This year’s event featured the presentation of six awards, including a new addition for 2010- the Volunteer of the Year. Award winners included:

Small Business of the Year: Springbrook Kennels

New and Emerging Small Business of the Year: Scranton Urgent Care

Virtual Small Business of the Year: Michael Straub Photography, Inc.

Young Entrepreneur of the Year:   Michelle Bersch, owner of Design Done Right

Small Business Advocate: Amy Clegg, owner, Express Employment Professionals

Volunteer of the Year: Raymond Ceccotti, senior vice president, Honesdale National Bank, Vice president, MetroAction’s Board of Directors,
Co-Chair, MetroAction’s Loan Review Committee

“Small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy, not just in northeastern Pennsylvania but throughout the country,” said MetroAction president, Natalie O’Hara. “It is entrepreneurs who are designing our newest technologies, improving how we work and how we live, employing the most people, and who are contributing to and reinvesting in our communities.  Small businesses are our future, and this award brings that to light.”

In all, numerous companies were nominated in each category. Criteria upon which the nominees were judged included performance, growth, innovation, creativity, competitiveness, community involvement and more. The Small Business Awards Luncheon is a program of MetroAction, which exists to assist our small businesses in their growth, development and success and to recognize achievements and contributions of area entrepreneurs.

The luncheon also featured a keynote address by Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord.  “Most leaders know that small businesses are the backbone of Pennsylvania communities,” notes McCord.  “They are good neighbors, good investments, and good employers.  My objective as State Treasurer is to increase the economic security and prosperity of all Pennsylvanians.  And one of the smartest ways to do that is to invest in our small businesses.  The Pennsylvania Treasury is now developing several programs targeting start ups and entrepreneurs, including a Women & Money Project and a Micro-Lending Investment Initiative.  It is a pleasure for me to address the Chamber and the Scranton businesses community today as we honor the award winners and celebrate their accomplishments.”

MetroAction, in partnership with program partners and award sponsors, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank and Bank of America, offer sincere congratulations to each award recipient and are pleased to recognize these business owners and advocates for their hard work and dedication.

Photo Caption:
Front Row (L-R): Young Entrepreneur Award Recipient: Michelle Bersch, Design Done Right; Small Business Advocate Award Recipient: Amy Clegg, Express Employment Professionals; Small Business of the Year Award Recipients: Brenda and Michael Williamson, Springbrook Kennel; New and Emerging Small Business Award Recipient, Melissa Chisock, Scranton Urgent Care; Award Sponsor, Dan Santanielleo, Executive Vice President and COO, Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank.

Back Row (L-R): Award Sponsor, Michael McCarty, Business Banker, Bank of America; Natalie O’Hara, President, MetroAction; Volunteer of the Year Award Recipient: Ray Ceccotti, Honesdale National Bank; Virtual Small Business Award Recipient: Michael Straub, Michael Straub Photography, Inc.; Austin Burke, President, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

The day of the interview, Ms. Sauder’s office was a bustling scene with the phone ringing off the hook. Almost every call was someone inquiring about the details of downtown events such as the lighting of the Christmas tree in Courthouse Square, details on the decorated holiday windows of many downtown businesses, and even a few calls from committee members who participate on the Main Street program with ideas for new initiatives.

It appeared these calls are an indication that, even in its early stages of operation, the Main Street program has already been a success.

The “Main Street” approach, implemented in over 1,600 communities across the United States, is a comprehensive downtown development program that started 21 years ago. The program is a practical economic development strategy implemented worldwide with all initiatives stemming from local issues and concerns. Main Street program was launched by Scranton Tomorrow in October 2009 and has a five-point approach, which includes committees focusing on aspects of organization, design, economic restructuring, promotion and “safe, clean, and green.”

During the interview, Desiree learned quite a lot about this impressive program which has been able to instill a sense of community in an ever-emerging vibrant downtown.

