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FOCUS CENTRAL PA RECEIVES GRANT FROM PPL FOUNDATION FOR A PPL POWERED ECONOMIC INVESTMENT PARTNERS FORUM

Posted on by Jules Slater
focus central pa logo

Danville, PA – Focus Central Pennsylvania is pleased to announce it has received a $21,500 grant from PPL Foundation. These funds will support a top-notch two-day sales and education training initiative to engage partners and community leaders to raise awareness, knowledge and share details about industrial opportunities in Central Pennsylvania so together partners can effectively promote and support promotion of the region to attract sustainable, quality investments for strong communities.

The world and Central Pennsylvania are experiencing challenges from exponential advances in technology and unprecedented economic disruptions. One of those challenges and competitive advantages to economic strength and growth is the national capacity and delivery of electricity as the industrial community digitalizes and electrifies. The forum will cover the sales process for business attraction, details on the Central PA product that is promoted, ways to promote and support promotion of the region as well as knowledge sharing on the electric infrastructure and how that supports economic growth in Central PA.

The forum will be open to leaders and organizations that have a vested interest in successful economic growth in Central PA to include education partners, utilities, planning departments, transportation partners, local and county leaders, federal and state leaders, economic development partners, Chamber leaders, and other key partners to include engineering, construction, financial institutions and real estate executives.   

“Focus Central PA is grateful for PPL Foundation’s support of smart economic growth in Central PA. The work to support thriving communities is the work of many and PPL Foundation’s support provides the resources necessary to engage, collaborate and communicate as partners to accomplish important things for our communities.” said Lauren Bryson, Executive Director, Focus Central PA.

About Focus Central PA

Focus Central Pennsylvania is part of a committed team of economic development leaders from Centre, Mifflin, Snyder, Union, Northumberland, Montour, and Columbia counties that proactively market the region as a choice location for quality companies to invest and grow their businesses.

About the PPL Foundation

The PPL Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization formed to support community initiatives in the areas served by PPL Corporation’s utilities. Through strategic partnerships, the PPL Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that are engaged in innovative and groundbreaking work to create vibrant, sustainable communities; advance diversity, equity, and inclusion; and support children’s success from cradle to career in both Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Learn more at pplcares.com.

Former CATA General Manager Hugh Mose Named to Transit Hall of Fame

Posted on by Jules Slater
Hugh Mose, Former CATA General Manager

September 25, 2024

On October 2nd the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) will induct three new members into the prestigious APTA Hall of Fame. Included in that group will be Hugh Mose, who served for over nineteen years as the General Manager of the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA).  Established in 1983, the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have had long and distinguished careers in public transportation and have made extraordinary contributions to the industry. 

Hugh has been named to the Hall of Fame for his nearly fifty years of service to the transit industry, which began when he was hired right out of graduate school to manage the city-run transit system in Iowa City, Iowa.  After five years in Iowa, he moved to Fresno, California, where he served as Assistant Transit Director, and then to Olympia, Washington, where he managed the local transit system.  Returning to the East Coast in1995, he found his true home at CATA, where he worked as General Manager until his retirement in 2014.

Since retiring from CATA, Hugh has continued his transit industry involvement, representing Avail Technologies, a national transit technology company located in State College, doing consulting work, and devoting time and energy to APTA, its associated Foundation, and the federally funded Transit Cooperative Research Program.  He also continues to mentor young professionals throughout the transit industry.

For nearly half a century, Hugh has been committed to public transportation in every dimension.  His achievements include leading CATA to become the first transit system on the East Coast to have a 100% natural gas-powered bus fleet, working with Penn State to integrate the Town and Campus LOOPS, and helping to develop an innovative apartment-based program in which Penn State students prepay for bus service as part of their rent.

Being the “face” of CATA has also led Hugh to be a leader in the Centre County community.  He’s served as United Way Board Chair, Rotary Club president, Chair of the State College Transportation Commission and Clerk of the Board at Foxdale Village.  In addition, for over thirty years Hugh and his wife Janyce have shared their home with a succession of rescued greyhounds – perfect pets for someone in the bus industry!

