Franchise ranked
Weichert Real Estate Affiliates Inc. was ranked No. 2 by Entrepreneur magazine among all other competitors in the real estate category in its "Entrepreneur 2013 Franchise 500" list, an annual ranking of America's top franchise opportunities. WREA entered the franchise arena in 2001 as a division of Weichert Realtors and opening its first affiliated office in January 2002. Currently, Weichert's independently owned and operated affiliates serve more than 230 markets in 35 states.
Investment made: IAB Solutions LLC has announced an affiliate of Skillman Management & Capital LLC has made a strategic investment in IAB and as part of that has acquired IAB from Evergreen Industries LLC and Greyrock Capital Group. There will be no changes in how IAB conducts its business, other than continued investment in its technology and service offerings.
Morning show gets new time: Beginning on Jan. 28 WNEP-TV will begin airing "Newswatch 16 This Morning" at 4:30 a.m., adding an additional half-hour of news and weather to the morning broadcast. Due to the earlier start, "Newswatch 16 This Morning" will cease to air the live newscast from 7 to 9 a.m. on WNEP2. However, rebroadcasts of the morning news will run from 7 to 9 on the sister station.
Scholarship opportunity available: The Delaware Highlands Conservancy is currently accepting applications from eligible high school seniors for the "Delaware Highlands Conservancy/Yeaman Scholarship" in the amount of $1,000. Given in honor of the conservancy's founder, Barbara Yeaman, the scholarship is open to students in school districts bordering the Upper Delaware River in New York and Pennsylvania. Students should contact their guidance counselors for a scholarship application. Applications must be submitted through the school's guidance counselor for transmittal to the Delaware Highlands Scholarship Committee by March 29. Recipients of the scholarship will be notified by April 30.
Bank donates: Penn Security Bank took part in the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce December Women's Network Luncheon. The bank showed its community support by setting up a stand at the luncheon to present the Women's Resource Center with items employees purchased from the WRC's wish list. The December luncheon marked the fifth consecutive year that the bank chose to participate in this collection.
Scholarship established: In memory of John and Helen Villaume, the Villaume Foundation Board has established a trustees scholarship at the Penn State Worthington Scranton campus. The foundation has created an endowment of $50,000, which will fund annual scholarships for Wayne County residents to attend Penn State Worthington Scranton. Additionally, the university will provide an annual match of $2,500 to supplement the funds. The foundation is also making this scholarship gift to recognize the $1 million in grants given to Wayne County nonprofit organizations and Educational Enrichment Grants to Wayne County educators since the founding of the John and Helen Villaume Foundation in 2001.
Small business loan granted: Mike Wilkes, the proprietor of Mike's Service Center in Nanticoke since 1997, was one of several business owners affected by the September 2011 flooding. Mr. Wilkes was able to secure a $50,000 small-business loan from MetroAction through the Luzerne County Flood Recovery Loan Program to assist in purchasing additional equipment and to complete renovations.
Credit union makes donation: Visions Federal Credit Union made a $10,000 donation to the United Way of Susquehanna County. The funds will be equally distributed to the End of Day and the Susquehanna County Literacy programs.
Bank ranked: National Penn Bancshares Inc. has been ranked No. 15 on the annual Forbes 2013 Best Banks in America List for the second consecutive year. The standing ranks National Penn above its regional competitors and among the top banks in the United States.
Name changed: The nonprofit National Private Duty Association, along with its Pennsylvania chapters, announced that the organization has changed its name to the Home Care Association of America to better reflect the organization's role as an advocate for affordable and safe home care services.
Hours extended: Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Urgent Care, 1000 E. Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, has expanded weekday hours and is now open Monday through Friday from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday hours will remain 3 to 11 p.m.
Award received: FirstEnergy Corp. has received an emergency recovery award from the Edison Electric Institute in recognition of its outstanding response in restoring power to customers after Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of its territory in October 2012.
Chamber seeking businesses: The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is seeking businesses to participate in the 2013 Greater Hazleton Job Fair set for March 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites in Hazleton. Cost for businesses to participate is $250 for chamber members and $350 for non-members. The price includes an 8-foot by 8-foot booth space with side and back drops, a 6-foot skirted table, two chairs, wastebasket, company identification sign, coffee and doughnuts in the morning, electric service (if requested) and one lunch ticket. Registration forms are available on the online calendar of events at hazletonchamber.org, call the chamber at 455-1509, or email lfallabel@hazletonchamber.org.
Aid given: Green Valley Landscaping office in Plains, which was flooded last year, worked with MetroAction to secure a $100,000 loan. The loan from the Luzerne County Flood Recovery Loan Program was used to help return the business to being fully operational.
Changes made: The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance has reduced the interest rate on its ARC Revolving Loan program to 1 percent, which is a fixed rate; waived the origination and service fee; and rolled out the SBA 504 Loan Program.
Award recipients announced: Leadership Wilkes-Barre announced that the Cohen Family and the Benco Dental Team are the recipients of the 2013 Patrick J. Solano Community Leadership Award. Presenting sponsor of the event is Wilkes University.
Chamber gives award: The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce has announced that Prova Systems has been selected as the January 2013 recipient of the Small Business Spotlight award.
Association donates: The Pike County Bar Association has donationed $10,000 to the Center for Developmental Disabilities of Pike County. The contribution will be used for the CDD's innovative educational and therapeutic programs for children with developmental disabilities and delays ages 5 and under.
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