Corridors september 2017

Back To Business!

Breaking Through your Sales Comfort Zone Free Enterprise Week Member of the Month

September 2017

C O N T E N T S

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4 Chamber Headquarters 5000 Brooktree Road, Suite 100 Wexford, PA Cranberry Twp. Office 2525 Rochester Road Cranberry Township, PA P: 724.934.9700 F: 724.934.9710

Jim Boltz President JBoltz@PghNorthChamber.com For more information on the Chamber’s program of work, please contact: Patty Bittle Marketing and Events Director PBittle@PghNorthChamber.com Al Davidson Membership Accounts Executive ADavidson@PghNorthChamber.com Kristina Hall Program Director KHall@PghNorthChamber.com Heather Schwartzbauer Membership Coordinator HSchwartzbauer@PghNorthChamber.com Amy VanAtta Executive Assistant AVanAtta@PghNorthChamber.com

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From the Last month, we conducted a survey to get feedback from you on how we can best serve your networking needs.

The primary focus being our Connections meetings. Your response was fantastic. Thanks to those that participated.

The Results.

A significant amount (74%) of the respondents said that they found the Connections meetings to be a valuable networking event. Fifty-nine percent enjoy the Business After-Hours.

Seventy-three percent of the respondents said that they attended from one to five Connections meetings a month. As expected, more people said that they attended the Tuesday afternoon (56%) than any of the others. Tuesday morning wasn’t far behind, though, at 46%.

The biggest influences on which meeting was attended were the location, day of the week and time.

Fifty-eight percent said that the 7:30 am – 9:00 am time slot was the most convenient. However, half of the respondents said that the 11:30 am – 1:00 pm slot would work for them.

There was a plethora of other groups that people belong to, but no single other group was prevailing. The most common other group that people belonged to is another Chamber of Commerce. All in all, there were twenty other groups or organizations that were named.

We received a lot of good feedback on how we can improve the Connections meetings. Suggestions such as: How to handle the days that we don’t have speakers Tweaking the formats Changing the timing and/or days of the week We received many more. Too many to list here. Thank you.

What’s next?

We are going to meet with the facilitators to evaluate your suggestions to see which ones will work best. Our goal will be to implement the changes in the next few months.

We appreciate your input. Your involvement is what makes this chamber a better organization

Jim Boltz

Member Testimonials Once again I find myself feeling fortunate to have found the PNRCC. Because of the PNRCC, I have done business with one chamber member in particular using their services, and they have also done business with me using my services.

In both cases, our services were truly life impacting, life changing events that will forever have a positive impact on our families. This would never have happened had we not met at a Connections meeting, and developed a relationship through many Chamber events.

The PNRCC changes lives!

Robert O'Friel Financial Representative Luttner Financial Group, LLC

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B USINESS A FTER H OURS September 7 Walnut Grill 12599 Perry Highway Wexford, PA 15090

September 21 Nakama 10636 Perry Highway Wexford, PA 15090

Business After Hours are from 5-7pm

E VENTS

Taste of Cranberry Monday, September 11 5:00—7:00 p.m.

DoubleTree By Hilton 910 Sheraton Drive

Neighborhood Business Expo Tuesday, October 17 1:00—6:00 p.m.

DoubleTree By Hilton 910 Sheraton Drive

M ARKETPLACE L UNCH M EETINGS September 6: Bravo! Cranberry, 11:30am - 1:00pm 20001 Route 19, Cranberry Twp September 13: Monte Cellos at The Hampton Shoppes 11:30am-1:00pm 4655 William Flynn Highway Route 8, Allison Park September 20: Cranberry Sports Grill, 11:30am - 1:00pm 1294 Freedom Road, Cranberry Twp. September 25: Family Bowlaway Fun Center, 11:30am- 1:00pm 540 Fairground Hill Road, Butler September 27: Bravo! McKnight Road, 11:30am - 1:00pm 4976 McKnight Road Pittsburgh, PA

CONNECTIONS Daily networking events for business leaders throughout our Pittsburgh North region Wexford: Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m. Chamber Headquarters, 5000 Brooktree Rd., Suite 100 Warrendale: Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. DoubleTree By Hilton 910 Sheraton Drive. Sponsored by Dollar Bank Cranberry Twp.: Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m. Council Chambers, 2525 Rochester Road. Sponsored by WORD FM Ross Twp.: Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. Treasure House Fashions, 7607 McKnight Road.

