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Author: Jeannine Lozier

GET Solar Communities Centre Region

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

With the quickly rising cost of electricity and the new federal incentives available for those going solar, now is the time to explore how going solar on your own property can save you money. Many Pennsylvanian companies and organizations have saved thousands to millions of dollars in energy costs over the life of their solar systems, with many more expected to go solar in the next few years.

That’s why a local group of community leaders have partnered with the PA Solar Center (a statewide nonprofit) to form GET Solar Centre Region. GET Solar Centre Region will provide businesses, nonprofits, and community property owners with free technical assistance and financial guidance on going solar – namely, how it can save them money.

For example locally, University Mennonite Church installed their 27.75 kW solar array in June 2023. The 75 solar modules are designed to offset 100% of the church’s annual electricity consumption. This will save them an estimated $96,000 in energy costs over the next 25 years.

Want to know how your company or organization can do the same? Plan to attend one of the free informational meetings scheduled at noon on September 19th, and 20th over Zoom.
We will be teaching some creative ways organizations like yours could reap the benefits of solar energy. You can expect to learn more about the following:

  • Tax credits
  • Grant programs
  • CPACE
  • Technical assistance
  • USDA REAP program grants and loans

The PA Solar Center will even offer a free assessment of your company’s solar potential and can issue RFPs for estimates from qualified solar developers. The PA Solar Center will review the bids with you and help you make sense of them — serving as your unbiased guide through the whole process.


If you are interested in attending, please register here: GET Solar Centre Region (pasolarcenter.org). Can’t attend but are interested in learning more? Contact Pam Adams at Centre Region COG, padams@crcog.net.

Mount Nittany Health’s Physician Group Establishes Tuition Reimbursement Program with the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

Mount Nittany Health is pleased to announce a partnership with the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI) to provide tuition assistance to students enrolled full-time or part-time in the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Certified Medical Assistants (CMA) programs. As part of the program, students will receive employment agreements to work at Mount Nittany Physician Group upon graduation, if they meet the eligibility requirements.

“Mount Nittany Physician Group is looking to the future,” said Kathleen Rhine, President and CEO of Mount Nittany Health. “As we continue in our mission of ‘Healthier People, Stronger Community,’ it is a priority for us to increase our clinical staff to continue providing high-quality care to our patients. This partnership with CPI will help create a pipeline of LPNs and CMAs as we continue to innovate ways to serve the local community.”

The program will cover full tuition for eligible and selected full-time and part time students of the LPN program and the CMA program offered by CPI.

“We’re excited to provide this educational opportunity to the local community,” said Amy Trithart, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, SHRM-SCP, Chief Human Resources and Ancillary Services Officer, Mount Nittany Health. “As an employer of choice in the area, Mount Nittany Physician Group is an important part of Mount Nittany Health which has over 2,400 employees at our 19 locations in the Centre region. This partnership is an innovative way to continue to attract top talent to our healthcare system.”

“We are very pleased to expand our long-standing partnership with Mount Nittany Physician Group” stated Todd Taylor, Vice President, Post-Secondary Education for CPI. “In addition to outstanding career opportunities available at Mount Nittany Physician Group at graduation, participating CPI students will now have tuition sponsorship funding available to them to focus on their studies and graduate with little to no student debt. It really is a great time to be thinking about a career in the medical field. CPI looks forward to working closely with Mount Nittany Health as we grow our campus and expand our health-related degree programs.” said Taylor.

The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County has signed onto the US Chamber’s Coalition letter directed to President Biden

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

This letter discusses the ongoing labor negotiations between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the Detroit Three: General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company. By lending our voice, we aim to contribute to a balanced and equitable resolution that benefits all. Read the full letter below. 

Dear Mr. President:

The undersigned organizations are concerned by the growing possibility of a strike by the United Auto Workers (UAW) in their negotiations for a new labor contract with General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford Motor Company (Detroit Three). A UAW strike would impose significant hardship on American families and the economy so we, therefore, urge you and your Administration to provide the support necessary to help the parties reach a new agreement by the September 14 deadline.