 

Geisinger to host appreciation dinners to honor local military veterans

Posted on by Jules Slater

Drive-through event to take place at 11 locations

September 26, 2024

DANVILLE, Pa. – To thank local military veterans for their service, Geisinger will host drive-through veteran appreciation dinners at 11 locations across the health system’s service area from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7. The Geisinger Healthplex State College location will serve meals from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The dinners for U.S. military veterans and a guest are offered at no cost to participants.

Geisinger will provide these dinners at a drive-through event for the safety of the community, staff and volunteers. Last year’s event served about 2,900 meals.

Servings are limited, and those interested are encouraged to sign up now. Veterans can make a reservation for themselves and one guest by visiting go.geisinger.org/vetsdinner2024 or calling 570-293-7200. The deadline to register is Friday, Nov. 1.

Centre County Location:

State College: Geisinger Healthplex State College, 132 Abigail Lane, Port Matilda

Other Locations:

Bloomsburg: Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, 549 Fair St. (main entrance)
Danville: Geisinger Justin Drive Office Building, 35 Justin Drive, Building 2
Jersey Shore: Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, 1020 Thompson St.
Lewistown: Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave. (third-floor entrance)
Mifflintown: Geisinger Family Health Associates Mifflintown, 27 CJEMS Lane
Muncy: Geisinger Medical Center Muncy, 255 Route 220 Highway
Pittston: Geisinger Healthplex CenterPoint, 1201 Oak St.
Scranton: Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave.
Shamokin: Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital, 4200 Hospital Road, Coal Township

About Geisinger 

Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 126 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $15 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

CBICC and Community Partners Announce Centre County Economic Development Strategic Plan

Posted on by Jules Slater

Stakeholders will unveil and launch the plan at a Voice of Business Luncheon Event on October 9th, 2024.

STATE COLLEGE, PA – September 23, 2024 – The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), in collaboration with community partners and stakeholders announces the official launch of Centre County’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. Community and State leaders will officially unveil the Plan at CBICC’s Voice of Business Luncheon on Wednesday, October 9th from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center. Ticketed event registration is available at www.cbicc.org. 

Since June 2023 CBICC has worked diligently with leaders and businesses throughout Centre County to develop a comprehensive, collaborative, and sustainable plan aimed at positioning the entire region for future success. CBICC engaged top rated economic development consulting firm Camoin Associates to assist in exploring Centre County’s economic challenges and opportunities and developing the plan. During this process we involved a wide array of voices through public input sessions with an Economic Development Council and focus groups with entrepreneurs, anchor employers, and local businesses. This thorough process has resulted in a strategic plan that reflects a shared vision for the region’s growth and provides clear actions the Centre County community can take towards economic resilience.

“This plan reflects the diverse needs and ambitions of our community, and CBICC is honored to have played a key part in the development process” said Greg Scott, President and CEO of CBICC. “We are excited to present an overview of the collaborative plan to an audience of local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members at our Voice of Business event on October 9th.”

The event will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, including:

  • Greg Scott, President and CEO of CBICC
  • Dr. Neeli Bendapudi, President of Penn State University
  • Commissioner Mark Higgins, Centre County Government
  • Ben Kirshner, Chief Transformation and Opportunity Officer for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • Luke Bernstein, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry

Following the event, CBICC will publicize the full Economic Development Strategic Plan, which details background data, findings, and expanded details, including specific goals and action items. This plan will guide community leaders and organizations in tracking progress and fostering collaboration towards achieving set objectives.

Why Self-Awareness is a Critical Trait in Today’s Workplace

Posted on by Jules Slater

Content from Chamber Today

    • Self-awareness is essential for both personal and professional growth, enabling individuals to accept feedback constructively and improve communication skills.

    • Teams benefit from self-awareness as it enhances team dynamics by fostering trust, collaboration, and more efficient conflict resolution.

    • A lack of self-awareness in employees can lead to a toxic work environment and undermine team trust and collaborative efforts.