Gibsonia: Fridays, 7:30 a.m. St. Barnabas Health System 5847 Meridian Road.

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2017 B OARD OF D IRECTORS E XECUTIVE C OMMITTEE John Tubridy – Board Chair Franchise Network of Pittsburgh Ann Gatty, Ph.D.– Chair-Elect Strategic People Solutions Philip J. Scolieri, J.D.– Vice-Chair Scolieri Law Group, P.C. Lisa Hunt - Past Chair USX Federal Credit Union

Gary Basilone – Foundation Chair Basilone Executive Search Kent Clifton - Treasurer AXA Advisors, LLC Gregg Hill – Secretary Dollar Bank Jim Boltz - President Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

B OARD

OF

D IRECTORS

Tracy Armstrong, North Pittsburgh Greeting Company Judith Bernhard, Advance Sourcing Concepts, LLC Ryan Breen J.D., Breen Law Firm, LLC Steve Carpenter, Northwood Realty Andrew Chiapusio, First National Bank Steven W. Diffenderfer, NexTier Bank Todd Harris, Liberty Insurance Agency Nicholas D. Kennedy, FamilyWealth Management Group John Laslavic, ThistleSea Business Development, LLC Al Marschke, ACN Business Essentials Robert O’Friel, Luttner Financial Group Dan Penberthy, NexTier Bank Jan Stevens, Coldwell Banker Kim Yerace, Petroleum Technical Services, LLC

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

PNRC Member Christina Tarantola Jim Boltz, President PNRC said, “Christina brings knowledge and passion to what she does. While leading the chamber’s Fifty Days to Fit Challenge, her ability to understand and relate to the challenges of others, along with her personable style, made the program a success to most of the participants. “ “Christina always has a smile on her face and a warm greeting when she meets you. She has a genuine interest in knowing who you are from a personal and business perspective. I had the privilege to see her in action in the 50 Days to Fitness, very professional and extremely informative. Her approach to fitness was at a level that even a novice can understand. What I learned about health and fitness will be with me for a long time and all because I know I can approach Christina at any time with my questions and not feel like a bother,” said Bruce Conley of The Computer Coach.

Jerry Walkins of Send Out Cards said, “Christina is a relatively new Chamber Member, but, she hit the ground running and became an active member immediately. Attending and participating in Connections Meetings, (featured speaker when asked) Ribbon Cuttings, Business After Hour Meetings, working on committees, etc. In short, she is a very active member. Professionally, Christina works diligently as a pharmacist / coach / healer dedicated to serving our welfare. She eagerly explains and shows the impact of a pharmacist as a Health Coach, using her expertize to inform us all the value and benefit of nutrition; she's not just a 'pill pusher.' As an example: One of her presentations is entitled - “Why 98% of Diets Fail.”

Member testimonials are the Chamber’s best and most effective way to promote the benefits and services that a Chamber membership provides. Share your success with the Chamber and your story may be featured in an upcoming edition of Corridors. Email all testimonials to Patty Bittle

PghNorthChamber.com

September 2017

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Back To Business!

By Autumn Edmiston

Were you one of the thousands of Americans who enjoyed some time off this summer? Did you find it difficult to schedule meetings with decision makers due to vacations or covering for staff while on vacation? With fall upon us, it’s time to get back to business.

Did you notice that your phone didn’t ring as much, or that your foot traffic slowed? You may have found yourself in the “dog days” of summer. “Dog days” refer to the time in late July and into August when the heat has set in, and so has the slow pace and lethargy. People are on vacation and decision makers may be less available.

Making the most out of your “slow” days can be the difference between a successful bounce back from those dog days and a fall flop. Having the right sales strategy checklist can help to keep you and your business on the track for growth as we get back to business this fall.

Now may be time to re-evaluate your sales process. When you evaluate your sales process, you want to find which areas represent your strength and provide a largest return. Additionally, there may be areas that are weak and need improvement. While your foot traffic is slow, take some time to re-examine the steps of your sales process.

