Join us for our weekly Chamber Connections networking meetings! These FREE sessions are designed to help you increase business among members, generate new leads, share valuable market insights within our regional community, and more! It's a fantastic opportunity to grow your network and stay informed about local business trends. Don't miss out on this chance to connect and collaborate!
Zoom link for all virtual meetings will be provided after you register on the event page Thanks to the generosity of WesBanco Bank’s Cranberry Township Branch, we are able to provide virtual networking events
Steven W. Diffenderfer
Vice President, Dollar Bank
“We would like to recognize and thank Steve Diffenderfer, Chair of our Golf Committee. Steve was instrumental in planning our hugely successful 2024 golf outing at Pittsburgh National Golf Club with a sellout field.
Steve has been a Board Member for eight years, served as Treasurer, has served on the Executive Committee, was chair of Membership and Ambassador Committees, and currently serves as the Chair of our Facilities Committee.”
~Denise Martin, PNRC President
Seneca Valley Foundation: Connecting the Pieces for Student Success
By Annie Mersing, Seneca Valley School District
The anticipation is palpable as Seneca Valley School District eagerly awaits the return of students and staff to its classrooms for another incredible school year. For students, educators, and families in our community, "Back to School" signifies not just a return to classrooms, but a renewed commitment to fostering academic excellence, embracing innovation and connecting the right pieces for student success, and the Seneca Valley Foundation (SVF) is here for it all.
At the heart of the district, the SVF is a dynamic force that unites diverse elements into a cohesive mosaic of educational empowerment. Now in its twelfth year of existence, the SVF combines community and business support, teacher inspiration, visionary leadership, and strategic investment to create opportunities that propel SV students and staff toward success. Since its inception, this emerging education foundation has invested over 1.4 million dollars into Seneca Valley School District and its eager to do more. With the help of our partners in public education, we will proudly continue to provide the “extras” that make Seneca Valley a remarkable leader in education our region.
The SVF, a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, is dedicated to enriching every piece of student life with funding priorities that reflect an unwavering commitment to our growing district. These priorities include:
Teacher-Inspired Projects: Empowering educators to enrich their classrooms and continue to grow both personally and professionally. Early Literacy: Cultivating a love for reading and laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning through early literacy programs and resources.
Global Citizenship: Preparing students to thrive in a global society through cultural exchanges, language programs, and global awareness initiatives.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics): Inspiring creativity and critical thinking through hands-on STEAM projects, robotics clubs, and innovation labs.
The Arts: Fostering creativity and self-expression through visual arts, performing arts, and music programs.
Student Wellness: Promoting physical, emotional, and mental well-being through wellness initiatives and support programs.
As we look forward to the new school year, the Seneca Valley Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to provide the gift of hope and promise of excellence to Seneca Valley School District, and we invite you to join us in celebrating the spirit of getting "Back to School." We extend our warmest well wishes to all students returning to school: May this year be filled with growth, discovery, and memorable moments that shape your future. Together, let’s celebrate the joy of learning and the promise of a bright tomorrow.
To learn more about how you can support the Seneca Valley Foundation and make a difference in the lives of SV students and staff, visit svsd.net/SVFoundation or contact us at svfoundation@svsd.net.
COMMUNITY BUILDERS
Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!
2 Krew Security & Surveillance
A Comfort Service
Advantage Energy Partners, LLC
AdVenture Development dba McCandless Crossing
AJ Technology Group
Alliance for Nonprofit Resources
Anchor Wave Internet Solutions
Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry
Arvos Schmidtsche Schack, LLC
Ashton Commons
Assisted Living Locators North Pittsburgh
Atria at Cranberry Woods
Atria McCandless
Axis Business Consultants
Baierl Auto Group
BDS Supply Chain
Bethany Christian Services of Western PA
Bill Few Associates, Inc.