The Detroit Three are critical to our economy. They produced 4.8 million vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, alongside 3.5 million engines, and 5.6 million transmissions.[1] A 2020 report[2] shows that the Detroit Three are supported by 238,000 employees at 260 assembly plants, manufacturing facilities, research labs, distribution centers, and other facilities across 31 states. They work with nearly 9,700 dealerships, which employ nearly 660,000 U.S. workers. Additionally, every vehicle that rolls off the assembly line of a Detroit Three automaker contains anywhere from 8,000 to 12,000 different components manufactured by over 5,600 U.S. suppliers. Over 690,000 supplier jobs are estimated to be tied to the Detroit Three, which accounts for anywhere from 20% to 70% of their business. This means a strike will quickly impact large segments of the economy, leading to layoffs and potentially even bankruptcies of U.S. businesses. While UAW’s 40-day strike on General Motors in 2019 forced suppliers to temporarily lay off approximately 75,000 workers, every indication is that a strike today would be significantly more severe for many businesses. Indeed, one analysis estimates a 10-day UAW strike could result in economic losses of more than $5 billion.[3]

No one should want a strike. The Administration has already employed its formal and informal convening power in the past year to help parties reach agreements in the freight railroad, West Coast port terminal, and UPS-Teamster contract negotiations. We urge you to lend similar help here and work with the parties to help reach an agreement by September 14.

Sincerely,

National

American Composite Manufacturers Association

American Foundry Society

Armenian American Chamber of Commerce

Auto Care Association

Business Roundtable

MEMA, The Vehicle Suppliers Association

National Association of Manufacturers

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Alabama

Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast

Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce

Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce

Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Information

SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce

Arizona

Apache Junction Area Chamber of Commerce

Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce

Chandler Chamber of Commerce

Gilbert Chamber of Commerce

Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce

Greater Phoenix Chamber

Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce

Peoria Chamber of Commerce

Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce

Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Tucson Metro Chamber

Arkansas

Little Rock Regional Chamber

California

Antelope Valley Chamber of Commerce

Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce

Dana Point Chamber of Commerce

Danville Area Chamber of Commerce

Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

Modesto Chamber of Commerce

Norwalk Chamber of Commerce

Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce

Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Pasadena Chamber of Commerce

Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce

Redding Chamber of Commerce

San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership

Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce

San Jose Chamber of Commerce

Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce

Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce

Vista Chamber of Commerce

West Ventura County Business Alliance

Florida

Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce

Georgia

Dade County Chamber of Commerce

Georgia Chamber of Commerce

Greater Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce

Habersham County Chamber of Commerce

Murray County Chamber of Commerce

Newton Chamber of Commerce

Taylor County Chamber of Commerce

Idaho

Boise Metro Chamber

Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce

Illinois

Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Cook County Black Chamber

Dixon Chamber of Commerce & Main Street

GLMV Chamber of Commerce

Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce

Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Illinois Chamber of Commerce

Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce

Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce

RiverBend Growth Association

Streator Chamber of Commerce

Indiana

Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Kendallville Area Chamber of Commerce

LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce

South Bend Regional Chamber

Tipton County Chamber of Commerce

Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce

Iowa

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce

Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI)

Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce

Kentucky

Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

Union County Chamber of Commerce

Louisiana

Central LA Regional Chamber of Commerce

Maryland

Talbot County Chamber of Commerce

Massachusetts

Metro South Chamber of Commerce

Michigan

Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce

Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce

Clare Area Chamber of Commerce

Detroit Regional Chamber

Flint & Genesee Chamber

Grand Rapids Chamber

Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce

Lansing Regional Chamber

Macomb County Chamber of Commerce

Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce

Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce

Minnesota

Delano Area Chamber of Commerce

Laurentian Chamber of Commerce

Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce

White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce

Mississippi

Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce

Montana

Montana Chamber of Commerce

Nebraska

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce

Washington County Chamber of Commerce

Nevada

Carson City Chamber of Commerce

Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce

Vegas Chamber

New Hampshire

Business & Industry Association (BIA) of NH

New Jersey

African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey

GWACC Chamber of Commerce

NJ State Chamber of Commerce

New York

Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Business Council of NYS, Inc.

North Carolina

Caldwell Chamber

Moore County Chamber of Commerce

NC Chamber

North Dakota

Chamber Grand Forks / East Grand Forks

Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC

Ohio

Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce

Greater Springfield Partnership

Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce

Lima Allen County Chamber of Commerce

Marion Area Chamber of Commerce

Ohio Chamber of Commerce

Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce

Oklahoma

Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce

State Chamber of Oklahoma

Tulsa Regional Chamber

Oregon

Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce

North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce

Oregon Business & Industry

Pennsylvania

Alle Kiski Strong Chamber

Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County

Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce

Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce

Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce

Rhode Island

East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce

South Carolina

South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

South Dakota

Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce

Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce

Tennessee

Kingsport Chamber

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

Tennessee Chamber of Commerce

White House Area Chamber of Commerce

Texas

East Parker County Chamber of Commerce

Fulshear Katy Area Chamber of Commerce

Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce

Longview Chamber of Commerce

Sherman Chamber of Commerce

Virginia

Blackstone Chamber of Commerce

Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce

Hampton Roads Chamber

Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce

Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance

Washington

Burlington Chamber of Commerce

Greater Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce

Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce

Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce

Puyallup Sumner Chamber of Commerce

West Virginia

West Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Wisconsin

Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce

Wyoming

Campbell County Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is excited to announce that the Annual Celebration and Chamber Awards are back

