June 2024 Connections

President & CEO

Tony Iannelli........................................610-739-1513

President & Chief Executive Officer tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org

Assistant to the President, Chamber Foundation, Nonprofit & Business Partners Council

Lorie Reinert........................................610-739-1597

Executive Director, Chamber Foundation and Nonprofit & Business Partners Council Liaison lorier@lehighvalleychamber.org

Member Relations, Marketing & Sales

Frank Facchiano...................................610-739-1515

Chief Operations Officer, EVP, Member Relations frankf@lehighvalleychamber.org

Gina Martens.......................................610-739-1511

Senior VP, Member Relations ginam@lehighvalleychamber.org

Alison Pickel........................................610-739-1512

Senior VP, Member Relations, Veterans & Military Council alisonp@lehighvalleychamber.org

Paige Nicholas ....................................610-737-0565 VP, Major Events & Small Business Council Liaison paigen@lehighvalleychamber.org

Ellie Andino..........................................610-739-1000 Director, Communications & Design elliea@lehighvalleychamber.org

Bailey Muhl.........................................610-349-9776 Member Relations Manager baileym@lehighvalleychamber.org

Sofia Groves ........................................610-802-2380 Coordinator, Member Relations sofiag@lehighvalleychamber.org

Matt Schlegel.......................................610-349-8226 benefits@thechamberhealthmarketplace.com

Government Affairs & Business Matters

Leo Rooney...........................................610-739-1642

Vice President, Government & External Affairs and Producer, Business Matters leor@lehighvalleychamber.org

Diversity Councils

African American Business Leaders Council, Hispanic Chamber, LGBTQ Business Council, Women’s Business Council, Young Professionals Council

Danielle Joseph...................................484-226-0128 Executive VP, Diversity Councils daniellej@lehighvalleychamber.org

Brittany Keal.......................................610-295-9824

Vice President, Diversity Councils brittanyk@lehighvalleychamber.org

Hannah Stott........................................484-668-0390 Manager, Diversity Councils hannahs@lehighvalleychamber.org

Sabrina Olivo........................................484-547-8970 Manager, Diversity Councils sabrinao@lehighvalleychamber.org

Chambers of Commerce

Allentown Area Chamber & Downtown Allentown Business Alliance

Brittney Ciardi ....................................484-828-9765 Senior VP, Allentown Initiatives brittneyc@lehighvalleychamber.org

Vaughan Bryant...................................484-226-6323 Manager, Allentown Initiatives vaughanb@lehighvalleychamber.org

Liz Martin ............................................484-834-9693 Allentown Chamber Associate lizm@lehighvalleychamber.org

Bethlehem Chamber & Downtown Bethlehem Association

Tammy Wendling................................610-739-1775

Senior VP, Bethlehem Initiatives tammyw@lehighvalleychamber.org

Claire Boucher......................................610-349-2180 Manager, Bethlehem Initiatives claireb@lehighvalleychamber.org

Ty Versocki............................................610-739-3385

Manager, Downtown Bethlehem Association tyv@lehighvalleychamber.org

Easton Area Chamber, Phillipsburg Area

Chamber, Forks Business Association

Caitlin Hamlin......................................610-739-1520

Manager, Easton & Phillipsburg Area Initiatives caitlinh@lehighvalleychamber.org

Erin Deutsch.........................................484-264-6630

Assistant Manager, Easton & Phillipsburg Area Initiatives erind@lehighvalleychamber.org

Affiliated Chambers (East Penn, Emmaus Main Street Partners, Hellertown-Lower Saucon, Greater Northern Lehigh, Southern Lehigh, Western Lehigh, Whitehall, Nazareth Area, Greater Northampton Area)

Jessica O’Donnell-Gower....................610-573-4010

Executive VP, Affiliated Chambers, Northern Tier and Easton & Phillipsburg Initiatives jessicao@lehighvalleychamber.org

Kylie Adams-Weiss .............................484-548-4090

AVP, Affiliated Chambers (WACC, GNLCC) + Director of Marketing & Design (Affiliated Chambers and Easton Area Initiatives) kyliea@lehighvalleychamber.org

Aaron Gasparetti..................................610-349-1532

Manager, Affiliated Chambers (GNACC, HLSC, NACC & WACC)

Elyse Cuttic...........................................484-834-7868

Assistant Manager, Affiliated Chambers (GNACC, HLSC, NACC & WACC) elysec@lehighvalleychamber.org

Hayden Rinde .....................................484-828-9777

AVP, Affiliated Chambers (EMSP, EPCC, SLCC & WLCC) haydenr@lehighvalleychamber.org

Northern Tier (Carbon County and Pocono Area)

Kathy Henderson.................................570-778-8147

Executive Director, CCEDC khenderson@carboncountychamber.org

Jessica Kohutka...................................570-952-5453

Member Relations Director, CCEDC jkohutka@carboncountychamber.org

Sarah Wallace.......................................484-547-8551 Director, PCC sarahw@lehighvalleychamber.org

