Corridors - February 2024

Corridors

February 2024

MAGAZINE

In this issue: Member Articles, Community Champions, Nonprofit Spotlight, Resolutions, SMART Goals, and more!

CONTENTS 5 MEMBER OF THE MONTH KATHLEEN KUZNICKI

11 AFFINITY PARTNER CORNER

23 LEGISLATIVE CORNER CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT

4 WEEKLY NETWORKING 5 PNRC MEMBER OF THE MONTH 6 ANNUAL MEETING 7 SPEAKER SERIES 8 COMMUNITY BUILDERS 13 PNRC AFFINITY PARTNERS 17 WHY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS FAIL 20 FEBRUARY LUNCHBOX SESSION 21 TURNING YOUR 2024 VISION INTO REALITY: TRANSFORMING RESOLUTIONS INTO SMART GOALS 26 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS 27 FEBRUARY EVENT CALENDAR

14 NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT CRANBERRY PUBLIC LIBRARY

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30 2024 PNRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

FROM the PRESIDENT February has brought us Groundhog Day. Aside from the celebration in Punxsutawney, we are reminded of the movie of the same name where Bill Murray is stuck in a rut that he finds endlessly impossible to escape.

In this issue of Corridors, we want to provide you with information that you can use to break out of any ruts that you may be in. You will find several articles that are written to aid you in making the changes that you want to make.

The tools that we provide don’t stop after February, though. Professional development is a year-round focus at the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber. We have several educational programs that are designed for your personal advancement.

Monthly, we hold Lunchbox Sessions where we bring in experts to address current issues.

The Women’s Leadership Roundtable and the Nonprofits North Group focus on topics that will enrich their members. Also, our Marketplace Lunches are built around table topics that are discussed at each meeting.

Our Strategic Business Tools Conference (formally the Social Media, Marketing and Nonprofit Conference) is an all day symposium focused on tools you can use to be successful.

New this year, we are adding two three-part speaker series. The first will begin in February with Doogie Levine that is called Management Essentials: Leading from the Middle. In September, Kelli Komondor will present a series that will help you uncover your expertise.

Details will be available soon on our website.

Education is part of our mission and essential to our role. As you can see, we have an extensive offering of ways that we provide it.

Sincerely,

Jim Boltz

President, PNRC

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2024

lendar a C s t en ber Ev m a h C on the r e t s i eg re to r e h k c Cli

Wednesday, February 7th 11:30a - 1p Tequila Jalisco - Gibsonia 5517 William Flynn Highway Gibsonia, PA 15044 Register HERE

Every Tuesday, 11:30a - 1p @ Discovery Christian Church in Mars

Every Friday, 7:30a - 9a @ Panera Bread in Wexford Want to present at a Connections Meeting?

Email Kelvin Mack

Thursday, February 22nd 8a - 9a Virtual via Zoom Celebrate Women in Business!

Sign up HERE for the Zoom link Presenting Sponsor:

Thursday, February 29th 5p - 7p The Sports Grille Cranberry 1294 Freedom Rd Cranberry Twp, PA 16066 Register HERE Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Kathleen Kuznicki The Lynch Law Group

“Kathy has been a huge contributor to our chamber for several years. Aside from serving on the Board of Directors, she has held the officer positions of Educational Foundation Board Chair and Secretary. This past year, she also chaired the Board Nomination Committee and the Legislative and Economic Development Committee. Through the latter committee, she produced a series of videos on workforce development. You can watch those videos on our YouTube channel. Through her leadership, that committee also hosted a legislative breakfast last fall. It was so successful; we are making it a frequent occurrence. On January 31st, we held our first for this year. We owe a lot to Kathy and her dedication to the chamber.”

~Jim Boltz, PNRC President

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Presented By:

The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting. This event recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments and excellence of our business community each year.

This year, our Annual Meeting will take place on two separate dates.

