December 2022 Chamber Newsletter

CHAMBER CENTRAL

L O C A L

By Dan DeBone, President/CEO

Rethink the Click: Support Small During Small Business Season

Online shopping is so convenient. Just open a browser and click a couple of times and your holiday gifts could be on their way. But this holiday season we’re asking you to rethink the click and support local small business throughout Westmoreland County. It’s good for you and good for them. Here’s why:

Rethink

the Click: Shop Small this Holiday

While you can still shop online from local businesses, there are a lot of benefits to rethinking the click and making holiday shopping personal again. When you shop in-person you get the following benefits:

Seeing happy faces. For some areas it’s been a while. It’s therapeutic to see smiles again or just mouths in general. When you shop in person you can interact with people. Social interaction is good for brain health and promotes a sense of safety and belonging.

• Getting your steps in. While it’s no marathon, getting out there and visiting local businesses is more active than sitting on the couch clicking.

• Spending less. Have you ever ordered so many things online that when you get a notification that a package is coming, you’re unsure of which one that could be? While people generally spend less in single shopping sessions online than they do in person (the cart total helps with that), collectively over the season, you could spend more because items will arrive at different times. Out of site truly can be out of mind when ordering if you’re not careful.

• Feeling serendipitous. When you shop in person, there’s always a chance of those unexpected finds that you stumble over. Online you’re at the mercy of the search engine.

• Making memories. In-person shopping can be an event. It’s social. People gather to shop and explore the sights and sounds of the season. Playing Christmas music while shopping on your phone isn’t nearly as fun as enjoying a hot chocolaty beverage near the town ice rink.

• Experiencing bonus. Many small businesses are offering more than just products and services this

season. Some have DIY classes, makers groups, tastings, and holiday instruction parties. Shopping in person is an experience.

• Avoiding eye strain, neck pain, and shoulder stiffness. Spending too much time online can lead to eye strain, neck pain, shoulder stiffness and other aches. Instead, put your phone down and get out there.

Teaching the next generation that there’s life outside of the internet. If you are the type of parent who believes in limiting screen time, then inperson holiday shopping is a terrific lesson to pass on. According to a 2022 Junior Achievement Survey, 60% of teens want to start their own business. Shopping in person for the holidays will help them have a greater appreciation for being a small business owner.

This holiday season, shop small and rediscover the joy of in-person shopping. Sure, there are some inconveniences, but there are also a lot of rewards. Enjoy them all. Help small businesses in the area exponentially increase their marketing ROI. excellence, contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community,

CHAMBER CENTRAL

Happy Holidays - A Brief Year In Review

On behalf of myself, our staff and our entire Chamber Board of Directors, we would like to wish each and everyone a wonderful holiday season and prosperous new year. As your new President/CEO and after completing my first year, we’re extremely proud of our vast accomplishments and in 2022 and feel that we just started to scratch the surface.

As many may be aware, we began 2022 with less than 820 members, which was many due to Covid related economy. However, as we saw the business community re-emerge through an increase in attendance and participation during the beginning of the year, we knew that we had to adapt to a new business environment. Once we obtained the results from our member survey during the first quarter of this year, we hit the ground running from increased legislative advocacy, enhanced business/educational information, new workforce development initiatives to the advancement of community and non-profit awareness programs. I’m happy to report that our business community has overwhelmingly responded to our change, which has increased our membership base by 150 members in 2022 alone. Therefore, as of December 1st, we have 970 members and very close to becoming one of the largest Chamber of Commerce in Southwestern PA.

We will certainly work even harder in 2023, by Connecting, Engaging & Growing our business community from the small mom and pop organizations to the larger manufacturing and corporations through the Chamber’s new 5-Point Strategic Action Plan, which will be announced in January. The primary focus of the Chamber’s Strategic Plan is to develop programs and resources to offer the best return on investment for Members. We did this through careful analysis of programs and events,

Chamber Welcomes New Director of Marketing & Special Events

Dave

Wagner

The Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce has named Dave Wagner as the new Director of Marketing and Events. In his role, Wagner will organize and execute all Chamber events and develop plans to increase awareness

about the services the Chamber provides to its members and the community. A Greensburg native and 1982 Graduate of Hempfield Area High School, Dave is thrilled to be “back home” near family and friends after spending the last 35 years working as a sales and marketing manager in the alcoholic beverage industry covering many territories in the northeastern US and beyond representing major brands like Yuengling, Corona, and Disaronno.