Sierra LeFurgy......................................610-295-9047

Assistant Manager, PCC sierral@lehighvalleychamber.org

Accounting & Billing Department

Dawn Werkheiser................................610-751-4980

Chief Financial Officer dawnw@lehighvalleychamber.org

Tina Marte............................................610-739-5422

VP, Finance & Quality Processes tinam@lehighvalleychamber.org

Rose Caras............................................610-739-1612

Finance & Database Manager rosec@lehighvalleychamber.org

CHAMBER BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Tom Groves, Equinox Benefits Consulting Chair, The Chamber

Chamber produced street festivals have a magical way of bringing people together. They create a vibrant atmosphere filled with music, art, food, and performances. They not only celebrate local talent but also foster a sense of community spirit and pride. Whether it's a full-blown downtown food and music celebration or a main street block party, our street festivals offer something for everyone and create memorable experiences that strengthen the bonds within a community. Mark your calendars for Bethlehem's Suds N' Roses Craft Beer Festival, returning bigger and better this year on Saturday, June 1st from 2:30 to 4:30 in the beautiful Bethlehem Rose Garden! Calling all foodies! Join the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce for Nazareth's premiere Food Truck Festival on June 8th, from 2 to 6 p.m. Get ready for a culinary adventure as Nazareth Food Truck Festival transforms downtown Nazareth into a food paradise. From savory to sweet, a diverse array of local businesses and food trucks will serve up something for every palette! (ad on page 27). Join us in the heart of Bath on June 15th, for Spuds and Spurs – the ultimate potato and country music festival! From 1 to 6 p.m., immerse yourself

in a rootin' tootin' good time, celebrating the best of spuds and the twang of country tunes. (ad on page 28). On Saturday, June 22nd from 2 to 9 p.m. The Phillipsburg Chamber is celebrating 36 years of the annual Phillipsburg Ole Towne Festival! The day will be jam-packed with festival favorites and fresh entertainment for attendees of all ages. (ad on page 19). And of course, our Downtown Allentown team in partnership with the City of Allentown is proud to present the 16th Annual Blues, Brews & Barbecue Festival on June 22nd from noon to 10 p.m.! This FREE and open-to-the-public music festival draws BBQ and Blues music aficionados from all over the region with nationally acclaimed Blues artists and 100+ vendors! It is the single largest annual event held in Downtown Allentown with an estimated attendance of 15,000 - 25,000 guests throughout the day. This is the biggest of our summer festivals and would not be possible without the army of volunteers who pull it off! (ad on page 10).

These are certainly not the only events happening in June at The Chamber. They do bring out the best in our communities. On Every Main Street!

Chair, Tom Groves, Equinox Benefits Consulting

Tony Iannelli, The Chamber, President & CEO

Vice Chair, Laurie Hackett, Air Products

Treasurer, Jeff Berdahl, RLB Accountants

Secretary, Bret Ludlow, Liquid

Counsel, Buddy Lesavoy, Lesavoy Butz & Seitz LLC

Imm. Past Chair, Mary Lisicky, Morgan Stanley

Danielle Adams-Wiltshire, QueenSuite

Paul Anthony, IBEW 375

Michael Butz, Alvin H. Butz, Inc.

Luis Campos, City of Easton

Dorota Gasienica-Kozak, The KingSpry Law Firm

Murtaza Jaffer, EBC Printing

Andrew Lawler, West Side Hammer Electric

Buddy Lesavoy, Lesavoy Butz & Seitz, LLC

Donna LoStocco, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union

Carol Obando-Derstine, PPL Electric Utilities

Dr. Tina Richardson, Penn State Lehigh Valley

Board of Governors Executive Committee

Saturday, June 1st

12-3pm - Unidos 5-Year Anniversary Celebration (Free Event)

2:30-4:30pm - Suds N' Roses - Bethlehem

5:30-8pm - Bethlehem Live in the Garden Week 5 (Free Event)

Sunday, June 2nd

10:30-11:30am - Coopersburg Farmers Market Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting (Free Event)

Wednesday, June 5th

5-6pm - Watch Me Swim: Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting (Free Event)

5:30-7:30pm - The 2024 Excellence in Business Awards presented by the Small Business Council

Thursday, June 6th

8am-4pm - Lehigh Valley Women's Summit

Friday, June 7th

1-4pm - Easton Commercial Real Estate Open House & Tour (Free Event)

5:30-7:30pm - Tunes at Twilight Begins

6-9pm - School's Out Bash & Movie Night by Upper Saucon Township & Southern Lehigh Chamber (Free Event)

Saturday, June 8th

11am-12pm - Juxtahub Groundbreaking (Free Event)

2-6pm - Nazareth Food Truck Festival (Free Event)

5:30-8pm - Live in the Garden (Free Event)

Tuesday, June 11th

7:30am-2pm - Pocono Chamber Annual Golf Outing

9-10:30am - Empowering Abilities: Disability Inclusion in the Workplace, presented by the DEI Collaborative

Wednesday, June 12th

7:30am-12pm - Veterans Leadership Summit presented by the Veterans & Military Council

5-7pm - The Store at Cold Nose Lodge Grand Opening (Free Event)

Thursday, June 13th

11:30am-1pm - Somos Latinas Luncheon hosted by the Hispanic Chamber

4-6pm - Berkshire Hathaway Center Valley Open House Mixer (Free Event)

4-5pm - Maximize Your Membership - A Member Benefits Review (Free Event)