Part 1 of our Annual Meeting will be held virtually. Join us on March 19th at 2PM via Zoom to: Celebrate 2023's accomplishments Welcome the newest members of the Board of Directors Highlight goals for 2024 Find out who the Annual Award Finalists are and how to VOTE! Register now for the VIRTUAL portion of our Annual Meeting!

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 2:00 to 4:00p Register on our website here.

Virtually via Zoom link. Thank you to WesBanco's Cranberry Twp Branch for providing the Zoom account.

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

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COMMUNITY BUILDERS Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!

A Comfort Service Advantage Energy Partners, LLC AJ Technology Group Alliance for Nonprofit Resources Anchor Wave Internet Solutions Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry Arvos Schmidtsche Schack, LLC Ashton Commons Atria at Cranberry Woods Atria McCandless Axis Business Consultants Baierl Auto Group Bethany Christian Services of Western PA Bill Few Associates, Inc. Borough of Seven Fields Bruster's of Ingomar Butler County Symphony Orchestra C. W. Howard Insurance Agency, Inc. CCK Consulting | tHRive-People Practices CHROME Federal Credit Union Clean Express Auto Wash Clearview Federal Credit Union Cole Management, Inc. College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving Community Park Storage Compass Self Storage- Gibsonia 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 Creese, Smith, Hune & Co. LLC 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. Direct Payment Consultants, LLC Diversified Plan Services Inc

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Dollar Bank 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 / McCandless Crossing Fairground Market, Inc. Farmers National Bank of Canfield First City Company-McIntyre Square First Commonwealth Bank - Wexford Flowers by Gerard Fun Fore All Family Fun Park General Rental Center George A. Reed Agency, Inc. 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 House of 1000 Beers i.e. Insurance IMA | ESS Innovate E-Commerce, Inc. Instant Imprints Izzazu Salon, Spa & Blowout Bar Jason's Deli- Cranberry Twp Joe Palmieri Construction, Inc. Juniper Grill Kontos Mengine Law Group Landmark Properties Group Laurel Business Institute Liberty Insurance Agency Limbach Company Lisowski Tree Service and Landscaping,LLC Lou Negley's Bottled Water Inc.

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

COMMUNITY BUILDERS Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!

Lutheran SeniorLife Mark Mashuda Excavating Inc. Mars Bank Masonic Village at Sewickley McCandless Corporate Center McCandless Floral McGuire Memorial Foundation Medicine Shoppe of Ingomar MHY Family Services Morella & Associates Myers, Patsy & Associates, LLC NexTier Bank Nexus Financial Network, LLC NFP North Hills Family Dental North Pittsburgh Greeting Company Northland Public Library Nothing Bundt Cakes - Cranberry Olive Garden/Cranberry Oliver Outdoor OMEGA Federal Credit Union- North Hills OMEGA Federal Credit Union- Wexford Organic Remedies, Inc. Owl Cleaners Inc. Pearl Insurance Agency, LLC 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 Mercy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PNC Investor Center - Wexford Polesky Agency, Scott Berney - Erie Insurance Pressley Ridge Priority2Work 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.

PghNorthChamber.com | February 2024

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 Sarver Landscape Maintenance Company Scolieri-Beam Law Group, PC Seneca Valley School District Sherwin-Williams Cranberry Signature Settlements Services Agency Special T Electronics Specialized Staffing and Industry Recruiters, Inc. SportClips SSB Bank St. Barnabas Health System Staples-Cranberry Twp. Star Limousine Service Inc. Streamline Connections Strutz International Terry's Plumbing, Inc. The Arc of Butler County The Blessing Board The Block Northway The Chadwick The Haven at North Hills The Joint...the Chiropractic Place The Lighthouse Foundation The Pavilion at Star Lake Live Nation The Payroll Shoppe The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School The Thrasher Group, Inc. The Waters of Wexford The Wilson Group, LLC Three Rivers Paintball, Inc. Tierra Realty Management T-Mobile Toplak & Associates TownePlace Suites by Marriott Township of Hampton Treasure House Fashions Trib Total Media Two Men and A Truck Ultimate Granite Surfaces, Inc. UPMC Passavant

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COMMUNITY BUILDERS Thank you to our Members who have generously contributed to furthering the mission and vision of the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber!