Business owners often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of dealing with the daily needs of customers and business. The key is when you hit a slow down to utilize your time wisely. If you could snap your fingers and make a change in your marketing effort, what would it be? Is there a new lead generation tactic that you would like to try? Can you possibly go back to a former client for repeat business or upsell opportunities? Should you be updating your current website? Are you asking for client testimonials? There are so many times in business that an opportunity is in plain sight and you simply fail to see it because you’re working in your business and not on it.

Examine how you regularly keep in contact with current customers and potential clients. Is it through email or an electronic newsletter? Do you have an editorial plan in place? Are you capturing email addresses through social media and your website? These regular touches with pertinent information keep you and your company top of mind. If this program seems like an insurmountable task, perhaps it’s time to outsource it. The Edmiston Group writes custom blogs and executes digital newsletters for our clients every month. We can help you get there!

We’ve asked a lot of questions within this blog. The reason is to have a business owner begin thinking about the strategy behind the sale of a product or service and uncover gaps that may exist. While the ‘dog days’ of summer are often slow for business, it doesn’t mean that you have to slow down as well. Use the slow time to work on your sales strategy and lead your company down a path to growth for when it’s back to business moving into the fall season.

You may have found networking events and educational events during the summer are less attended, but now it’s time to plug back in and set up for a strong fourth quarter. There are some things that you can do to help drive growth to your business this fall and holiday season.

Start attending social events again. It is all too easy to fall away from those business after hours during the summer, especially when those warm summer nights are calling you to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Make networking events an important part of your business growth plan, but be sure to have a purpose when you go. Follow-up with those you meet and utilize these events to grow your newsletter list.

Set up a holiday plan. Are you ready for the holidays? Some business to business clients host a holiday client appreciation event, deliver a thank you gift, or identify those special clients to take to lunch. For retail clients, prepare for major shopping days such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Small Business Saturday. Many monthly publications will require advertising for these three shopping days be set by the first part of October.

Begin to prepare your marketing plan for 2018. The first of the year will be upon us before you know it. Identify areas of business growth, prepare a budget and a marketing plan on how you will achieve that growth.

Don’t let the hustle of the fall and holiday seasons distract you from planning ahead. Plan, execute and get back into the groove of doing what you do best….your business!

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh based marketing consulting firm providing senior level marketing management services to businesses and nonprofit organizations on a short or long term basis. Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.

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PghNorthChamber.com

July 2017

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Breaking Through Your Sales Comfort Zone By Joel Burstein Are you in sales for the long haul? Have you burned your bridges back to the secure life of a guaranteed paycheck?

Or are you just in sales until the next good job offer comes along? People don’t fail in sales because of bad prospects, bad products, bad markets, or bad economic times. These are just the excuses they use. People fail in sales because they stop believing in themselves.

deserted island for an hour and you have no roles; it’s just you….no labels, no roles.

How do you feel about yourself? On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your value or self-worth with no roles.

The reason many sales people have problems in this area is that they confuse their self-image with their roles in life.

In order to separate the two, let’s define them.

First: roles, your “R”. Roles are the labels we put on ourselves, they are what we do. Examples are father, salesman, wife, manager, trainer, business owner, and company president. Stop and make a list of four or five roles that you have. Now consider this: all of these roles can be taken away from you. Pretend for a minute that you are on a

ed based on our roles; we’ve been conditioned to get our self-esteem from a good role performance. Unfortunately, there’s nothing like a year in the sales profession to make us all realize we’re not as good a role performer as we thought we were. One day you make two tough sales and

Now consider your “I,” your self-image. This is made up of your values, principles, and beliefs. Examples are honesty, faithfulness, reliability, charity, compassion, and stewThe most important thing you need to be successful in ardship. Make a list of four or five values and principles sales is a strong self-image. Sales is a high-risk business. that describe you. Which of these can be taken away from Every day you face rejection, humiliation, failure, and un- you? Of course, the answer is that none of them can be certainty. If you have a weak self-image, you may take taken away by anybody but you. Your “I” is the inner you, these experiences personally and soon you’ll be reluctant your castle, and nobody gets in there unless you let them. to put yourself in risky situations. When that happens, it’s So, in the deserted island exercise the answer is that you only a matter of time before you give up on yourself and are a TEN with or without your roles. Your worth as a peryour sales career, which had, at one time, looked so son is independent of your role performance. promising to you.