5-7pm - Networking at blue grillhouse (Free Event)

Friday, June 14th

11:30am-1:30pm - Nkasso JuneteenthLunch Celebration

1-4pm - Mid Atlantic Rehabilitation Services Grand Opening (Free Event)

Saturday, June 15th

9:30-11:30am - Greater Northern Lehigh Spirit Awards

1-6pm - Spuds & Surs (Free Event)

5:30-8pm - Live in the Garden (Free Event)

Monday, June 17th

8am-3pm - 19th Annual EMSP Golf Classic

Tuesday, June 18th

11am-1:30pm - Lunch & Lead: How to be an Ally in the Workplace, presented by the LGBTQ Business Council & Bethlehem Chamber

4-6pm - Reviews Up Grand Opening/Headshots Event (Free Event)

5-7pm - African American Business Leaders Council Social (Free Event)

Thursday, June 20th

10:30am-1pm - Lehigh Valley Transportation Forum

4-6pm - Hounds Town USA - Allentown Grand Opening & Open House (Free Event)

5-6pm - Platinum Star Cleaning Easton Ribbon Cutting (Free Event)

5:30-8pm - Business Etiquette Workship & Dining Experience presented by the Young Professionals Council

Friday, June 21st

6-8pm - The Steel Creek Band - Upper Saucon Township's Summer Concert Series (Free Event)

Saturday, June 22nd

12-10pm - Blues, Brews & Barbecue (Free Event)

2-9pm - Ole Town Festival (Free Event)

5:30-8pm - Live in the Garden

Sunday, June 23rd

6-8pm - Music in the Park Concert Series featuring the Billy Bauer Band (Free Event)

Tuesday, June 25th

11:45am-7pm - Somos Familia Golf Outing presented by the Hispanic Chamber

Wednesday, June 25th

5:30-8pm - Hillside Mini-Golf Tournament

Thursday, June 26h

12-1pm - Knopp Funeral Home Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (Free Event)

5-7pm - Business After Hours Open House & Networking At The Office Quarters (Free Event)

Friday, June 28th

6-8pm - TimeWhys - Upper Saucon Township's Summer Concert Series (Free Event)

CHAMBER SEEN!

The 3rd annual Brush-up Our Veterans Lehigh Valley (BOV LV) program brings volunteers together to paint and beautify the homes of qualified low-income elderly veterans, surviving spouses, or low-income disabled veterans or their surviving spouses of any age, in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, to improve the quality of their lives, maintain their property, and beautify the community.

Photos from Brush-Up Our Lehigh Valley Veterans!

Tuesday, June 11

Pocono Chamber Annual Golf Outing

Skytop Lodge

Monday, June 17 - SOLD OUT!

19th Annual EMSP Golf Classic

Green Pond Country Club

Tuesday, June 25

Somos Familia Golf Outing

Woodstone Country Club and Lodge

Monday, August 12

Bethlehem Chamber Walla Gazoo

Bethlehem Golf Club

Monday, September 9

Carbon Chamber Annual Sturm Cup

Jack Frost National Golf Club

Sponsorship opportunities are available!

To register or sponsor, contact Frank Facchiano at frankf@lehighvalleychamber.org

LEHIGH VALLEY ECONOMIC REPORT

Dr. Kamran Afshar, Chamber Chief Economist

The Chamber’s Finance Committee

610-691-3272 • ka@kaa-inc.com

The Consumer sentiment index is zooming up

The consumer sentiment index, the CSI, which fell to its lowest level ever in June of 2022, has been trending up, according to the University of Michigan, which released its preliminary April results. During the 1st four months of this year, the consumer sentiment index rose by a whopping 21% above its last year's level. The CSI dropped to its lowest level ever in June 2022, primarily due to a 9+% inflation and the constant media announcements of an imminent recession. That summer, consumer expectations for the future also hit rock bottom. Since no recession happened and inflation started to drop, CSI began to climb. Of course, the fact that consumers feel their personal finances have significantly improved has also helped! Even after adjustment of inflation, personal consumption expenditures continue to rise, which is normal in a growing economy. However, consumer expenditures on durable goods, items with a life expectancy of more than a year, show consumer confidence. This indicator rose

by a significant 8% last year. And this level of increase also shows consumers' positive expectations of the future of their finances. This was confirmed by the University of Michigan, reporting all the components of the CSI dealing with purchases, personal finances, and expectations of future business conditions have been rising since last summer. The political divide has always influenced consumers' view of the state of the economy; however, it has now become so tainted that it appears that they are talking about two different economies. While Democrats' index of the economy's future strength is 102, Republicans' score is 64, with the independents at 70. In the depth of the COVID recession in 2020, these indices pointed in the opposite direction: Democrats' index was 47 while Republicans scored the economy at 101. As different as these views are, they all bottomed in the summer of 2022 and have all been improving since. Historically, consumer satisfaction of those with college educa-

tion was higher than that of those with high school or less 99% of the time. That solid historical characteristic of consumer sentiment changed between 2017 and 2020, when consumer satisfaction of those with high school education or less rose above that of the college graduates 48% of the time. That number has reverted to its historical trends since 2021, with the college graduates’ consumer sentiment being above those with high school or less every single month in the last 40 months.

