Business Magazine December 2021 by MBA Business Magazine

Dec ember2021

What does the economic forecast look like for 2022? What are the real facts and figures behind global, national and local economic trends, and the impact on our region? Join us as local economist Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and associate professor of Economics at Penn State Behrend, provides an in-depth look at these timely topics and more, during this dynamic virtual presentation.

PRESENTED BY:

BUSINESS

VOL. XXXIV NO. 12 | DECEMBER 2021

MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT Q&A:

ERIE ECONOMIST SHARES OUTLOOK FOR 2022

HELPING ENTREPRENEURS START, GROW AND PROSPER

PLUS:

SEE THE MBA’S NEW TRAINING CATALOG

We’re ready for 2022... and know you are too! In this season of thanks, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy New Year surrounded by all those who fill your life with joy!

Board of Governors & Staff

FEATURES WHAT’S INSIDE | UPDATE

Top Priorities for 2022 Employers focused on critical skills and talent.

COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE

Gannon University Small Business Development Center Over the past 40 years, the GUSBDC has assisted entrepreneurs and small businesses in northwest Pennsylvania, working with more than 14,000 clients generating more than $500 million in capital formation in the region.

SPOTLIGHT Q&A | OUTLOOK

6 DEPARTMENTS 10

BUSINESS BUZZ

PEOPLE BUZZ

WHAT’S NEW

EVENTS 17 NETWORKING AND MORE

EDITORIAL

See a snapshot of the exciting events and programs available to Association members!

LEGAL BRIEF | RELIEF

AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS

HR Q&A

TRAINING CONNECTION WORKPLACE TRENDS

Executive Editor Karen Torres ktorres@mbausa.org

Feature Photography iStockPhoto.com GUSBDC

Contributing Writers Eileen Anderson Stacey Bruce Tracy Daggett Michael A. Micsky William S. Speros

Addtional Photography Casey Naylon Karen Torres

READ ON THE GO! For the most current Business Magazine updates, visit mbabizmag.com

GET ANSWERS

Association is dedicated to providing information and services to its members that will assist them in the pursuit of their business and community interests. – Board of Governors

See photos of the MBA’s recent training graduates.

INSERT | TRAINING CATALOG

Manufacturer & Business Association Headquarters: 2171 West 38th Street Erie, PA. 16508 Pittsburgh: 600 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 190 Cranberry Township, PA 16066 814/833-3200 |800/815-2660 | www.mbausa.org

© Copyright 2021 by the Manufacturer & Business Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial, pictorial or advertisements created for use in the Business Magazine, in any manner, without written permission from the publisher, is prohibited. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. The Business Magazine and Manufacturer & Business Association do not specifically endorse any of the products or practices described in the magazine. The Business Magazine is published monthly by the Manufacturer & Business Association, 2171 West 38th Street, Erie, Pa. 16508. Phone: 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660.

A recap of the Business Issues Forum and Western Pennsylvania Legislative Reception and why it matters to small businesses. Eileen Anderson

TRAINING | RECOGNITION

David Thornburg 814/833-3200 dthornburg@mbausa.org

On the Cover: The Gannon University Small Business Development Center, founded in 1981, is dedicated to promoting economic growth in the community. The Center is marking its 40th year in operation in 2021. See page 5 for full story. Mission Statement: The Manufacturer & Business

Is 2022 the right time for your business to get in the zone? William S. Speros and Michael A. Micsky

ON THE HILL | WORTH NOTING

Advertising Sales Frank Mehler 814/833-3200 fmehler@mbausa.org

Design, Production & Printing Printing Concepts Inc. printcon@erie.net

Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and associate professor of economics at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College, talks about growth estimates, as well as the statistics and trends that are expected to impact the economic outlook for 2022.

Check out the upcoming training courses available at the Manufacturer & Business Association!

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Top Priorities for 2022

FEATURE STORY | WHAT’S INSIDE

EMPLOYERS FOCUSED ON CRITICAL SKILLS, TALENT Although it’s impossible to predict the future, research indicates key priorities for employers that could have a major impact on their performance and profitability in the new year. According to a recent survey by Gartner Inc., nearly 60 percent of HR leaders reported that building critical skills and competencies is their No. 1 priority in 2022. The survey of more than 550 HR leaders found the other top HR priorities for 2022 are: organizational design and change management (48 percent), current and future leadership bench (45 percent), the future of work (42 percent) and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) (35 percent). Among 339 HR leaders responding to the survey, 47 percent reported not knowing what skills gaps their current employees have, while 40 percent said they can’t develop skill development solutions fast enough to meet evolving skill needs. Fifty-four percent of the 274 HR leaders surveyed reported that their employees are suffering from change fatigue. In fact, research indicates small day-to-day changes — different teammates, a new manager, small process or system shifts — are much more prevalent and 2.5 times more fatiguing to employees than big transformational changes. Managers who lead with empathy develop high levels of trust with their employees, create a culture of transparency and acceptance within their teams, and prioritize people over processes.