The problem is that our whole lives we have been evaluat-

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

How to Comfortably Grow your Business to Reach Your Goals

By Dr. Ann Gatty If your goal has been to grow your business during this fiscal year, we have some key performance indicators that we use with our clients’ businesses to benchmark their growth success. These benchmarks can be checked each quarter to monitor how well the business is doing. If your business seems to be stagnating or, maybe even falling behind in certain areas, changes can be made to get the business back on track and ending the year with a positive record.

Considering these indicators, while not always reviewed in traditional financial analysis, seem to give the business owner a different perspective on the health of the business. How would you answer the following questions?

1. What is your customer churn rate? This rate is determined by the percentage of your lost customers. If you have 100 customers in a given fiscal year, and you find that 50 do not return, you have a churn rate of 50%. Because the cost of acquiring new customers is higher than the cost of retaining customers, this number can be an important indicator. As you acquire new customers, think how you can enhance the relationship to become more that a one-time transaction. Think about other services or products that may be of benefit to a first-time customer.

2. What is your monthly recurring revenue? This is the money you can count on now and in the future. Losing a major client can greatly affect this number and put your business health at risk. A healthy business is one that has diversified its customer base so that it is not reliant on one or two major clients as a major source of revenue.

3. What is your customer acquisition cost? How much do you need to spend to find your new customers?

Consider your marketing costs, your sales team costs and your research and development costs. The total becomes your customer acquisition cost. It may be high, so the goal is customer retention through high quality customer service.

4. Can you identify the customer lifetime value? This number indicates how much value the retained customer will provide throughout the relationship with the company. This number needs to be higher than the customer acquisition cost. If not, alter the strategies used to find new customers and look for ways to provide additional services and products to retain your customers.

5. How much cash do you have available? There will be rainy days. You can count on that. Having cash readily available can solve a lot of the headaches that may arise.

6. How are you acquiring inbound qualified leads? Are you networking, working from referrals, or buying leads?

The process needs to be continuous and adding to the sales funnel, no matter what lead acquisition strategy you are using. This stream of leads needs to be part of your business systems to keep your future secure.

Leads are the lifeblood of an organization. Working with a few customers and not keeping the lead funnel full will result in a gap between when you finish with current customers and when you start working with new customers. Be careful or your positive cash flow will be compromised!

Taking time to establish a well-planned system of monitoring your business growth will provide valuable insights for years to come. We post regular tips for building businesses to work brilliantly on our website, www.strategicpeoplesolutions.com. I also have a video channel, http://pittsburghbiztvshows.com/dr-ann-gatty/, where I share business building insights. Join me to find other useful suggestions on growing a solid healthy business.

Submitted by: Ann N. Gatty, Ph.D., Strategic People Solutions

PghNorthChamber.com

September 2017

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Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week By Tori Beck This summer, I was given the opportunity to go to Lycoming College for Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week, or PFEW. On July 2, I went to Williamsport, Pennsylvania where hundreds of other students from across Pennsylvania gathered to take part in the thirty-ninth year of this program. Going into PFEW, I didn't really know what to expect. I only knew that it was a week-long camp that would be a business simulation. I didn't know a single person that was attending, I had never stayed on a college campus, and I didn't know how to create and run a business. In his opening speech, Mr. John Trombetta, CEO and president of the Foundation for Free Enterprise Education, told us that many alumni told him that their week at PFEW was the one of the very best of their whole summer. If I'm being honest, I didn't believe him. How could a camp in the middle of summer about running a business be that fun? However, throughout the week, I was proven wrong. Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week was an amazing experience for me, and I wish that I could do it again.