The high inflation rate of 2022 rattled consumer sentiment to the core, drop-

ping it to its lowest level ever. Consumers, during the tightest labor markets since the 1960s, were worried about higher unemployment on the horizon. And despite the drop in inflation rate, consumers at a ratio of 2 to 1 expect unemployment to rise in the next 12 months. As long as inflation stays low, even if it doesn’t drop to 2%, consumers will expect the current level to be more of the norm than the feared 8% and 9% inflation rates of two years ago. And we are seeing improvement in the fundamental components of consumer sentiment.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations

Gateway Outdoor Advertising

Trevor Rockwell Easton, PA 18042

484-358-6727

www.gatewayoutdoor.com/lanta-lehigh-valley/ Associations

Allentown Rotary Club

Rosaria Stoops P. O. Box 4042

Allentown, PA 18105

484-554-4528

www.portal.clubrunner.ca/6551

Balloons, Party Rentals & Supplies

Confetti Affairs

Abbey Burroughs 444 Cedarville Road Easton, PA 18042

484-802-1530

www.confettiaffairs.godaddysites. com

Banquet, Meeting & Event Venues

Synergy at Hamilton West Inc.

Lea Bialobrzeski 6081 Hamilton Boulevard, Suite 200 Allentown, PA 18106 610-900-6262 www.synergyathw.com

Trailside Events PA 201 North Main Lane Lehighton, PA 18235 610-810-2982

Barbers & Barber Shops

Gentlemen's Barbershop

Ronald Corales 613 East Broad Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 610-849-2221 www.thegentlemensbarbershop.com

Business Consultants, Developers & Incubators

Illumin Analytics

Bonnie Green 615 East Laurel Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 240-971-8563 www.illumin-analytics.com

NEPIRC (The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center) 231 Service Road Effort, PA 18330 570-819-8966

Cleaning & Janitorial Services, Equipment, Restoration & Bio-Hazard Remediation

Happy Scrubbers Cleaning Services

Omaly Zapata 1437 Stefko Boulevard Bethlehem, PA 18017 484-475-4297 www.happyscrubberscleaningservices.com

J&J Cleaning Platoon

Jean Guerrero 804 West Susquehanna Street Allentown, PA 18103 484-340-2325

Consulting Services & Training

Heidelberg Business Consulting Peter Huerst Germansville, PA 18053 484-934-1106 www.heidelbergbc.com

Sol y Luna Consulting

Franca Roibal Fernández 441 US Highway 46 Dover, NJ 07801 973-493-6395 www.solylunaconsulting.com

Dentists, Oral Surgeons & Orthodontists

Sunrise Dental Care LLC

Bhargav Meghpara 101 South Schanck Avenue Pen Argryl, PA 18072 862-579-7580 www.sunrisedentalcare.info

Drug & Alcohol Addiction Resources: Treatment, Medication Management, Psychiatry

OASIS Community Center

Rhonda Miller 3410 Bath Pike Bethlehem, PA 18017 484-747-6825 www.oasisbethlehem.org

Embroidery

Expressionz

501 Miller Lane Whitehall, PA 18052 610-844-7655 www.expressionzembroidery.com

Employment Services, Screening & Staffing

GRN Lehigh Valley

Donald Edsall 160 Green Street Lehighton, PA 18235 610-403-9004 www.grnabe.com

Peter Huerst

Engineering

McLaren Engineering Group

Diego Eras

5100 West Tilghman Street, Suite 265 Allentown, PA 18104

610-571-3240 www.mgmclaren.com

Entertainment

Pocono Cinema & Cultural Center 88 South Courtland Street East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 570-421-6684

Financial Services

Aspire Wealth Group

Benjamin Nieves

49 East Center Street, Suite 102 Nazareth, PA 18064 855-811-2033 www.aspirewealthgrp.com

Fire, Water & Smoke Damage Restoration

Integra-Clean & Dry 269 Butternut Road Newfoundland, PA 18445

570-676-8862

Fitness, Gyms & Personal Trainers

Trademarked Fitness Studio 720 Milford Road, Suite 103 East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 272-271-3001

Florists

Porvaznik's Flowers 42 West Ridge Street Lansford, PA 18232 570-645-2313 www.lansfordflorist.com

Government Agencies and Authorities

Fraternal Order of Police Bethlehem Star Lodge #20 Robert Nichelson

77 West Broad Street, Suite 5C Bethlehem, PA 18018

484-934-2430

www.bethlehemfop.org

Health & Wellness Products & Services

Integrated Acupuncture 12417 Mountain Laurel Drive East Stroudsburg, PA 18302 570-421-2260

Home Improvement & Remodeling

Valley Remodeling Edith Losagio 1874 Catasauqua Road #247 Allentown, PA 18109 484-550-2556 www.valleyremodeling.com

Hotels, Lodging, Bed & Breakfasts

The Village at Houser's Crossing Carolee Smith 34 Carbon Lane Tamaqua, PA 18252

610-597-6052 www.houserscrossing.com

HVAC, Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning

UGI HVAC - Home Serve

Matthew Lohrman 715 Front Street Whitehall, PA 18052 484-357-0937 www.ugi.com

Insurance

Huth Insurance

Alison Weaver 16 Belvidere Street Nazareth, PA 18064

610-759-4900 www.huthinsurance.com

T.W. Cooper Insurance

Melisa Andre 6666 Passer Road Coopersburg, PA 18036 610-282-1554 www.twcooperinsurance.com