Dave has three adult children of whom he is very proud of and loves very much. Zack lives in New York City and work is an actor/singer, as well as teacher of music. Zane lives in Florida with his husband Christopher where they both teach and spend lots of time at Disney. Zoe is almost done with her undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Central Florida and works in guest relations at Give Kids The World. He is currently living in Scottdale with his girlfriend Sarah and their pets; Elvis the cockatoo, Jagger the cat, and Callie the chihuahua.

strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas of growth and expansion. Meeting the needs of our diverse membership is a critical focus for the Chamber and are excited to make 2023 a great year our business community and throughout the region.

Key Initiatives in 2022

Promoted and held over 103 networking & relationship building events.

Expanded legislative advocacy in correlation with tracking, monitoring & lobbying essential bills at the state and federal level, which included:

Historical vote and approval regarding the reduction of the corporate next income tax, which was signed into PA law in June.

Lobbied to maintain the unemployment compensation rates the same for small businesses owners during emergency declarations, which was signed into law in November.

Lobbied to maintain all research and development dollars to maintain current tax deduction status vs amortization.

Expanded partnerships with non-profit organizations to create awareness of available services in connection with our business community (example health & wellness, workforce development, etc.)

Promoted new Director of Business Development, new Director of Marketing & Special Events & Part-time Social Media Personnel.

Increased social media presence in correlation with new communication initiatives for members.

Modified Adult & Youth Leadership Programs.

Developed and expanded new partnerships with universities & colleges.

Developed & initiated new non-profit of the month recognition program.

Pennsylvania’s Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP) Recognizes Joanne Pearson Senior Director of Operations

The Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals recognized Joanne Pearson for her dedication to the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce for celebrating her 10-year anniversary! According to Dan DeBone, President/CEO “ Joanne’s commitment and enthusiasm to our members has helped the Chamber achieve and accomplish various goals and objectives throughout her career. We’re extremely grateful to have Joanne’s vast chamber experience, knowledge and continued dedication.” Thank You Joanne!

Members of our Chamber, including CEO Dan DeBone help celebrate the opening of Full Throttle Adrenaline Park in Monroeville. Thanks for the Full Throttle team for a fun time!

The Chamber joins the Laurel Highlands Workforce and Opportunity Center along with State Representative Eric Nelson, LHWOC CEO Greg Daigle and Chairman of the Board Bill Strickland

Chamber Member Matt Fridge, owner of Headspace Media presented a very informative webinar at the Chamber’s Lunch & Learn at Lakeview in Greensburg.

Wake Up Westmoreland at the Amber House Care Center in Mt Pleasant. Thank you to Harmon House / Amber House for a very nice morning

December BASH at Dollar Bank Westmoreland Mall. Special thanks to Branch Manager Lindsey Smith and her team for a great event

THURSDAY

2022 Board of Directors

Bradley Roth - McDowell Associates (Chair)

Paul Ward - Kennametal (Vice Chair)

Chris Mohler-King - Sendell Motors (Treasurer)

Tom Chakurda - Excela Health (Secretary)

Parag Bedekar - Hydro Carbide Tool Company

Thomas Jeffrey Cook - Somerset Trust Company

Dan Galbraith - Solutionist-SWAG

Maria LaVelle - Pheple Federal Credit Union

Mark Lawrence - PNC Bank

Vicki Loucks - Redstone Presbyterian SeniorCare

Sherry Magretti-Hamilton - Westmoreland County Register of Wills

Dr. Robert Mayfield - Tenaska

Jeffrey McDonald - West Penn Power/First Energy

Janeen Moffa - 1st Summit Bank

Ann Nemanic - GO Laurel Highlands

Jason Rigone - Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation

Judge Harry F. Smail, Jr. - Westmoreland County

Civil and Orphans Court

Sean Sullivan - Live! Casino

Annie Urban - Seton Hill University

Daniel Wesolowski - Elliott Group

*James Smith - Economic Growth Connection

*Michael Storms - Elliott Group

*Tony Vecchio - Coldwell Banker

* Ex-officio member

Solicitor

James Creenan - Creenan & Baczkowski, PC

Chamber Staff

Dan DeBone - President & CEO

Lisa Kennedy - Director of Business Development

Joanne Pearson - Senior Director of Operations

Dave Wagner - Director of Marketing & Events

Grace Markum - Leadership Westmoreland Facilitator/Consultant

Babb, Inc. Mycal Jones 850 Ridge Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412-237-2020 mlj@babbins.com