Borough of Seven Fields
Boy Scouts of America - Laurel Highlands Council
Bridge Home Realty
Bruster's of Ingomar
Butler County Symphony Orchestra
C. W. Howard Insurance Agency, Inc.
CHROME Federal Credit Union
Clean Express Auto Wash
Clearview Federal Credit Union - Wexford
Cole Management, Inc
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
Community Park Storage
Concordia of Cranberry
Courtyard by Marriott Pittsburgh North
Cranberry Highlands Golf Course
Cranberry Messenger Service
Cranberry Public Library
Cranberry Supply Co
Cranberry Township
Cranberry Twp Volunteer Fire Company
Cranberry Village Estates
Cremation Society of Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh
Crisis Center North, Inc
CTR Payroll Services
Dairy Queen - Cranberry
Dented Keg Brewing Company
Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham L.L.P.
Diversified Plan Services Inc
Drayer Physical Therapy - Cranberry
Early Years Community Learning Centers
ECCA Payroll+
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Harmarville
Express Employment Professionals
Fairfield by Marriott Pittsburgh North
Fairground Market, Inc
Farmers National Bank of Canfield
First City Company-McIntyre Square
First Commonwealth Bank - Wexford
Flowers by Gerard
Franklin Inn Mexican Restaurant
Fun Fore All Family Fun Park
General Rental Center
George A. Reed Agency, Inc.
Glade Run Foundation
Goddard School - Wexford
Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center
Green Apple Barter
Guardian Storage- Hampton
Guardian Storage- Marshall
Guardian Storage- Ross Twp
Guardian Storage- Seven Fields
Hand & Shoulder Center
Handel's of McCandless
HEARTH
Herbein + Company, Inc
Highmark Caring Place
Hill, Barth & King LLC
Holsinger
Home2 Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh/McCandless House of 1000 Beers
ie Insurance
IMA | ESS
Instant Imprints
Izzazu Salon, Spa & Blowout Bar
Jason's Deli- Cranberry Twp
Joe Palmieri Construction, Inc.
Juniper Grill
Kontos Mengine Law Group
Kress Restoration
Limbach Company
Lisowski Tree Service and Landscaping,LLC
Living in Liberty
COMMUNITY BUILDERS
Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!
Lou Negley's Bottled Water Inc
Lutheran SeniorLife
Mark Mashuda Excavating Inc
Masonic Village at Sewickley
McCandless Corporate Center
McCandless Floral
McGuire Memorial Foundation
Medicine Shoppe of Ingomar
MHY Family Services
MOD Wash - Wexford
Mr. Electric of Cranberry Township
Myers, Patsy & Associates, LLC
NexTier Bank
Nexus Financial Network, LLC
North Hills Family Dental
North Pittsburgh Greeting Company
Northland Public Library
Nothing Bundt Cakes - Cranberry
Oliver Outdoor
OMEGA Federal Credit Union- North Hills
OMEGA Federal Credit Union- Wexford
Organic Remedies, Inc
Owl Cleaners Inc
Penn National Insurance
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Perform Physio, LLC
PetSuites Cranberry Township
Phelps Nursery PGH, North Inc
Piatt Sotheby's International Realty
Pittsburgh Business Times
Pittsburgh Jet Center
Pittsburgh Job Corps
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
PNC Investor Center - Wexford
Polesky Agency, Scott Berney - Erie Insurance
Pressley Ridge
Print Tech of Western PA
Priority2Work
Pursuit
R.M. Stoof & Associates Inc.
Realty ONE Group Gold Standard
Restart, Inc
Restore It
Rex Glass & Mirror
Richard Goettle, Inc
Richland Mall
Ridge Insurance Agency, Inc
Riverview Carpet & Flooring, Inc
Rose E Schneider Family YMCA
Ross Township
Rossman Hensley, Inc
Rt 228 Auto Mall
S & T Bank- Cranberry Township
Salem Media Group
Sam's Club
Scolieri-Beam Law Group, PC
Seneca Valley School District
SERVPRO of Southern Butler County
Sherwin-Williams Cranberry
Signature Settlements Services Agency
Skander Tire Service, Inc.
Special T Electronics
Specialized Staffing and Industry Recruiters, Inc.