Marketing Consulting Services

Reviews Up

Jason Causa 6081 Hamilton Boulevard, Suite 600 Allentown, PA 18106 610-533-5311 www.thingsup.com

Medical Services, Development & Research

Amira Health

391 East Brown Street East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 570-688-6055

Frontline Medical & Kidney Care

Maria Erazo 451 Chew Street Allentown, PA 18102 610-973-3391

Packaging, Shipping & Products

SR Packaging

John Robbins 6670 Grant Way Allentown, PA 18106 530-237-4298 www.srpackaging.com

Real Estate

Berkshire Hathaway Home

Services Pocono Real EstateMilford

310 W Harford Street, Suite 1 Milford, PA 18337 570-832-8558

Restaurants, Bars & Cafes

Baby Boomer's Cafe 2681 PA-903

Albrightsville, PA 18210 570-442-2684

Meli European Taverna

Melissa Zannakis 322 Northampton Street Easton, PA 18042

610-672-4730

www.melieaston.com

The Potato Factory

Macho Velez 921 Hamilton Street Allentown, PA 18101

484-240-5233

Retail

Twistic Mystic 465 Pensyl Creek Road Stroudburg, PA 18360 570-442-5759

Salons, Spas, Makeup & Massage Services

Grit Lounge

Katie Martin

5831 Tilghman Street, Suite 3 Allentown, PA 18104 484-274-6041

www.grit-lounge.com

Steel Magnolia Spa & Salon

Carolyn Gillish 462 Main Street, Suite 151 Bethlehem, PA 18018 610-625-4040 www.steelmagnoliaspa.com

Signs, Banners, Flags, Vehicle Graphics and Promotional Products

SpeedPro Allentown

Peter Rittenhouse

7533 William Avenue, Suite 200 Allentown, PA 18106

Waste, Recycling & Hauling

Clothes Bin

Anthony Biechy Nazereth, PA 18064 610-829-9134

www.fillthebins.com

Youth Development

Watch Me Swim

Jaime Brownlee 3553 Apollo Court Orefield, PA 18069 910-279-9535

www.watchmeswim.com

www.happyscrubberscleaningsericesllc.com

PUBLIC POLICY

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Owen O'Neil, Executive Director, LANTA Transportation Committee Member

LANTA AND UGIES ANNOUNCE BIOFUEL AGREEMENT

The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) and UGI Energy Services, Inc. LLC (UGIES) announced a ‘first-in-Pennsylvania’ partnership to use Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to power the eighty-plus buses in LANTA’s fleet. At a press conference on February 20, LANTA and UGIES performed a ceremonial First-Fill at LANTA’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station. The agreement between LANTA and UGIES calls for the Authority to purchase Pennsylvania-sourced clean biogas fed into the system from area landfills. RNG is biogas, the gaseous product of the decomposition of organic matter that has been processed to purity standards. Like conventional natural gas, RNG can be used as a transportation fuel in the form of the CNG that powers LANTA buses. RNG qualifies as an advanced biofuel under the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard of 2005. LANTA’s Executive Director Owen P. O’Neil was joined by UGIES’ Shaun Hart, Vice President of Commodity Marketing, Growth & Retention, in announcing the agreement. “This agreement is yet another step in LANTA’s ongoing commitment to help-

ing create a greener Lehigh Valley…one mile at a time,” O’Neil said. “Starting in 2010 we put our first hybrid diesel-electric buses on the road, followed by a commitment to clean natural gas vehicles. Now, with this agreement with UGIES, renewable natural gas will power our fleet,” he added. “We are excited to partner with LANTA in providing RNG to fuel their transportation fleet,” said UGI Energy Services President, Joe Hartz. “This project marks a milestone for UGI Energy Services as this is the first agreement in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for a transportation authority to fuel their vehicles with RNG. We are proud to help LANTA and the surrounding communities in the Lehigh Valley reduce emissions while lowering their carbon footprint.” As part of the first-fuel, Mr. O’Neil and Mr. Hart were joined by Terry Garcia Crews, Regional Administrator, Region 3, Federal Transit Administration; Meredith Biggica, Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; John Ryder, Deputy Secretary for Field Operations, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; and Matt Malozi, Chair, Chair of the LANTA Board of Directors.

HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE

Jared McEvoy, Account Executive, Miers Insurance Healthcare Committee Member

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): A Strategic Benefit for Employers and Employees

Employers seeking to enhance their benefits offerings are increasingly turning to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for their dual advantages. HSAs not only diversify benefits packages but also offer significant tax benefits. Employer contributions to HSAs are tax-deductible, and employee contributions reduce taxable income through pre-tax payroll deductions.

For employees, HSAs provide immediate relief from out-of-pocket healthcare expenses by using pre-tax dollars, effectively lowering taxable income and healthcare premiums. Unlike Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), HSA funds are not ‘use it or lose it’—they roll over year after year.