Additionally, 49 percent of HR leaders said they do not have an explicit future of work strategy, while one-third reported that their future of work strategy focuses exclusively on hybrid and/or remote work. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on the future of work far beyond where employees are located. Also worth noting, of the 200 HR leaders surveyed, 36 percent said they struggle to hold business leaders accountable for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) outcomes. Achieving desired DEI outcomes will require HR to adopt a new approach that meaningfully impacts behavior and outcomes for individual leaders. In this month’s Business Magazine, we’ll explore the many other trends that are impacting today’s workplace and the resources that are available to assist employers, including entrepreneurs. The Gannon University Small Business Development Center, for example, has been an invaluable resource

to thousands of these start-ups in northwest Pennsylvania for 40 years. We’ll also talk with Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE), on the economic outlook for 2022 and how it can help employers plan for what’s ahead. Plus, we’ll also address the recent COVID-19 vaccine-or-testing mandate and have included a list of all the new and upcoming in-person and online training courses available at the MBA to assist your team and enable your organization to stay competitive. To learn more about all the programs and resources available to MBA members, including our Economic Outlook IMPACT briefing — online and in person on December 9 — visit mbausa.org.

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mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2021

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COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE

The Gannon University Small Business Development Center’s team of professionals is committed to assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses with the start-up and growth of their operations.

Helping Entrepreneurs Start, Grow and Prosper Although many things have changed over the last four decades, the Gannon University Small Business Development Center (GUSBDC) in Erie, Pennsylvania has remained ready and able to assist the regional small business community. Whether entrepreneurs need help identifying local markets, developing a business plan or identifying compliance issues, SBDC consultants are ready to help.

and financial skills necessary to make their business thrive. The SBDC’s one-on-one management consulting emphasizes education and guidance in finding practical solutions to business problems. Consulting is confidential and provided at no charge by a team of skilled professionals. GUSBDC also offers low-cost programs and workshops to strengthen business knowledge and apply it immediately.

and services related to business start-ups and small business operations. The small business community will continue to benefit from the synergistic environment within the Center for Business Ingenuity, which includes GUSBDC, Erie Technology Incubator, Gannon Beehive and Dahlkemper School of Business. Each of these entities are focused on providing essential resources to the region’s business community.

GUSBDC is dedicated to promoting economic growth in the community. The GUSBDC’s team provides no cost confidential one-on-one business consulting to assist with business start-ups, growth, loans, marketing, government contracting, technology and more. “We have the resources to help you start, grow or manage your business,” states GUSBDC Director Maggie Horne.

Over the years, services provided by GUSBDC have evolved to address the challenges and opportunities the small business community has faced. In the last two years, through the shutdown, recovery and stabilization, GUSBDC has focused on providing services and resources to assist its clients through the pandemic challenges.

“For 40 years,” says Horne, “GUSBDC has been assisting its clients through many challenges and opportunities and is positioned to continue to serve the small business community to start, grow and prosper!”

New Offerings Maggie Horne, GUSBDC Director

Making an Impact

Since 1981 the Gannon University Small Business Development Center has been providing one-on-one consulting and educational programming to start-up and existing small businesses in Erie, Crawford, Mercer and Warren counties. Over the last 40 years, GUSBDC has worked with more than 14,000 clients generating more than $500 million in capital formation in the region. Business success requires both sufficient capital and the knowledge to use it wisely. SBDC consultants help entrepreneurs develop the planning, management

In 2020, GUSBDC was designated as the Center of Excellence for Tourism. The Center’s experienced team provides ongoing educational and training programs on tourism-related topics, individual and group consulting to tourism industry businesses, and assistance with funding resources for tourism-related businesses to access capital and other programs for operations, growth and sustainability. Most recently the SBDC Tech Team was launched and a podcast studio was created to address the digital transformation needs of small businesses to adapt to consumer buying behavior. The SBDC Tech Team, comprised of Gannon University students, received an award from the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center lead office for its work as an essential component for assisting many small businesses with the creation of websites and developing social media presence during the pandemic. The SBDC Tech Team continues to benefit clients through the development of key digital solutions for their small businesses. GUSBDC is also developing podcasts highlighting the Center, GUSBDC clients and the economic development resources available to the business community.

What’s Ahead GUSBDC provides on-one-one consultations to help clients develop their business plans.

Looking forward to the continuing economic recovery in 2022, GUSBDC will focus on providing guidance

GUSBDC is airing podcasts about the Center and topics critical to clients and entrepreneurs.

The Gannon University Small Business Development Center offers no-cost, confidential consulting services for small businesses and entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Address: 900 State Street, Suite 100, Erie, PA 16501 Phone: 814/871-7232 Email: gannonsbdc@gannon.edu Website: www.sbdcgannon.org mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2021

SPOTLIGHT Q&A| OUTLOOK

ERIE Economist Shares Outlook for 2022 There are great expectations for the U.S. economy in 2022, as recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to gain momentum – albeit slowly. Here, Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and associate professor of economics at Penn State Erie, the Behrend College, talks about growth estimates, as well as the statistics and trends that are expected to impact the economic outlook for 2022. The Delta variant of COVID-19 appeared to temper economic growth this summer, but economists seem to believe recovery will continue into the new year. How would you describe the outlook for the U.S. economy as we begin 2022? We have been gradually recovering from the pandemic, despite the Delta variant. The pandemic-induced recession last year lasted only two months, and the outlook for the U.S. economy is continued growth and expansion as we head into 2022. Of course, the pace of growth will depend on many factors that we do not know with certainty, such as the future course of the Delta variant. Many economists have lowered their growth forecasts citing COVID variants, inflation and supply chain issues. What does your research show? These events are all potential “headwinds” that could slow the pace of the economic recovery. The latest median projection (in September) by the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve Bank presidents is for U.S. real GDP to grow by only 3.8 percent in 2022. However, even the Fed’s