I attended the first week of PFEW for the 2017 session. When I got there, after settling into my dorm, everyone was randomly divided into companies, with 17 or 18 students in each. Each company was given an industry. Additionally, every company was assigned a company advisor. The company advisors supervised our meetings and helped us wherever they were able to. I was in company B-2, which was the sunglasses industry. We had to choose a name for our company, so we decided on Helios, named after the Greek god of the sun. In our first few meetings, our company got to know each other, we voted on a CEO, and decided who would be working on finances versus who would be working on marketing and advertising. I decided to work on the marketing and advertising side because I appreciate good marketing and have always been interested in propaganda and the art of persuasion.

Because most of us knew little about running businesses, a series of business owners gave lectures that told us everything we would need to know for the week. In our financing lecture we learned about return on net assets, inventory, production costs, and expenses. We learned about effective and memorable advertising and successful marketing campaigns. Additionally, we learned all about how the business simulation worked and about the presentations that we would need to put together by the end of the week: the marketing and advertising presentation and the stockholders presentation. In addition, throughout the week we heard a number of motivational speakers. I'm that week, I heard some of the best speakers I have ever heard. They made me laugh, they gave me hope, and some even brought tears to my eyes.

As part of the marketing team, I was in charge of creating the television commercial segment of our marketing presentation. I worked on writing the script, making props and costumes, and directing it. By far, one of the most challenging parts of the entire presentation preparation was the limited resources we were given. We were given a stack of construction paper, three colored markers, four black markers, a ruler, a yardstick, a pair of scissors, one roll of masking tape, and as much butcher paper as we needed. There were strict rules: we could not use anything that was not given to us by PFEW or that not everybody else had. I ended up making a toga out of giant pieces of paper and a little bit of tape. When I saw how the presentations came out, I was unbelievably proud of all of the work and creativity that we put into them. Many days towards the end of the week we were staying up until ten at night and ordering pizza or Chinese takeout to the campus so we could work on our presentations. I know I'm always going to remember those late night party/meetings and the bonding that happened.

By far the best part of the week was getting to know every single person in my company. We were all juniors or seniors, and we came from all across the state—from Pittsburgh, to Harrisburg, to Philadelphia. Whenever we weren't planning campaigns or trying to balance a budget, we were hanging out around the college campus. We spent countless lunches talking about how weird our schools were. There were countless debates about whether it was "pop" or "soda" (it's pop) or whether country music has any merit. Because of PFEW, I made sixteen new friends that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise. I'm so glad I did. We continue to keep in touch, messaging each other almost everyday, and are planning our PFEW reunion.

I am so grateful that I was able to experience such an incredible week. I learned a lot about running a business, but I also learned a lot about life, meeting new people, working in a team, and living on a college campus (the beds are really uncomfortable). I was absolutely amazed that a group of strangers could come together and create a well thought-out business using limited resources within a single week. My company ended up getting an honorable mention for the marketing and advertising presentation, but the best award I got was new friends, and an experience to last a lifetime.

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Breaking Through Your Sales Comfort Zone Continued from page 8 your “R” is a ten; next day you blow an easy close and your “R” is a two. You make twenty cold calls and everybody blows you off. The rejection factor builds and then you have a whole month where you can’t seem to sell anything to anyone and you really start to doubt yourself.

That’s when many sales people don lifejackets and start looking for the lifeboats.

In the tough times you should remember that no matter how you perform in your sales role, at the end of the day, your “I” is a TEN, because the principles, values, and beliefs that make up the inner you have not changed. Learn to separate your role performance from your self-image, and also to remain emotionally detached in the selling process. Then you will be better equipped to tackle the difficult daily activities that are required to be successful as well as to deal with the emotional roller coaster ride that sales puts us through.

needs met; the purpose of selling is to go to the bank.

You’ll achieve that purpose when you:  put your ego aside

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realize that no matter how your prospects treat you and no matter what results you achieve, your “I” is always a TEN

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focus your energy on what it takes to CLOSE THE DEAL.

And finally your “I” will always be a ten and you’ll be in sales for the long haul if you remember this basic rule of life: nobody gets in your castle unless you let them in.