The long-term benefits of HSAs are even more compelling. They are one of the few accounts with a triple tax advantage:

1. Contributions are made pre-tax.

2. Withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are tax-free.

3. Investment growth is tax-free, allowing for potential long-term financial growth.

After age 65, HSAs can be used for any expense, akin to a 401k, though non-medical withdrawals may be taxed as income.

In summary, HSAs offer versatile benefits that can lead to healthcare cost savings and serve as a long-term financial planning tool. They are a valuable asset for both immediate and future financial health. Our goal is to let you know that HSA’s are more than just a lower premium health plan. There are many advantages to considering them and long-term positive impacts when planned and utilized correctly. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about HSA plans.

NONPROFIT & BUSINESS PARTNERS

Kathleen Trimble, Pinebrook Family Answers Chair, Nonprofit & Business Partners Council

As the year draws to a close for the Nonprofit and Business Partners’ Council, I find myself reflecting on the meaningful connections forged over the past year. Our focus this year has been clear: to foster collaboration and understanding at the intersection of technology and humanity. We successfully organized three impactful events centered around Artificial Intelligence, culminating in our well-attended Collaboration Conference with over 250 participants. Additionally, our Health and Human Services Committee hosted four engaging sessions covering topics such as DEI, Ethical Storytelling, and Board Leadership, culminating in a lively Happy

Hour at Coca Cola Park. Meanwhile, our Arts Committee has worked to support the Lehigh Valley's vibrant arts community. As we bid farewell to some board members whose terms are ending, we express our gratitude to Brad Maier from State Farm and Jared Mast from The Greater Easton Development Partnership for their dedicated service. Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate announcing new board members next month. While celebrating our accomplishments, we also recognize that there is more work to be done. Our upcoming summer planning retreat will provide an opportunity to brainstorm and set the agenda for the year ahead

MAIN STREET LEHIGH VALLEY

Ricky Gower, Truist Chair, Chamber Foundation

The Borough of Catasauqua received a grant from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation to offset part of the cost of adding Pole banners on selected streets and installing park benches near Borough Hall. These improvements enhance the streetscape appearance and improve the appearance of the Borough’s main streets, develop new civic awareness of facilities such as the George Taylor

House and enhance the quality of life of its citizens. On April 29 Chamber Foundation Board Member, Rami Nemeh – Miller Keystone, presented a check to Projects Manager, Dean Browning and Borough Manager, Glenn Eckhart for new benches and banners that were part of the 2023-24 Chamber Foundation Main Street Beautification Grant program.

From Left to Right: Brad Maier – State Farm, Chris Kaklamanis – ARC, Tim Burke – Phantoms Charities, Candi Staurinos – Zoeller, Kathy Trimble – Pinebrook Family Answers, Amy Saul – Air Products, Jason King Jones – PA Shakespeare Festival, Anthony Onorata – Anthony Limousine

3445 High Point Blvd. Bethlehem, PA 18017 484-237-9550

Discover Transformative Results at SPA Aesthetics!

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With so many options available, why choose SPA? Because SPA Aesthetics deeply values personalized care that only Lisa and Brittny can offer. Each client’s journey begins with a comprehensive consultation, where they listen to your aesthetic goals and devise a tailor-made treatment plan aimed at enhancing your natural features. Whether you’re seeking to smooth fine lines, restore volume, or refine your skin's texture, the state-of-the-art treatments will deliver subtle but noticeable, lasting improvements.

Step into SPA Aesthetics and leave feeling empowered and refreshed. Trust the healthcare-oriented experts to guide you toward an improved appearance that feels authentic and vibrant. Let them help you achieve the transformative results you deserve in a safe, professional, and welcoming environment.

Lisa Yen, RN, ANP-BC

Brittny Pany, RN, FNP-C

Dr. David Yen

Left to right: George Wacker (Lehigh Valley with Love), Amresse Farrow (Bethlehem Area Public Library), Jimi Honochick (YMI Insurance), Laura Collins (City of Bethlehem), Tammy Wendling (Bethlehem Chamber), Marci Martinez-Howey, Vice Chair , Claire Boucher (Bethlehem Chamber), Erin Zebertavage (Southside Arts District), Candi Staurinos (United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Ann Marie Supinski, Chair (AM Luxe), Kate Hughes and Donald Flad (Edge Restaurant)

EASTON AREA

CHAMBER SEEN!

Photos from Easton Streets Food Truck Festival on May 11th

CHAMBER SEEN!

Photos from the Easton & Phillipsburg Annual Awards Reception on May 14th at Northampton Country Club

BUSINESS

Keynote Speaker:

ANNE BAUM

Author & President, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital

June 20, 2024 | 5:30 - 8 P.M. Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew St., Allentown, PA

Join the Young Professionals Council for an evening of refinement and professional development! Learn essential skills like communication and dining etiquette, followed by a delicious meal to practice what you've learned!

$35 Member

$60 Future Member

SCAN QR CODE TO REGISTER!

Sponsorship Opportunities: sabrinao@lehighvalleychamber.org Strategies for Disability Inclusion in the Workplace!