DECEMBER 2021 • mbabizmag.com

3.8-percent growth rate projection is quite good, since the U.S economy has not grown by more than 3 percent on an annual basis since 2005. How does the regional economic outlook compare with the state and nation? The Erie regional economy has faced slightly more difficult economic challenges in 2021, and this may continue into 2022. For example, consumer expenditures, which may be one indicator of future economic activity, is estimated to have fallen by 9.5 percent in Erie between January 2020 and September 2021. In contrast, during the same period, consumer expenditures increased by 26.2 percent in Pennsylvania and by 19.9 percent in the nation as a whole. The low rate of consumer spending in Erie may, in turn, be one factor restraining the growth in the local economy. The Federal Reserve also projects the economy to improve next year. What is your assessment of the employment rate? What are you seeing at the local level? The good news is that we are continuing to recover many of the jobs lost due

to the pandemic. However, Erie’s job recovery rate remains lower than that in the state and nation. As of August 2021, Erie has recovered only 64 percent of the jobs lost during the early months of the pandemic, while Pennsylvania has recovered 69 percent and the United States has recovered 78 percent. Although it has fallen substantially from a year ago, Erie’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 7.0 percent in September is still higher than that in the state (6.2 percent in September) and nation (4.6 percent in October). COVID-19 continues to impact the business sector in new ways, the majority in regards to hiring, inflation and supply chain issues. Which sectors are rebounding better than others? Erie’s leisure and hospitality sector has rebounded better than most other sectors. As of September 2021, employment in this sector is back at the pre-pandemic level. Other sectors in the local economy that are back at pre-pandemic employment levels or higher include mining, logging and construction; transportation, warehousing and utilities; and financial activities. The retail trade sector in

Erie has also rebounded quite well, recovering 89 percent of the jobs lost in early 2020. Although Erie’s manufacturing sector added 400 jobs between January and August of 2021, it has only recovered 44 percent of the jobs lost during the pandemic. Employment in the local education and health services sector is almost 2,000 below its pre-pandemic level. Last year, most CEOs agreed that the worst of the pandemic was behind us. But much of that has changed with vaccination mandates and many people not returning to the workforce. How critical are these variables to our economic recovery? The most important factor that will influence the speed of our economic recovery is getting the pandemic under control. Therefore, any actions that will reduce the risk of infection and the

spread of COVID will be very helpful. At the same time, due to the substantial workplace challenges faced by many workers, it is possible that the dynamics of the labor market may be shifting. Some workers who have lost their jobs may use this as an opportunity to search longer to find a job with higher pay or better work conditions or that will accommodate their child-care needs, whereas other workers may drop out of the labor force permanently. These shifts in the labor market also will influence our economic recovery. What key areas/current issues should we be keeping our eyes on when it comes to the economic forecast for 2022? In addition to the overall pace of job recovery, some of the current issues and events that we should watch include the impact of the infrastructure bill that has just been passed and

the other spending proposals that are still being negotiated by Congress and the president; the Fed’s monetary policy stance; the ongoing supply chain disruptions that may, in turn, affect the course of inflation; the degree to which the labor shortages in some sectors will be resolved; and the effectiveness of vaccine mandates or other measures to prevent another surge in COVID or a variant in the United States or other parts of the world. How these key issues play out in the upcoming months will likely affect our economy in 2022. To register for the MBA’s in-person and virtual Economic Outlook IMPACT luncheon on December 9, visit mbausa.org.

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Is 2022 the Right Time for Your Business to Get in the Zone?

LEGAL BRIEF | RELIEF

access to “gap” funding — the delta between available bank financing and a company’s equity. The program covers a large portion of Erie and helps qualified businesses by matching up to 50 percent of the cost of a project ($500,000 maximum) through a low-interest loan, currently 3 percent to 4 percent. Loans can be used to purchase real estate or fund a renovation or construction project with a 15-year repayment term, or to buy used or new equipment with a 5- or 7-year term, respectively. This injection of capital could enable a small or struggling business to grow or generate new employment opportunities with competitive wages and benefits.

William S. Speros is a partner at MacDonald Illig Attorneys in the Litigation and Business Transactions Practice Groups. He was recognized as a 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for his work in administrative and regulatory law.

Michael Micsky is an associate at MacDonald Illig Attorneys and is a member of the Banking & Real Estate and Business Transactions Practice Groups.

As our region continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel. The new year may be the perfect time to consider tax and loan programs designed to assist businesses in need of a change or looking to expand.

QOF investors may defer any capital gains until December 31, 2026, or the date the investment is sold, whichever comes first. Further, QOF investments allow an escalating increase in basis on the capital gains: 10-percent increase if you hold the fund for at least 5 years, 15 percent up to 7 years, and all the way up to fair market value if you hold for 10 years or more. This step-up in basis means you can exclude from your taxable income up to 15 percent of the value of your reinvested capital gains when you eventually sell.

Federal Opportunity Zones The City of Erie contains eight distinct areas identified as federal Opportunity Zones to spur investment into economically distressed areas by providing tax incentives on capital gains realized from Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF) investments. QOFs are owned by an entity that holds at least 90 percent of its assets as property within an Opportunity Zone and has self-certified as such with the Internal Revenue Service.