SportClips
SSB Bank
St. Barnabas Health System
Staples-Cranberry Twp
Star Limousine Service Inc
Strutz International
Terry's Plumbing, Inc
The Arc of Butler County
The Blessing Board
The Block Northway
The Haven at North Hills
The Haven at North Hills
The Lighthouse Foundation
The Payroll Shoppe
The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School
The Thrasher Group, Inc
The Waters of Wexford
The Woodlands Foundation
Three Rivers Paintball, Inc.
Tierra Realty Management
Toplak & Associates
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Township of Hampton
Treasure House Fashions
COMMUNITY BUILDERS
Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!
Trib Total Media
Two Men and A Truck
Ultimate Granite Surfaces, Inc.
UPMC Passavant
Urish Popeck & Co LLC
USX Federal Credit Union
Vector Security
Vincentian
Vitalant (Central Blood Bank)
Vogel Disposal Service, Inc
Vrabel Plumbing Company, LLC
Wain Landscaping, LLC
Walnut Grill Wexford
WesBanco Bank - Perry Highway
West Penn Multi-List, Inc
Wichman Landscape Construction, LLC
Wiest Asphalt Products & Paving Inc
Williams Industrial Sales
Wine Concrete Products Inc.
Win-Son Inc.
Your CBD Store - Shaler
Your CBD Store- Gibsonia
Your CBD Store- North Hills T h a n k Y o u
AffinityPartner Corner Understanding the Role of GAP Plans
In the complex landscape that exists within healthcare, individuals often encounter unforeseen expenses that can put a substantial strain on their financial well-being To help their workers better prepare for these situations, employers can install GAP health insurance options as a valuable component of their employee benefit package.
As its name implies, GAP plans can help fill the gaps left by traditional health insurance plans. While traditional plans typically cover a portion of medical expenses, individuals are often responsible for deductibles, copayments, and other out-of-pocket costs. GAP insurance steps in to alleviate this financial burden by providing additional coverage for expenses not fully covered by primary health insurance.
Typically purchased alongside high deductible health plans (HDHPs), GAP policies allow individuals to receive coverage on medical expenses before their deductible has been met For many individuals with these high deductible plans, paying a small monthly premium for GAP insurance can potentially lead to significantly lower medical expenses.
To understand how GAP health insurance operates, it may be helpful to consider a scenario where an individual has been hospitalized due to a medical emergency. Their primary insurance covers a majority of eligible expenses, but leaves roughly 20% of total costs, which includes deductibles and copayments, as out-of-pocket expenses By having GAP insurance plans in place, some if not all of the out-of-pocket costs could be covered, reducing the individual's financial liability.
As healthcare costs continue to rise, an investment in GAP health insurance can provide invaluable security and peace of mind, ensuring that individuals are adequately protected against unforeseen medical expenses. However, although very beneficial to supplement an existing comprehensive medical program, it is important to realize that GAP plans do not meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and as such should not be used as the sole source of medical coverage for an individual.
The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at pnrc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Craig Pritts at (800) 377-3536.
PNRC Affinity Partners Program
Your Chamber membership is a valuable business tool that is complemented by our Affinity Program Partners who help you to save time and money. Save on everything from payroll to energy and you don’t have to spend your valuable time researching - your Chamber has done it all for you!
Nonprofit Name: CANDLE, Inc.
Mission: Drug Prevention Ed for Families
Upcoming Events:
Nonprofit Spotlight
We have 3 Reality Tour sites in Butler County. Each site has 6 presentations from September to May. All registration is online at RealityTour.org
Mars - Centennial School - Adam Kostewicz
6pm select Thursdays at Adams Twp. Municipal Bldg.
Cranberry – Tim Eiler - Principal Ehrman Crest Middle School
Dr. Wilcher – Principal Haine Middle School
Mr. Womer – Assistant Principal Haine Middle School
6pm select Thursdays at Hope Lutheran Church 8070 Rowan Road, Cranberry Twp.