    • Strategies for fostering self-awareness include promoting regular feedback loops, incorporating self-assessment tools, and encouraging a growth mindset culture.

    • Leaders who model self-awareness set a powerful example, promoting a company culture that values engagement, initiative, and ethical behavior.

698 ~ 4 min. read

Self-awareness is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of professional success. In the context of leadership, it is often considered a key differentiator between high-performing teams and those that struggle with internal friction and inefficiency. A lack of self-awareness can lead to several issues, from poor communication and collaboration to a toxic work environment. Read on to learn more about the value of fostering self-awareness for both employees and leaders in any organization.

The Role of Self-Awareness in Professional Development

Self-awareness is the ability to understand one’s strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and the impact of one’s behavior on others. This trait is essential for personal and professional development for several reasons:

    • Receiving Feedback Constructively: Self-aware individuals are more likely to accept constructive criticism without becoming defensive. They see feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than a personal attack. This mindset is crucial in fast-paced environments where adaptability and continuous learning are key.

    • Improving Communication Skills: When employees are aware of their communication style, they can adjust it to suit different situations and audiences. This flexibility can lead to more effective teamwork and collaboration, as employees are better equipped to navigate interpersonal dynamics. The DiSC profile is one tool that can help you raise your own self-awareness and understand what’s best for you when it comes to inbound communication.

    • Taking Responsibility for Actions: Self-aware employees are more likely to acknowledge their mistakes and take ownership of their actions. This accountability is a critical element in building trust within teams and with leadership. Nicole Lipkin, a psychologist and Forbes’ contributor, offers these tips for owning up to your mistakes at work. 

Impact on Team Dynamics and Company Culture

A lack of self-awareness doesn’t just affect the individual—it can ripple through teams and the entire organization. Consider the following:

    • Creating a Toxic Work Environment: Employees who lack self-awareness may not realize how their negative behaviors, such as interrupting others or dismissing different viewpoints, affect team morale. Over time, this can lead to decreased engagement and productivity.

    • Undermining Trust and Collaboration: Trust is the foundation of any strong team, and it is built on understanding and respect. When team members aren’t self-aware, they may inadvertently undermine this trust by failing to recognize how their actions or attitudes affect others.

    • Inefficient Conflict Resolution: In teams where self-awareness is lacking, conflicts may fester rather than be addressed constructively. Self-aware employees are more likely to approach conflicts with empathy and a problem-solving mindset, which can lead to quicker and more effective resolutions.

Strategies to Foster Self-Awareness in the Workplace

Business leaders and team managers must actively foster an environment where self-awareness is cultivated and valued. Here are a few practical strategies to achieve this:

    • Encourage Regular Feedback Loops: Implement a culture where feedback is continuous and normalized. Feedback should be specific, actionable, and delivered in a way that encourages reflection rather than defensiveness. Managers can model this by openly soliciting feedback on their performance and decisions.

    • Incorporate Self-Assessment Tools: Personality assessments, 360-degree feedback, and self-reflection exercises can help employees gain insights into their behaviors and tendencies. These tools can serve as a starting point for more in-depth conversations about personal and professional growth.

    • Promote a Growth Mindset Culture: When organizations emphasize learning and development over a fixed mindset, employees are more likely to see self-awareness as a skill that can be developed rather than an innate trait. This can encourage them to seek out coaching, training, or mentorship opportunities to enhance their self-awareness.

    • Lead by Example: Leaders and managers must embody self-awareness in their daily actions. When leaders openly reflect on their mistakes, show vulnerability, and demonstrate a commitment to personal growth, they set a powerful example for their teams.

The Takeaway 

Investing in self-awareness training and development can lead to significant long-term benefits for any organization. Self-aware employees tend to be more engaged, more likely to take initiative, and better equipped to handle the complexities of modern work environments. They also contribute to a positive company culture where innovation, collaboration, and ethical behavior are the norms.

By making self-awareness a core competency in hiring, development, and performance evaluations, organizations can build stronger, more cohesive teams capable of navigating the challenges of today’s dynamic business landscape.

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The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.