Enterprise Zone Revolving Loan Fund (EZRLF) The City of Erie implemented the EZRLF to assist local businesses and encourage economic development by providing

Keystone Opportunity Zones (KOZs) Created in 1998, the KOZ program has at times been dubbed the top economic development strategy in the United States. Communities throughout northwest Pennsylvania have identified numerous KOZs, and any business that opens or relocates by buying or leasing property within a KOZ receives a reduction in state and local taxes through a combination of abatements, credits and waivers. The program has strict eligibility requirements for relocating businesses — such as mandatory increases in full-time employees and minimum real estate expenditures relative to gross revenues — and businesses must reapply annually. And there are additional considerations, such as annual reporting obligations, penalties for leaving a KOZ after less than 5 years, and prohibitions on “zone hopping,” i.e., relocating from expired to active KOZs or between active zones. Nevertheless, the KOZ program can be instrumental in rehabilitating abandoned or underutilized properties while helping local businesses to open and prosper. Depending on your business status and your objectives for the coming year, 2022 may be the right time for you and your business to “get in the zone” and apply for one of these helpful programs. For more information, contact Bill Speros at 814/870-7764 or wsperos@mijb.com, or Michael Micsky at 814/870-7717 or mmicsky@mijb.com. mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2021

BUSINESS BUZZ | WHAT’S NEW FAIRVIEW MANUFACTURING CORPORATION CELEBRATES 60TH YEAR IN BUSINESS Fairview Manufacturing Corporation (FMC) marked its 60th year in operation in 2021. The company, headquartered at 2505 Avonia Road in Fairview Township, Pennsylvania, has specialized in precision machining and manufacturing services since 1961.

From its original emphasis on turret lathe operations, FMC has broadened its scope and expanded its capabilities to embrace a wide range of machine production technology, “from the commonplace to the complex.” According to the company, “FMC takes pride in its progress in building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in northwestern Pennsylvania.” Today, as from the onset, the company’s thrust is to supply high quality parts and components to the most exacting specifications, at a fair price, and to meet the customer’s delivery requirements. For more information, visit www.fairviewmfg.com.

PARKER LORD EARNS ELITE SUPPLIER AWARD

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) Rotary and Mission Systems recently recognized 27 suppliers, including the Parker LORD Dayton, Ohio and Erie, Pennsylvania locations, for their extraordinary contributions to delivering advanced products and services in 2019.

Fairview Manufacturing Corporation in Fairview Township, Pennsylvania, is celebrating 60 years in business in 2021.

Parker LORD received an ELITE Supplier Award for its exemplary work at its Dayton and Erie production facilities for helping Lockheed Martin deliver crucial capabilities, such as the design and manufacture of components for active vibration control. “Suppliers are critical members of our industry team, enabling production of the most advanced technologies for our customers,” said Abby Lilly, vice president of Global Supply Chain at Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems.

“Parker LORD has received this award for its dedication to delivering on our customers expectation of perfect quality parts every time.” Parker LORD produces elastomeric bearings and their respective assemblies for multiple Sikorsky programs, including the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. For more information about Parker LORD Aerospace and Defense solutions, visit lord.com/industries/aerospace-and-defense.

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TRAINING @ THE MBA LEARN IT TODAY . . . APPLY IT TOMORROW!

Harness the true potential of your workforce with professional training @ the mba!

JANUARY

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FEBRUARY

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MARCH 2022

MANUFAC

2022

CLASS LOCATIONS All courses are held at the MBA Conference Center in Erie, unless otherwise noted. Cranberry Twp. MBA Cranberry Office 600 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 190 Erie

MBA Conference Center 2171 West 38th Street

Hermitage

Training & Workforce Development Center 3050 Prosperity Place

St. Marys

Community Education Council 4 Erie Avenue, Suite 200

Warren

Warren/Forest Higher Education Council Curwen Building, 2nd Floor

* Handicap access and parking available at all sites.

ONSITE TRAINING CONVENIENCE: Let our expert instructors bring the training you need, when you need it, where you need it.

JANUARY

LEADERSHIP

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I (Cranberry Township) 1/18 and 1/19 Course I (St. Marys) 1/26 and 1/27 Course II 1/4 and 1/11 Course II (Hermitage) 1/4 and 1/11 Course IV 1/6 and 1/13 Course V 1/5 and 1/12 LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course III Course I Course V

1/12 1/27 1/5

MOTIVATE YOUR EMPLOYEES (p.m. only) 1/31 WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

1/25

WORKPLACE CIVILITY

1/17

ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SUPERVISORS — OPTION 1 (LIVEOnline, 9 a.m. to noon) 1/20 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SUPERVISORS — OPTION 2 (LIVEOnline, 9 a.m. to noon) 1/6 HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — LEVEL 1 (In Person and LIVEOnline) INTERVIEWING & HIRING (a.m. only) 1/13 HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — ADVANCED (In Person and LIVEOnline) FMLA & ADA COMPLIANCE (a.m. only) 1/27

CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS: From full-day to halfday programs, we will tailor any program to fit your specific needs.

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

FOCUSED INTERACTION: Group training discussions focus on the key topic areas specific to your company’s environment.

