Enhancing your credit score can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in interest during your lifetime.  If you’ve ever applied for a credit card, personal loan, or insurance, chances are someone checked your credit score.  Your credit score is  full of information on where you live, how you pay your bills, whether you’ve been sued or arrested, or if you have filed for bankruptcy.
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Kelly Oppelt and Amanda Kuhn have known each other since elementary school and were reunited several years ago while working at a Monroe County publication and creative services firm. After being temporarily laid off, the compatible duo decided to combine their knowledge and experience to launch Smart Blonde Creative – an agency dedicated to providing affordable design services to small businesses and individuals in the Poconos.

The business partners believe their familiarity with the design needs and creative demands of local clientele will provide an untapped opportunity to harvest success. “However, we knew applying for a loan to purchase the necessary equipment and supplies would be our biggest challenge,” says Oppelt who was referred to MetroAction by the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center.

“The staff at MetroAction really helped us understand the entire loan application process,” observes Kuhn after the pair obtained a $15,000 small business loan. To keep overhead expenses down, Smart Blonde is operating as a home-based business, an additional benefit to Kuhn, a new parent.

Smart Blonde Creative has recently been a recipient of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC funding.

Local food, beverage and hospitality industry businesses in Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Carbon, Schuylkill and Wyoming counties are eligible to apply for scholarships to MetroAction’s Small Business Institute or Marketing Mastery programs. (more…)

Luzerne County businesses affected by Tropical Storm Lee and/or Hurricane Irene can now apply for low interest loans to assist with flood recovery. On November 10, 2011, the Commonwealth Finance Authority approved $4 million in funding to be used to develop the Luzerne County Flood Recovery Loan Fund. (more…)

  Michael Bird had a perennial dream. In June 2000, he began working      summers at Wilmot Nursery and Landscaping in Lake Ariel. Founded in 1985, the nursery was considered the area’s premiere source for landscaping, hardscaping and gardening needs and Bird wanted to be a part of its success. (more…)

Although the new owner of Little Acres Learning Academy in Moscow has experience working in Afghanistan and at a large, electronics maintenance and repair facility, Justin Abromavage decided it was more important to make a positive contribution to the families in the North Pocono community. (more…)

  Celebrate the outstanding efforts of the local business community and their talent, creativity, and innovation in a challenging business environment at the Chamber Gala. (more…)

The Chamber and MetroAction are teaming up with PPL to help launch the E-power Direct Discount Service in Scranton! (more…)

Have you ever wondered how social media can help your business? This seminar will show you. (more…)

MetroAction will present a “Working with the Media” seminar on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. (more…)