is Attainable Robert Muller Whether you’re a tourist or full-time resident we should be appreciating the trees around us. Trees offer many benefits, such as cooling and carbon dioxide exchange. Remember, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen; they provide protection for soil erosion, water runoff and wildlife benefits. Who doesn’t enjoy sitting under a nice maple tree, enjoying the surroundings? But our forests are under threat from invaders. These invaders aren’t loggers or developers, but insects and disease. Some of the older well-known ones include Dutch Elm Disease, chestnut blight and our imported nemesis, the gypsy moth. The new threats include Hemlock Wooly Adelgid that attacks hemlock trees, the butternut canker and one of the newest, Emerald Ash Borer. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a wood-boring beetle native to China and eastern Asia. This invasive species was first detected in the United States in July of 2002 in southern Michigan and had spread into ten states by the end of 2008. The beetle was first detected in Pennsylvania in the summer of 2007 in Butler County and the following summer in Mercer County. This discovery led to a five-county quarantine in western PA. Most recently the EAB has been found in Mifflin County, in central Pennsylvania. EAB is blamed for the death and decline of more than 20 million ash trees in the United States since 2002. There is no known practical control for EAB short of destroying the infested trees. It is difficult to predict the full effect of these pests. There is ongoing research for many of the species including the American chestnut and the butternut. Dr. Keith Woeste of the USDA Forest Service at Purdue University is working at the Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC) to study butternut canker, which is killing most of the butternut trees in the U.S.; to study the growth and development of butternut in order to restore it to its former sites; and to contribute harvested seeds to the breeding program for introducing canker-resistant trees to the forest. This is an example of the work being done to continue the species. We can only hope that through careful monitoring and control of movement of products, these threats are lessened. The control of movement or translocation of pests, whether it is the Emerald Ash Borer or the Zebra Mussel, is made more difficult with the worldwide trade of products and goods. The future of species native to their geographic area may be questionable, but possibly with good stewardship, research and better control of product movement we can protect the resources surrounding us. Robert A. Muller Jr. has served as the District Manager of the Wayne Conservation District since 1984. The District has a full staff that provides technical assistance and education on watershed management, forestry, agriculture and erosion control. The District office is located in Honesdale and can be reached at (570) 253-0930. Obama-Biden Administration Announces More Than $352.4 Million in Weatherization Funding and Energy Efficiency Grants for Pennsylvania Washington DC - Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Chu recently announced Pennsylvania will receive $352,477,062 in weatherization and energy efficiency funding, including $252,793,062 for the Weatherization Assistance Program and $99,684,000 for the State Energy Program. This is part of a nationwide investment announced of nearly $8 billion under the President’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, an investment that will put approximately 87,000 Americans to work. The funding will support weatherization of homes, including adding more insulation, sealing leaks and modernizing heating and air conditioning equipment. The Weatherization Assistance Program will allow an average investment of up to $6,500 per home in energy efficiency upgrades and will be available for families making up to 200% of the federal poverty level – or about $44,000 a year for a family of four. The State Energy Program funding will be available for rebates to consumers for home energy audits or other energy saving improvements; development of renewable energy projects for clean electricity generation and alternative fuels; promotion of Energy Star products; efficiency upgrades for state and local government buildings; and other innovative state efforts to help save families money on their energy bills. (Source: White House Office of Media Affairs) Calculation of Pension Payments Private and government employers sometimes offer retirement incentives to move highly compensated senior executives into retirement and off their payroll. Some retirement incentive plans are designed to help employers identify their staffing needs. By rewarding employees who commit to a retirement date, the employer can plan ahead for its upcoming staffing needs… Many pensions are calculated based on the final several years’ salary of the employee. But each plan differs- the definition of salary may or may not include bonuses, overtime, and other extra compensation. All employees are entitled to a complete copy of their pension plan documents. All plans also offer a “summary plan description” that is a shorter and more readable version of the comprehensive plan document. Prior to retirement, it is wise for pensioners to work directly with their employers and plan administrators to understand the precise method of calculation of their expected monthly pension benefit. (Source: The Fine Print, A Newsletter Of Pennsylvania Law, Jane Roach Mahghan, P.C., Stroudsburg.) Does your office measure up? Maid To Order Save 10% on any weeknight service with this ad. 610-295-9227 www.MTOpa.com 13 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 BOOK REVIEW Looking For Employees? CareerLink John Casella CAREER Quest, Monroe County’s largest job fair, will be held at Fernwood Hotel Resort Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The PA CareerLink in Monroe County will once again partner with the Pocono Mountains Media Group (Pocono Record) to sponsor the 7th Annual CAREER Quest. This year we are hoping to register 80 businesses with available job openings. CAREER Quest is the place where regional employers come together to screen, recruit and hire. Many of the employers will be taking applications and possibly doing interviews right at their booth. Last year many job seekers were hired the same day. In addition to employers, a variety of educational providers will be on site to showcase many of their programs to help job seekers upgrade their existing skills in order to find their perfect career opportunity right here in the Pocono region. This community event provides our local citizens the resources to obtain quality employment opportunities locally without having to commute too far from home. Our theme once again this year is “Partnering for Success.” With the assistance of Fernwood Hotel & Resort staff, our county’s educational providers and employers, the Monroe County Transportation Authority, and of course the staff of both the PA CareerLink and the Pocono Record, we expect another great turnout. The Monroe County Transportation Authority provides free transportation to individuals interested in attending CAREER Quest every hour on the hour. Seminars that will be made available prior to the event include How to Work a Job Fair, Building Confidence for Your Job Search, Interview Basics, and Dress to Impress. CAREER Quest provides employers and educational providers with one of the best marketing tools to advertise their job openings, programs and company exposure. The simple equation is having the job seekers and employers at one event to meet and greet. For those employers or educational providers interested in registering, simply contact the PA CareerLink at (570) 620-2958 and we will be happy to send you a registration package. Over the past six years, this event has attracted over 1,000 job seekers each and every year. We expect even higher num- bers this year. John Casella is the PA CareerLink administrator in Monroe County and the executive director of Monroe County Job Training. A Certified Workforce Development Professional, he has over thirty years experience administering Workforce Development programs. Casella serves on the Pocono Counties Workforce Investment Board, WIRED Executive Committee and Pennsylvania Partners. CareerLink At Borders EDITOR’S PICK – BOOK REVIEW “The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self and Relationship” Right away, the reader is gently nudged away from the classic quest of finding “worklife balance” and told to replace it with an understanding that the three parts of ourselves (the three “marriages”) will each, at different times, be predominant and temporarily unable to provide said balance. Author David Whyte posits that our work persona (“Work”) is the first part of this necessarily uneven trio; the second is our relationship with our spouse or other committed, longterm partner (“Other”); and the last component is basically everything else: “Self.” Work has an evolutionary benefit, he says; work “comes looking for us; tells us to get up and do something useful.” But vocational pursuits that are not connected by a sense of purpose and love will prove unrewarding. Satisfaction can only be gained in this facet of “marriage” by regarding work as something much larger than just a series of jobs. Sometimes we can fall in love with our work like we fall in love with a person. At times in our professional lives, we are invited, says Whyte, to follow a career opportunity. Some will shrink back in fear and live with the resulting, everlasting regrets. This is corrosive to our Self. Conversely, real work, like a real love, takes tenacity and risk. The story runs from theme to theme: yak herding, JK Rowling’s inspiration as a single parent, Joan of Arc’s courage, and the pubs of Dublin. So this is not a hard-core, textbook-style management tome. But while jumping from historical example to poetry and literature, and giving the book a very loose (read: unlinear) feel, the musings throughout really do relate to one another and have relevance to our work selves, our (conventional) marriage, and our own inner interests and desires. If you are open to it, go with it. It’s a different kind of journey than that afforded by org charts and Profit and Loss statements. Author: David Whyte Publisher: Riverhead Books ISBN: 978-1-59448-860-3 Price: $25.95 Book courtesy of Rierhead Books/Penguin Group. PBJ’s review is available at Borders Stroudsburg, where this book may be ordered when it is released this month. Photo credit: PBJ Image courtesy of Riverhead Books/Penguin Group By Debbie Burke John Casella (at left), administrator for the PA CareerLink/Monroe County, recently led a discussion on “CareerLink, The Employer, and The Job Seeker” at PBJ’s Business and Books presentation. Pictured at right is Cherille Grate of NuSkin in East Stroudsburg. The next Business and Books presentation will be held at Borders in Stroudsburg on April 16 at 5:30 p.m., when Michael Baxter, Realtor/Broker/Owner of Michael Baxter & Associates, will discuss “Commercial Real Estate in the Poconos.” See our calendar of events on page 27 for details. please recycle this paper 14 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 NEWS Marketing “Green” In A Tough Economy Marketing Momentum Heidi Blade Hewlett Companies strong in their commitment to making an impact on the environment by changing their business practices and philosophy shouldn’t be discouraged by the changing economic climate. There is still a market for your product but conscientious consumers will be more discriminating than ever before. In an ongoing Gallup Poll, it was shown that people’s tendency to prioritize the environment over the economy had declined in its ranking by the end of the 1992 recession. The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press (conducted Jan. 7-11, 2009 with a sample size of 1,503 adults) found that strengthening the economy was a higher priority today than at any point over the past decade. Protecting the environment fell the most abruptly; just 41% of the sample rated this as a top priority, down from 56% a year ago. So what does all of this research mean to a company trying to market their green products or services to a customer? The answer lies in how strong that company feels about their green philosophies and how willing they are to incorporate those philosophies throughout their value chain. According to an article in the Edmonton Journal, green marketing doesn’t stop with just promoting or advertising products or services with environmental characteristics, it “incorporates a broad range of activities, including product modification, changes to the production process, packaging changes, as well as modifying advertising. According to a study by the Boston Consulting Group (www.bcg.com) in January 2009, “the green movement is about reducing waste and minimizing our impact on the environment. Companies that (offer) differentiated green products … have been rewarded with higher margins and market share.” Be transparent about your green tendencies. Companies involved in the deceptive practice of “greenwashing” (an outwardly environmentally conscientious act with a greater, underlying purpose of profit increase) should understand that the savvy consumer is more Region’s Economic Development Director Talks “Recovery Act” Interview of Willie Taylor/US Dept of Commerce by Debbie Burke The Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce has six regional offices each covering several states. Willie Taylor, regional director of the Philadelphia office, spoke to PBJ about the Recovery Act and its potential impact upon Pennsylvania. Pocono Business Journal: How does the Recovery Act stand to benefit (or not) business in eastern PA? Willie Taylor: Philadelphia has the largest area to cover, so we typically will get the larger share, about 18-20% of the national allocation, (but specifics) depend on Congress. We recognize where some of those economically distressed areas are. A lot of this is not going directly towards the businesses, but they will be on the receiving end of the contracts. Whether it’s for road improvements, water or sewer lines, building facilities or incubators, businesses will benefit from that end. The spillover is when I got the contract and now, at lunchtime, I’m going to my local restaurant. The dollar that stays in that community when the contract comes in, you want to stop the economic leakage. PBJ: You work at a federal agency. What’s that like? I love my job. There’s a breadth and depth of the job, in working in rural and urban communities. EDA is one of few agencies (besides Commerce and HUD) that can go anywhere, urban or rural. I try to be creative, as we are not just a standard federal government office. We need to adopt the same business acumen that the private sector has. PBJ: How does this part of the state stack up with PA in general, as far the bill being a help to the business owner? We have identified what communities have the greatest need in their unemployment rate or in their per capita income. We have a story to tell. We have an outmigration of those working outside of the area and the money might be requested for setting up a satellite site. For example, when East Stroudsburg approaches the EDA they say ‘We have an outmigration and are trying to build a company or multi-tenant facility’ and that’s a private sector decision. My philosophy is that those in need will be looked at with extreme alacrity in getting the money out the door. PBJ: Are there sectors that will be impacted more favorably in the Recovery Act than others? Potentially, those that have something to do with the energy industry and that are service-oriented (industrial parks, broadband, new green infrastructure, healthcare, universities) but it depends on if they apply. This is not intended for building cafeterias or dorms, but to show workforce development, like looking at nanotech, nuclear science, and energy efficiencies. concerned about actual value than false values. Learn the definition of sustainable and apply it to your position statement. Don’t limit that sentiment to inanimate objects, but use it in terms of your internal social responsibility and human resource pool. Treat your employees well in a time of massive layoffs and pay cuts and you will strengthen your brand. Another caveat: don’t draw attention to the fact that green products cost a little more. As indicated by the organization Sustainable Life Media, “Conscious consumers aren’t buying your product because you’re the cheapest – this was never your value proposition, and never should be.” You may now be questioning whether or not it is worthwhile to market to the green consumer. In actuality, the focus may not be on marketing a green product but on promoting “green lifestyles” that would result in the purchase of facilitating products. Heidi Blade Hewlett is the owner of BladeHewlett Marketing & Development. BladeHewlett offers outsourced marketing services to companies without a full-time marketing staff and especially to small- to medium-sized businesses. BladeHewlett can be reached at (570) 2260660 or visit www.bladehewlett.com. Why Does Permitting Take So Long? By Debbie Burke DEP and PennDOT fielded audience questions, some of them apparent with frustration, about the permitting process that many complain are significantly delaying construction projects in the Poconos. At the recent “Permitting and Approval Process” sponsored by the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, James Joseph Fondi, a Realtor/associate with Coldwell Banker Commercial in Stroudsburg, stated, “We’re dealing with the businesses and developer community in a very difficult situation. I’m not saying forget about our streams. Isn’t there a way we can look at this quickly? I’m paying $12K a month while (DEP is) taking (its) full 30 days. We’re not asking (DEP) to move heaven and earth. We have projects that have been affected by the permitting process. One particular project took 2 years. I’m just befuddled! For future projects, we need to know the timeframe we’re going to get stuck with.” Another business owner, Nicholas Remy of ND Remy Associates Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors (Allentown), suggested that in this down economy, it might be feasible for engineering firms to participate in the permitting process as third-party reviewers. “We should farm (the process) out and cut it from 30 days to 10. Use engineering firms that need the work,” said Remy. When there are public hearings, noted DEP spokesperson Darryl Fritz, there are a lot of challenges to permits. “This slows down the process considerably,” he said. Center for Professional Training & Development Microsoft Office 2003 & 2007 Training Workshops Macintosh Computer Workshops Basic to Advanced Classes 7ORDs%XCEL 0OWER0OINTs!CCESS Learn to Use Your MAC Troubleshooting the Mac Workplace Feedback: Advice not Criticism &RIDAY!PRILsAMnPM Training Tomorrow’s Workforce Today (570) 941-7582 www.scranton.edu/cptd [email protected] “Making Connections Happen” For All Your Workforce Training and Recruitment Needs 570-620-2850 www.cwds.state.pa.us 15 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 COLUMN The Four Responses to Extreme Stress Sylvia Lafair Economically induced stress: the term sounds ominous. It causes responses that are a cry for help, a search for respite from a reality that is unpleasant and frightening. Extreme responses to relentless stress are usually reserved for war zones or natural disasters. Sadly, they are becoming commonplace in business where the fear of losing one’s job is palpable. Long-term employees worry that newbies are safer because they are less expensive. Minority employees wonder if diversity is still just a buzz word. New employees worry because they have not earned sweat equity. Women worry because they may be perceived as incapable of handling tough times. Males are concerned because they should always appear strong and unwavering. For companies where there have been layoffs, the remaining staff suffers from the guilt of survivorship, the “why them, not me” syndrome. When you, as a leader, observe these responses, it is to your advantage to help your employees gain an understanding of what is actually happening. Here are the four most common reactions in every organization dealing with the stress: • FLOODING is the tendency to “blow up” and repeat a statement, getting louder with each breath. There is a need to drown out the real reason for the upset and the individual is often overwhelmed with anger, fear, hurt, or sadness. The adrenaline rush provides lots of energy and the flooding can go on for hours, even days. • DEFLECTING is the tendency to block the movement of a conversation or situation, force a change in direction and prevent anything with conflict to be discussed. During times of high stress, deflectors often become obsessive-compulsive and love to just do ‘busy work.’ If there is a tense discussion the deflector will make a joke, or point to a dirt spot and make a fuss. • INDULGING is the tendency to devote oneself entirely to a specific situation and not come up for air. The individual takes a deviant pleasure in wallowing and suffering without letup; s/he complains about the effort and exhaustion, and yet is delighted to hold others captive, being the martyr and doing for them. • COMPARTMENTALIZING is the tendency to only see separate segments of a situation or only hear fragments of a conversation. The need is to disunite and divide. The total picture is too much to handle so they pick and choose only what is simple and not prone to lead to arguments. They often go to the gym when a project is due wondering why everyone is so annoyed. We all need coping mechanisms to help us through dark days. Yet this is an important time to continue to grow, learn and prepare for brighter times. Helping each other harness these responses can open the way for higher level creative energy and find solutions to present problems. It is time to think new thoughts. This is not about survival of the fittest, it is about how we can all survive and be fit! Sylvia Lafair, Ph.D. is the President of Creative Energy Options, Inc. and author of “Don’t Bring It to Work” (Jossey-Bass). She is an executive coach and consultant to family firms and global corporations. She can be reached at [email protected] or by calling (570) 636-3858. Photo credit: Ken Schurman/VIP Studios. Merger Brings Wilkins/ Coldwell Banker Full Circle Tom Wilkins, and Heather D’Adamo. By Susan Jorstad Coldwell Banker Phyllis Rubin has consolidated with Better Homes & Gardens Wilkins Associates. “Smart business people making smart business decisions – that’s what this merger is about,” said Heather D’Adamo, the former Broker/owner and president of Coldwell Banker, now executive vice-president and partner at Wilkins. Her sentiments were echoed by Tom Wilkins, CEO, who added, “It’s not about being the biggest, it’s about having the most talents from two of the most prestigious companies in the Poconos, now as one.” The merger also brings Tom Wilkins full circle in his real estate entrepreneurship: in the 1980’s, he worked for Phyllis Rubin and opened all five Poconos Coldwell Banker offices before breaking away to start his own company. “Our initial goal was to marry these two businesses 20 years ago,” he shared with Pocono Business Journal. “I was there to rep- resent our family in the resort field, to learn and get into real estate. Wilkins actually opened as a boutique office to do commercial real estate.” The day after opening his Mount Pocono office on June 15, 1988, the market plunged. He spent the next 20 years growing from a down market, from a three-person regional office to a national franchise. “Consolidating isn’t my agenda; expanding again is what I really want to do.” He has new blueprints for high-tech, 900-sq. ft. offices, each with a luxurious conference area equipped with wide-screen TV flanked by two smaller offices to be time-shared. Agents will be able to use a laptop to tie into the Internet at any office. In the meantime, the Phyllis Rubin office will close and all employees will operate from the Wilkins headquarters in Stroudsburg. Wilkins’ was the very first office to bear the BH&G name, effective July 2008. Since then, six more BH&G offices (with 1,200 agents) have opened across the country, with another large East coast company preparing to open this spring, said Doug Stryker, director of transitions for BH&G. Photo credit: Ken Schurman/VIP Studios. Leadership Tips PBJ Receives UW Director’s Award At United Way of Monroe County’s recent Community Appreciation and 2008 Campaign Awards/Appreciation Banquet held at Pocono Manor, Tim Kelly (right, above) presented PBJ Publisher Marynell Strunk with the United Way Director’s Award for PBJ’s volunteer service. Strunk serves as a United Way campaign volunteer and PBJ Editor Debbie Burke serves on the UW Marketing Committee and plays saxophone for United Way fundraisers. Said Strunk: “It was an honor to be part of the United Way efforts and work side-by-side such dedicated volunteers. I believe in what United Way stands for and look forward to Pocono Business Journal offering continued support.” 16 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Sustainability for the Environment and a Tourism-Bas By Susan Jorstad According to Washington, to be more energy efficient!” D.C.-based International In making improvements and Ecotourism Society (www. restorations, the Genzlingers say ecotourism.org), ecotourism is they keep historic preservation defined as “responsible travel in mind. to natural areas that conserves Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort the environment and improves (chosen as a Green List winner the well-being of local people.” in this issue) was selected by Rather than simply using the PMVB to host this year’s Tourism labels of ‘green’ and ‘ecoDay Conference in recognition friendly’ as marketing tools, this of its efforts to reduce its carbon movement makes a conscious footprint. The Greater Pocono departure from the luxury- and Chamber of Commerce also gave consumption-focused mainstream its Save Our Planet Award to the in a way that doesn’t contribute to resort in 2005 and 2006 and to ecological degradation. Spa Shawnee in 2008. “These “Sustainable tourism is about few recognitions have given us refocusing and re-adapting,” a green reputation which we states Rachel Dodds, PhD, appreciate as we cherish and director of Sustaining Tourism, protect the natural beauty that a Canadian-based consulting surrounds us,” stated Monica firm. A balance must be found Startari, director of marketing. Whitewater Challengers in Weatherly and White Haven has tasked itself between limits and usage so Whitewater Challengers with being a steward of the Lehigh River Gorge. (Photo credit: Whitewater that continuous changing, (Weatherly, White Haven) is Challengers.) monitoring and planning ensure a premiere whitewater rafting tourism can be managed. This destination in the pristine Lehigh requires thinking long-term (10, 20+ years) and realizing that change River Gorge running through Lehigh Gorge State Park, a narrow, 30‑mile is often cumulative, gradual and irreversible. Economic, social and strip of land along the western edge of the Pocono Mountains. Four environmental aspects of sustainable development must include the years ago, local, state and federal government agencies worked together interests of all stakeholders including local communities, visitors, to schedule special water releases from Francis Walter Dam (in White industry and government.” Dodds’ web site, www.sustainabletourism. Haven) for the benefit of downstream recreation, including whitewater com, compares the environmental impacts of individuals worldwide. boating and fishing. The result has been improved water quality, One U.S. program, Travel Green Wisconsin, rates more than 200 expanded fishing opportunities and a boon in whitewater rafting trips. tourism-related enterprises and organizations, from accommodations Challengers has also made a mission out of its stewardship of the river and attractions, to restaurants, convention centers and non-profits. The gorge. certification process examines every aspect of a participant’s organization, “There was a time when ecotouring seemed faddish and cutting including energy efficiency, conservation, and production with renewable edge, but today, it’s become more and more mainstream, and is the energy sources; sustainable purchasing practices; local community fastest growing part of the booming travel industry,” says marketing benefits; and wastewater management. The result, explains coauthor director Nancy Pilecki. “WC’s four-hour rafting tour down the river John Ivanko in ‘ECOpreneuring,’ published in the December 2008 helps you notice and appreciate the environmental qualities and Travel magazine, is a greater transparency of the state’s tourism industry, special value of your surroundings. But the trip includes a commitment which has led to a boost in business for those with high marks. to keep the resource clean and pure for visitors who come tomorrow, The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, in striving to become a next year, or a generation from now. We like to go way beyond ‘leaving green organization, seeks to provide similar incentive and benefit no trace.’ We take it as our responsibility to leave the river and the to both local tourism establishments and visitors through its newly gorge cleaner than when we arrived.” The company also: established Green Team. The team meets every two weeks to discuss • Recycles cans, bottles and cardboard; prints on recycled paper ‘greening’ its operations. • Engages guests in a Pledge to Plant program Several tourist-driven businesses that have stepped-up eco• Uses energy saving lighting consciousness include The Settlers Inn in Hawley; Shawnee Inn & Golf. • Purchases corn-based (rather than oil-based) plastic plates and For Settlers Inn owners Grant and Jeanne Genzlinger, being ecoutensils for its buffet service conscious is described as a personal philosophy that they’ve carried • Offers a matching program for the optional purchase of “carbon through to their business for 29 years, from recycling to driving hybridcredits” for guests who want to go the extra step of offsetting the car business vehicles. (Settlers won a spot on the first annual PBJ Green greenhouse emissions resulting from driving to the destination. Visit List in 2008). www.CarbonFund.org to see how these credits work. Subtle placement of recycling wastebaskets in guest rooms, next to Eco-friendly goals for 2009 include matching its guest and crew in the regular wastebaskets, “makes it easy for guests and housekeeping,” planting a minimum of 5,000 trees and in purchasing at least 1,000 says Jeanne. “We try to provide luxury, but always with a sense of carbon offsets; and recycling at least 25,000 aluminum cans, 25,000 protecting and sustaining. It’s a challenge to re-adapt a 1927 building plastic bottles and 10,000 lbs of cardboard. 17 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 Pace Yourself, You Need Earth’s Resources To Do Business sed Economy Green Tourism Day Conference – May 13 “Turning Green into Green” is the theme for this year’s annual Pocono Mountains Tourism Day. The conference will be presented by the Pocono Mountains Visitor Bureau (PMVB) on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at the Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort, from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. “We have selected Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort to be the host, as they are one of our proudest green contributors and really have made it their focus,” says Alicia Quinn, director of public relations, PMVB. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Susan Cook, senior vice president of Research U.S. Travel Association. She will explain the Sustainable Travel Initiative which the U.S. Travel Association is implementing in partnership with American Express. Cook’s presentation will also give attendees a look at how the new www.travelgreen.org Web site can assist them in being environmentally responsible. Lisa Alexander, Green Building Consultant, will present the session “What Does Green Mean?” and moderate a panel on “Green Operations: What Are Tourism Businesses Doing?” In the afternoon, she will give a workshop for Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns on “Greening Your Inn.” Patrick Maher, of The Maher Group and the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s ‘green guru’ will address the AH&LA Green Task Force Initiative and how the AH&LA can assist lodging facilities in being environmentally responsible. His presentation is titled “EcoFriendly Meets Economic.” During the Pocono Mountains Tourism Achievement Awards Luncheon, the PMVB will be honoring employees and businesses in the following categories: Brand Hero Awards, Outstanding Tourism Employee of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Community Service, Green Award, and Brand Champion. To register online, visit: 800poconos.com/tourismday or contact Adriane Holloway at (570) 421-5791 for more information. By Debbie Burke Jay Banner Recently in an interview aired on National Public Radio, Dr. Jay Banner of the University of Texas at Austin went on record with Earth Sky Communications Inc. (www. earthsky.org) about sustainable business practices. Banner is a professor and Dave P. Carlton Centennial Fellow in Geology. While some of his responses follow below, PBJ asked him to delve deeper into this issue and specifically address how, in the current economic climate, businesses even afford to move towards sustainability. Jay Banner: There are a couple of main reasons why corporations should be interested in sustainability. Number one, if they can use [fewer] materials, and that’s making things more sustainable to create the same product, that actually helps their bottom line dramatically. The second main reason that corporations ought to be really interested in sustainability is having a source of their products – the resources that their products are made out of – far into the future. If they’re not basically using resources in a sustainable way to make their products, they’ll run out of materials that their products are made out of. And that’s not going to be good for business. PBJ: How would you modify these comments in light of today’s economy: can businesses afford to do this now, with the eventual potential for ROI later? Banner: This will vary from business to business, as some of the gains to using more sustainable business practices come to pass in the short-term, while others will take beyond the time scale of a few annual reports to come to fruition. In this economy, there may actually be some incentives for becoming more sustainable. It will indeed be interesting to see how the economic stimulus package will incentivize institutions to become more energy conservation minded and to develop alternative energy sources. Corporations need to be visionary and not look at what’s best for the bottom line in the next quarter or the next year, but look at what’s best for their bottom line 10 years from now. And I think if they do that, everyone wins. PBJ: How does ecotourism play into this; does preserving natural resources also help the economy especially for those regions heavily dependent on tourism and attracting visitors as well as companies? Banner: Preserving natural resources certainly helps the economy for regions that are dependent on tourism, but it some cases it can be even more important in regions that are not so dependent on tourism. The ecosystem service of filtration of water is a good example of this. Without clean water, no region can flourish economically. PBJ: What part of the country does this well? Banner: I don’t think any particular part of the country is doing better than another overall, but I think some parts have become better at some aspects of sustainability out of necessity. Many regions in the southwest U.S., for example, have had to deal with sustaining water resources in their arid climate, so that the education and practice of water conservation in those regions are ahead of the rest of the country. As other regions may face the prospects of more pressure on water resource sustainability as population grows and climate changes, they may be able to learn the best practices of the Southwest. For more information, the audio podcast can be heard at http://www.earthsky.org/radioshows/52785/whycorporations-should-go-green, or view his presentation on corporations and sustainability at http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=Gk-FFd1gnWc. 18 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 OP ED Community Banks In PA Are Sturdy, Healthy Frank Pinto Despite what you see on the morning news shows, late-night talk shows, and every show in the middle, not every bank in America is on the verge of failure. In fact, there are many banks—the majority of banks even— that are still lending and open for new business. These banks are your community banks, and they make up the foundation of Main Street here in Pennsylvania and across the nation. There are nearly 200 community banks across Pennsylvania, and they employ 40,000 people. These banks continue to provide mortgages, business loans, student loans, and many other services. These banks did not utilize sub-prime mortgages, poor investment strategies, or deceptive lending practices. The difference between community banks and regional and national mega-banks is like the difference between night and day. The leadership and management of community banks live in your communities, attend your churches, and their kids go to school with your kids. I guarantee there are no million dollar waste baskets in their offices. Community banks make their decisions based on the needs of Main Street. Mega-banks are tempted and lured by the riches of Wall Street in their decisions. Astraia Security Alliance LLC Employment and Tenant Screening Services, Recruiting, Corporate Culture Consulting The key to a successful business is hiring and retaining the most qualified employees. It takes time, dedication and skill to recruit and interview candidates for employment. Maintaining employee moral and a strong productive work environment can be accomplished with the right planning in place. If your company is at a stand still and you