SAFETY/QUALITY

MARKETING & PLANNING (p.m. only) 1/11 LEAN OPERATIONS (Three Days)

1/19, 2/16 and 3/16

ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION SIX SIGMA (Three Days)

1/17

1/18, 2/15 and 3/15

COMPUTER TRAINING

EMAIL: MLESNIEWSKI@MBAUSA.ORG

Learn the coolest tips and tricks to the latest computer applications available today. Classes can be taken individually or as part of a certificate series.

* A.M. classes run 8 a.m. to noon, and P.M. classes run 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

• Access 1/19 • Excel (LIVEOnline, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) 1/5, 2/2 or 3/22 • Excel I 1/4, 3/1 or 3/16 • Excel II 1/11, 2/8 or 3/8 • Excel III 1/18, 2/15 or 3/15 • Excel: Advanced Charts (LIVEOnline, 1 to 3 p.m.) 3/2

Cancellation/No-Show Policy: If notice is four business days or more, a full refund will be made. If notice is less than four business days, or if you do not show up for the class, no refund will be made. NOTE: You may substitute another individual from your organization at any time and at no cost.

CTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

TRAINING SCHEDULE

MARCH

FEBRUARY

LEADERSHIP

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I 2/2 and 2/9 Course II (Cranberry Township) 2/15 and 2/16 Course II (St. Marys) 2/16 and 2/17 Course III 2/1 and 2/8 Course III (Hermitage) 2/1 and 2/8 Course V 2/3 and 2/10 LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course II Course IV Course V

2/17 2/2 2/23

HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — LEVEL 1 (In Person and LIVEOnline) TERMINATIONS (a.m. only) 2/10 HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — ADVANCED (In Person and LIVEOnline) FORM I-9 COMPLIANCE & ONBOARDING (a.m. only) 2/24

LEADERSHIP

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I 3/3 and 3/10 Course II 3/2 and 3/9 Course II 3/31 and 4/7 Course III 3/30 and 4/6 Course III (St. Marys) 3/16 and 3/17 Course III (Cranberry Township) 3/15 and 3/16 Course IV 3/1 and 3/8 Course IV (Hermitage) 3/1 and 3/8 Course V 3/29 and 4/5 Course V (Hermitage) 3/22 and 3/29 LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course I (Warren) Course III Course IV

3/23 3/10 3/31

CUSTOMER SERVICE (a.m. only)

3/29

EMOTIONAL & SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE (p.m. only) 3/29 MOTIVATE YOUR EMPLOYEES (p.m. only) 3/28

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS

WORKPLACE CIVILITY (a.m. only) 3/11

DEVELOPING DIGITAL CONTENT (a.m. only) 2/15

BUILDING & LEADING EFFECTIVE TEAMS (LIVEOnline, 9 a.m. to noon) 3/8

INFLUENCE & PERSUASION (LIVEOnline, p.m. only) 2/1

ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SUPERVISORS — OPTION 1 (LIVEOnline, 9 a.m. to noon) 3/24

INTRO TO SOCIAL MEDIA (p.m. only) 2/15 PRESENTATION SKILLS

2/11 and 2/18

PR BOOT CAMP (a.m. only) 2/8 WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION

2/22

BLUEPRINT READING ESSENTIALS

USING OUTLOOK TO GET ORGANIZED (1 to 4:30 p.m.) 3/22

2/28 and 3/1

HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — LEVEL 1 (In Person and LIVEOnline) DISCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT (a.m. only) 3/10

FINANCE FOR THE NONFINANCIAL MANAGER

2/24

ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

2/21

OSHA 10-HOUR

GETTING ORGANIZED (a.m. only) 3/22

2/1

WRITING TO WOW! (LIVEOnline, a.m. only)

SAFETY/QUALITY

ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SUPERVISORS — OPTION 2 (LIVEOnline, 9 a.m. to noon) 3/17

2/8 and 2/9

HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — ADVANCED (In Person and LIVEOnline) HANDBOOK ESSENTIALS (a.m. only) 3/24

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL MARKETING & SEO (p.m. only) 3/15 • Excel: Data Analysis Essentials (LIVEOnline, 1 to 3 p.m.) 1/12 or 3/23 • Excel: Excel Charts (LIVEOnline, 9 to 11 a.m.) 1/12 or 3/23 • Excel: Formulas & Functions (LIVEOnline, 9 to 11 a.m.) 2/9 • Excel: Tables & Pivot Tables (LIVEOnline, 9 to 11 a.m.) 2/16 • PowerPoint 3/9 • Microsoft TEAMS (a.m. only) 3/2

MARKETING & PLANNING (a.m. only) 3/15

SAFETY/QUALITY ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

3/21

OSHA 10-HOUR (Warren) 3/10 and 3/11

How you need it. When you need it. Where you need it.

Considered a leader in professional development and computer training for more than 25 years, the Manufacturer & Business Association offers you the ease and flexibility of onsite training for your group. ONSITE CONVENIENCE: Nothing beats the convenience of training conducted at your facility. Let our expert instructors bring the training you need, when you need it, where you need it. CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS: From full-day to half-day programs, all of our courses can be tailored to address your organization’s specific needs. FOCUSED INTERACTION: Facilitated by our training specialists, your employees’ experience is further enhanced through group discussion on key topic areas specific to your company’s work environment. For more information about onsite training programs, contact Tracy Daggett, PHR, Manager of Professional Development Training Services at 800/815-2660, 814/833-3200 or visit mbausa.org.