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Thank You

Urish Popeck & Co. LLC Vector Security Vincentian Vitalant (Central Blood Bank) 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

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

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ID THEFT AND MITIGATION OF RISK With the widespread acceptance of the remote work environment, identity theft has become a greater concern than perhaps ever before. In spite of heightened levels of awareness and implementation of improved technologies aimed at prevention and protection, identity theft continues to increase at an alarming rate, putting both employees and employers at significant risk.

The issue has become serious enough that many employers are including an identity theft protection program in their employee benefit package. A quality ID protection program will include credit monitoring and credit change notifications, unauthorized account access alerts, compromised password warnings and communication regarding address changes, fund transfers, public record alerts and more.

The following represent some of the more commonly utilized methods whereby criminals seek to gain access to an individual’s personal information and what someone can do to mitigate the risk: Lost Wallet or Purse: Logins, passwords, Social Security cards and excess credit cards should not be kept in a wallet or purse. Copies of the front and back of all credit cards should be made and card issuers should be called as soon as possible after a loss.

Mailbox Theft: Secure mailbox, pick up mail promptly and sign up for USPS Informed Delivery which will provide an email containing images of the items that should be delivered so the recipient will know if anything is missing.

Through Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for anything where personal information may be used, like for shopping, banking, or other sensitive transactions. VPNs (virtual private networks) can create a secure connection.

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Database breaches: Assume that personal data has already been accessed and take appropriate precautions. Monitor credit scores and reports routinely, watch for unexpected changes, and read financial and insurance statements carefully.

Phishing: Don’t give out personal data in response to an email or call. Instead, look up contact information from a trusted source, such as the institution’s website, to verify the legitimacy of the call or email.

Gas Pump Skimming: Use credit cards with chip protection or pay inside the station to decrease risk. Detect fraudulent activity early by setting email or text alerts that let you know when your credit cards are used. If a card is used without your authorization, call the issuer immediately.

Phone Scams: Be alert for scams…don’t give personal information to callers over the phone. Most legitimate institutions will not ask for personal information on the phone.

Eying Code/Pin Entry: To avoid having someone watch you enter a password or pin, be aware of your surroundings and block others from seeing sensitive data.

Don’t leave information where others can view or access it.

Malware: Caution should be used when visiting websites, and before clicking on attachments or links in emails. Use of a password manager is a good idea.

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) 377-3539.

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

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!

PghNorthChamber.com | February 2024

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Nonprofit

Spotlight

Nonprofit Name: Cranberry Public Library Mission: The mission of the Cranberry Public Library is to strengthen our community by serving as a hub for information, inspiration, and enrichment.

Upcoming Events: We offer a lot of programs/events and there’s something for all ages, birth through senior citizens. A full calendar of events can be found online at https://cranberry.librarycalendar.com/events/month. Take a look and if there’s something specific you have questions about, please ask. A few coming up are: Winter Reading Challenge – runs through February 29 Open to everyone from birth though adults! Create an online profile through Beanstack and complete the Logging and Activity Badges at your own pace to earn virtual raffle tickets for a chance to win a prize.

February 6 @ 6pm – An Introduction to the Life of Abraham Lincoln: Join us to hear local presenter and artist Jack Puglisi talk about the life of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln in celebration of Lincoln’s birthday and Presidents’ Day. Jack Puglisi has been reading and studying Lincoln for over thirty years and has been giving presentations on his life for more than a decade.

February 13 @ 6pm – Chocolate Tasting Event/Fundraiser: Join us for this sweet fundraising event in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Sample a variety of chocolate, play chocolate trivia, and enter to win a gift basket. Tickets are $15. Space is limited!

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Nonprofit

Spotlight

February 24 @ 2pm – Royal Bash: Hosted by our library’s Teen Advisory Board, all young princes and princesses are invited to join us for a Royal Bash! Come dressed in your favorite royal attire for prince/princess-themed games, crafts, and fun.

