Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce

Our Director of Economic Development, Shanie, spent last week at the Microsoft TechSpark Fellowship Closing Retreat in Atlanta, GA! She is one of 41 fellows, who represent all 50 states, closing out this 9-month fellowship experience. The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry was selected to be part of the Microsoft TechSpark Program, which is meant to drive inclusive economic opportunities across the US. Stay tuned for more announcements about what she will be using this experience to develop locally!

Meet our 2024 Chamber Ambassador Council Chair, Stephanie Swire NE Pennsylvania Realtor and read more about her below in our next Chamber Ambassador Spotlight!

FUNDING UPDATE: Last chance to apply for funding through the Luzerne County Sustainability Grant Program! The final round of the Luzerne County Small Business Sustainability Grant Program will remain open until June 7, 2024, or until all funding is allocated. Learn more about the qualifications, requirements, and application process and apply today at luzernecountyready.org ACTUALIZACIÓN DE FINANCIAMIENTO: ¡Última oportunidad para aplicar fondos a través del Programa de Subvenciones de Sostenibilidad del Condado de Luzerne! La ultima ronda final del Programa de Subsidios de Sostenibilidad para Pequeños Negocios del Condado de Luzerne permanecerá abierta hasta el 7 de Junio de 2024, o hasta que se asigne todo el financiamiento. Obtenga más información sobre las calificaciones, requisitos y proceso de solicitud y solicite hoy mismo en luzernecountyready.org

Last night, along with the Wilkes-Barre City Government, we hosted a closing reception for the organizations that received funding through the SPARK Wilkes-Barre Grant Program. Now closed, the Spark Wilkes-Barre Grant Program was launched in 2021 to generate economic development activity in our region by facilitating the growth of new companies and the relocation of existing businesses to the City of Wilkes-Barre. The Spark Wilkes-Barre Grant Program was a program of the City of Wilkes-Barre's American Rescue Plan Act's Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. This program was administered by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund and powered by the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and the City of Wilkes-Barre. During the time of its run, the SPARK Wilkes-Barre Grant Program awarded 93 businesses with grant funding. The program has since concluded, and we were excited to meet all of the recipients and give them the opportunity to connect with each other and resource share at last night's event!

Meet two more of our session speakers for the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum: Dan Kimbrough, Owner of Park Multimedia, and Erica Acosta, Director of Diversity Initiatives at Wilkes University! They will be presenting a session titled "The 'Death' of DEI in the Workplace." Our Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum is happening tomorrow and is hosted in partnership with our regional chambers. This day-long conference is intended to make attendees familiar with timely and educational topics surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it impacts the workforce and our community. We still have a few spots left for you to register today at https://lnkd.in/e-HfrQem

Meet one more of our session speakers for the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum: Jasmine Giddings, Director of Multicultural Student Programs for King's College, Pennsylvania Multicultural Office! Jasmine will be hosting a session called "Not Another Ice Breaker." Our Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum is happening on April 2nd and is hosted in partnership with our regional chambers. This day-long conference is intended to make attendees familiar with timely and educational topics surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it impacts the workforce and our community. Register today at https://lnkd.in/e-HfrQem

Meet one more of our session speakers for the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum: Jacob Kelley, Founder/CEO of Mx. Kelley Queer Education! Jacob will be hosting a session called "Beyond Compliance: Crafting DEI Roadmaps with Workplace Metrics." Our Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum is happening on April 2nd and is hosted in partnership with our regional chambers. This day-long conference is intended to make attendees familiar with timely and educational topics surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it impacts the workforce and our community. Register today at https://lnkd.in/e-HfrQem

Meet one more of our session speakers for the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum: Regina Graham, Program Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for Geisinger! Regina will be hosting a session called "Understanding Cross Cultural Communication and Bias." Our Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum is happening on April 2nd and is hosted in partnership with our regional chambers. This day-long conference is intended to make attendees familiar with timely and educational topics surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it impacts the workforce and our community. Register today at https://lnkd.in/e-HfrQem

Meet two of our session speakers for the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum: Justin Edwards & Eric Wildon, Managers of Government & External Affairs at Comcast! They will be co-hosting a session called "Exploring the Impact of DEI in the Workplace: A Deep Dive into Employee Resource Groups." Our Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum is happening on April 2nd and is hosted in partnership with our regional chambers. This day-long conference is intended to make attendees familiar with timely and educational topics surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it impacts the workforce and our community. Register today at https://lnkd.in/e-HfrQem

We are THRILLED to announce our Keynote Speaker for the 2024 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum: Lieutenant Governor Austin A. Davis! Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is the youngest Lieutenant Governor in the country and the first Black Lieutenant Governor in Commonwealth history. Inspired by the history-makers who came before – leaders like Pennsylvania House Speaker K. Leroy Irvis and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Nix Jr. – Austin is determined to motivate a new generation of public servants to break even more barriers. Read more about him at: https://lnkd.in/dnSMdNDu Our Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Forum is happening on April 2nd and is hosted in partnership with our regional chambers. This day-long conference is intended to make attendees familiar with timely and educational topics surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it impacts the workforce and our community. Register today at https://lnkd.in/e-HfrQem