Butler – partners with Butler Area School District
Stephen Dobransky - Principal Butler Intermediate High School
6pm select Mondays at North Main St. Church of God, 1201 N. Main St. Butler
Information/Donation Contact:
Norma Norris
NormaNorris@candleinc.org
Link to donation page on our site: https://candleinc.org/donate/
What impact does your organization wish to make in the United States?
Our nonprofit desires to make an impact in the United States by filling two critical gaps in prevention to address the following needs:
1. The need to maximize the effect of prevention education by educating parent and child together. By developing the Reality Tour program model, we have successfully put thousands of parents and their children “on the same page” when it comes to drug prevention. Over 55,000 parents (caregivers) and their children have experienced the Reality Tour.
OUTCOME – More families educated on drug prevention to safely navigate the environment we have created.
2. The need for communities to always have prevention education coming up on the community calendar. This is being accomplished via the costeffective, research-based and volunteer-driven Reality Tour program model.
Outcome:
Nonprofit Spotlight
Communities are empowered to “take care of their own” by using the Reality Tour prevention vehicle to provide a schedule of Reality Tours each year to educate a significant number of families,
What is not widely known:
Reality Tour reached evidence-based status on the federal level through research conducted by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Pharmacy. The program is replicated in other PA counties and in communities in several other states. Delaware is preparing to implement the program statewide. States we are in: AZ, CA, DE, PA, MD. MI,OH The program has proven to be sustainable for over 20 yrs. using trained volunteers.
What needs would help your organization to put your mission into action?
Getting the word out to more communities and families is our greatest need. Reality Tour could be implemented statewide even nationwide, under an organization like Rotary for example, or through a large corporation. A local business could help by incorporating Reality Tour into their advertising mix to help attract more families.
Of note: Slippery Rock University’s Building Bridges program awarded Reality Tour “Most Impactful Program 2024” for the Southwest PA region. “Might have been the most important hours I ever spend with my son” Father after attending Reality Tour with his son.
TEEN DRIVERS
By Timothy Rogers, Rogers Driving School
Because August is both National Traffic Awareness and Back to School Month it is a good time to talk about teens learning to drive. There may be parents who remember the days in PA when teens could pass their permit test and take the driving test the next day That driving test was conducted by a uniformed state police trooper at an artificial testing ground. Those days are long gone. PennDOT took over licensing duties from the state police and shortly afterward implemented a graduate licensing system for those under the age of 18.
Now, once a teen turns 16 they can start the process of obtaining their driving license. After passing a physical, eye exam and correctly answering fifteen out of eighteen multiple choice questions on their permit test, they will receive a learner’s permit. This permit is valid for one year or three driving tests, whichever occurs first. It “permits” them to practice driving under the supervision of a licensed driver age 21 or over (or a spouse/guardian/parent age 18 or over). As part of the graduate licensing system, there is a six month waiting period from the day the permit is obtained until the actual driving test can be taken.
During this six month practice period the teen must receive a minimum of 65 hours of driving experience including at least 10 hours of night driving and five hours of adverse driving conditions (rain, snow etc.). After the six month period they can take their driving test at one of PennDOT’s 59 DMV test centers or at a PennDOT certified 3rd party driving test provider such as Rogers Driving School. Wherever the test is taken, there are three components to the test: knowledge of controls, parallel parking and on the road driving. There is a progressive scoring system used for the test A perfect score is 0 points Eight points are given for a minor mistake, 16 points for an intermediate mistake and 31 points for a major mistake, which results in an automatic failure.
Once the teen passes the test they will receive a junior driver license with restricted driving privileges. With a few exceptions, they cannot drive between 11:00pm to 5:00am. Moreover, for the first six months they can only have one nonrelated passenger under the age of 18 with them. At the age of 18 the junior license automatically turns into a senior (i.e. regular) license with full driving privileges. The teen can also get their regular license at age 17 ½ if they take a state approved driver education course consisting of 30 hours driving theory and six hours of behind the wheel instruction. Another benefit of driver education courses, and what our school offers, is that most major insurance companies offer a driver education discount which can help reduce the premium increase when the teen goes onto their parent’s insurance policy.