Information/donation contact: Leslie Pallotta, Director cranberry@cranberrylibrary.org Donations can be made online or by sending checks to: Cranberry Public Library 2525 Rochester Road, Suite 300 Cranberry Township, PA 16066 What impact does your organization wish to make in the world?

As we celebrate our 50th year of service to Cranberry Township and the surrounding region, we hope to continue to build upon what we’ve done for the last half-century, which is to provide free and equal access to information for all members of the community. We want to be a place where people feel comfortable to learn, share, discover, and create without judgment.

What needs would help your organization to put your mission into action?

Increased funding would be the number one thing that we need to grow our mission. Aside from that, our biggest challenge is getting the word out about all of the things that the library offers and does. For example, Cranberry Library has a beautiful Makerspace, The Forge, that many people are unaware of. We do our best to market the offerings of the space, but we still hear “I had no idea that the library had this” nearly every single day.

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Nonprofit

Spotlight

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Why New Year Resolutions Fail and One Powerful Method to Keep Them Forever

By Al Marschke, BluMars Media Breaking Bad Habits: A Journey of Replacement, Not Resistance As the new year rolls in, many of us are armed with resolutions, often fixated on breaking bad habits. But why do these resolutions frequently falter? The answer lies not in the nature of our goals but in our approach towards them. Let's explore why breaking bad habits is essential to our lives and how we can effectively achieve this by replacing, rather than resisting these habits.

The Pitfall of Procrastination in Resolutions Firstly, the very essence of a New Year's resolution needs to be revised due to its inherent procrastination. When we defer action until a specific date, it subtly indicates our reluctance to embrace the change. A bad habit is always initiated; therefore, postponing its cessation until the new year is an admission of our dread towards the process. The key to success lies in immediate action. As soon as we identify a detrimental habit, we should begin the journey of alteration without delay.

Replacement Over Resistance: A Sustainable Approach To truly overcome a bad habit, we must shift our mindset from breaking it to replacing it. The conventional notion of 'breaking' a habit conjures images of a ceaseless struggle, a constant battle against temptation. This resistance-centric approach is mentally and physically draining, setting us up for failure.

Instead, envision the process as one of substitution. Replace the undesirable habit with a more beneficial one. This transition, though initially uncomfortable, eventually leads to the formation of a new, healthier routine. The replacement strategy is about creating a positive change rather than fighting against a negative one.

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Personalizing the Replacement Strategy Consider my personal experience with replacing the habit of drinking sugary sodas.

Aware of its adverse effects on my health and energy levels, I decided to switch to iced tea. Admittedly, the taste of plain iced tea without sugar was unappealing at first. However, I found a palatable balance by gradually adding honey and lemon.

Over time, plain iced tea became not just tolerable but preferred. This gradual adaptation made the transition smoother and more sustainable. It's a testament to the fact that replacing a habit can be a more effective strategy than attempting to eliminate it abruptly. I no longer desire a surgery drink, even when someone near me seems to be enjoying one. I’m not tempted in the least.

Another popular resolution is getting in shape, a goal that also benefits from immediate action and the replacement approach. The best advice here is to start right away. It's often said that the best exercise equipment is the one you'll use. But before investing in equipment or a gym membership, create a habit of dedicating time. For 30 days, carve out at least 30-45 minutes for physical activity, even if it's as simple as yoga, walking, or stretching. This helps establish a time slot for exercise in your routine. Investing in equipment or memberships might be premature and potentially wasteful without this crucial step.

The Significance of Time in Habit Replacement It's crucial to acknowledge that habit replacement is a gradual process. Giving yourself a reasonable timeframe, such as 30 days, allows for adjustment. The new habit becomes more familiar-, and the old one loses its hold. This period is not about enduring discomfort but allowing the new, positive habit to take root and flourish.

The Immediate Initiation of Change The moment of realization that a habit needs to be changed is critical. Delaying action until an arbitrary future date only prolongs the adverse effects of the bad habit. Immediate action is imperative. It's about seizing the present moment to initiate positive change.