Desiree: So Lisa, honestly, where do you find the time to operate these five approaches?
Lisa: Well, the program is completely committee driven and I have to say we are fortunate to have so many great volunteers stepping up to dedicate time and talent to this program.

Desiree: Can you tell me what made “Main Street” choose Scranton as one of the program locations?
Lisa: Honestly, it is a very competitive process. I think what helped Scranton were the numerous programs already in place with a lot of groundwork already laid by organizations such as Scranton Tomorrow, MetroAction, the Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the Scranton Business Alliance and the City of Scranton. It was putting all of the pieces together in the application and showing the potential Scranton has.

Desiree: The program certainly does sound like it has a lot going for it. What type of response have you received from the community so far?
Lisa: It is phenomenal! I see volunteers stepping up to dedicate their time and talent to these five committees. So much has already been done but there is much more to do and I know the community sees that. With new activity downtown from The Commonwealth Medical College to the renovation of the 500 block of Lackawanna Avenue, the timing is perfect to launch this initiative and the momentum is there. Having a strong team of volunteers is exactly what this program needs. It is also the ability for the committee members to engage people such as the business owners, avid supporters and people throughout the community to have a good vision of what they want their downtown to look like. Ultimately, the program empowers the stakeholders in downtown to make a difference and the overall combined effort of everyone participating is truly what makes Scranton such a great community.

Desiree: With all of these initiatives, committees and programs, what are some of your specific goals for the future of the downtown?
Lisa: There are so many goals. With five committees, each one will have their own goals to accomplish. So far though, we have already implemented a few as a direct result of the program such as our FAM Tours and our Tokens for Meters program.

Desiree: I admit, you have me guessing, what exactly is a FAM Tour?
Lisa: They are Familiarization Tours where a group of Main Street committee members and people who represent the community such as staff at the hotel front desks, go on a tour of the many amazing things already in the downtown. They are telling people about these attractions, but many never experienced them for themselves. So we took them to sights in the downtown that they can now recommend to guests and visitors looking to spend time in the downtown. We have already down a couple of these tours and plan to do others in the future based on their success.

Desiree: Wow, count me in for one of those FAM Tours! Tell me more about what the Tokens for Meters Program is about?
Lisa: One thing we want to try to do is simple programs that have immediate impact on the community and economy. How many times have you gone shopping downtown and realized you don’t have change for the meter to park? Well we are working with many downtown businesses to offer this program where they can provide tokens for people to park that want to shop in the downtown.

Desiree: Lisa, I have to say, this is all wonderful to see in our downtown. How can people get involved in the Main Street program?
Lisa: Anyone can participate in the program whether they are helping at an event, joining a committee or simply being a cheerleader for the downtown. Just going out there and spreading the word about all of the great things happening in the downtown is something everyone can do to help.

Ultimately, this is an ongoing program that will have changing challenges and opportunities over the years. This isn’t a sprint, but a marathon and we are in it for the duration.

Requirements

• items must be in triplicate (3 identical items)
• items cannot exceed fifty (50) pounds
• items should not be folded, dented, torn or tarnished
• company representative dropping-off items must be authorized to sign a release form for each item to possibly appear on the show
• company representative MUST also bring two (2) business cards

The show, which prides itself on remaining authentic to its setting, will begin filming its sixth season shortly. Producers are specifically looking for items to appear on desks and walls- coffee mugs, ink pens and miscellaneous fun promotional items from regional, privately-owned businesses. No phone calls please.

Hope to see you there!

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Act (TAA) program provides funding to manufacturing firms to share the cost of hiring a third party consultant to strengthen its operations and sharpen its competitiveness in the global economy.

Topics to be discussed at this informative session:
COMPETITIVENESS
– What is it anyway?
– How do you measure and track?
– How do you know when you have achieved it?

THE TAA PROGRAM
– History
– Program specifics
– Eligibility requirements
– Uses of funds

THE RESULTS
– Case studies
– Outcomes

Although this event is free, please confirm your attendance by contacting Kristine Augustine at 570-342-7711 or through the Chamber’s website.