This is a summary of the process of a teen becoming a licensed driver. But there is more to becoming a safe, confident and defensive driver than just obtaining a license. As with any skill, it takes practice and experience. It takes about five years of driving experience for a new driver to reach the skill level of the average driver. In addition to experience, there are other ways parents can teach their teen to become a safer driver. Encourage your child to fully read the PA driver’s manual so they can learn the laws and driving techniques contained within it. Since PA does not require teens to take a formalized driver education course, many teens must acquire this knowledge on their own Very often our driving school encounters students who obtained their permit but do not know the basic rules of the road. In other words they learned just enough to pass the permit test but not enough to become a knowledgeable new driver.
The next thing parents can do is to educate their teen about dangerous driving practices such as the three dangerous “D’s”: Distracted Driving, Drowsy Driving and Drunk Driving. Distracted driving is pervasive, especially with the temptation of technology PA has a no texting law currently in place In 2025, it will add a new law forbidding the use of hand held cell phones while driving. However, there are many other distractions teens must be reminded about avoiding while driving. They include eating/drinking, grooming, applying makeup, reading, rubbernecking, focusing on the radio or GPS, as well as being distracted by others in the car such as passengers or pets.
A recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study indicated there were 693 deaths related to drowsy driving crashes in 2022. Make sure your teen knows it is not safe to drive if they are tired or fatigued. The same study showed there were 10,317 fatalities related to alcohol impairment. Remind your teen that PA has a Zero Tolerance Law which makes it illegal for drivers under 21 to drive with any measurable of alcohol in their blood. This law lowers the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) for minors to 02% Another thing to keep in mind is the consequences of speeding. In 2022 there were 8,236 fatalities where speeding was a component cause of the crashes. Speed kills and the posted speed limit is the legal limit not the suggested speed! Finally, thanks to technology we have some of the safest vehicles ever. But one of the best safety devices is one of the oldest, the seatbelt! Its usage is not only the law, it also saves lives!
Obtaining a driver’s license is a major milestone in a teenager’s life. It represents freedom but also responsibility It is the one skill they will use for the rest of their life and if learned properly it hopefully will be a long and healthy one!
Join us on August 15th for our
Strategic Business Tools Conference
(formerly known as the Social Media, Marketing & Nonprofit Conference) at LaRoche University!
We've partnered with marketing leaders, business leaders, and other organizations to bring you the inspiration, connection, and brilliant lineup of experts. Join us on August 15th for a chance to step away from the day-to-day and learn the latest and greatest business tools to expand your connections and educate yourself on how to lead your business or nonprofit on the path to success.
Register now!
The First 100 Full Day Registrants Receive a Free Copy of 40 Days to Better Sales, Written by Mike Howard.
Gift Sponsor
Join the PNRC for our 2024 Strategic Business Tools Conference! Each session provides attendees over three hours of education and keynote speakers.
Come spend the day with us for up to six hours of unique programming focusing on topics to grow your business, market on a shoestring budget, and optimize your selling power! Can't break away for a full day? Grab members of your team to come for half-day sessions (morning and afternoon available) to hear the content and knowledge shared over the full day conference.
1:00-4:00P Afternoon Break Out Sessions Click Here
Testmonial
“Last summer I joined the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber marketing conference at La Roche University as a non-member. It was such a great experience for me professionally and for my business, Dr. Mom. At the time, I had just gone full-time with my marketing business, and the conference gave me the confidence I needed to be up to date with all thing’s technology and marketing. There, I attended seminars by subject matter experts, listened to round table discussions, and I even hired my first employee! Thank you to the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber, and to La Roche University, for giving us the opportunity to continue our education!” – April Buzzelli
Gold Sponsor:
Find Your Next International Market in Three Steps
Companies that have a successful solution or product in the US market are generally well-positioned to explore international market opportunities. However, it can be daunting to know where to begin. International market research assesses the demand for your product/service in a given country as well as other factors related to a prospective market destination. Approaching international markets proactively and strategically by starting with thorough market research will help you find the right targets for your product/service, mitigate risk, and maximize your company’s efforts and results.