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The Enduring Impact of Habit Replacement Replacing a bad habit with a good one has a lasting impact. This approach minimizes the likelihood of reverting to old patterns. It's not merely about avoiding negative behavior but about actively engaging positively. The new habit gradually becomes ingrained in our daily routine, overshadowing and eventually eliminating the old one.

Embracing Replacement for Long-Term Success The journey to breaking bad habits is fraught with challenges. Still, by reframing it as a replacement process rather than resistance, we set ourselves up for a more achievable and sustainable change. This method is about positive reinforcement, gradual adaptation, and immediate action. As we embark on this journey, let's remember that it's not about fighting against ourselves but nurturing a better version of ourselves. The path to breaking bad habits is transformative, leading to a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle. So, let's replace, not resist, and watch as our lives change for the better, more sustainably and permanently.

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Turning Your 2024 Vision into Reality: Transforming Resolutions into SMART Goals

By Niki Campbell, The Flourish Group Did you know that nearly two-thirds of people abandon their New Year's Resolutions

by February 1?! Contrary to what you may think, it’s not due to a lack of desire to change or laziness. It’s in the New Year’s Resolution process or lack thereof. Rather than succumbing to this trend, let's explore a more effective approach to turning your vision for 2024 into a reality by setting SMART goals and building lasting habits to support these positive changes.

When it comes to making a change to your health or other part of your life, we first must accept that it doesn’t happen overnight. There are no quick-fixes or “hacks” to creating sustainable habits in your life. In fact, on average, it takes 66 days to build and maintain a habit and for tougher ones like quitting smoking, it can take a year or more!

So how do you get started? Here are a few tips for New Year’s Goal Setting Success: 1. Shift from Resolutions to SMART Goals: Instead of setting vague resolutions, opt for SMART goals. For instance, transforming a generic resolution like "Get healthier" into a SMART goal like "I will walk 3 days per week for 30 minutes after work and pack a healthy lunch most weekdays for the first quarter of 2024" provides a clear plan of action.

2. Monthly Habit Stacking: Support your SMART goal by incorporating one habit per month. Whether it's packing workout clothes or meal prepping, stacking new habits each month ensures a gradual and sustainable progression throughout the year.

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3. Accountability Partners: Enlist the support of a friend, coworker, or family member who shares a similar goal or believes in your journey. Accountability and encouragement from others are proven methods to stay committed and achieve your objectives.

4. Celebrate Small Wins: Rather than waiting until the year-end, celebrate milestones along the way. Treat yourself to rewards like new workout gear, coffee with a friend, lunch at your favorite restaurant, or a new journal. Recognizing small victories keeps you motivated on the path to your larger goal.

5. Consistency is Key: Showing up and doing the work (even if it’s imperfect) is crucial for success. If you can’t do the full 30 minutes of exercise that you committed to, putting in 10 or 15 minutes keeps your habit in place, maintains your motivation and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Remember, it's the daily, incremental steps that lead to big transformative outcomes.

To sum it up… while New Year's Resolutions may generate initial excitement, their effectiveness often fades over time. Embrace the power of SMART goals, coupled with consistent small habits, to ensure a successful journey throughout 2024. Here's to a happy, healthy, and SMART new year!

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

The Corporate Transparency Act What Business Owners Should Know

By Dan Lynch, The Lynch Law Group The landscape of corporate legislation and governance is always evolving, and this year is no different. On January 1, 2024, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) went into effect, which will impact the regulation of small businesses in Butler County and elsewhere. Enacted by Congress in 2021 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, the CTA aims to thwart financial crimes such as money laundering and terrorist financing by demanding greater transparency around the ownership of companies.

It is extremely important that all companies determine if the CTA applies to them and, if so, how to comply with this new regulation.

The CTA requires “Reporting Companies” to submit a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the United States Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). A Reporting Company is defined as most types of entities, including corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships. A sole proprietorship is not within the definition of a Reporting Company. Entities employing more than 20 people with over $5 million in gross receipts or sales, and possessing a physical office within the U.S., are exempt.