TUESDAY | JUNE 11, 2024

9AM-10:30AM | Moravian University

(Seminary Building, 60 W. Locust Street, Bethlehem)

Member: $20

Future Member: $35

Info: sabrinao@lehighvalleychamber org SCAN TO REGISTER

GREATER NORTHERN LEHIGH & WESTERN LEHIGH CHAMBERS CHAMBER

GREATER NORTHERN LEHIGH CHAMBER

Cindy Miller, SVN Imperial Realty Chair, Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber

The Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber of Commerce has been busy planning for our summer events: The 31st Annual Spirit Award will be June 15 from 9:3011:30am at Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli. Please join us in celebrating this year’s honorees:

Spirit Award – Lynne Fedorcha –Volunteer at Slatington Library

Business of the Year – Becky’s Drive-In, Berlinsville

Nonprofit of the Year – Northwestern Lehigh Education Foundation, New Tripoli

Milestone Award (50 Years)Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Benjamin Real Estate

The annual Heritage Day and “Armed Forces Salute” will be July 4 at the Slatington Baptist Church, 2nd Street, Slatington from 10noon. Reverend James LeVan will give the invocation. The popular

Heritage Day Community Band & Heritage Freedom Chorus will provide music. Speakers forthcoming. All are invited to attend this spirited event.

The 8th Annual William George Mini Golf Outing & Membership Picnic will be July 25 from 5:308pm at Bear Creek Junction, New Tripoli. Proceeds from this event support the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber Scholarship Fund. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients: Northwestern Lehigh – Mohammad Javed, Northern Lehigh-Aricka Creyer, Northampton-Jed Colyer, Parkland-Trey Tremba, and LCTI – Danielle Dengler.

Want to get involved in the Chamber or have questions about any of the events, please email Kylie Adams-Weiss at kyliea@lehighvalleychamber.org or call 484-548-4090.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable summer!

SEEN!

Photos from Paws at the Park on May 5th at Grange Park

EAST PENN CHAMBER & EMMAUS MAIN STREET

CHAMBER SEEN!

Photos from Catty EATS Fest on April 27th at Catasaqua Park

CHAMBER

Photos from Sips, Savories & Sweets: A Wine Pairing at My Place Pizza Restaurant on April 15th

Having and Using Dental Coverage Benefits Overall Health Brushing, flossing, and getting routine dental checkups can do more than brighten your smile. A growing body of research shows they can improve your overall health and reduce your chances of life-threatening medical conditions like heart disease and cancer.

In fact, research has shown improper oral healthcare can raise the risk for several diseases and conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, pneumonia, and respiratory infections. Oral health issues can even impact fertility and contribute to pregnancy complications like premature birth and low birth weight.

Dental health problems also can lead to costly workplace absenteeism and lost productivity. One study calculated Americans lose 92.4 million hours of work or school each year due to unplanned, emergency dental care.

For businesses, this means offering employees dental coverage – and encouraging them to use it – can lead to a healthier workforce far beyond their teeth and gums. Studies show having and using dental coverage can help avoid costly hospital and ER visits. That can translate into fewer missed days of work due to medical issues and a more dependable workforce – saving both employers and employees money in the long run.

A 2022 national study confirmed the cost savings that come from routine dental care, finding “preventive dental care is strongly associated with significantly lower healthcare costs.” The study followed nearly 12,000 adults with diabetes and/or coronary artery disease over a five-year peri-

od. Those who saw a dentist at least once a year spent about $550 less per year on healthcare costs compared to those who did not have a dental visit.

Capital Blue Cross uses a comprehensive approach to encourage employees in its group plans to make the most of their dental coverage.

First, it offers plans with low or no member cost-sharing for diagnostic and preventive services. Preventive dental care is one way to help ease the financial burden of chronic health conditions. In addition, Capital includes enhanced dental

benefits to treat gum disease for members with certain chronic health conditions. The enhanced dental benefits are available on most dental plans.

To encourage use of the dental benefits, Capital engages in ongoing communication and education about its dental plans. For customer companies, Capital can provide a dental wellness awareness toolkit, with resources that explain the benefits of oral wellness.

And for those who cannot easily fit a dental visit into their busy schedules, Capital even offers a teledentistry app that provides convenient access to licensed dentists without an office visit. The app, which can be downloaded on your smartphone or tablet, provides consultations, second opinions, and follow-up care.

(For more health and wellness news and information that can benefit your business and employees, visit thinkcapitalbluecross.com.)

Coal Creative, the full-service digital marketing agency known for its results-driven strategies and collaborative creativity, is proud to announce that CEO Holly K. Pilcavage has been awarded the distinguished Bill McNally Mentor of the Year award. The accolade will be presented during the tecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition for students and early-stage entrepreneurs, set to take place on May 2, 2024, at 5 PM at the F.M. Kirby Center.

Fromm, a 100-year-old distributor of electrical supplies and automation products, announced the launch of FrommConnect, a division that offers engineering, fabrication and labor-saving services to manufacturers and electrical contractors. FrommConnect was born partly out of the need to help fill the void left by retiring employees whose skills and knowledge are difficult to replace, while companies strive to meet the demands of today’s competitive business environment. It also represents a significant departure for Fromm from its traditional distribution business. "For years, our customers have asked us to provide services that were typically sourced from third parties, and we would politely decline because we felt the need to stay in our lane,” says CEO Michael Fromm. “Ultimately, we decided this strategy was short-sighted and that the risk of being complacent was greater than the risk of rocking the boat.”