need a fresh perspective to continue the growth and prosperity of your company, we have the trained staff to assist you with your needs. We offer the following services to achieve all of your needs: County, State and Federal Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Database Search, Fraud and Abuse Database Search, Certification and License Verification, Drug Testing, Personality and Leadership Testing, Recruiting, Interview Screening, Education Verification, Strategic Planning, and more….. Let us help you take your business to the next level. All services are custom made to fit your company’s requirements and budgets. [email protected] 630 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570-369-0411 [email protected] Treasury Secretary Geithner on the other end, we must continue to remind our customers, communities, and elected officials that community banks remain strong, stable, and open for business. Frank A. Pinto is the President/CEO of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers, the exclusive voice for community banks in Pennsylvania since 1876. Sign Announces New Hospital Under Construction Photo courtesy of Westfield Hospital. PA Community Bankers However, the media and the government have deemed us all guilty by association. Recall a recent quote by Congressman Barney Frank, Chairman of the U.S. House Banking and Services Committee, “People really hate you, and they are starting to hate us just for hanging out with you.” This type of mob mentality really does a disservice to both the consumers and the community bankers. By lumping community banks in with the banks that actually caused our economic meltdown, the government is hampering our ability to pull the country out of this mess. Actions like allowing bank holding company status to GMAC and pumping them full of money to subsidize 0% financing, imposing emergency FDIC premiums to all banks despite their posed systemic risk, the insistence on mark to market accounting, and intensified regulatory scrutiny are all impeding forces to letting community bankers do what they do best—make responsible loans to consumers that will pay them back. In order to climb out of this massive, messy hole which the mega-banks, GSEs (Government Sponsored Entities) such as Freddie and Fannie, investment banks, and unscrupulous lenders have dug for us, we need the government to recognize a few things: 1) We can no longer allow banks to become too big to fail because we can no longer afford to keep bailing them out; 2) Community banks on Main Street took no part in any of the dubious activities that caused this crisis, and should not be penalized in the “solutions;” 3) We need honesty and transparency in the entire industry--no more “cooking the books” or risky/exotic lending instruments that bypass responsible lending; and 4) The solution to this mess is not more money, it’s a series of tough policy decisions to restore order to Wall Street while recognizing the continued stability on Main Street. Until my phone rings with President Obama or Westfield Hospital North, a privately owned, small community hospital in East Stroudsburg, will open its doors in mid-2010. The 65-bed facility will have a 16-bed Emergency Department, 6 operating rooms, a 10-bed Intensive Care Unit and outpatient diagnostics. The GreenBuild Expo ’08 Another Successful Year Lisa Alexander Every year since 1970, we celebrate Earth Day in April. Every November since 2000, those in the Green Building industry celebrate their Earth Day in the form of The Annual GreenBuild Convention and Expo. Organized every year by the U.S. Green Building Council (www.usgbc.org), Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to the green building industry. It’s a Green Expo in every way including the required use of local organic food, plant-based packaging, recycling, and no free useless giveaway products that just consume too many resources to manufacture and ship, and end up in our landfills. More than 28,000 attendees came to this year’s GreenBuild in Boston, representing a 25% increase from last year. In a time when most industry trade shows have been getting smaller, every year the Greenbuild expo grows larger in every way. The USGBC is a non-profit organization established in 1993 to support and promote the design and construction of sustainable, energy efficient buildings that are socially and environmentally responsible and healthy for both the building’s residents and the planet. It accomplishes this primarily through its Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, which applies to all types of buildings and is comprised of five main categories: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, green materials and resource selection, and indoor environmental quality. It has become the most nationally recognized and trusted green building benchmark to aspire to. Building or renovating using the LEED guidelines will amount to large long term savings in both energy and health costs. LEED can save business money in energy costs as well as in productivity. The USGBC estimates that employees in environmentally friendly buildings experience up to a 20% increase in productivity and as much as 80% fewer days lost to illness caused by poor indoor air quality. Lisa Alexander, LEED® AP is a Certified EcoBroker® and the CEO of Green Life, Inc. She is based in Paupack. 19 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 ECONOMY Dawn Ferrante, The New Face Of Ec Dev In Carbon Not Quite Retired In The Poconos For many, the idea of retirement brings to mind numerous questions, and now, retirees are wondering if they will ever get to take that post-retirement vacation. For early retirees, these issues are complicated by the current economic circumstances and knowing that, thanks to their age, health and talents, they are able to keep working; but how? Police and fire personnel fall into this category. Nationwide, the average age for retirement for this group is 50-55 years old. Additionally, as reported by the National Center for Health Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans enjoy a longer life span of 78.1 years old. This places them in an interesting predicament. Due to their age, many must supplement income to meet the needs of their young families, pay mortgages, and tackle college bills for their children. In addition, they have learned that those who did not plan properly are faced with decreased pensions and limited employment options. So now, their preferences for a secondary career reflect a new trend, as entrepreneurship is the career of choice. Its appeal is multi-faceted. As entrepreneurs, they can create a business entity derived from activities they enjoyed in the years before retirement. They can also continue to serve their communities. Two examples within our own community are Jack Manuel of the Pocono Township Police Department and John Jakobsen of the Stroud Area Regional Police Department. Manuel is the owner of Paradise Tanning Salon, located on Route 611 in Tannersville. After a considerable amount of research, the salon was a perfect solution for him. “Preparing for retirement was about owning a business in the town I grew up in and giving back to this town,” he says. Through his support of the Tannersville Little League, and other volunteer activities, he is able to realize his goals. Owning a business can be time-consuming. Delivering great customer service is the primary objective and he credits his staff’s dependability and team spirit as the key ingredient to fulfilling their obligations to their customers. In comparison, Jakobsen is facing retirement within a few years and has researched prospective business opportunities for years. When he stumbled upon the scrolling advertising truck, his search was over. “The (MA-2 multimedia) truck is very popular in Las Vegas and with the introduction of gambling and other Pocono vacation amenities, this was a perfect fit for me,” explains Jakobsen. “The truck has the capability of displaying up to 30 billboards at a time and is equipped with a GPS tracking system. This technology allows customers to track the vehicle’s route.” Jakobsen sees PA Mobility Advertising, Inc. as an opportunity to take care of his family post-retirement and perform a community service, with his decision to offer free billboard space for local not-for-profits. By Debbie Burke A new Economic Development Director has been named in Carbon County. Dawn Ferrante has replaced Toni Artuso, who retired after 17 years in the role. She brings a broad range of business and technology experience to the department as both Economic Development Director and also Executive Dawn Ferrante Director for the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation, a private non-profit also involved in local economic development efforts. Commissioner William O’Gurek said, “Dawn’s background and experience will be good for the county and our future projects. We are pleased to have her on our team.” During her years of consulting for all types and sizes of businesses, Ferrante assisted companies in developing software applications, business strategies, marketing plans, and gaining operational efficiency. As a consultant, her client list includes AT&T, Fujitsu, Clorox, Apple Computer, Qwest, Comcast, Lucent, Level 3, Ingersoll Rand, Caterpillar, Sephora, Xcel Energy, Verizon, BellSouth and Telus. “I have worked on some highly complex, technically challenging projects in a management capacity and feel this background will serve me well tackling some of the industrial development projects Carbon County currently has underway.” stated Ferrante. Carbon County has two major industrial development projects underway. Packerton Yards, which is in the process of receiving necessary permits for access to the future development, has received funds from state gaming revenues to begin the first phase of construction. In addition, Carbon County recently announced a private venture that is developing a solar park in Nesquehoning that will bring green energy business and jobs to the area. Ferrante added, “Our economic development strategy will be multi-pronged and include support of existing businesses, development of entrepreneurs, industrial development and attraction, and utilizing the existing community partnerships and assets of Carbon County.” Dawn Ferrante can be reached at (570) 325-2810 or by email at [email protected]. Perspectives On The Economy – Carbon County Dawn Ferrante Carbon County Director of Economic Development “Carbon County is undergoing growth related to our economic development activities. Packerton Yards is the county-sponsored effort aimed at developing four to five tracts that will have rail service in addition to all the standard amenities for an industrial site. Groundbreaking is scheduled for the fall of 2009. In addition, the Nesquehoning solar park is being developed by a private group which will allow Carbon County to take a leadership role in the development of green industry and green jobs. We see ourselves taking the lead in this area and hope to build on the strong foundation being built by this effort. Groundbreaking for the solar park is slated for next month. “Carbon County also has a lot of work to do around workforce development and partnering our local educational resources with county businesses. It’s important to support our existing businesses in these turbulent economic times, and making programs available through workforce training will be one way we can do that. Another area we consider important right now as people get laid off from larger corporate entities is supporting their efforts to start their own businesses. Entrepreneurship is an important aspect of a long-term economic development strategy, and helping those that are willing to take a risk and start their own efforts will be important to our community. “Carbon County has tremendous resources around local groups and organizations and we will work to identify those via an Asset Mapping Program. The idea would be that by combining efforts these groups can accomplish more than by working alone. Part of the challenge with this is that many key groups and individuals don’t know of one another. By simply identifying disparate groups we can help create economies of scale. “Lastly, our area is one of the most picturesque in the region and we will continue to grow and nurture our tourism industry. This has been the low-hanging fruit with respect to economic development, but there is still much work to be done and balancing the growth of tourism with conservation and long-term planning will also be important.” Pa. Anti-Discrimination Bill Advances Out Of Committee A House committee last month approved a bill that would protect people who live or work in Pennsylvania from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. The bill would address discrimination in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations. House State Government Committee Chairwoman Babette Josephs, D-Phila., led the committee in the12-11 vote to send the bill (H.B. 300) to the full House of Representatives. The bill has more than 70 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House, including all members of the majority leadership. Pennsylvania’s Human Relations Act already bans discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, a non-job related handicap or disability, or the use of a guide or support animal due to a person being blind, deaf or having a physical handicap. Source: State Rep. Dan Frankel (D, Allegheny) 5 54 3 3 " / 1 " 0 * & " 5) 65 & # ' 00 &7 3 ÀvÌ « ÎÊ >Ì Ê xä£ À}>â Ê >Þ ÌðÀ} ` Ì Ê Ì >À ià V °« Èä ÜÜÜ °{ÇÈ°{{ xÇä By Angela M. Tullo Holly R. Corcoran, CPA, Inc. Certified Public Accountant Quality professional accounting and tax services for businesses & individuals since 1991. QuickBooks ® Pro-Advisors For Appointment Call 570-420-8656 20 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP Legislative Roundup Compiled by Debbie Burke We asked our local and regional legislators: What “green” initiatives are you currently championing? Sen. David Argall (R, 29) “As a member of the House of Representatives for the past 25 years, I have championed a number of measures to aid our environment. One such measure is my “Living Near Your Work Community Development Tax Credit Program.” Specifically, this legislation would amend the current Tax Reform Act of 1972 by providing a minimum $6,000 tax credit for every $12,000 that a business grants to employees to help them purchase a home near their place of employment. This measure, based on successful programs in other states, will bring families closer to the workplace. In addition, the LNYW program is designed to reduce pollution, save workers commuting time and decrease the advancement of urban sprawl. As the new Senator for the 29th District in Schuylkill, Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton counties, I look forward to working with my colleagues to reach a consensus on this and other important legislation in this session.” Sen. Lisa Baker (R, 20) “More than 85 percent of the stockpiled scrap tires in the United States are located in just seven states, including Pennsylvania. We need to fund the clean-up of large scrap tire piles, which pose a threat to our health, safety and environment. These piles are mosquito breeding grounds that could lead to the spread of West Nile Virus. They are also prone to fires that are very difficult to extinguish and produce toxic air emissions and harmful groundwater runoff. Pennsylvania currently collects a $1 fee on every new tire sold for highway use, but that money is not being used for the disposal of tires. This session, I will work to see that a portion of this money is used for this purpose.” Sen. Lisa M. Boscola (D, 18) Unavailable for comment Sen. Patrick M. Browne (R, 16) “I recently sponsored $50 million dollars of Alternative Energy Production Tax Credits that were part of the 2008 Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Investment Act. Examples of the eligible projects for these tax credits include ones which manufacture or produce products that provide renewable energy, utilize alternative energy resources or develop or enhance rail transportation systems that deliver alternative or renewable fuel. The Diesel-Powered Motor Vehicle Idling Act (Act 124), which I sponsored, restricts heavy-duty diesel vehicles from idling more than five minutes per hour. This law will produce significant energy and air quality benefits for Pennsylvania citizens. Its provisions went into effect January 1, 2009.” US Rep. Chris Carney (D, 10) Unavailable for comment US Sen. Robert Casey (D,PA) Unavailable for comment Rep. Mike Carroll (D, 118) Unavailable for comment US Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski (D, 11) “Last summer, I cosponsored a bill which passed in the House to help fund public transportation, including helping to enable transit systems to convert to more energy efficient technologies while also lowering people’s gas costs. Additionally, the recently passed recovery package includes many initiatives to meet the energy challenges of the 21st century by increasing renewable energy production and renovating public buildings to make them more energy efficient. The bill includes $16.8 billion for such initiatives which will help create good jobs, decrease our dependence on foreign oil, and reduce our carbon footprint.” Rep. Sandra Major (R, 111) “In 2008, I voted to concur with state Senate amendments to the Alternative Energy Investment Act which provides funding, mostly in the form of bonds, for a variety of green energy projects. As the program takes shape, I want to make sure it is implemented properly and fairly. Additionally, I have co-sponsored a resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to review the Commonwealth’s program of providing grants for environmental protection and improvement projects under the Growing Greener and the Community Conservation Partnerships programs.” Rep. Keith McCall (D, 122) “The biggest green project in Carbon County right now is also the biggest green project this side of Nevada: the Nesquehoning Solar Park soon to be built at the Green Acres Industrial Park. I was proud to work with Green Energy Capital Partners and the Kovatch Corporation to get this project moving and I was proud to bring home dollars from Harrisburg to help fund site preparation and construction. Carbon County’s anthracite powered the industrial revolution and still powers a lot of our nation’s homes and energy plants, and now we’re going to take the lead with clean, green, renewable energy to help get us off the foreign oil habit.” Sen. Robert J. Mellow (D, 22) “I will soon be reintroducing my four-bill energy package that would invest over $71 million to help put Pennsylvania at the national forefront in the development and use of cellulosic fuels. The four proposals would provide: • $40 million in grants and low-interest loans for the construction of cellulosic ethanol production facilities in Pennsylvania. Our state must step up now and position itself to reap the economic and environmental benefits of this new energy technology. • $10 million in research and development tax credits and another $10 million for production tax credits to cellulosic ethanol production facilities. • $5 