This means that if your company has less than 21 full-time employees and generates less than $5,000,000 annually, you need to file a BOI with FinCEN. There are exemptions that apply to many different types of companies. Entities that are regulated by the federal government such as banks, insurance companies, and publicly traded companies are exempt. Companies that are regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, like investment advisory firms and broker dealers are also exempt. Accounting firms are exempt. Nonprofit companies are exempt. And any company that was created prior to January 1, 2020, that is inactive, that does not own any assets, and that has not had a change in ownership in the preceding twelve-month period, is exempt from the filing requirements of the CTA. If your company is not exempt from the CTA, your company will be required to submit information regarding your company’s "beneficial owners" to FinCEN. You do this by first obtaining an identification number from FinCEN and then submitting a BOI Report through the FinCEN website.

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The Corporate Transparency Act Continued...

The definition of "beneficial owner" is extremely complicated, but it is generally defined as any individual who exercises considerable control over an entity, like officers and directors, or someone who owns 25% or more of the entity. Also, anyone who has substantial influence over important decisions of the reporting entity, including financial and legal matters, is defined as a “beneficial owner.” And someone who owns stock options, profit interests, or a convertible debt instrument is also a “beneficial owner.” A minor child with an ownership interest in an entity is not required to submit their information in a BOI Report, provided the parent or legal guardian’s information is submitted.

Any person meeting the definition of “beneficial owner” must provide their full legal name, date of birth, address, and identification number from a passport, driver’s license, or other government-issued ID in the BOI Report.

Any entity created on or after January 1, 2024, must report their “company applicants” to FinCEN. A “company applicant” is any individual who directly files, either physically or electronically, the document that created the entity with the secretary of state or similar office. A “company applicant” is also any individual who is primarily responsible for directing or controlling the filing of the document creating the entity.

This person is a “company applicant” even though the individual did not actually file the document with the secretary of state or similar office.

While the law went into effect in January, different businesses will have different compliance timelines. If your company existed before January 1, 2024, your company will have a full calendar year to submit its BOI Report. Entities formed on or after January 1, 2024, and before January 1, 2025, will have 90 calendar days to comply, while any entities formed on or after January 1, 2025, will have 30 days to comply.

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The Corporate Transparency Act Continued...

If you currently own a company that is exempt and at some point, your company loses its exempt status, your company must submit the BOI Report within 30 days.

Additionally, if there are any changes in the required information about your company or its “beneficial owners” in a BOI Report that your company filed, your company must file an updated BOI Report within 30 days. If you become aware of any incorrect information in the BOI Report that your company filed, your company must file a corrected BOI Report within 30 days of learning about the incorrect information.

Failure to adhere to the CTA's requirements can result in significant civil and criminal penalties, with a maximum fine of $500 for every day that the violation continues, up to $10,000, and imprisonment for up to two years. These fines and penalties may be imposed on the senior officers of a Reporting Company. There are no penalties for filing a BOI Report with incorrect information, as long as a corrected BOI Report is filed within 90 days of when the original BOI Report was filed.

The CTA is indicative of a trend in business regulation of more transparency, whether it comes from a local, state, or federal regulation, and having the information required to be submitted in a BOI Report readily accessible and a policy or procedure to provide it, will become a best-practices standard.

At The Lynch Law Group, we are committed to offering timely and precise legislative insights to the business leaders in our region. We are available to assist you in managing annual corporate governance, complying with corporate regulations, and ensuring the continued, long-term health of your company. If you're interested in learning more about how the new CTA may affect your company or how to comply with it, contact us at The Lynch Law Group.

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Thank you to everyone who nominated a Community Champion last month! The PNRC has been recognizing our Community Champion Honorees across our social media channels and in our newsletters throughout the month of January.