UNITED WAY OF ERIE COUNTY NAMES NEW PRESIDENT

United Way of Erie County’s Board of Directors recently announced that Laurie B. Root has been promoted to president and chief professional officer following the announcement that Bill Jackson will be retiring effective December 31, 2021. Jackson currently serves as president emeritus. Root previously served as senior vice president at United Way. She held this position for seven years and from 2010 to 2014 she served as vice president of Investor Relations. Prior to 2010, Root served in many high-profile positions in both the for-profit and nonprofit areas in the Washington, D.C. region. Root is the recipient of the 2016 Women Making History award from the Mercy Center for Women, the 2015 Women’s Roundtable Woman of the Year Award, as well as the 2013 ATHENA Leadership Award. She is also past president of the Rotary Club of Erie and currently serves on several boards.  “I look forward to continuing the remarkable work that United Way has undertaken to crush

PEOPLE BUZZ | AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS

poverty in our community, ensuring that all students are successful and all families are stable,” Root stated of her new role.

NWIRC’S ZARUTA NAMED PRESIDENT OF PA IRC NETWORK

THE ERIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HONORS CLE AUSTIN WITH PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Clemont R. “Cle” Austin III recently was honored with the Edward C. Doll Community Service Award from The Erie Community Foundation (ECF).

The award is a prestigious community service honor, which is presented each year. The award recipient is someone whose volunteer experience and personal philanthropy mirror the life and work of Ed Doll, ECF’s first volunteer. Each year The Doll Endowment produces interest, which the recipient distributes to his or her favored nonprofit(s). This year, the endowment generated $12,000. Austin chose to donate the funds to the ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum. He is the fourth-generation president of E.E. Austin & Son. For over 100 years, E.E. Austin & Son has been providing quality construction services to northwest Pennsylvania and the southern tier of New York.

Robert Zaruta, president and CEO of the Northwest Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC), was recently named president of the PA Statewide Industrial Resource Center Network (IRCN).

The PA IRCN is comprised of seven nonprofit Centers located strategically throughout the Commonwealth. These Centers were established over 30 years ago to help manufacturers respond to changing markets, new technology and the competitive pressures of the global economy. The Network’s mission is to help manufacturers envision where they want to be and assist them to achieve it, in addition to giving a voice to an increasingly vital part of the Commonwealth’s economy. As PA IRCN president, Zaruta will lead the other IRC directors in strategic collaborative initiatives that enable the network to be the manufacturing resource for the industry, and community at-large, across Pennsylvania. Zaruta has been with NWIRC since 2016, with the Center serving over 1,500 manufacturers in 13 counties of northwestern PA across over 10,000 square miles. Prior to that, he held several positions at NEPIRC in northeastern PA for over 16 years.

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ON THE HILL | WORTH NOTING

A Recap: The Business Issues Forum and Western Pennsylvania Legislative Reception

Lawmakers, Employers Speak Candidly About Issues, Solutions Eileen Anderson is the director of Government Relations at SMC, a part of the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 412/805-5707 or eileenanderson@mbausa.org. In September’s On the Hill, I addressed the many benefits of attending the Legislative Reception. For those not able to attend in person, here’s a recap of this year’s exciting inaugural event: The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) partnered with Washington County Chamber of Commerce and Pittsburgh Business Exchange to host the first Western Pennsylvania Legislative Reception on September 22 at CNX Resources. In total, 241 people attended of which an extraordinary number, 22, were lawmakers — four PA senators, 18 PA representatives, and four staffers of U.S. Congressmen. A Business Issues Forum convened before the 6 p.m. reception. Thirteen roundtable discussions took place with seven businesspersons and one lawmaker at each table. The idea behind the Forum is the creation of a venue where lawmakers can hear directly from businesses regarding their top issues. That’s important because lawmakers often hear separately from various business interest groups. At the Forum, they heard from diverse businesses ranging from large gas and oil corporations, public utilities, to small software firms and manufacturers of cycling clothing. Discussion yielded five issues where most businesses share common ground. Keynote speaker Representative Bryan Cutler, speaker of the PA House of Representatives,

said, “We must make Pennsylvania competitive. We want people to stay here!” He asked the group for ideas to take back to Harrisburg. Attendees discussed “What Keeps You Up at Night?” After 60 minutes of lively conversation, notes from each table were collected and compiled to determine which issues were most often discussed. This list reflects the consensus of the data gathered. Not all are state issues but are included to show the accumulation of issues that hamper growth and competitiveness. The top five issues in order: 1. Workforce/Labor & Employment/ Unemployment 2. Regulations & Compliance — Needed but too much hampers growth and contributes to unpredictability. 3. Health-Care Costs and Insurance Premiums — One of employers’ highest costs. Premiums increase every year. 4. Predictability and Ease of Doing Business — Needed to attract businesses. Unpredictability makes it difficult for business planning. 5. COVID-19 Compliance & Civil Liability — Issues are especially burdensome to smaller companies on several fronts from productivity to amount of resources for compliance. Workforce/Labor & Employment/ Unemployment — Inability to hire workers and the lack of a prepared workforce hampers business growth. Problems: • Senior employees are leaving the workforce; their knowledge is not passed onto younger employees. • Young people prefer part-time work. • Many potential hires do not have the mindset to work and require training. • Many potential hires cannot pass a drug test.