Broadview Estates . Maronda Homes Vera Valerio 200 Depot Street Youngwood , PA 15697 724-309-1763 www.MarondaHomes.com

CNX

Amy Hopkins 1000 Horizon Vue Dr Canonsburg, PA 15317 724-485-4000 www.cnx.com ahopkins@cnx.com

ELRC Region 5

Heidi Winkler 304 Wood St Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-350-3577 www.elrc5.alleghenycounty.us elrc5@alleghenycounty.us

CertaSite

Vernon King 210 West Drive Suite A Greensburg, PA 15601 724-834-6550 www.certasitepro.com vking@certasitepro.com

Columbia Northwest, Inc Jana Randall 1297 Kecksburg Rd Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666 724-237-5227 www.aliner.com jrandall@aliner.com

Galaxy Dent Repair

Anthony Paluzzi 863 Georges Station Rd Greensburg, PA 15601 724-672-3204 www.tryingtogether.org hubandfamilycenter@tryingtoget her.org

Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center Cara Ciminillo 7219 Kelly Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208 412-545-5039 www.galaxydentrepair.com info@galaxydentrepair.com

Keystone Collections Group Jayson Lawson 546 Wendel Rd Irwin, PA 15642 724-978--0333 www.keystonecollects.com jjawson@keystonecollects.com

Roechling Industrial Mt Pleasant

Craig Critchfield

161 Westec Drive

Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666 724-696-5200

www.roechling.com/industrial info@roechling-machined.us

Lodovico and Associates, PC Tony Lodovico

3723 William Penn Hwy Murrysville, PA 15668 724-325-1099 www.lodovicotaxpros.com info@lodovicotaxpros.com

Mountain View Senior Living & Memory Care Sara Woods 132 Nature Park Rd Greensburg, PA 15601 724-837-0690 www.mountainviewsenior.com sara.woods@mountviewsenior.c om Noble Haircuts Co. David Wilhelm 5109 US 30 Suite D Greensburg, PA 15601 724-834-7777 www.noblehaircuts.com greensburg@noblehaircuts.com

UMH Sales Center Jim Burns 724-243-3251 www.umhsalescenter.com pasalescenter@umh.com

Yelinek Therapy Services Eve Yelinek 119 Arch Avenue Greensburg, PA 15601 724-509-0625 eve@yelinektherapyservices.com

MORE NEW MEMBERS….

City Auto Center, Inc

Dan Judy

201 East Crawford Ave Connellsville, PA 15425 724-628-8800

Pinky Toes Childcare & Development Center

Melissa Judy 204 East Crawford Ave Connellsville, PA 15425 724-628-7373 www.pinkytoespreschool.com connellsvillechildcare@gmail.com

Crayon Clubhouse, LLC Melissa Judy 201 East Fairview Ave Connellsville, PA 15425 724-620-2831 www.crayonclubhouse.com connellsvillechildcare@gmail.com

Crayon Clubhouse II, LLC

Christina Saunders 2614 C Memorial Ave Connellsville, PA 15425 724-603-2262 www.crayonclubhouse.com connellsvillechildcare@gmail.com

Thistle Nook Nature Playschool, LLC

Melissa Judy 1530 East Laurel Circle Mt Pleasant, PA 15666 724-849-0888

www.thistlenooknatureplayschoo l.com thistlenooknatureplayschool@g mail.com

The Curious Kaleidoscope Playschool, LLC

Melissa Judy 9799 Laurel Ave Irwin, PA 15642 724-989-2617 melissajudy1@gmail.com

Westmoreland Chamber Of Commerce Presents

Interpersonal Success Leadership Coaching

Free Interactive Webinar with Bonnie to gain more information regarding the Chamber’s 2023 Leadership Coaching Series

Wednesday, January 11th at 10:00 AM Call Dave Wagner at (724-834-2900) or register at www.westmorelandchamber.com

Imagine leading a happy, emotionally healthy team that consistently meets or exceeds goals without drama!