Submitted by: Joel Burstein, President Keep It Simple Training and Development, LLC

Remember this: Selling is no place to get your emotional

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

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Community Connection

Cranberry Township Start of school year prompts driver awareness campaign The 10-day program – build around a nationwide campaign theme designed by the Kansas-based Keep Kids Alive – Drive 25 Foundation, is timed to raise driver awareness of Cranberry’s 25 miles an hour residential speed limit at the start of Seneca Valley’s new school year, which is later than normal due to roadwork underway near the district’s high school and middle school campus in Jackson. To read more click here.

Grants for two PennDOT traffic light improvements accepted Two Green Light Go grants from PennDOT totaling $750,000 have been officially accepted by the Township. At its July 27 meeting, Cranberry’s Board of Supervisors adopted separate motions to sign off on the grants which will fund 80 percent of the two projects: a signal upgrade at St. Francis Way and Rt. 19, and software for transforming five other traffic lights along Rt. 19 into adaptive signals. Work to upgrade the Rt. 19 corridor will begin this year; reconstruction at the intersection of St. Francis and the Cranberry Mall with Rt. 19 won’t begin until 2019.

McCandless Township Heritage Center Financial Development and Promotional Committee Town Council is seeking applicants for this committee. It will consist of seven members serving staggered four-year terms. Applicants must be residents of the Town. Council will select one member from each ward in the Town. In absence of an applicant from a particular ward, Council may appoint a resident from another ward.

2017 Community Day The 17th annual event will be held on Saturday, September 9. Most of the activities will take place at Town Hall (9955 Grubbs Road). Parking will be available at the former Trader Horn and North Allegheny Intermediate School, with overflow parking to be located at North Park Church. Shuttle service will be available. To read more click here.

2017 Side Yard and Blighted Structure Program The Town of McCandless is once again participating in Allegheny County's Vacant Recovery Program (Side Yard and Blighted Structure Program). The program gives residents the opportunity to improve their community by purchasing side yards and blighted structures at a reduced rate. To read more click here..

Pine Township Road work on Route 19 The locations are from Wallace Road to Freeport Rd and should conclude August of 2018. Single lane closures can be expected Monday- Friday, 9:00AM-3:00PM for signal upgrade work. Weekend single lane closures will be Friday 9PM - Monday at 6AM for all other work. Intermittent stoppages are likely to be encounter.

Grandparents Day Celebrate National Grandparents Day at the Pine Community Center. Grandkids, great grandkids and grandfriends are all welcome! Create lasting memories at our Grandparents Day with games, activities, crafts, snacks and refreshments Saturday, September 16th from 1-4pm. For ages 6-12 years old.

Touch-a-Truck

You won't believe your eyes! See, touch, interact and learn about a variety of fun vehicles. Check out a fire truck, police car, tractor, dump truck, ambulance and many more! Saturday, September 23, 1:00-3:00pm at the Pine Community Center. Cost $3 per child

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NexTier Bank Nonprofit Spotlight North Hills Community Outreach When life goes wrong in the suburbs, NHCO is here to help.

In an ideal world, suburban poverty wouldn’t exist. There would be no need for organizations like North Hills Community Outreach. A woman and her children needn’t escape home due to domestic violence; a man wouldn’t lose a job during downsizing; fires and floods wouldn’t happen. In a world where everything goes right, cars always start, no one gets divorced and everyone stays healthy.

Then there’s the real world. Fires, divorce, illness and job loss taunt suburban families that are a paycheck away from disaster. Poverty exists and crises happen in your backyard in Hampton, McCandless, O’Hara, Pine-Richland, Shaler…pick a community. NHCO is here for families when life suddenly goes wrong.

For 30 years, NHCO has served 70,000 families in the 47 communities that comprise the northern suburbs. Thanks to generous individuals, businesses, civic groups, congregations and schools, we have distributed more than $20 million in free assistance, including food, financial help for rent and utilities, items like school supplies and coats, and multiple programs that help people regain self-sufficiency.

Hunger, financial hardship, utility help and transportation are the main problems people report when they come to NHCO. To help people break the poverty cycle, we offer multiple free programs including: Three Food pantries and utility assistance (often a family’s first introduction to social services) Sharing Projects including school supplies, coats, holiday gifts, spring cleaning and more.