million annually in tax credits to subsidize farmers who plant energy crops such as switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol production. The bill also offers another $5 million in tax credits to help better control the costs of maintaining such crops. The measure is designed to provide an economic cushion for farmers who must nurture crops like switchgrass through two growing cycles before they can be harvested. • $1 million to educate farmers about the methods and benefits of the use of crops used in the production of cellulosic ethanol. Sen. Raphael J. Musto (D, 14) “In this legislative session, I am continuing to push for the increased use of alternative energy in Pennsylvania, strengthening our local recycling programs, and cleaning up our waterways using innovative technologies. I am also interested in seeing more of our abandoned mine lands reclaimed for productive uses.” Rep. Mike Peifer (R, 139) “I am working on legislation to encourage the development of wood pellet energy - trying to create a constant supply and demand for this renewable, low-ash content, energy product.” see ROUNDUP page 21 21 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 INTERVIEW ROUNDUP... cont. from page 20 Rep. Mario M. Scavello (R, 176) New Exec Director For Pike Chamber Sees Growth, Infrastructure As Top Concerns “I am a co-sponsor of several bills already this session that encourage the construction of high-performance buildings and authorize tax credits; require the use of biodiesel by Commonwealth-owned vehicles; promote the use of switchgrass and other bioenergy crops for the revegetation of lands affected by surface mining activities; establish recycling programs for consumer electronics; and provide a tax credit on purchases of Energy Star rated replacement windows and other products.” Rep. John J. Siptroth (D, 189) “Since taking office, I have dedicated myself to supporting green energy businesses in Pennsylvania. Energy independence and the transition to an economy that is free from dependency on fossil fuels will be a big challenge for the state. For several years I have actively supported DMI Manufacturing, a small local manufacturer of an energy conservation device. It is now poised to rapidly expand and I anticipate many new jobs to be created locally as a result. My office has been hard at work promoting Monroe and Pike counties to green energy companies outside of Pennsylvania and recently initiated a series of meetings in Monroe County between state officials, regional economic development corporations and companies interested in building solar panel manufacturing plants, solar farms, biodiesel plants and other projects in the area. I am advocating with our congressmen and senators for funding for these projects from the energy portion of the federal stimulus package. I intend to do everything I can to pave the way for new jobs in the green energy sector for Monroe and Pike county residents.” US Sen. Arlen Specter (R, PA) “In the 110th Congress I co-authored climate change legislation titled ‘The Low Carbon Economy Act’. This legislation sets forth a reasoned approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the range called for by scientists while still protecting our economy, spurring advanced energy technologies, and engaging key developing countries. The bill includes mechanisms to ensure that its effect on energy and electricity prices is modest, and, in doing so, ensures a smooth transition to a low carbon future. The bill responds to the urgency of the climate change challenge with a politically viable, economically responsible, technologically feasible, and scientifically justifiable strategy.” Rep. Edward G. Staback (D, 115) Unavailable for comment PBJ: What does Pike have to offer that will help move it forward? Pike County is a diversified area with many wonderful components, such as the historic and recreation areas. The people here are friendly, the schools are excellent, taxes are relatively low, community involvement is high and the county is uniquely positioned next to both New York and New Jersey. Danielle Jordan PBJ: Fill in the blank: We want Pike to become the next _____________. And, how will you work with the Pike County Economic Development Authority (PCEDA) and Harrisburg to make this happen? Interview by Debbie Burke From many years of interviewing business owners and professionals in Monroe County, Danielle Jordan has gained an understanding of their concerns and their hopes. Formerly a reporter for Blue Ridge Cable TV-13 and cohost of the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce’s radio show, Jordan has assumed her new responsibilities as the head of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce in February. Pocono Business Journal got some face time with her and talked about her plans to support and grow the business community in Pike. Pocono Business Journal: You’re obviously familiar with Monroe County, having worked in TV, covering a lot of events related to the business community. How will that knowledge be beneficial in your new role as the Pike County Chamber’s new executive director? Danielle Jordan: Having had the opportunity to interview such a wide range of businesses on many topics has given me a unique insight into the many facets of the business world. It also has been beneficial because I have gained an understanding of the people behind the businesses and their goals and challenges. PBJ: What do you see as the top challenges that businesses in Pike face today? With growth comes opportunity, however, it also brings challenges. Long term issues for Pike County are going to include matters associated with population growth and the stress that puts upon infrastructure and environmental sustainability. In the short term, certainly the economy is on the top of every business owner’s mind. PBJ: How do you plan to overcome these challenges? Smart, careful growth is important and staying connected to many local agencies is imperative. Right now my job is to listen and understand what challenges various businesses are facing in Pike County. Ultimately, we want to help local businesses meet these challenges and thrive. I want Pike County to be a unique region all on its own. In conjunction with the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee and our relationship with the PCEDA, I am becoming involved with both local and statewide issues in Harrisburg. PBJ: What is unique about your background that you will put to use as you help business owners in the county? At first, I answered this question by referencing my experience in business development, marketing and public relations. But upon reconsidering, I want to convey what I believe is truly unique about my ability to help business owners. The answer is that I care about what happens to this area. As a true “people person,” I enjoy interacting and playing a part in helping people succeed in their businesses. I also believe that communication is important and I am a very good listener. PBJ: What do you hope to achieve in your first year? A lot. Foremost, I hope to create the trust and support that is needed to become a true advocate for the business members that I represent. PBJ: How do you plan on engaging business owners and professionals from all corners of the county? The chamber of commerce is at the heart of the local economy because that is where businesses come together and gain strength from each other. We are looking at ways to develop unique events throughout the entire Pike County region. Becoming a member of a chamber of commerce is the most cost-effective marketing you can do for your business and that is why so many well respected businesses make it a priority in their business plan. Pike County is growing fast and this chamber has a wonderful opportunity to grow as well. PBJ: Attracting and retaining business in Pike takes on a special meaning now that we are faced with severe economic challenges. What can business owners do to keep the economy here thriving? When a budget plan gets tight, the first area to be cut is usually marketing and advertising. Because this notion is detrimental on so many levels, I would first advise owners to think about what your business does better than anyone else. Figure out what makes your business unique and then advertise that service or product. For example: A store that stays open late once a week may be a huge benefit to area people who commute. Advertising that you have special commuter-friendly hours may increase your sales. It is important to stand out among your competition and to be as customer-friendly as possible. In an economy like this you need to be more creative and effective. Get your business straight with e-books www.monroepl.org remote database and business resource services 22 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 NEWS FOCUS LIST Energy Savings Comes In A Gray Steel Cabinet Photo credit: DMI Guy Lestician, president and CEO of DMI Manufacturing, and a local inventor with possibly the next big development in energy savings. By Nicholas Sergi It may be about time. The cost of electric utilities is about to increase dramatically as rate caps come off next year. The nation is in the midst of an economic crisis, with businesses and residents looking to save money however they can. And the environment continues to be a widespread concern around the nation. With all of these factors at the forefront of public consciousness, East Stroudsburg inventor Guy Lestician, president and CEO of DMI Manufacturing (Stroudsburg), is certain that circumstances are right for actively marketing his patented Energy Bank Unit. These energysaving units which are designed to improve the power quality while acting as a surge suppressor during lightning storms can be manufactured according to the energy requirements in a customer’s facility, with sizes ranging from residential to industrial “There is a guarantee of 11% energy savings per kilowatt hour, but it can go higher, to 20%,” says Lestician. Savings of 30% were documented last year during product demonstrations at Wilkes University School of Science and Engineering in WilkesBarre. “It’s a unique product,” Lestician adds. “You don’t need MIT graduates to build it.” The units have been assembled by workers with disabilities at Burnley Employment and Lean on us. At Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG), our expert advice starts with expert listening — to your challenges, needs and dreams. To us, the art of client collaboration goes hand in hand with the strategy of project management. HRG partners seamlessly and completely with clients, delivering full-service engineering capabilities and proactively keeping you informed along the way. Stimulus: Small Business © 2009 Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. Take the first step. Learn more at hrg-inc.com or call us today. WATER & ENERGY • TRANSPORTATION • LAND DEVELOPMENT • WATER RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL • SURVEYING/GPS • GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FINANCIAL • ELECTRICAL 570.629.7140 • www.hrg-inc.com HRG-08701-03_PBJ_Apr2009_4_8125x1 1 Rehabilitation Center in Stroudsburg. “We are always going to use their workers to manufacture the EBU’s.” This is a relationship that he assures will continue even if his company should expand and relocate. In fact, Lestician notes the time is right for such an expansion. He is looking for new investors and is widening his net: “I’m prepared to go global.” When that happens, he is hopeful it will create many jobs to meet increased demand. At the moment, however, DMI lacks capital. “We are sitting on a product that will revolutionize the reduction of energy throughout the world,” he says. But the challenge now is to meet the production demands of investors while connecting with the new presidential administration’s energy experts. Lestician is banking on the fact that the EBU is precisely the sort of U.S.-manufactured energy-saving project that President Barack Obama’s team is looking for, but creating the proper political inroads is a challenge he faces. He has had the backing of State Representative John Siptroth and Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski, who Lestician calls “stepping stones in the political scheme to stay here” and to eventually obtain support from Washington Although he wouldn’t name names, Lestician, who continues the search for investors, says, “There are a couple of major companies that are watching.” 2/2/09 2:05:32 PM According to Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski’s guidebook on The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $730 million is provided to the Small Business Administration (www.sba. gov) “and makes changes to the agency’s lending and investment programs so that they can reach more small businesses that need help.” An excerpt of these changes follows below (visit http://kanjorski.house.gov and click on “Learn About The Recovery Package” for more information): Microloans ($30 million) Provides $30 million for expanding SBA’s Microloan program, enough to finance up to $50 million in new lending and $24 million in technical assistance grants to microlenders. Temporary Fee Reductions or Eliminations ($375 million) $375 million for temporary fee reductions or eliminations on SBA loans. Most fees are reduced or eliminated through September 2010 on certain SBA loans. Secondary Market Expansion Authorizes SBA to establish a secondary market for pools of “first lien” loans under the 504 program. These “first lien” loans from commercial lenders currently have no SBA guarantee. 90 Percent Guarantee Allows the SBA to raise its loan guarantee from the current levels to up to 90 percent for some loans. Currently, SBA can guarantee loans up to 85 percent on loans up to $15,000 and up to 75% on loans greater than $150,000. The 50 percent guarantee on SBA Express loans would remain unchanged. Surety Bonds ($15 million) Raises the maximum contract amount that can be covered by an SBA guaranteed surety bond from $2 million to $5 million, and, under certain circumstances, for contracts amounting to $10 million, and provides additional funds to cover the costs of expanding this program. Business Stabilization Loans ($225 million) Creates a new SBA loan program to provide deferred-payment loans of up to $35,000 to viable small businesses that need the money to make payments on an existing, qualifying loan for up to six months. Refinancing Authorizes refinancing for certain SBA loans so borrowers can expand their businesses on favorable terms, and help create jobs in their communities. Investment Program Helps SBA-licensed Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) and families of SBIC funds better leverage the capital they use to invest in small businesses. (Source: Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.) 23 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 BUSINESS BRIEFS WHO’s WHO BAILEY BANACK SACCI BOEHNING SERPICO Antonelli – James Antonelli of the Tobyhanna Army Depot has been appointed deputy director of the Production Management Directorate. He supervises 230 people who perform workload and operations analysis, and the supply chain management function for the mission areas. Bailey – Deborah A. Bailey, owner and proprietor of Connections Magazine and Bailey Design and Advertising in Honesdale, has been designated as one of the Top 25 Women in Business in Northeast PA by the Association of Women Business Owners and the Northeast Business Journal. Banack – Mark Banack has joined the team of Fitzgerald GMAC Real Estate (Stroudsburg) as an Associate Broker. Banack holds more than five years of experience in real estate. Bartlett – Anne Marie Bartlett of Weichert, Realtors ruffino Real Estate in Milford has earned Realtor of the Month for February. Bocci – Louis Bocci has been recognized for 30 years of service to the Tobyhanna Army Depot as an electroplater supervisor, Refinishing Services Division, Systems Integration, and Support Directorate. Boehning – Coldwell Banker Commercial Pennco Real Estate in Stroudsburg has hired Robert Boehning as a corporate services specialist. Boehning will offer consulting services in the areas of land development, permits and entitlement approvals, project management and asset analysis. Briggs – Dr. Philip J. Briggs, distinguished professor emeritus of political science at East Stroudsburg University, recently spoke at the Corson Poley Center in Burlington, N.J., on the role of a Continental Army amphibious unit in 1776. Brockelman – Former president of the Pocono Mountains Assoc. of Realtors and area broker Vickie Brockelman has opened Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LLC in Mt. Pocono. The agency provides customized solutions for each client. Capone – Thomas Capone has been hired as senior vice president and regional executive at Pennstar Bank, overseeing commercial banking and business development in Luzerne, Monroe and Pike Counties. Casebolt – Dr. Kevin Casebolt, chair and associate professor of Movement Activities and Lifetime Fitness at East Stroudsburg University, delivered a presentation at the National Association of Kinesiology and Physical Education in Higher Education and had two manuscripts accepted for publication. Colon – Melba Colon has been recognized for 5 years of service at Wayne Bank. Since August 2003, Melba has been part of the items processing department at the main branch in Honesdale. DiCindio – Gloria C. DiCindio of CENTURY21 Select Group (headquartered in Hamlin) has earned her real estate broker’s license for the State of Pennsylvania. She will continue to specialize in residential property sales in the North Pocono area. Eagan – Bette Eagan of the Pike County Builders Association was invited by the National Association of Home Builders to work at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas. Eagan was responsible for assisting customers with finding books, working with UPS to ship them out and give additional discounts and gifts out to members from Pike and surrounding counties of Pennsylvania. Esposito – Patrick Esposito, director of Production Management at the Tobyhanna Army Depot has been recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding C4ISR Personnel of the Year for 2008. The award signifies contribution to the Depot and the COLON VASHLISHAN DICINDIO WILKLOW FEINMAN YAMIALKOWSKI U.S. Army CECOM Life Cycle Management Command. Feinman – Jason Feinman of Weichert, REALTORS® has earned the At Home with Diversity certification from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). In order to receive this certification, Feinman completed a course to help develop skills for working with home buyers and sellers of all backgrounds. Francescangeli – Dr. Vincent Francescangeli Jr. of Pocono Internal Medicine Specialists has received the first Hospice and Palliative Medicine Certification Examination offered through the American Board of Internal Medicine. The examination is offered to general internists and subspecialists who care for chronically and terminally ill patients. Garrison – Dr. Heather Garrison, assistant professor in the Special Education and Rehabilitation Department at East Stroudsburg University, has recently contributed to three early childhood education