Most leaders never get real training to develop those make-or-break interpersonal skills such as:

• How to have difficult conversations in a way that builds trust and retains valuable employees

• Overcome knee-jerk reactions when things don’t go as planned

• Convey empathy without enabling

• How to work with different personality types

• Manage differences amongst family, culture, gender, history & race in a way that brings teams together

When that growth doesn’t happen – you get stuck fighting fires instead of celebrating wins.

So what can you do to lead where others fail?

Invest in your interpersonal leadership

The Interpersonal Success Leadership Coaching Program is for you if you’re f acing the following types of challenges:

• Team infighting

• Gossip, and unresolved conflict

• High turnover

Time Investment:

• (3) hour kick-off meeting

• (11) monthly in-person meetings, 90 minutes in length

• (2) 90-minute individual coaching sessions with Bonnie Artman Fox

Group Size:

Because this coaching program focuses on leader’s personal development, the group is intentionally kept to a small size of (6-8) leaders.

Here are just a few of the expected results:

• Increase self-awareness of “What you say and how you say it”, i.e. your tone of voice, non-verbal, etc.

• Stay in control of your emotions, especially when things don’t go as planned.

• How to prevent and de-escalate workplace drama, including passive-aggressive behavior

• Setting (and sticking with) boundaries

• Increase your skills at having difficult conversations (without flipping your lid)

• How to pick up on social cues so you’re more in tune with your employee.

• Recognize the different styles of leadership for different situations

• Listen fully without interrupting or defending your position

• Build team cohesiveness...And so much more…!

The Downtown Irwin Christmas Cookie Tour

Friday December 9th, 2022

5 to 8 p.m.

Horse-drawn rides on the Kenny Ross carriage Cookie decorating for children at the Masonic Hall

Christmas Karaoke in front of State Farm

Christmas carolers roaming around Santa will be at Duncan Financial Cookie samples in participating stores

Holiday performances by music students at Brandy’s

Diabetes and Endocrinology (Telemedicine)

General Surgery

Urology UPMC OUTPATIENT CENTER UPMC.com/PellisRoadOPC

Cardiothoracic Care

Diabetes and Endocrinology

17 Unit serves within The of the WIU are teams career and technology centers

3 service

school county. Curriculum, Executive,

districts the Student, Financial,

and The Westmoreland Intermediate the Technology Infrastructure. and & SCAN TO SEE ALL JOB OPENINGS Current job opportunities include teachers, personal care assistants, classroom assistants and counselors, custodians, nurses, secretaries.

providing fscally success responsible solutions to equip all learners for Westmoreland Intermediate Unit 102 Equity Dr Greensburg, PA 15601 724-836-2460 info@wiu7.org

Contact Lisa Kennedy

lisa@westmorelandchamber.com 724-834-2900 Option #1, ext. 202

Who is Permitted to Display Messages on the LED Billboard?

Messages may be sponsored only by members of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce to promote their business or upcoming events. At its sole discretion, the Westmoreland County Chamber reserves the right to deny messages determined to be in conflict with the Chamber’s Mission, Vision, and Values or in conflict with the general standards of good taste in our community The following message types are prohibited: messages containing promotion of candidates for political office; religious messages that aim to overtly proselytize; or messages that promote violence, illicit drugs, or alcohol.

How Many People See the LED Billboard Each Day?

Traffic estimates report that 38,000 cars each day travel on Route 30 outside the Chamber's office, where the LED Billboard is located

How Many Times Each Day is a Message Displayed?

The LED Board is operational 24 hours a day. The specific number of times a message is displayed is determined by the total number of messages in the rotation. A rule of thumb is that there will be no more than eight (8) separate messages per one minute rotation That means message sponsors can expect their message to be displayed roughly 1,400 times each day or at least once each minute

The Westmoreland County Chamber must receive artwork a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the day you want your message to begin being displayed. Messages should be designed to fit 384 pixels wide by 192 pixels tall. Generally speaking a 2:1 design ratio works in most cases The Westmoreland County Chamber reserves the right to make minor modifications to message content in order to improve the display and readability. Design assistance is available Ask the Chamber for details

We prefer to receive artwork in JPG format The message board can display full color images. Using BOLD colors with large images and limited text tends to be the most impactful way for viewers to see your message

WARMWISHESFORA SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON