Around Town: New organization aims to give businesses a boost

We often hear that we get more done as a team, than as individuals.

That sentiment is a driving force behind a new initiative recently launched locally called Boost Business NEPA – a collaboration of community leaders and organizations joining forces to help small businesses most affected by COVID-19.

There are many horror stories of businesses not getting funding or unable to survive during such turbulent times.

The goal of this initiative is to give businesses the resources they need to keep going, as social distancing guidelines and face-mask-wearing rules are still in effect.

NEPA leaders in marketing, media, banking, business, government, economic development, education and healthcare are working together and fighting for the livelihoods of hard-hit businesses.

By visiting boostbusinessnepa.com, business owners can access all the resources they need and input what they need help with. Help options include categories such as finance, utilities, insurance, supplies, rent and more.

On the receiving end, a team of leaders will assess how to help.

Supporting organizations include Fidelity Bank, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, WBRE/WYOU/PA Homepage, Times Leader Media Group, DiscoverNEPA, Fox56, Coal Creative, WNEP-16, RiZen Metrics, Entercom, FNCB Bank, Happenings Magazine, PSBank, Scranton Tomorrow, Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress, NEPA Strong, Diamond City Partnership, Family Business Alliance, Downtown Pittston Partnership, Senator John T. Yudichak, The Honesdale National Bank, The Luzerne Foundation and Lavelle Strategy Group.

There’s still time for more businesses to join, too.

Overall, the hope is that people needing support, get it.

The site is visually pleasing, easy to navigate and simple to submit information to, so visit when you get a moment. It may be the most valuable web visit some make all week.

Besides Boost Business NEPA, I’ve also been focused on the upcoming Young Professionals Awards, which I’m lucky enough to be a part of as an ambassador for the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce and a finalist in the category of NEPA Influencer of the Year.

What an honor.

I can truly say it’s humbling and kind to have been nominated by Ruth Corcoran, this year’s ATHENA Award Recipient.

Other nominees in the category are Christine Mackin Meluskey and Justin Correll.

Christine is a tireless community advocate who does so much good through her work at the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association and through volunteering with Wilkes-Barre Rotary, Leadership Wilkes-Barre and the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Justin is the mayor of Lauren Run, principal of Solomon Elementary School and the co-founder of the NEPA Pride Project. He also co-created the NEPA Pride Scholarship Program to support local high school seniors majoring in a college arts program.

They’re both great people and deserving of such an honor.

There are many other young people nominated in a variety of categories, too. Awards will be announced Wednesday evening at the Garden Drive-In in Hunlock Creek.

It’s always been an event filled with high energy, and this year should be no different, despite the social distancing measures in place to keep everyone safe.