Start with Your Data
Your market research strategy can start with primary research. Interviewing contacts within your own value chain can provide information about industry trends and the competitive landscape. Reviewing where your international inquiries originate, and your website analytics can be indicators of market potential. Looking at the top three countries from which your site attracts visitors searching for your company’s products or keywords can indicate international interest
Evaluate Country-Specific Market Data
In a world of uncertainty, look for markets that demonstrate political stability, economic growth, and predictable business environments. Positive indicators include strong GDP growth, desirable ease of doing business factors, reliable intellectual property systems, and the existence of free trade agreements with the United States. An analysis of country-market data could also include a review of social, cultural, and demographic factors.
Analyze Product-Specific Market Data
An analysis of product-specific market data will help ensure the prospective market is a viable one. This can include trade data analysis to quantify the market size, the potential for market growth, and foreign competitors in your target market. Other considerations include regulatory requirements and import regulations related to your solution Additionally, it’s important to evaluate logistics costs and the industryspecific drivers of demand, customer needs, and available distribution networks.
Identify Your Target Export Markets
Identifying three to five potential markets is a good start for small companies. Some companies find it helpful to group potential markets by largest markets, fastest growing markets, or smaller markets with high growth. Others find it can be more cost-effective to focus on geographic regions rather than markets scattered around the globe.
Do you want to learn more???
The U.S. Commercial Service offers a wealth of market research on its website at www.trade.gov. These resources include Country Commercial Guides, Industry Specific resource guides, and access to a variety of trade statistics. Our office has assisted numerous local companies develop their international business strategies. For example, one local early-stage company was shipping its pharmaceutical packaging alternative to Canadian pharmacies within a matter of months of engaging our office. Our Pittsburgh Office Director will give a presentation at the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber’s August 15th Strategic Business Tools Conference. Join us there to learn more or reach out directly at the coordinates below.
Ryan Russell is the Director of the U.S. Commercial Service Pittsburgh Office and can be reached at Ryan.Russell@trade.gov or (412) 644-2817
Pennsylvania Decennial Reports Act
122 - Blog
Pennsylvania Decennial Reports Are
Now Annual Reports
What Does This Mean for Registered Business Owners in The Commonwealth? Business owners in Pennsylvania need to know about a big change in state law. All companies must file annual reports effective January 1, 2025.
These reports help the state track business names in use. If you don’t file, your business name could be taken by another company.
What Changed With the Decennial Report?
The old requirement to file a report every ten years has been replaced with a requirement to file annually. New deadlines are as follows:
Corporations: June 30
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs): September 30
Other Filing Entities: December 31
Who Must File a New Annual Report?
All businesses, including domestic and foreign corporations, non-profits, LLCs, partnerships, professional associations, and business trusts must file an annual report. However, fictitious names and trademarks are exempt and do not need to file.
What Must the Annual Report Include?
What Are the Consequences of Failing to File?
If you do not file your annual report, your business can face administrative dissolution, termination, or cancellation six months after the deadline. During this time, your business name becomes available to other companies. If another entity takes your name, you will need to choose a new one. According to Act 122, the Department of State will provide a transition period, issuing a notice of failure on January 4, 2027, if you miss the deadline.
Can a Company File Late?
Domestic Entities: You can apply for reinstatement at any time if your name has not been taken. Simply submit an application and pay the late fees for each missed report.
Foreign Entities: If your registration is terminated, you must submit a new Foreign Registration Statement and cannot retroactively fix the issue.
Annual reports can be submitted online or by mailing a paper form to: 401 North Street, Room 206 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
How Does a Company Know if it Needs to File?
The Pennsylvania Department of State will send a notice to the registered office address at least two months before the deadline. Make sure all your information with the Department of State is current, especially your registered office address, to receive these notices. Even if you do not receive a notice, you are still required to file.
If you are unsure about your filing requirements or need help with the process, contact Eric Thomas of The Lynch Law Group at ethomas@lynchlaw-group.com or by calling 724-776-8000 to schedule a time to discuss your corporate compliance and business needs.