The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Community Champions Program recognizes the goodwill, generosity, and incredible spirit of community demonstrated by those in the Pittsburgh North Region. In December, nominations were accepted to spotlight individuals, small businesses, and non-profits that have gone above and beyond to support others, give back, and provide service to the community in 2023. Community Champions were honored by the PNRC throughout January 2024 on our social media and in various PNRC publications, including Monday Morning Coffee and Corridors. In February 2024, one Community Champion from each category – individual, small business, and non-profit – will receive additional acknowledgment for their efforts as a Community Champion, and will be featured in the annual Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Community Resource Guide.

We will be broadcasting live video in February as we recognize a Community Champion from each category. Don’t miss it!

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

February 2024 7:30A

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Alicia Photography IMA | ESS American Cancer Society Kawneer Cranberry - An Arconic Company Armstrong Lifesteps A.W. Beattie Career Center McCandless Corporate Center Creese, Smith, Hune, & Co. LLC Basilone Executive Search and Staffing Medicine Shoppe of Ingomar Crisis Center North, Inc Baierl Auto Group Minuteman Press - Cranberry Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham L.L.P. Borough of Seven Fields MSA- The Safety Company Dollar Bank - Pine Twp. Butler County Community College North Allegheny School District Dollar Bank Loan Center - Cranberry Coldwell Banker - Jan Stevens North Hills Community Outreach Dukovich & Associates Cole Management Inc. North Hills Monthly Magazine EZ Storage Concordia of Cranberry Seneca Valley School District First City Company - McIntyre Square CORE Environmental Services The Chadwick Fun Fore All Family Fun Park Costco Wholesale Three Rivers Paintball, Inc. Glade Run Foundation Cranberry Public Library Tierra Realty Management Hill, Barth & King LLC Cranberry Supply Co. WesBanco Bank - Cranberry Twp. Holsinger Cranberry Township WesBanco Bank - Perry Highway Huntington Bank - Wexford Creative Real Estate Development Co Win-Son Inc.

Ace Handyman Services Pittsburgh North Aging Gracefully Ambrogio and Gallo Landscaping Services, Inc. Anchor Wave Internet Solutions Another Level Ministries ARMSTRONG Banccard Blue Slate Accounting, LLC Brentwood Bank Butler County Community College Butler Radio Network Clean Express Auto Wash Coldwell Banker - Jan Stevens Cranberry Messenger Service Cranberry Twp. Volunteer Fire Company Cultured Travel LLC Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Gr DQE Communications, LLC.

Favored Wellness Counseling and Consulting LLC Transformation Weight Loss & Wellness Real Property Management Skyline

Bradley Wilkins Kathleen Kuznicki Brendan Shubert

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Enspra Antimicrobial Nano Coatings Find Your Destination Gateway Rehab General Rental Center I-Clean, Inc. Invest Pittsburgh IXOYE Designs Jireh Mobile Just In Thyme Catering and Events, Inc. Kawneer Cranberry - An Arconic Company Kontos Mengine Law Group Leathem Creation Co. Legal Shield & Identity Theft Protection Lisowski Tree Service and Landscaping,LLC Lou Negley's Bottled Water Inc. MEDIA- The Creative Agency Minuteman Press - Cranberry MSA - The Safety Company

New York Life- Scott Hacker Nicole Zirnsak State Farm Insurance North Pittsburgh Greeting Company Panera Bread - McCandless Pittsburgh Plastics Manufacturing Polesky Agency, Scott Berney - Erie Insurance Prana Med Spa Resnick Roofing & Contracting LLC RiteRug Flooring Rossman Hensley, Inc. Sarver Landscape Maintenance Company Sarver Management Sheeley Agency- Allstate Insurance Spark Signs & Graphics The Dog Stop Valpak of Western Pennsylvania Your CBD Store- Gibsonia

Edward Jones Delegator Kay Barchetti, Realtor Compass RE Variety - the Children's Charity of Pittsburgh

Stroll Treesdale/BeLocal Cranberry & North Shine of North Pittsburgh Nebo Hospitality LLC

The Flourish Group Rakesh Unnithan Carolyn Keller

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

PghNorthChamber.com | February 2024

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

PghNorthChamber.com | February 2024

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2024