Education Assistance (scholarships) WorkAble employment help Intensive case management and budgeting skills Transportation help and Community Auto Free tax prep and Ask the Attorney In Service of Seniors (volunteers conduct home safety checks or provide rides to the doctor or grocery store) Free Rides for Seniors shuttles, funded by St. Margaret Foundation, in the Route 28 corridor.

Resources and partnerships with other agencies.

We are proud of our families who work hard to get out of suburban poverty. We are grateful for volunteers and donors, like you, who help neighbors over the rough spots in the real world. Business owners and professionals can help!

Our need for financial donations is ongoing and great.

Tax prep (training in December), Citrus Sale (January), Neighborhood Block Party (April 26) and Highmark Walk (May) are great ways for businesses to get involved!

Sponsor our events or hold collections. (Coats in September/October, holiday gifts in November) Attend our 30th Anniversary celebration September 17! For reservations contact Cheryl at 412-487-6316 opt 1 x 3111 or Harriet at 412-408-3830 x 3204.

Current volunteer needs include drivers for our shuttles, tax preparers (we train) and attorneys, bell ringers for Salvation Army kettles (we are a SA unit) and group sales for Citrus.

For more information, visit nhco.org or call 412-487-6316 opt 1. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

NHCO’s United Way donor code is 2357.

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The Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber would like to thank those who have renewed.

We thank you for your continued support!

20 +Years

Welcome to those who have joined!

Thank you for your referrals!

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Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Tax Breaks Available When Hiring New Employees If you’re thinking about hiring new employees this year, you won’t want to miss out on these tax breaks.

Five Tax Breaks to Consider Continued from August Newsletter 3. Disabled Access Credit and the Barrier Removal Tax Deduction Employers that hire disabled workers might also be able to take advantage of two additional tax breaks, or credits, in addition to the WOTC. The Disabled Access Credit is a non-refundable credit for small businesses that incur expenditures for the purpose of providing access to persons with disabilities. An eligible small business is one that earned $1 million or less or had no more than 30 full-time employees in the previous year; they may take the credit each, and every year they incur access expenditures. Eligible expenditures include amounts paid or incurred to: 1. Remove barriers that prevent a business from being accessible to or usable by individuals with disabilities; 2. Provide qualified interpreters or other methods of making audio materials available to hearing-impaired Individuals; 3. Provide qualified readers, taped texts, and other methods of making visual materials available to individuals with visual impairments; or 4. Acquire or modify equipment or devices for individuals with disabilities.

The Architectural Barrier Removal Tax Deduction encourages businesses of any size to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the mobility of persons with disabilities and the elderly. Businesses may claim a deduction of up to $15,000 a year for qualified expenses for items that normally must be capitalized. Businesses claim the deduction by listing it as a separate expense on their income tax return.

Businesses may use the Disabled Tax Credit and the Architectural/Transportation Tax Deduction together in the same tax year if the expenses meet the requirements of both sections. To use both, the deduction is equal to the difference between the total expenditures and the amount of the credit claimed.

4. Indian Employment Tax Credits The Indian Employment Credit provides businesses with an incentive to hire certain individuals (enrolled members of an Indian tribe or the spouse of an enrolled member) who live on or near an Indian reservation. The business does not have to be in an empowerment zone or enterprise community to qualify for the credit, which offsets the business’s federal tax liability.

The credit is 20 percent of the excess of the current qualified wages and qualified employee health insurance costs (not to exceed $20,000) over the sum of the corresponding amounts that were paid or incurred during the calendar year of 1993 (not a typo).

5. State Tax Credits .Many states use tax credits and deductions as incentives for hiring and job growth. Employers are eligible for these credits and deductions when they create new jobs and hire employees that meet certain requirements. Examples include the New Employment Credit (NEC) in California, the Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit, and Empire Zone Tax Credits in New York.

Are you getting all of the tax breaks that you are entitled to? Maybe you are…but maybe you’re not. Why take a chance? Let the tax experts at Holsinger provide the guidance you need. Call Holsinger today and make sure you get all of the tax breaks you deserve.

PghNorthChamber.com

September 2017

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Thank you to our Valued Corporate Sponsors and Chamber Partners