textbooks and created PowerPoint slides and lecture notes to accompany the Special Education in Contemporary Society textbook chapters. Green – Dr. Bonnie Green, associate professor of psychology at East Stroudsburg University, recently co-authored a textbook titled Statistical Concepts for the Behavioral Sciences (4th edition). Herman – Dr. Charles K. Herman, director of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Pocono Medical Center recently agreed to co-author an encyclopedia/textbook that will discuss body contouring. Hopkins-Nicosia- Diondrea Hopkins-Nicosia has joined Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Wilkins & Associates in Stroudsburg. She has been a REALTOR® for over two years and has worked in the industry since 1998. Hughes – Carolyn Hughes has been recognized for 35 years of service to the Tobyhanna Army Depot as a business development specialist, Engineering Design, Development and Manufacturing Division, and Production Directorate. Kovan – Kenneth E. Kovan, CEO of Chaperone Technologies, has been invited to speak at an upcoming conference in Boston on Combination Pharmaceutical Products. His presentation will focus on the prospective role of combination hsp70 inhibitors with existing microbials to achieve better clinical outcomes through synergy. Lee – Douglas Lee has been recognized for 30 years of service to the Tobyhanna Army Depot as a materials examiner and identifier, Material Management Division, and Production Management Directorate. Little – Ann Little has joined Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate in Stroudsburg. Little was originally licensed as a REALTOR® in 2004 in New York and acquired her PA license in 2007. Little is a certified buyer representative. McGee-Crotty – Dr. Patricia McGee-Crotty, chair and professor of the Political Science Department at East Stroudsburg University, recently reviewed Robert Ellickman’s book “The Household.” The review was published in the “Law and Politics Book Review. Narey – Dr. Marilyn J. Narey, assistant professor in the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education at East Stroudsburg University, recently published Making Meaning: Constructing Multimodal Perspectives of Language, Literacy, and Learning. Pyatt - Henry D. Pyatt, has been selected as the new downtown manager for the Eastburg Community Alliance (ECA). He graduated University of Pittsburgh with a B.A degree in FRANCESCANGELI ZELINSKI Urban Studies and a concentration in Planning. Pyatt is currently seeking volunteers for a Keep PA Beautiful Litter pickup on April 25, as well as exhibitors for Books, Brushes, and Blooms, ECA’s showcase of local writers, visual artists, and gardeners. Sacci – Dominick J. Sacci was recently promoted to Senior Vice President/General Manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates. Sacci manages the Naomi Pines and North Pocono offices of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates. Schmoyer – Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. has appointed Deanna Schmoyer the regional service group manager in charge of land development services for northeastern Pennsylvania. Schmoyer will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of all land development and site planning services. Serpico – Christina A. Serpico of NEPA Management Associates has been promoted from property manager to senior property manager. Serpico has been with the company for over seven years. Starrett – Robert J. Starrett, Associate Broker, CRB of Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate & Property Management in Stroudsburg, recently brokered the sale of a 17,000 sq. ft. commercial trucking distribution site in Mt. Pocono. Starrett handled both sides of the transaction to close the deal. Stevens – William Stevens has been recognized for 30 years of service to the Tobyhanna Army Depot as a process improvement specialist, Process Improvement Division, Production Engineering Directorate. VanArsdale – Dr. Nancy VanArsdale, chair and professor of English at East Stroudsburg University, recently co-edited a book titled Approaches to Teaching Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. VanArsdale also presented “How Professional Writing Programs Are Changing English Departments” at the national conference of the Modern Language Association. Vashlishan – Karyn Vashlishan, the vice president/regulatory compliance officer of Wayne Bank in Honesdale, was recently awarded the Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers, a subsidiary of the American Bankers Association, in Washington, DC. Wilklow- Lynn Wilklow, the manager of Bushkill’s Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, was recently promoted to vice president/sales manager. Wilklow holds the designations of Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) and serves on the grievance committee for the Pike/Wayne Association of Realtors. Yamialkowski - David Yamialkowski has been recognized for 20 years of service to the Wayne Bank. Zatorski – Richard Zatorski has been recognized for 30 years of service to the Tobyhanna Army Dept as an electronics worker, Avionics Division, Command, Control, and Computers/Avionics Directorate. Zelinksi – Jerry Zelinski of the Tobyhanna Army Depot has been appointed chief of the Special Projects and Fabrication Branch, Systems Integration and Support Directorate. Zelinski supervises 31 employees who assemble and test electronic assemblies, sub-assemblies, and printed circuit boards. Please send all press releases for consideration to [email protected] 24 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 BUSINESS BRIEFS WHAT’s WHAT Barton Heights Veterinary Hospital (Stroudsburg) is celebrating 35 years in business and has a new owner, Dr. Jeremy Wentz. The office has also added extended hours on Saturday and Sunday. The Brodhead Watershed Association (BWA) has been selected as a recipient of the Coldwater Heritage Partnership’s 2009 Grant Awards. The Coldwater Heritage Partnership is a cooperative initiative between Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds. The BWA will receive a portion of a $35,000 grant award to be used to investigate the spatial and temporal patterns of stream temperature, determine causative factors, and develop a management plan for the Paradise Creek and its tributaries. Century 21 Select Group announced that its 2008 con- tributions to Easter Seals totaled $6,000. Its participation this past year marked the groups 10th year of affiliation with this charitable foundation. The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission announced it has donated an estimated $33,390 worth of used radio communications equipment to eight emergency-response agencies in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Commission is continuing efforts to make further donations of radio equipment to other first-responder agencies within its 140-mile river region jurisdiction in the two states. Eckman Building Components has been approved for an investment of $12,615 from Ben Franklin Technology Partners, to optimize the manufacturing process and reduce production costs. The Cardiac Rehabilitation team within the ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute of Pocono Medical Center recently celebrated its 30th anniversary of providing care to cardiac patients, and moved into a larger space at PMC. A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held for Flex Appeal Nutrition Center in Honesdale. Owned by Phyllis Matechak, Flex Appeal is geared to promoting health, fitness, and well-being. Make Plans To be a Part of The Region’s Largest Business & Community EXPO Celebrating Its 22nd Year • Build awareness of your business • Showcase your products/services • Meet potential customers • Enhance your business image • Network business to business May 6 VIP Reception: 12 – 2 p.m. Ribbon Cutting: 2– 2:30 p.m. Show Hours: 2:30 – 7 p.m. May 7 Show Hours: 12:00 - 7:00 p.m. Koehler Fieldhouse East Stroudsburg University of PA Reserve Your Space Today! Call Miriam (570) 421-4433 A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held for Kathy’s License Service in Honesdale. Owned by Kathy Keegan, this business offers title transfers, vehicle registrations, plates, renewals, duplicate registrations and stickers and notary services. In addition to Pennsylvania requirements, Kathy’s also handles paperwork from New York and New Jersey. Fourteen people won $1,400 worth of prizes in The Dime Bank’s grand opening drawing at the new Lake Region Office in Hawley. Some of the winners met with the Dime’s community office manager Diane Sarday to receive gift certificates to local area businesses worth $100 each. Keller Williams® Realty Inc. announced recently at its annual convention in Orlando, Fla. that it is now the thirdlargest real estate franchise in the United States. From 2006 to 2008, Keller Williams Realty increased its associate count by 52%, market share for its offices increased 83% and agent gross commission income went up 35%. Currently, the company has 679 offices operating in the United States including one in Stroudsburg. The company also shared more than $30 million in profits with its associates in 2008 through its company-wide profit sharing program. Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) has received three advertising awards from the College and University Public Relations Association of Pennsylvania (CUPRAP). CUPRAP is a voluntary organization of communications professionals from colleges, universities, and independent schools dedicated to advancing the understanding of higher education. A Blue Ribbon Marketing grant from PPL Utilities will enable Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) to better market Sterling Business Park to prospects. The 252-acre park located in Sterling Township, Wayne County, is currently under construction. The PPL grant is being used to create email templates and Coming Next Month ... May 2009 develop a separate Web site for the business park. Sanofi Pasteur had been exploring a number of options regarding office space utilization and was considering among other sites, the Lehigh Valley. The company has recently announced the decision to seek office space solutions within closer proximity to the Swiftwater campus. Please send all press releases for consideration to [email protected] Almost $13 Million For NEPA Projects Will Aid 25 Local Projects In 11th Congressional District The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act passed in Congress, allocating almost $13 million in funding for 25 local projects throughout Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District. A statement issued today indicates that Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11), Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) worked closely to ensure that the spending bill provides necessary funding for the area. The bill will now go to President Obama for his signature. A list below includes secured funding for projects in Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District; noted are those projects that fall specifically within the Pocono region: Financial Services and General Government • $300,000 - Secures funding for Northampton Community College’s Electrotechnology Application Center (Kanjorski, Casey, Dent); Labor, Health & Human Services, Education • $95,000 - Acquires funding for renovation and equipment at Pocono Medical Center (Kanjorski, Casey, Specter); • $95,000 - Grants funding for math and science programs at East Stroudsburg University (Kanjorski, Specter); • $95,000 - Provides funding for technology and equipment upgrades at Northampton Community College (Kanjorski, Casey, Specter); Transportation, Housing & Urban Development • $475,000 - Grants funding to help revitalize distressed neighborhoods in Carbon County (Kanjorski). (Source: Office of Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski) POCONO Regional Business News & Resources HR Management, Workplace Wellness, Healthcare • Does Freedom Have A Price?: The Employee Free Choice Act in the Poconos • When An Employee Has Cancer: What employers need to know • Your Company Cafeteria: Towards a healthy workforce www.pbjonline.com • Safe, Happy And Accident Free: Eliminating hazards and liability • Professional Profile: Pocono Auction soars in down market www.pbjonline.com 25 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 FOCUS LIST By County: Carbon Monroe Pike Wayne Wayne Pike Monroe Carbon Organization Address KerryClean P.O. Box 1527 Albrightsville, PA 18210 Naturally Yours Organic Goods 103 Broadway Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 Austin James Assoc., Inc Route 423 Pocono Pines, PA 18350 DeCusatis Environmental Design P.O. Box 927 Stroudsburg,PA 18360 F.X. Browne, Inc. P.O. Box 1398 Marshalls Creek PA 18335 Strunk-Albert Engineering RR #5 Box 5198 – Route 209East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 Sun Spot Solar Heating, Inc. P.O. Box 55 Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327 Green Country Homes Nikles Office Plaza 104 Bennett Ave. Suite 1A Milford, PA 18337 Lisa Alexander, REED AP HC1 Box 122-A Paupack, PA 18451 Green Demolitions 45 Brown St. Honesdale, PA 18431 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Contact Phone / Fax Web site Services Kerry Dubrazski (570) 722-0885 www.kerryclean.com Green professional residential/commercial cleaning services June Gaudreau (570) 325-8209 Organic products and food www.austinjamesassociates.com Austin James (570) 646-5431 John DeCusatis (570) 629-6581 Environmental design and consultation Paul McNemar (570) 588-7900 www.fxbrowne.com Full-service civil engineering firm: lowimpact land development, wastewater management, wetlands, and lakes David Strunk, P.E. (570) 421-2025 www.strunk-albert.com Sustainable energy design, thermal imaging Frank Proske (570) 422-1292 www.ssolar.com Renewable energy products Ed Nikles (570) 296-9200 www.greencountryhomes.com Green uilding/design Lisa Alexander (570) 857-9490 www.livebetterlivegreen.com Certified ECO Broker, Green Living Expert www.greendemolitions. com Sells commercial, surplus and donated kitchens, appliances, and home décor from demolished and renovated homes John Green (570) 253-8933 Disclaimer: If your organization is located within Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania and was not included in the listing, please contact Pocono Business Journal so we can ensure it is included in future editions of this focus list. Kudos To The Locovore! By Andrea B. Reiter One of the best investments you can make is in food that is grown locally. It is an investment in the environment, in your health, and in the health of the area’s economy. Registered dietitian Christina Brecht, who practices in Stroudsburg and is on the faculty of East Stroudsburg University, said, “Buying locally reduces your carbon footprint because you aren’t using (and paying for) the fuel to transport the food across the country.” The commitment to eating and buying locally now enjoys its own term: “locovore.” She explained, “When you buy locally, you create a responsible, sustainable food system that is fair to the animals, fair to the people, fair to the workers, and fair to the environment.” She said that this system could continue for generations without depleting the soil. Not so with some large agribusinesses. Many have depleted the soil from the widespread use of chemicals. “With the excessive use of fertilizers, crops could grow too quickly, which does not give nutrients time to develop,” Brecht said. However, government support, she says, has mainly provided to the large agribusinesses, especially for those that grow corn, soybeans, hay, wheat, and cotton, which explains why many fruits and vegetables have to be imported. Many of the toxins and bacteria involved in food poisonings are imported on those foods, too. To address some of these problems, Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have reintroduced the EAT SAFE 2009 Act. The bill gives the FDA the resources it needs to fully monitor our food supply. Sue Werkheiser of Werkheiser Farm in Tannersville said that the freshness really affects the taste. She says, “I try to keep everything local and fresh. Vegetables lose taste when they are not fresh. When you pick string beans and potatoes and eat them the same night, there is no comparison to those that are not fresh.” Brecht adds, “Some nutrients do not hold up well over time, especially vitamin C.” And how is the health of the local farm movement? Ed Pruss, Extension Educator of the Master Gardeners’ Program of Penn State, Pike Extension, said that in the past decade, the number of dairy farms has greatly declined because of low profitability. On the other hand, there is a resurgence in the number of fruit and vegetable farms. The farms that are springing up, though, are often “niche” farms, which try to capture the specialty market. “They add value to the raw product, such as apples, by drying them, slicing them, or coating them,” Pruss observes. “Many people are willing Evaluation, cleanup, and remediation of sites impacted by the release of petroleum and other hazardous material to pay more for organic food and to have products prepared for them.” The Werkheiser farm on Old Mill Road in Tannersville grows vegetables and flowers, and also jams, jellies, barn stars, corn stalks, and other seasonal items. Werkheiser says, “I saw a decrease last year when gas was $4 or more a gallon. People continued to buy produce, but there was a decline in non-edible items, such as corn stalks, hay, and pumpkins used for decoration in the fall.” Ann Gould of Gould’s Produce in Brodheadsville is building an addition to her market on Frable Road. She grows vegetables, fruits, gourds, corn stalks, straw, hay, animal corn, and mums. In the winter, she sells animal corn, jams, jellies, pancake mixes, oatmeal, and other items. “With these hard (economic) times, a lot of people have gone back to buying on the local level because they feel confident that they are getting something good.” Gould also sells her produce at the local farmers markets in Stroudsburg on Ann Street and in East Stroudsburg at Miller Park. Brecht says such activity develops communities. “Going to market is really a community event.” Businesses benefit from the trickledown effect, which brings more people to the area. Gould says even the farmers buy things in the local stores. In fact, farmers may be looked at as the ultimate consumers because they go into town and help a lot of other businesses to be successful. Gould added, “The farmers’ markets are also good for tourism. People will come to this area for the markets and then go to other attractions. It’s a win-win situation.” FARMERS’ MARKETS FINDS June: July: August: September: October: Strawberries Peas, tomatoes, sweet corn Peaches, apples String beans, broccoli Sweet corn, pumpkins, apples, winter squash, potatoes (Source: Ann Gould, Gould’s Produce) 26 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 1 Applications available for PEDA (PA Energy Development Authority) Grants. PEDA provides grants and loan guarantees for alternative energy projects and related research referring to deployment projects, manufacturing, or research involving various types of fuels, technologies, and alternative resource measures. Call (717) 772-8945 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. Applications available for Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant. Provides funding for renewable energy deployment; biomass energy projects; coal-mine methane, waste coal reclamation for energy; implementation of innovative energy efficiency technologies; or clean distributed generation infrastructure improvements.Call (717) 705-5400 for more information. Applications available for Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA) Loan Program. Intended to provide low interest loans to small PA businesses undertaking projects in the Commonwealth that reduce waste, pollution, or energy use. Loans will be used to fund 75 percent of the total eligible project cost, up to a maximum of $100,000. Call (717) 772-8951 or email [email protected] for more information. LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. For information call (570) 588-4113. BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford. Contact: Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176. Effective Interactions, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Gain a better understanding of the basic skills and intricacies involved to effectively interact with others. Cost: $210. Contact: ldi@northampton. edu or (610) 861-5590. Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 6202850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. Give Yourself Some Credit, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $60. Learn how to boost FICO scores, fix mistakes on your credit report, and better manage money. Contact: Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125. April 1 and 8 Troubleshooting Your Mac, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $270, with text and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www. scranton.edu. April 1, 8, 15 and 22 MS Excel 2003 Level II, University of Scranton, Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Cost: $165, with text. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www. scranton.edu. April 1 – May 6 Microsoft Word – Intermediate, 6 Sessions, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost $230. Contact: Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125. April 2 BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Contact: Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869. Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Résumé Critique, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 6202850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. April 2 and 9 MS Excel 2007 Level II, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $177 with text and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton. edu. April 2, 9 and 16 Adobe Acrobat 8 Pro, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $290 with text and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton. edu. April 3 BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at Shawnee, River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or e-mail [email protected]. Report to Business breakfast, Pocono Inne Town, 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. This breakfast forum is sponsored by the Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce to bring the Monroe County Commissioners together with Chamber members to discuss issues affecting the business community. Cost: $15. For information call (570) 421-4433. From Wall Street to Lehigh Valley: Our Point of View, 8:00 a.m.. Panel discussion at Lehigh Carbon Community College about Wall Street West. Cost: Free, preregistration required. Call (610) 799-1949 for more information. Building a Management Team, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cost: $95 with materials and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www. scranton.edu. April Résumé Critique, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon, Computer Basics, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Employer Website Assistance, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state. pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. April 6 How to Work a Job Fair, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Building Confidence for Your Job Search, 12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www. cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. Brown Bag Monday, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 12:00 p.m. Informal lunch with CCCC management at CCCC Office. Reservations required. Call (610) 379-5000 for more information. April 6, 20, 27, May 4 Personal Finance – Frugal Living, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost $50. Learn to stretch your dollar. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information. April 6 – May 4 Starting Your Business, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville campus, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $199. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu. April 7 Wayne County Builders’ Informational session, Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Restaurant, Tafton. Explains new home improvement registration law going into effect July 1, 2009. Registration required. Call WCBA at (570) 226-4941 or visit www. waynecountybuilders.com for more information. Foundations of Quality for Leaders, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Learn how your role as a leader changes in a quality environment. Cost: $420. Contact: [email protected] or (610) 861-5590. Commercializing Your Idea, East Stroudsburg University, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Conducted by the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP). Learn the steps necessary to take an idea from concept to the marketplace. Cost: $49. Visit www.wb.psu.edu/CE/30991.htm or call Vinelle Johnson at (570) 675-9253 for more information. Intro to CareerLink Services, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Interview Basics and Salary Negotiation, 12:00 Noon – 2:00 p.m., Website Enrollment, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds. state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. April 7, 9, 14, 16 and 21 Business Writing for Results, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $225 with materials. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu for more information. April 7 and 14 Mail Merge, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $125 with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu. MS Access 2007 Level II, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $177 with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu. April 7 and 24 The First Step: Starting Your Business, sponsored by the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. Choose one session: April 7, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce or April 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the University of Scranton. Covers the basics including: registrations, licenses, business structures, taxation, assessing start-up costs, financing, etc. Cost: $10, pre-registration required. For information call (570) 941-7588. April 7, 14, 21 and 28 Learn to Use Your Computer, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Cost: $150 with text. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton. edu. Computers for the Terrified, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Tamaqua campus, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Receive hands-on training in basic computing skills, including Windows, word processing, and Internet. Cost: $129, no text. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu. April 7, 14, 16, 21 and 23 PA. State Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cost: $185.00 (includes one endorsement) additional endorsements, $45 each. Contact: Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125. April 8 LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113. BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford. Contact: Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176. Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., How to Work a Job Fair, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Resumé Critique, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Mock Interviews, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. Asphalt Roads: Common Maintenance Problems, Pike County Community Planning, 556 Rt. 402, Suite 2, Blooming Grove, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. For directions call (570) 226-6293. For information contact Kurt Bauman at the NEPA Alliance; (570) 655-5581, ext. 237 or visit www.nepa-alliance.org. Building Your Business, Mt. Pocono Borough Building, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Sponsored by the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. Covers the basics to get started in business, plus an in-depth look at the business plan. Cost: $15, pre-registration required. For information call (570) 941-7588. Successful Negotiations, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Contact: [email protected] or (610) 861-5590. April 8 and 15 Upgrading to MS Office 2007 including Vista, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $99 with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu. April 8, 15 and 22 Troubleshooting Your PC, University of Scranton, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $105 with books. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu. April 9 BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Contact Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869. Asphalt Roads: Common Maintenance Problems - Carbon County, Lehighton Borough Annex, 110 North Third Street, Lehighton, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. For directions call (610) 377-4002. For information contact Kurt Bauman at the NEPA Alliance; (570) 655-5581, ext. 237 or visit www.nepa-alliance.org. Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. Time Management, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Donley campus, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Cost: $59. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www. lccc.edu. April 10 BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at Shawnee, River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. April 12 – June 7 Only Beginning Computer Course, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Main Campus, Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. No class May 24. Cost: $229. Call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu for more information. April 13 How to Work a Job Fair, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Interview Basics, 12:00 Noon – 1:30 p.m. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. Financial Fitness Seminar, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Honesdale, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: free. Visit www.MetroAction.org to register or call (570) 341-0270 for more information. Brown Bag Monday, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 12:00 p.m. Informal lunch with CCCC management at CCCC Office. Reservations required. Call (610) 379-5000. April 14 Business LINK Seminar: The Changing Face of Marketing, Fiorelli’s, Peckville, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Cost: $35, includes breakfast. Visit www.MetroAction.org to register or call (570) 341-0270 for more information. Time Management - How to leverage your time effectively, Best Western, Bethlehem, 7:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Presented by ActionCOACH. Cost: $30 if chamber members, additional fees for non-members. Call ActionCOACH at (610) 4384666 for more information. CAREER Quest Job Fair, Fernwood Hotel, 10:00 am. – 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by the PA CareerLink in Monroe County. For information contact the PA CareerLink at (570) 620-2958. Office Assistant, 20 Sessions/60 hours, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $620. Learn the standard IT tools and knowledge that are used in today’s office environment. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information. April 14 – 16 Week 2 of Green Belt Training, Manufacturers Resource Center, Bethlehem, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $1,950. Call Angie Bove at (610) 758-4588 or (800) 3436732 for more information. April 14 and April 20 ServSafe Home Study/Classroom for Certification. April 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and April 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Blooming Grove Fire Hall in Lords Valley. Given by Penn State Extension Pike and Monroe. Registration deadline: April 7. Cost: Certification, $175, includes the textbook, home study and class materials, and the examination and lunch on the second day of class. Cost: Re-recertification, $140 (includes the textbook); or $100 for class only. Call (570) 296-3400 in Pike County or (570) 421-6430 in Monroe County for more information. April 15 LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113. BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford. Contact: Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176. Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. Protecting Your Property with Conservation Easements, Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, 6:30 p.m. Cost: $3, pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call (570) 842-1506. Microsoft Excel Beginning, Northampton Community College, Hartzell Hall, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95 (includes text). Registration deadline: April 8. For information call (610) 861-4550. April 15 and 29 What Do You Mean I Have to Plan an Event? – Event Planning for the Office Administrator, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, : 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Cost: $65. Registration deadline: April 8. Contact: (610) 332-8660. April 15 – May 13 Quickbooks 2008, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Donley campus, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $199. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www. lccc.edu. April 15-16 2009 Carbon County Expo, Penn’s Peak, 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Presented by the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce. For information visit www.carboncountyexpo.org or call (610) 379-5000. April 16 BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Contact: Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869. Word 2007 Intermediate, Northampton Community College, Hartzell Hall, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95 (includes text). Registration deadline: April 9. Contact: (610) 861-4550. Introduction to Project Management, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Contact: [email protected] or (610) 861-5590. Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. see CALENDAR page 27 27 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS CALENDAR... cont. from page 26 Pocono Business Journal’s Business and Books series, “Commercial Real Estate In The Poconos,” held at Borders Shoppes at Stroud, 5:30 p.m. Cost: free. Presented by Michael Baxter of Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate. Call (570) 421-0100 for more information. WEDCO’s Annual Meeting & Dinner, Bryn Mawr Conference Center, Honesdale, 6:00 p.m. Guest speaker will be Stanley G. Chapman, III, Vice President – Marketing, Development, and Asset Optimization, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company. Make reservations by April 2. For more information contact WEDCO at (570) 253-5334. April 16 and 23 World Wide Web Safety, University of Scranton, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $99 with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu. April 16 – June 4 Only Beginning Computer Course, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Donley Center, Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $229. For more information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu. April 17 Home Sweet Home Business Seminar, Milford, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sponsored by the University of Scranton’s Small Development Center. Cost: free. Register by April 13. Contact Lee Ann Camarero at (570) 296-8700 or email [email protected]. BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at Shawnee, River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or email [email protected]. Workplace Feedback: Advice -Not Criticism, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Cost: $95 with materials. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu. Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Computer Basics, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 6202850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. Home Sweet Home Business, Milford, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sponsored by the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. Topics include personal considerations, legal issues, financial implications, work/home balance, tips and tricks, pitfalls to avoid, etc. Cost: free, pre-registration required. Call (570) 941-7588 for details. April 18 Writing an Effective Business Plan, four sessions. Call to confirm times. Cost: $199. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information. April 18 and 25 Dining Room Service with Style, Northampton Community College, main campus, Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Learn dining room set-up, design and serving techniques. Cost: $35. Register by April 11. Call (610) 332-8660 or visit www.northampton.edu for more information. April 18 and 25, May 2 and 9 ASE Tutoring - Tutoring for the Automotive Service Excellence, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon. Cost: $50/session. Each session will cover two test types. Contact: Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x.1125. April 21, 23, 28 and 30 MS Word Level 2007 II, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $165 with text. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu for more information. April 22 LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113. BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford. Contact: Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176. Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Computerized O’Nbet Assessments, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 6202850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. Administrative Professionals’ Day Forum, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 11:45 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The Leadership Development Institute will host this interactive forum which recognizes and celebrates all administrative support staff with a luncheon, presentations, learning activities, and facilitated discussions about issues relevant to this professional group. Cost: $50. Registration deadline: April 15. Contact: [email protected] or call (610) 861-4587 for more information. So You Want to be an Event Planner, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The Hospitality Career Institute will offer a career exploration seminar for individuals considering a career as a wedding or corporate events planner. Cost: $29. Registration deadline: April 15. Call (610) 332-8660 for more information. Jobs & Skills of the 21st Century community forum, Wayne Highlands High School Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. Presented by Dr. Kenneth Gray, a Professor Emeritus of Education at Penn State. Sponsored and funded by Workforce Wayne. Call Jennifer Porter, Director of Workforce Initiatives, Workforce Wayne, for more information at (570) 253-5334 or email [email protected]. April 23 Building & Hardwoods. Sponsored by the NEPA Alliance. Pennsylvania’s Trade Advisor Representatives are scheduled to meet with the following industry sectors: manufactured housing, green building, lumber, construction materials, construction machinery, engineering, design, and architecture. Email Mike Horvath at [email protected], Debbie Phillips at [email protected], or call (570) 655-5581 for more information. BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Call Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869 for more information. Scranton Solar Scholars Mini-Conference, 9:00 a.m. Presentations on solar energy applications and opportunities. McShane Executive Center, Brennan Hall, University of Scranton. Cost: Free. Call (570) 941-6210 for more information. Website Enrollment, 9:00 – 11:00am. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www. monroecountycareerlink.org. Emissions Re-Certification, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. This course involves classroom training and a written exam for recertification. Cost: $90. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information. April 19, 25 and May 3 Food Service Sanitation, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 12:00 Noon. - 5:30 p.m. Topics include receiving, storing, and preparing food safely; holding, serving, and reheating food; applying knowledge and conducting employee training. Cost: $120. Registration deadline: April 10. Call Deborah Maurer at (610) 332-6536 for more information. April 23 – May 2 Pocono Restaurant Week, with crossover promotions, events, and other specials to bring more of the dining public to a variety of Pocono eateries in Monroe County. Includes customer voting in a Zagat-syle rating program. The week culminates in a Restaurant Week Gala on May 2. To participate or for more information, visit www.poconorestaurantweek.com or call Ali Schratt, Local Flair Magazine, at (570) 839-8393. April 20 Résumés & Cover Letters, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. April 24 BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at Shawnee, River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or email [email protected] for more information. Brown Bag Monday, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 12:00 Noon. Informal lunch with CCCC management at CCCC Office. Reservations required. Call (610) 379-5000 for more information. Access: Beyond Basics, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Expand your knowledge and learn how to customize forms and reports, and share Access data with other applications. Cost: $210. Contact: ldi@ northampton.edu or (610) 861-5590. Sustainable Scranton Tour of “green” businesses, sponsored by The University of Scranton, the City of Scranton and DXDempsey. 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Cost: Free. Call (570) 941-7401. You Want to Run a B&B, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Course explores daily operations and challenges of the Bed and Breakfast Industry and the steps necessary to get started and be successful. Cost: $29. Registration deadline: April 13. Call (610) 332-8660 for more information. Successful Supervision, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Tamaqua campus, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $109. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu. Résumé Critiques, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Employer Website Assistance, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www. monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. Safeguard Your PC, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cost: $90. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information. Contractor Registration Seminar, Pike County Builders Assn. 4:00 p.m., Mt. Haven Restaurant, Milford. Call (570) 296-5589 for more information. April 20 – 21 ISO Internal Auditor Training, Manufacturers Resource Center, Bethlehem, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $425. Register by April 15. Call Angie Bove at (610) 7584588 or (800) 343-6732 for more information. April 24 and 29 The Second Step: Developing Your Business Plan. Sponsored by the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. Choose one session: April 24, University of Scranton, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. or April 29, East Stroudsburg University, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Call (570) 941-7588 for more information. April 20 and 22 Navigating the Internet, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Carbon campus, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $59. Call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu for more information. April 20 and 27 MS Access 2003 Level II, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $177 with text and lunch. For information call (570) 941-7582 or visit www. scranton.edu. April 20, 27 and May 4 MS PowerPoint 2007 Level II, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $125 with text. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu for more information. April 21 Intro to CareerLink Services, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Mock Interviews, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Website Enrollment, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. For information call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. Sustaining Scranton Earth Day Fair, 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Cost: Free. Sponsored by The University of Scranton, the City of Scranton and DXDempsey. Call (570) 941-7520 for more information. Home Improvement Contractor Registration Law Presentation, Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Banquet Center, 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Wayne County Builders Association. Call Laurie Lourie at (570) 226-4941 for more information. April 25 Investing for Retirement, Part 1, First Presbyterian Church, Milford, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Presented by the Penn State Cooperative Extension. Cost: $7/ person/couple per session or $35/person/ couple for the seven program series. Preregistration and payment required. Call (570) 296-3400, or e-mail PikeExt@psu. edu for more information. April 27 Intro to Tax for Small Businesses, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Donley campus, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $59. For information call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu. Building Confidence for Your Job Search, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. The Immigrant Paradox: Alien Workers and Distributive Justice, presented by Howard F. Chang, Earl Hepburn Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania, 4:00 p.m. Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Cost: Free. Call (570) 941-7475 for more information. Media Technology Lab, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Learn to use and troubleshoot some of the most common media technologies, including LCD projectors, microphones and video conferencing equipment. Cost: $29. Registration deadline: April 20. Call (610) 332-8660 for more information. Home and Office Networking, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cost: $90. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information. April 28 Know Your Cash Flow, Scranton Enterprise Center, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $10, pre-registration required. Call 1-800-829-7232 or visit www.scrantonsbdc. com. Microsoft Access Beginning, Northampton Community College, Hartzell Hall, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95 (includes text). Registration deadline: April 21. Call (610) 861-4550 for more information. Horticulture, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Learn all about how we can use trees in our own yard space. Cost: $25. Call Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) at (570) 629-2001, x. 1125 for more information. April 29 LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, East Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113 for more information. BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford. Call Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176 for more information. How To Develop A Business Plan, East Stroudsburg University workshop. 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Cost: $10. Call (570) 422-7920 for more information. Building Your Business Plan, Carbondale Technology Transfer Center, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Sponsored by the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. Cost: $10, pre-registration required. Call 800-829-7232 or visit www. scrantonsbdc.com for more information. Microsoft Excel Intermediate, Northampton Community College, Hartzell Hall, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95, includes text. Registration deadline: April 22. Call (610) 861-4550 for more information. Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Website Enrollment, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. Cash, Customers, and Ads that Sell, Motivational Seminar with ActionCOACH, Albrightsville Fire House, 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by Mountain Laurel Graphics and the Penn-Kidder Council of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce. Register by April 15. Call the Penn-Kidder Area Council at www.pennkidderchamber.org or (570) 620-9656 for more information. April 29 and May 6 Intellectual Property: Copyright Law, Trademarks & Fair Use, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $225 with text and lunch. Call (570) 9417582 or visit www.scranton.edu for more information. April 30 BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. Call Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869 for more information. BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., Milford. Call Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176 for more information. Greater Honesdale Partnership meeting, Community Room, Honesdale Visitor’s Center, 6:30 p.m. Opportunity for all greater Honesdale business owners share thoughts, successes, and network on a monthly basis. Open to all. No registration required. Call Gail M. Tucker at (570) 253-5492 or [email protected] for more information. Problem Solving Techniques, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Learn the benefits of group problem solving and the advantages of using a systematic problem solving approach. Cost: $315. Email ldi@ northampton.edu or call (610) 861-5590 for more information. Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call 570-620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us for more information. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink. org for more information. BUSINESS JOURNAL POCONO Regional Business News & Resources BUSINESS TODAY Monday — Wednesday — Friday 8:40 P.M. pennspeakradio.com Tune in weekly to hear the latest business news in the Poconos. 28 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 PBJ REGISTER BANKRUPTCIES Carbon County A and A Associates Inc., Lehighton. Filed 3/12/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary. Tom Elmer Costenbader, Becky Costenbader, Hercules Hauling, Palmerton. Filed 3/6/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary. Rodger B. Robinson, Robinson Painting Services, Palmerton. Filed 2/25/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary. Monroe County Stephen Argen, Workforce Mortgage Association, North Atlantic Relocation Services, Inc., Cresco. Filed 2/19/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary. Walter Scott Boeman, Marlene Ann Boeman, Scott’s Sales, Brodheadsville. Filed 2/16/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary. Anthony Cirranello, Joanne Cirranello, Designs By Anthony, Inc., Brodheadsville. Filed 2/16/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary. Dominick S. DiStefano, Linda L. DiStefano , Pocono Dental Studio, East Stroudsburg. Filed 2/25/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary. Jeffrey P. Guilherme, April M Guilherme, A Bit of Bliss Therapy, Pocono Lake. Filed 2/13/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary. Kenbro, LLC, Stroudsburg. Filed 2/16/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary. Karla F. Lynch, Romeo & Bella, Stroudsburg. Filed 2/24/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary. Pauline Evadnie McPherson, Island’s Produce, Tobyhanna. Filed 2/20/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary. Conrad M. Mercurius, Andrea A. DavisMercurius, Mercurius Trucking, long Pond. Filed 2/27/09 Chapter 13 Voluntary. Sally Ann Raia, Sally’s Babysitting Service, Tobyhanna. Filed 3/12/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary. Joseph L. Sabatine, Run of the Mill Screenprinting, ARW Treats LLC, Hill Top Diner, Pocono Family Buffet, Stroudsburg. Filed 3/6/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary. Joseph H. Slinger, Deborah J. Slinger, Slinger Enterprises, Canadensis. Filed 3/4/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary. Smithfield Stone and Supply, Stroudsburg. Filed 3/5/09, Chapter 7 Voluntary. Gloria Spraguer, The Nail Artist, Menu Master, Pocono Lake. Filed 3/13/09,Chapter 13 Voluntary. Pike County Helen J. Pepi, McKenna’s Pony Express, Lords Valley. Filed 2/20/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary. Frank F. Gorman, Jr., Susan M. Gorman, FSG Decking & Siding, Dingmans Ferry. Filed 2/19/09, Chapter 13 Voluntary. Deeds Carbon County Kidder Township South Thomas P Carney Inc to Edmond Giosa, $450,000 Monroe County Barrett Township Dimitrios and Paraskevi Katsigiannis to PeterAntoniou and Alex Panagos, $800,000 Coolbaugh Township JW Cleveland and William Kirchhoff, Rob Roy Enterprises to Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co Inc, $825,000 East Stroudsburg Borough Richard Merkle to Burns Holding LLC, $350,000 Eldred Township Philip and Gladys Marano to Mountain View Holdings, $875,000 Hamilton Township Richard and Mei-Chow Lee to Kathleen Percudani, $1,200,000 Middle Smithfield Township Perl Miller to Louis Frank, $300,000 Toll Pa IV LP to Mary Ann Boyce, $306,628 Paradise Twp Ralph and Helen Knauf to Paradise Township, $327,000 Stroud Township LTS Development LLC to Harold and Stacy Cassady, $374,900 Tobyhanna Twp Carlisle and Diane Fiers to LN House LLC, $682,500 Diane Timpany to Daniel and Diana Evans, $350,000 Robert Nagle to Lee and Anita Almond, $350,000 Guiseppe and Lucia Manica to Robert Wolf and Andree Bourgon, $300,000 Pike County Blooming Grove Township Joan Fadden to Gary and Nina Wand, $475,000 Carolyn and Carl Horn to Angela Spodek, $310,000 Dingman Township Leonard and Victoria Metcalfe to Nan Graham and Mark Costello, $450,000 Sunnylands Inc to James and Laurie Donahoo, $335,000 Lackawaxen Township Excell Homes Inc to Vito and Alissa DiCarlo, $450,000 Pasquale Concessi to Concessi Family LP, $304,366 Denise Ehnat to Adam Cotumaccio, $311,100 Delio and Angela Zozimo to Wilson and Benedicta Gonzalez, $572,000 Milford Township Joseph and Ronnie Biondo to Biondo Family LLC, $389,512 Wayne County Paupack Township Ralph and Gail Reda to William Trust Jr, $535,000 Thomas and Linda Gabel to Brian and Anne Kiernan, $455,000 Sterlinig Township John and Charlene Nicholson to Frank Koskovich, $500,000 Mortgages Monroe County Barrett Township Peter Antoniou and Alex Panagos, Dimitrios and Paraskevi Katsigiannis, $1,000,000 Coolbaugh Township William and Joanne Yoder, Penn Business Credit, $2,500,000 East Stroudsburg Borough Paul Budick, North Penn Bank, $380,000 Cramers Cashway, Penn Security Bank, $3,000,000 Eldred Township David and Debra Marsack, PNC Bank NA, $675,000 Joseph and Jane Parlegreco, Beneficial Homeowner Service Corporation, $318,633 Mountainview Holdings, PNC Bank NA, $$675,000 Hamilton Township Philip and Kelly Kelley, Pocono Community Bank, $400,000 Stanley Petko, MERS/National Penn Bank, $349,000 Snydersville Corp, Harry Lee, $336,000 Kathleen Percudani, Percudani Family Limited Partnership, $1,425,000 Sanjay and Annapurna Nadkarni, Wayne Bank, $330,000 Jackson Township George and Phyllis Vogel, Wells Fargo Bank, $420,000 George and Phyllis Vogel, Housing and Urban Development, $420,000 Middle Smithfield Township Miggy Brothers LLC, Wayne Bank, $1,000,000 Kent and Constance Matsumoto, Bank of America, $300,000 Adeline Cheff and James Bumstead, Bank of America, $334,000 HRP Corporation, Textron Financial, $12,000,000 David Dobkin and Michael Voss, Wells Fargo Bank, $319,400 $600,000 Milford Township Alexander and Lisa McAteer, MERS/Weichert Financial Services, $311,000 Kim and James Naughton, Pennstar Bank, $325,000 Palmyra Township John Schmit, ESSA Bank and Trust, $417,000 Kevin and Mary Kennedy, Honesdale National Bank, $355,000 Diane and Ronald Thiboutot, PNC Mortgage, $417,000 Mark and Kristi Turner, Wayne Bank, $391,000 Wayne County Berlin Township Scott and Alice Pratcshler, Honesdale National Bank, $310,000 Buckingham Township Kevin Schrader, Honesdale National Bank, $500,000 Pocono Township Stanley Eason, MERS/Gateway Funding, $325,971 William and Jill Pensyl, MERS/Mnet Mortgage, $325,000 Randy and Lynn Halstead, Wells Fargo Bank, $324,541 Allan and Cynthia Schmid, MERS/Quicken Loans, $318,400 Vineen and Ellen Sciandra, Wayne Bank, $535,450 Clinton Township Richard Martzen, Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, $390,000 Polk Township Cramers Cashway, Penn Security Bank, $3,000,000 Honesdale Borough Sutter Management Company, Honesdale National Bank, $1,800,000 Ross Township Clifford Ronalds, MERS/Quicken Loans, $374,900 Lake Township Samuel and Marilyn Pantiliano, M&T Bank, $300,000 Samuel and Marilyn Pantiliano, Housing and Urban Development, $300,000 Meghan and Christopher Farrell, National City Mortgage, $306,000 Frank and Nola Hendry, Artisans Bank, $500,000 Richard and Marlene Mentzer, JP Morgan Chase Bank, $417,000 Kerrie and Matthew Fitzsimmons, PNC Mortgage, $306,500 Matthew and Kimberly Rosensweet, Wayne Bank, $300,000 Stroud Township Richard Defino, 1st National Bank of Palmerton, $610,000 Karen and Rick Pendzick, Wells Fargo Bank, $332,000 Harold and Stacy Cassady, MERS/Countrywide Bank, $356,155 Richard and Madeline Moller, MERS/Acre Mortgage and Financial, $304,000 Tobyhanna Township Cramers Cashway, Penn Security Bank, $3,000,000 William and Elizabeth Finneran, MERS/Wachovia Bank, $417,000 Pike County Blooming Grove Township Robert and Georgia Leon, MERS/Wachovia, $392,000 Dingman Township Nan Graham and Mark Costello, Wells Fargo Bank, NA, $360,000 Thomas and Gina Smith, MERS/Primary Residential Mortgage Inc, $337,527 Richard Nachman and Sandra Gifft, Wells Fargo Bank NA, $595,500 Richard Nachman and Sandra