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

Join the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County for this year’s Annual Celebration and Chamber Awards on Thursday, October 26, 2023. This is where we honor Centre County’s businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Join us as we recognize our member’s outstanding contributions that bolster our region’s economic growth and contribute to a vibrant Centre County. This is a time for us to recognize and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses and those that work to provide impactful innovation to the economic vibrance of our wonderful area. We encourage you to nominate an outstanding business or employee that deserves such a recognition.  Sponsorships are also available.

To see our list of awards and submit a nomination form, secure your reservation or explore sponsorship opportunities click here: Annual Celebration & Awards – Chamber of Business & Industry Centre County (cbicc.org).

Boost Your Productivity with These Practical Habits

Posted on by Jeannine Lozier

SUMMARY

  • Batching tasks allows you to group similar tasks together and focus on them for a specific period of time, improving concentration and allowing you to monotask rather than multitask.
  • “Eating the frog” is a productivity hack that prioritizes the most difficult task first, leading to feelings of accomplishment that can carry over into the rest of the day/week.
  • Automating your attention by turning off notifications, putting your phone on silent, and using online scheduling helps avoid distractions.
  • Power napping for 10-20 minutes before 2pm (or 5pm for night owls) can improve cognitive function and boost creativity.
  • Incorporating these habits can help increase productivity and make you more efficient – practice proactively to see real results 

~ 593 words / 3 minute read 

Although productivity is an essential component to work and life, it’s not a subject most people learn in school. At first glance, the ability to stay focused, get organized, and finish tasks on time seems to be a talent bestowed at birth on the lucky. Thankful productivity experts have another view. Your productivity does not manifest from your genes but from your habits. The following productivity hacks will help you take control of your time and transform the way you work.  

Batch Your Time

Time batching is a technique where you set aside specific timeframes for certain tasks. Instead of jumping from one task to another, time batching allows you to group similar tasks together and focus only on them for a specific period. For example, instead of reading emails throughout the day, you schedule a specific time to read and respond. Likewise, you might set aside specific times each day for returning calls or scheduling appointments. Time batching improves concentration and allows you to monotask rather than multitask, which research has shown to be ineffective. We all wish there was more time in a day. By batching your tasks, you’ll be able to work more efficiently, save time, and minimize distractions.

Eat the Frog

American humorist Mark Twain once wrote, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” Productivity experts have latched onto Twain’s metaphor to address the way many people avoid hard tasks. Unfortunately, that avoidance has a cost. Stress, anxiety, and low-energy happen when we put off important work. Much like ripping off a band-aid, ‘eating the frog’ means prioritizing difficult work. Once you’ve conquered a challenging task, your feeling of accomplishment will carry over into the rest of your day, even your week.

Avoiding Distractions

Distractions can significantly affect productivity. Edward G. Brown, an efficiency and workflow consultant, argues that our biggest time bandits come from momentum loss, starting over, and do-overs because of errors. Nir Ayal, author of Indistracible: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, recommends using technology to automate your attention. Simple habits like turning off notifications during work hours, putting your phone on silent, and having clients book appointments through an online scheduler keeps your attention on your most important work and saves you time throughout your day.  

Power Naps

Can sleeping in the daytime really make you more productive? Just ask some of the world’s most successful basketball players like Lebron James or Derrick Rose, who have relied on naps to boost performance. Research shows that it’s not just athletes who benefit from napping. Power naps, defined as a 10-20 minute daytime sleep burst, can help recharge your energy, improve cognitive function, boost your creativity, and improve your work performance. When’s the best time to power nap? Sleep experts recommend before 2pm for most people or as late as 5pm for night owls. When you find yourself reaching for afternoon caffeine, you’ll know it’s time for a quick nap.  

The Takeaway 

Incorporating productivity habits like time batching, prioritizing hard tasks, avoiding distractions, and power naps are practical ways to increase productivity and become more efficient. By adopting these habits, you’ll be able to work smarter, not harder. Start by trying one or two habits for a few weeks and track how your productivity improves. Remember, productivity is like a muscle you develop, so practice everyday to get stronger.