KingSpry in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is pleased to welcome Attorneys Shorav Kaushik and Joseph Kemmerling to the law firm. Mr. Kaushik will focus his practice in litigation and education law. He has built a career managing clients’ exposure in tort claims. He has handled Federal and State industrial actions and advised on all aspects of risk management. Prior to joining KingSpry, Mr. Kaushik served as a senior attorney with several prominent litigation firms in New York and New Jersey.

ArtsQuest’s President and CEO Kassie Hilgert has been recognized by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce with the Priscilla Payne Hurd Award. Established in 1996, the Priscilla Payne Hurd Award recognizes the impact and influence of an individual on the enhancement of life in the Bethlehem community through the arts, education or health care.

Lehigh County Agricultural Society, the owner and operator of The Great Allentown Fair is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Staci Horvath. She joins our full-time staff as the Marketing Specialist.

Brown & Brown’s Lehigh Valley office announced today that Tiffany Vrabel has been deemed a Certified Praesidium Guardian (CPG) by Praesidium, a national leader in risk management of sexual abuse of vulnerable populations. She joins a community of professionals who have

Member

demonstrated that they are committed to creating a culture of safety through risk management and best practices in sexual abuse prevention.

Gross McGinley is pleased to announce the addition of Attorney Julianne “Julie” Danchak in March 2024. Julie comes to the firm with a wealth of knowledge and experience and will be practicing law on the Litigation and Criminal Defense teams.

KidsPeace has launched a spring fundraiser that pays tribute to the dedication of a longtime associate while seeking assistance for the practical needs of children in its foster care and residential programs. The fundraising effort, called “Mo’s Closet,” builds on an initiative begun at KidsPeace’s foster care office in South Portland, ME following the passing of KidsPeace associate Maureen “Mo” Harrington in July 2021. Her colleagues remember Mo as an exceptional colleague and friend who always kept the organization and the kids and families it serves close to her heart.

United Federal Credit Union (United) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jo-Ann Temple to Mortgage Advisor in Allentown. Temple is based at United’s Allentown branch located at 4703 Hamilton Blvd. in Allentown.

Gross McGinley, LLP, a staple law firm in Center City Allentown since 1976, is set to begin a major renovation to its building’s façade, modernizing the look to fit into downtown’s newly revived landscape. Internally, a new conference center is being designed to improve client service. Located at 33 South Seventh Street, where the firm has resided since 1986, Gross McGinley regularly looks to provide its clients and community with the utmost in service, and this investment in its future will allow the firm to continue to serve the Lehigh Valley and beyond for many years to come.

Fromm, a leading independent electrical distributor in the Mid-Atlantic Region, announced the appointment of Patrick Standish as Regional Vice President. In this role, Standish will oversee a portion of Fromm's sales footprint and branches. He will be responsible for driving continued growth in these markets while working with the senior leadership team to execute the company’s strategic priorities. Standish is a seasoned sales professional with vast experience spanning more than 30 years in electrical sales and managing branch operations.

Marie Victoire Alexis, a graduating student at Lehigh Carbon Community College, is one of 60 high-achieving community college students from across the nation selected to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship aims for Cooke Scholars to

complete their undergraduate educations with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide Marie with as much as $55,000 a year to complete a bachelor’s degree.

DMH Business Solutions, LLC is proud to be celebrating their 15-year business anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its journey of providing innovative and tailored solutions to small and medium-sized companies. Founded in 2009 by Owner Brenda Bierkamp, DMH Business Solutions began its journey under the name DMH Bookkeeping Solutions, primarily offering bookkeeping services to small businesses. In its early years, DMH Business Solutions operated with a small, dedicated team consisting of Bierkamp and her two daughters, who played pivotal roles in the company’s operations.

NAI Summit is delighted to announce that Kelly Berfield, Chief Operating Officer, has been recognized by Lehigh Valley Business as an honoree in the Women of Influence awards. The annual Women of Influence award identifies high-achieving women for their tremendous career accomplishments. The Women of Influence honorees are selected based on professional experience, community involvement and a commitment to mentoring. The awards event took place May 8th at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA.

An annual report presentation featuring an ocean metaphor and a video about a mountain biking program for youth in residential treatment are the latest products of KidsPeace’s Communications/Creative Services function to win national recognition. The pieces received Gold Awards in the 41st annual Healthcare Advertising Awards competition -- the third national marketing and advertising competition since 2020 in which KidsPeace materials won top honors.

Jefferson and Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) have signed a definitive agreement to combine, creating a leading integrated care delivery system, including a national research university and an expanded not-for-profit health plan. The unified system, which would be in the top 15 nonprofit health systems in the U.S., will increase access to high-quality and affordable care, clinical research and health plan offerings and address health inequities for urban and rural communities in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. The deal is expected to be completed later this summer, pending final reviews and execution of closing conditions. Jefferson and LVHN announced in December that they had signed a letter of intent to combine.

More cutting-edge. Less cutting corners.

Helping to solve food insecurity to providing access to health screenings, Capital Blue Cross is investing in the health of our communities so that every neighborhood can thrive. Rooted in Central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, backed by national strength, we go the extra mile for you.

Capital Blue Cross is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.