• Many employers believe there is no pool of available workers. Solutions: • Some hire based on character, behavior and aptitude, and teach required job skills. • Some employees can be replaced by investment in equipment. • The stigma of not attending college can be diffused by strongly encouraging other paths such as trade and tech schools. • Explore the potential for ex-offenders in the workforce. • Train for jobs of the future. • WEDnetPA is helpful to train employees. • Some companies seek workers in distant regions. • Adult literacy is needed. Problems: Unemployment Compensation (UC) — People are paid not to work. “How do we incentivize work and get people back to work?” • Workers have too much time on UC. • Fired employees work the UC system to receive benefits. • It is easy to lie to get government dollars from programs. Solutions: • Government can help employers incentivize work. Workers can be rewarded for remaining employed for six months, 12 months and two years. Read the 2021 Business Issues Forum Summary on the MBA’s Government Affairs website mbausa.org under Government Advocacy. Broad distribution of the Summary is under way. It was sent to all lawmakers and sponsors who attended. The MBA sent the Summary to PA House and Senate Leadership and kindly requested further distribution. We expect more progress on the problems and solutions discussed in the very near future! mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2021

HR Q&A | GET ANSWERS CAN I ASK EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR VACCINATION STATUS?

The HIPAA Privacy Rule does not prohibit any person (an individual or an entity, such as a business) — including HIPAA-covered entities and business associates — from asking whether an individual has received a COVID-19 vaccine. Rather, the Privacy Rule regulates how and when a covered entity or its business associate may use or disclose protected health information (PHI), including information about an individual’s vaccination status. In addition, the Privacy Rule does not prevent any individual from disclosing whether he or she has been vaccinated against COVID-19 or any other disease. The Privacy Rule does not apply to individuals’ disclosures about their own health information. The Privacy Rule also does not prohibit an employer from requiring an employee to disclose whether they have received a COVID-19 vaccine to the employer, clients or other parties. The Privacy Rule does not apply to employment records and does not regulate what information can be requested from employees as part of the terms and conditions of employment. However, documentation or other confirmation of vaccination must be kept confidential and stored separately from the employee’s personnel files under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

IS THE COST O F HOME TESTING FOR COVID-19 ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAL EXPENSE PAID UNDER FSAS AND HSAS?

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reminds taxpayers that the cost of home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs). That is because the cost to diagnose COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense for tax purposes. The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the costs of personal protective equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 are eligible medical expenses that can be paid or reimbursed under health FSAs, HSAs, HRAs or Archer MSAs. Additional information is available on IRS.gov.

OSHA Temporarily Suspends ETS Implementation On November 12, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ordered a continuation of the Fifth Circuit’s stay of Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) mandating COVID-19 vaccinations or testing of employees for those employers with 100 or more employees. On November 16, in compliance with the Fifth Circuit’s order, OSHA issued a statement that it was suspending “activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the ETS” but provided that OSHA “remains confident in its authority to protect workers in emergencies...” and that it is suspending its activities “pending future developments in the litigation.” On November 17, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals was selected via lottery by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to hear legal challenges to the OSHA ETS. While the future of the ETS remains uncertain in light of current litigation, employers may wish to continue with steps to ensure they will be ready to comply in the event the ETS is upheld or the Fifth Circuit’s stay is lifted. Please note: This does not affect a separate directive from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services requiring employees of medical facilities to be vaccinated by December 6, 2021. Watch for more details on mbausa.org. If you have any questions, contact the MBA’s HR/Legal Hotline at 814/833-3200 or hrservices@mbausa.org.

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Stacey Bruce, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the director of HR Services for the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or sbruce@mbausa.org.

People. Activated. At Workpartners, we call our unique approach to human capital management People Activation, and we believe it’s the key to ensuring that your company and your employees flourish. Including LifeSolutions EAP, a confidential employee assistance program essential for employees and members of their household. It’s also why LifeSolutions EAP is endorsed by the Manufacturer & Business Association. And why members of MBA receive a 10% savings for working with our EAP services. For more than 20 years, Workpartners has helped employers of all sizes make the most of their workforce, including with integration of population analytics, advocacy programs, and HR technology. To find out more about our EAP services or any of our services visit workpartners.com/[tracking]

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TRAINING | RECOGNITION

2021 Training Graduates

The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) recently presented plaques to graduates of its computer and professional development courses, including its regionally recognized Certified Supervisory Skills Series, Leadership for Team Leaders Series and Excel Application Specialist Series. To learn more about the MBA’s training programs — available both online and in person — see this month’s Training Catalog or visit mbausa.org!

Excel Application Specialist — Erie

From left: Lindsey Kegley, C & J Industries Inc.; Linda Watkins, Port Erie Plastics Inc., and, Sheryl Hopkins, Erie Insurance Group.

Excel Application Specialist — Erie Stephanie Beach, Channellock Inc.

Leadership for Team Leaders — Erie

From left: Kyle Skelton, Port Erie Plastics Inc.; Darin Francisco, Dave Lewis, George Lefebvre and Tim Smith, Betts Industries; Steve DiPolito, Eriez Manufacturing; Jeff Chase, Whirley Industries Inc.; Matthew Wade, Maple Donuts Inc.; and, LaTicra Barnett & Lindsey Carney, Bethesda Lutheran Services.