Gifft, Housing and Urban Development, $595,000 Carmen Castellano, MERS/Quicken Loans Inc, $312,000 Greene Township Andrew and Patricia Andrejcisk, MERS/ Metlife Home Loans, $312,000 Lackawaxen Township Jeffrey and Denise Thompson, ESSA Bank and Trust, $380,000 Vito and Alissa DiCarlo, MERS/PHH Mortgage Corporation, $405,000 Milford Borough Billdeb Realty LP, Sandra Mae Winchester, Damascus Township Scott and Alice Pratcshler, Honesdale National Bank, $310,000 Dyberry Township Eugene and Amalia Lyle, Honesdale National Bank, $335,000 Oregon Township Timothy Riefler, Honesdale National Bank, $337,000 Paupack Township Anne and Brian Kiernan, Wells Fargo Bank, $364,000 Robert and Jule Angeli, PNC Mortgage, $317,000 Richard Winkler, ESSA Bank and Trust, $417,000 Eric Simons and Michael Lucci, Citadel Federal Credit Union, $330,000 Preston Township Kevin Schrader, Honesdale National Bank, $500,000 Salem Township Great Venture Inc, Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, $955,000 Charles and Jennie Dantona, United Northern Mortgage Bankers Ltd, $615,000 Charles and Jennie Dantona, Housing and Urban Development, $615,000 New Corporations / Fictitious Names Carbon County All Yummies LLC, food service, 1121 29 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 PBJ REGISTER Mauch Chunk Road, Palmerton Associated Broker Services, LLC, processing company, 1 Mountain Road, Albrightsville, Gail Green Bellizia Construction, Inc., construction, 115 Dellen Lane, Weatherly BK Williams Marketing, Corporation, real estate, 5 Sioux Circle, Albrightsville, Kaisha Williams Black & Gold Enterprises, LLC, real estate investments, 150 Chestnut Dr, Lehighton Crazy for Closeouts, retail, 207 N 1st Street, Lehighton, Judy Peterson East End Market, LLC, retail deli, food, cigarettes and lottery sales, 718 East Ridge Street, Lansford Formula Race Car Club of America, LLC, races, 150 Willow Lane, Nesquehoning Gregory Segal Ebbert Foundation, Inc., scholarships, 221 S 9th Street, Lehighton JC Small Engine Service, sale and repair of outdoor equipment, 2281 Hudson Drive, Weatherly, Joseph Halecky JCS Logistics, Inc., third party logistics, 179 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton JNK Consulting Inc., business consultant, 3 Dew Drop Drive, Jim Thorpe, John Figura Lehighton Pizzeria, Inc., retail sale of food, 401 Mahoning Street, Lehighton, Bozhidar Buglov Linkhorst Enterprises, Inc., wholesale of baked goods, 33 E Ridge Street, Lansford NEPA Sport and Social Club, sports and recreation: sports leagues, events and tournament, 93 North Lake Drive, Lake Harmony, David Hartnett New Beginnings, mental health services, 21 Dogwood Lane, Nesquehoning, Professional Counseling, Consulting and Human Services LLC New Day Real Estate, LLC, real estate brokerage, 41 E Railroad Street, Nesquehoning Northeast Pennsylvania Sport and Social Club LLC, 93 North Lake Drive PO Box 337, Lake Harmony On Call Lube LLC, 165 Brittany Drive, Albrightsville Reading Business Management LLC, real estate services, 161 Spencer Lane, Albrightsville Rent570, LLC, real estate acquisition development and management, 41 E Railroad Street, Nesquehoning Rumors Beauty Salon, hair salon, 128 South 3rd Street, Lehighton, Allison White Sarah Elizabeth Design, graphic design, fine artwork, 227 North Street, Jim Thorpe, Sarah Kuehner SmartHire Services, Inc., temp employee services, 179 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton Sunshine Solutions & Supplies, LLC, sell industrial packaging supplies, 600 Lonesome Lane, Palmerton Twin Falls Safety, consulting, 3520 Han’s Dairy Road, Palmerton, Robert D Weller Monroe County Abysmal Realms Gaming, retail sales, RR 8 Box 8109, Stroudsburg, Anthony Ortiz Abysmal Realms, Inc., RR 8 Box 8109, Stroudsburg All For Them Distributors, Inc., food distribution, 218 Acorn Lane, Stroudsburg, Joseph Pino All Remodeling Inc., construction, 73 Edelweiss Rd, East Stroudsburg, Ryszard Rybakiewicz Alliance TA Corp, real estate, 814 Monroe Street Suite 107, Stroudsburg, Anthony Saulo Ann McGuire, retail sales clothing accessory and manufacturing textiles, 2909 Route 390, Cresco Atta Boy Contracting, excavating, home improvement, 2580 57 Route, Kunkletown, Randolph Shipwash BCS Transport, Inc., transportation, Lot 41 Rossmor RR8 Box 7089 A, Saylorsburg BL Country Kitchen Incorporated, 2734 Hickory Rd, Tobyhanna Blessings on Africa, Inc., benevolence, 103 Lilac Drive, East Stroudsburg Blue Mountain Promotions, LLC, marketing and promotions, 478 Blue Mountain Crossing, East Stroudsburg C & C Performance Centers, sell motor fuels and automobile incidentals, Rt. 940, Pocono Summit, Bozena Gawryah Camelback HWP LLC, hotel, Water Park, timeshare, One Camelback Road, Tannersville Chris Plumbing LLC, unknown, 31 Besecker Dr, East Stroudsburg Classic Bulk Transport, trucking, 8545 Lincoln Green Drive, Kunkletown, Anthony Frattarelli Doctor Nails II, nail salon, 1240 N 9th Street, Stroudsburg, Kimberly Dinh Eneidaly, LLC, day care center, 18 Diane Lane, Canadensis, Lucitania DeJesus Expedient Document Consultants, bonded courier, notary, 2713 Starlight Terrace, Tobyhanna, Gerald Parker Francisca’s Professional Cleaning Service, Inc., cleaning service, 29 Mount Nebo Road, East Stroudsburg, Francisca Rivadeneira G & S Fabricating & Welding, Inc., RR 1 BOX 18 Merwinsburg Road, Effort Gimblet Family Charitable Foundation, charitable foundation, HCR 1, Box 612, Brodheadsville Give 2 Save, assist families with emergency aid for food and medical expenses, 3529 Summit Drive, Tobyhanna, Cherie Willoughby Glamor Nail Spa LLC, nail salon, Route 611 Tannersville Plaza, Tannersville Global Medical Weight Loss, medical services, 235 East Brown Street, Suite 202, East Stroudsburg, Harpreet Singh, MD Golden Delight Caribbean American Restaurant, LLC, 5974 Seneca Way, Tobyhanna Gordon Waste & Recycle Service, waste pick up and recycling, 133 Colleen Dr, Blakeslee, Brainard Grodon Green Team Contractors, geothermal drilling and HVAC, 73 Fernwood Avenue, Bartonsville, Kenneth Kerr and John Rebagliati Heather Cleaning Service, clean house and businesses, 5326 Ledgewood Drive, Tobyhanna, Heather Field Helping Hands Worldwide, help people who lost homes thru natural disaster, 1995 Milford Road, East Stroudsburg Hemlock Mortgage Corporation, 1103 Hemlock Drive, Pocono Summit I On Style, acquisition of antique and novelty clothing, 615 Main St., Stroudsburg, Iris Grubler J Diamond Used Cars, buy and sell used cars, 309 Rose Lane, Bartonsville, Joaquin Olmo JB Carpentry, general carpentry, 6239 Park Place, Tobyhanna, John Butt KB Properties Lawn Care, lawn maintenance, 7418 Kunkletown Road, Saylorsburg, Brandon Knapp Kelliher’s Creative Enterprises, sell space for business cards and brochures in my display, 33 Executive Drive, Stroudsburg, Maryann Kelliher La Casa Nostra, Italian restaurant, Route 611 Star Village Shops, Scotrun, Eddy Mae Landstrom LaAnna Chapel, LLC, real estate, 5 Krummel Lane, Mountainhome Let Me Coordinate, LLC, 7191 Sawmill Road, Long Pond LilliCrafts, jewelry making and crocheted items, 128-A Broad Street, Stroudsburg, Lilli Johnson Lou-Jim Home Repairs, Inc., home repairs, 9010 Idlewild Drive, Tobyhanna, Luis Jimenez MBAM, LLC, media- film production, 42 Bull Pine Road, East Stroudsburg Microbe Tec LLC, sale of chemical to inhibit bacteria growth, RR 2 Route 447, Canadensis Mount Pocono Beauty Supply, Inc., beauty supply store, 180 Sterling Road, Mount Pocono Moyer & Farnell Development Group, LP, 816 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, DJ Holdings LLC Mr. Big, LLC, entertainment, RR #3 74 Princess Valley Road, Kunkletown No Kill Monroe County PA, Inc., prevention of cruelty to animals/funding for low cost veterinary care, 151 Mattioli Road, Bartonsville Pavilion Enterprizes, LTD, event planner, promotional, 689 Gap View Drive, East Stroudsburg Pocono Area Shooting Stars FC, Inc., youth soccer program, Route 611 Suite 8 Merchants Plaza PO Box 536, Tannersville Pug Rescue of Pennsylvania, rescue/medical care for abused, abandoned pugs, RR 2 Box 2394, Cresco Quality Propane, propane sales, 359 Lincoln Avenue, East Stroudsburg, Titan Propane Services Inc. Real Estate Management, 238 Braeside Avenue, East Stroudsburg, John Gilliland and Sable Machado Real Living Ritter & Company, real estate, 717 Sarah Street, Stroudsburg, James W. Ritter & Co. Real Estate, Ltd Second Chance Pet Rescue d/b/a Camp Papillon Pet Adoption and Rescue, rescuing and adoption of animals, 205 Grey Fox Drive, Stroudsburg, Geri Papillon Shakti Life Force, marketing earth friendly goods online, 3547 Williams Road, Cresco, Kimberly Baldwin and Gary Gravatt Shaw Maintenance, building maintenance, 93 Russell Court, Effort, Robert Shaw Simple Construction Solutions, LLC, marketing patent ideas, RR 4 BOX 4167A, Stroudsburg Standart Plus, Inc., brokering, 1001 Phillips St., Apt C8, Stroudsburg, Kamen Mollov Suzanne’s Treasures, Furniture, antiques, jewelry sales, 927 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, Susan Hussein Swamsb, toys, hobbies, etc, 1332 Neola Road, Stroudsburg, Michael Petrocelli Tamer Kasal DBA Tony’s Auto Express, car carrier company, Lot 5 Route 209 S PO Box 85, Gilbert, Tamer and Tarken Kasel Tech1440 LLC, IT services and sales, 7124 Glade Drive South, Long Pond, Frank Nieto The Grim Sweeper, chimney sweep and repair, RR 2 BOX 2120, East Stroudsburg, Gregory Milford The Lotus Resources for Life Inc., 3117 Emerald Blvd Route 611, Long Pond Total Balance Chiropractic, Corp, 87 Route 115, Suite 1, Effort Unlimited Visions, LLC, sports recruiting and player promotion, RD 6, Box 6381-A, Stroudsburg Warsaw Electrical LLC, 10 Hillside Court, East Stroudsburg WeWantDessert.com, LLC, bakery, RR1 BOX 203B, Canadensis, Jeanie Kurzrok Willow Dane INC., RR2 Box 2175, Cresco, Yuppy Puppy Inc., pet shop, 33 Switzgable Drive, Brodheadsville Pike County 307 West Harford Street Corporation, real estate, 307 W Harford St, Milford, Darryl Wood American Digital Printing, digital printing, 75 At the Falls, Bushkill, Kimberly Ann Finkel CSB Pharmacy, Inc., pharmaceuticals, 1592 Route 739, Dingmans Ferry EGS Imports Inc., sell home furnishings, 1111 Saw Creek, Bushkill, Grigor Tchilingarian Frank J BonGiorno & Associates, Inc., 294 Laurel Lane, Greentown Good Health Pharmacy, Inc., pharmaceuticals, 1592 Route 739, Dingmans Ferry, CSB Pharmacy, Inc Green Light Transportation, Inc., transportation, 182 West Fall Drive, Dingmans Ferry, Igor Kamynin Hawley Silk Mill, LLC, real estate, 106 Shook Road, Hawley HowKat Precision Automotive, auto/truck tow and repair, 1401 Route 6, Greeley, Howard Shankler John Plus, handyman, 323 Ranchlands, Bushkill, John Hutter Korka, LLC, trading, 244 At the Falls, Bushkill, Le Conteur Photography, wedding photography, 133 Sagamore Rd, Shohola, Brian and Katharene Delorenzo Neat & Tidy, Inc., domestic cleaning service, 1146 Pine Ridge, Bushkill Nest Bed, bed and breakfast, 1394 Route 739, Dingmans Ferry, Mark and Sally Heiblim North Country Feed, LLC, 126 Kitty Harkeroa, Dingmans Ferry PikeMoms.com, LLC, internet marketing/advertisement, 126 Congress Road, Milford SDR Ventures, LLC, real estate, 299 Sawkill Road, Milford Simply Stones, natural stone and silver jewelry, 3824 Sunrise Lake, Milford, Sarah Czajkowski Violets R Blue LLC, retail, 128 Hemlock Brook Trail, Greentown Wayne County 14th Street Property, apartment rental business, 303 Tenth Street, Honesdale, Albert, Charles, Christine and John Dodson 652 Auto, LLC, auto repair, 355 Beach Lake Highway, Honesdale Advance Glass & Mirror, Inc., glass repair and design, 135 Indian Rocks, Lake Ariel, Vladimir Berman Animal Wellness Center of New York City, veterinary practice and surgery, RR 1, Box 619, Hawley, Better at Home Caregivers LLC, non-medical home care, 18 Sunset Drive, Gouldsboro Bill Goodwin Construction, LLC, building and remodeling, 1186 Owego Turnpike, Honesdale C&J Reparations, LLC, Cleaning, repair and consulting, 3065 North Road, The Hideout, Lake Ariel Cherry Ridge Excavating and Equipment Repairs Inc., 404 Spinner Road, Honesdale, Mark Lienart Drainz Plus, LLC, plumbing, 359 Daw Road, Pleasant Mount Flex Appeal, retail sale of food supplements and vitamins, 1008 Main St Suite 102, Honesdale, Phyllis Matechak Gcomm, online auction sales, RR 1 Box 215, Hawley, John Evichin Glen Eyre Animal Hospital, PC IntegriGuard Enterprises, LLC, program safeguard contractor, 2292 Brookfield Rd, Lake Ariel, JWM Enterprises d/b/a Tanglz Hair Studio, 813 Hamlin Highway, Hamlin, Fallyn and Sharon Mundrake Lee’s Lawn Care, LLC, lawn care and property maintenance, 35 Butternut Road, Newfoundland Mannco Realty, real estate, 298 Owego Turnpike, Waymart, Darrell and Dustin Manning Maude Alley, retail sales, 1019-1023 Main Street, Honesdale, Paul Ludick Milkweed, retail sales, 1023 Main Street, Honesdale, William Anton Nina Footwear Corporation, shoe importer, National Corporate Services, LLC Norr General Partnership, provide architectural and engineering services, 719 Griswold Street Suite 1000, Detroit, Donald Barry and Victor Smith Omega Designs, Inc., sales of gifts and jewelry, 2418 Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, Cecelia Klimitchev Panther Lodging, tourism/lodging facility, 394 Route 447, Newfoundland, Bonaventura Potts Patty’s Checkers Diner, diner, 349 Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel, Patricia Carnrike Reaper’s Revenge, Inc., seasonal hayride attraction, 16 Smith Pond Road, Honesdale Revive, garage or barn sale of used items, 175 Rutledgedale Road, Tyler Hill, Mary Meyer S&O, LLC, real estate, 88 Moore Road, Lake Ariel Seamrog Services, contractor, RR 1 Box 216 Route 447, Newfoundland, Edward McAnally Sunburst Investments LLC, real estate holding company, 180 Chapman Road, Lake Ariel Tree CareSpecialist, landscaping, 21 Lakeland Drive, Lake Ariel, Jennifer Reeves Waterside LLP, 205 Conklin Hill Road, Damascus MERS = Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Disclaimer: Deeds and mortgages are recorded as accurately as possible adhering to the cover dates in the County Recorders’ office. 30 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE Let’s Do Business. Michael Baxter & Associates has the largest inventory of commercial real estate in the Pocono Mountain region. Whether you are looking for a development site, business, or building, we can help you find the property that fits your business needs. Call one of our Commercial Advisors today to talk about your commercial and investment real estate goals! COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 570-421-7666 COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS www.BaxCommercial.com INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES FLEX SPACE DEVELOPMENT SITES • OFFICE SPACE BUSINESS OPPORTUNTIES RETAIL SPACE RESTAURANTS INVESTMENT PROPERTIES GAS STATIONS MEDICAL SPACE 31 z Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE We’ve developed a better way, The OHA Way, for Construction Management & General Contracting. Lake Noami Community Center AWARD-WINNING CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS RESORTS | COMMUNITY CENTERS | OFFICE | INDUSTRIAL| HEALTH CARE Bear Creek Resort & Conference Center Lake Noami Center Lake NoamiCommunity Community Center 610 366 1709 X 242 | www.ohainc.com The Spa at Bear Creek Spread Eagle Realty FOR SALE or LEASE FOR LEASE FOR LEASE Milford Road Professional Building, Marshalls Creek—New 15,000 sq. ft. brick professional building with Rte. 209 visibility under construction. Condominium ownership suites still available For Sale or Lease. Will design & build your floor plan to suit. 235 East Brown Street Medical Building, East Stroudsburg—New 12,600 sq. ft. medical building; Two suites still available. Walk to Pocono Medical Center and ESU. Need space now?...your new medical suite is available for immediate occupancy. The Courtyard Building—Located with professional businesses in the Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East, this 18,300 sq. ft. building has only one 1,800 sq. ft. suite left. New suite designed specifically for your business. FOR LEASE 23,180 sq.ft. Convenience Store and Gas Station 11 Rental Units plus Home Pocono Mountain Industrial Park South, Mount Pocono—23,180 sq.ft facility zoned for multiple mixed uses: industrial, commercial, warehouse, retail, etc. Great highway access, central sewer, central water, abundant parking. $1,600,000 Stroudsburg-High traffic, high Route 209 visibility mini-market and gas station. Owned and operated for 30 yrs, this is the 1st time this has been offered for sale. Do not miss your opportunity to own this great income producing property. $1,200,000 Paradise Township—10 apartments, 1 carriage house with garage and a 5 bedroom, 2.5 bath residence with in ground pool, 3 stone fireplaces, modern kitchen; all on 10 acres. Horses welcome. Owner financing to qualified buyers. $899,900 The Courtyard Phase II—Located with professional businesses in the Pocono Mountains Corporate Center East. New suites from 1,500 to 11,400 sq. ft. designed and built specifically for your business and business efficiency. Residential Commercial Industrial Investment Acreage Building Sites New Construction 421-7725 (570) SpreadEagleRealty.com 86.2 Commercial Acres Tannersville—86.2 commercial acres in center of Monroe County. I-80 visibility; close to Routes 611 & 715. A multitude of subdivision possibilities, commercial uses, multifamily and residential uses. $2,800,000 In-town Mixed Use Commercial Borough of East Stroudsburg—High visibility property zoned for a multitude of blended uses: retail, professional offices, medical, apartments, residential. 7500 square feet of space in 2 buildings. Priced under appraisal $799,900 6 Residential Rental Units Broadheadsville—Main house plus 5 apartments and a 2-car garage nestled on 2.5 streamside acres in a country setting. Units have been restored inside and out and are generating favorable revenue. Call today. $625,000 6 Residential Rental Units 4 Residential Rental Units Kunkletown—Investors Wanted!! 5 two bedroom units and one efficiency apartment. Property has a new septic system, adequate parking and no vacancies. Well maintained. Revenue and expense info available. Call today. $399,000 Broadheadsville— 4 unit multi-family cottage property consisting of 2 two bedroom units and 2 one bedroom units. Lots of potential with 627 feet of Route 115 frontage and 6 acres. Great rental history call for details. $349,000 32 Pocono Business Journal | April 2009 d\\kk_\e\n]XZ\f]?\Xik:Xi\ < J J 8 ? \ X i k X e [ MX j Z l c X i @ e j k ` k l k \ At Pocono Medical Center’s Heart and Vascular Institute, you place your trust—and your heart—in our hands. I’m a cardiothoracic surgeon leading a team at the forefront of innovative heart care, achieving excellence and offering the most complex cardiac procedures—every day. We’re one of the few cardiac teams in the country that can perform rare surgeries like the Dor procedure, which can rebuild the heart. Recently, my team successfully completed a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, leading edge cardiac surgery. At PMC’s Heart and Vascular Institute, we treat every patient, every heartbeat, every breath with world-class, compassionate cardiac care. www.PoconoMedicalCenter.org I’m Dr. Nche Zama, and I am the new face of heart care.