Excel Application Specialist — Erie

Front row, from left: Bo Linde, American Molding & Technologies, and Tracey Peterson, F3 Metalworx, Inc. Back row, from left: Shaun Coletta, F3 Metalworx, Inc., and Jeremy Reed, The Plastek Group.

Certified Supervisory Skills Series — Erie

From row: Trent Crockett, McInnes Rolled Rings. Back row, from left: Carrie Meier, Lawrence County Drug & Alcohol Commission; Eric Spencer, Berry Global; Ryan Tant, Plastek Group; Tina Washok, Gaudenzia Erie, Inc.; Matt Braine, McInnes Rolled Rings; Jennifer Magness, ACL; and, Michael Papale, The Plastek Group.

Certified Supervisory Skills Series — Erie

Front row, from left: Jim Tingley,.Erie Press Systems; Jason Ringler, ErieTec, Inc.; Michael Carmosino, Marquette Savings Bank; Dan Hagg – Betts Industries, Inc.; and, MBA Senior Professional Development Trainer Lisa DeFilippo. Back row, from left: Thomas Hepburn, ErieTec, Inc.; Benjamin Jarvi, Eriez Manufacturing; Nick Pfeffer, American Turned Products; and, Scott Shaffer, Marquette Savings Bank.

DECEMBER 2021 • mbabizmag.com

Certified Supervisory Skills Series — Erie

Front row, from left: Kasey Kellogg and Nate Reynolds, C&J Industries Inc.; and, Brian Pratt, Franklin Bronze Precision Components, LLC. Second row, from left: Shaun Francis, Protective Industries Inc.; Serenity Lesik, Gaudenzia Erie, Inc.; Robert Klus, Accuride-Erie; and, Lucas Morton, WavePoint 3PL. Back row, from left: Pat Jordan, Corry Manufacturing Company; and, Mark Johnson and Dustin Waters, Franklin Bronze Precision Components, LLC.

TRAINING CONNECTION | WORKPLACE TRENDS

Your Place or Ours? Onsite Training Offers Considerable Benefits in 2022 When looking to train your team, it is important to consider onsite training as an option. While having in person training at a neutral location certainly helps to eliminate outside distractions, there are real benefits to bringing training to your workplace. The Manufacturer & Business Association’s Training Department has seen several benefits of onsite training, from greater flexibility to higher employee engagement. A few other benefits to consider are:

your culture; your team dynamics; everyday tasks being conducted; and, common problems faced by employees and managers.

1. Location — The biggest advantage of onsite training is the location. With the training done on the company’s premises, employees save valuable time, which otherwise would have been lost on commuting from another location to the trainer. 2. Tailored Program Content — With onsite training, your team is trained in the environment that your team already works in every day. Therefore, the curriculum can be adapted to

The Manufacturer & Business Association hosts a number of networking opportunities — in person and virtually — throughout the region. Recent events include the IMPACT luncheon, Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing, the Western Pennsylvania Legislative Reception and The Business Issues Forum. For upcoming events, visit mbausa.org!

EVENTS & EXTRAS | NETWORKING & MORE

Highmark was the major sponsor of the Women in Leadership IMPACT event held in the Founders Room.

Karle Cortes of ApexDrop, LLC in Erie won the Women in Leadership IMPACT raffle basket! Erie Downtown Development Corporation CEO John Persinger talks about timely updates in Erie’s downtown revitalization during the November Eggs ‘n’ Issues briefing.

Although online learning has increased due to managing risk and time, the traditional classroom setting, if made interactive and memorable, still builds a strong and valuable foundation for each learner as he or she begins his or her professional development process. The next time you are considering training for your staff, look at the many benefits that the Manufacturer & Business Association’s Training Department can provide for you at your facility in 2022. To learn more about upcoming training courses, see this month’s Training Catalog or visit mbausa.org.

Tracy Daggett, PHR, is the manager of Professional Development Training Services at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact him at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or tdaggett@mbausa.org.

Ann Scott of Erie Insurance was the featured speaker at the Septe mber Women in Leadership IMPACT briefing at the MBA Conference Center.

3. Flexibility — This is perhaps the biggest benefit of onsite training. You get a choice of dates and times to suit you and your staff, and you can split your course over a couple of sessions, so you don’t have to lose staff for a day. Picking onsite training means you get the training you need at a time convenient for you.

Speaker of the Pennsylvania Hous e of Representatives Bryan Cutle r was the keynote speaker at Western PA Legislative Reception & Busin ess Issues Forum held on September 22 at CNX Resources near Pittsb urgh.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2021

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Stick with what works.

96% of businesses that choose UPMC Health Plan stay with UPMC Health Plan. You’ve given a lot of thought to your employees’ health coverage. And you’ve come to a familiar conclusion — nothing’s better than UPMC Health Plan. Choose us for affordable plan options. Full in-network access to UPMC along with other doctors and hospitals in the community. Access to 24/7 virtual urgent care. Service from a designated Health Care Concierge. And digital health tools that keep up with busy lives and schedules. All this is worth sticking with, don’t you agree? To learn more, visit UPMCHealthPlan.com/employers.

Choose. Love. Repeat.