It’s Your Business
Uniontown Enterprise meeting scheduled
Fayette Enterprise Community program will hold a community meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Uniontown Municipal Building, 20 N. Gallatin Ave., Uniontown.
The Fayette Enterprise Community (FEC) is a designation given to the county through a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Officially named an FEC community in January 1999, Fayette County received the designation in part for its strategic plan, which is administered through Fayette Forward, combined with active citizen interest and concern in revitalizing the county.
Robert C. Junk, FEC strategic planning manager, said the FEC plan consists of 98 benchmarks that will in some way “educationally, socially, economically, agriculturally, benefits the residents in the FEC, ultimately impacting their communities as a whole.
“Why should you attend this community meeting? The FEC program empowers you as a citizen to voice concerns or to make suggestions on the needs of your community. It will be equally as important for you to recommend ways to alleviate or fix these needs as well,’ he said.
“The FEC is a grass roots initiative recognizing the importance of active citizen involvement in determining the issues facing our communities. We need to hear your concerns and obtain your involvement in the community meeting to address how to move the community forward.’
Junk said currently there are community leaders and citizens from FEC who serve on its implementation committee. There are seven sub-committees with active citizen involvement from the community.
“If you are interested learning more about the FEC and how you can help move and shape your community’s future, please consider attending the community meeting,’ Junk said.
More information on FEC is available by calling 724-437-7913.
Carmichaels
Community Bank pays dividend
Ralph J. Sommers Jr., chairman/CEO of Community Bank, National Association in Greene and Washington counties, recently announced a dividend payment of 19 cents per share for stockholders of record as of Dec. 6. The dividend will be payable on Dec. 20. The December dividend will bring the total dividend payment for the year to 37 cents per share, for a projected total dividend pay out of $879,543.
Community Bank, National Association common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market under the symbol CMYC. As of Sept. 30, the 10-branch, 101-year-old bank serving Greene and Washington counties had assets in excess of $262 million.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this dividend payment to our shareholders and believe it is a reflection of the stability and growth of this hometown financial institution – despite these trying economic times. We pride ourselves in serving as partners for progress. We work to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and anticipate what products and services will render beneficial outcomes for our customers, our community, and this bank,’ Sommers said.
The bank will soon launch its latest service, Internet Banking PLUS+, as a compliment to its existing Internet Banking/Internet Bill Pay service, which largely services individuals and small businesses. Internet Banking PLUS+ will provide commercial banking customers with a way to perform real-time banking functions with surety.
Uniontown
Pilot insurance program opens
The Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced the approval of a pilot insurance plan, developed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that will allow farmers to insure a portion of the revenue they make from crops; animals such as chickens, dairy cows, hogs and sheep, and animal products such as eggs, milk, meat, and wool. Under this insurance plan, producers can also cover revenue generated from commodities that are current uninsurable (e.g. forage, fruit and vegetable crops)
“This administration and Congress have made the development of risk management tools for livestock producers a priority,” said RMA Administrator Ross J Davidson.
“I want to commend Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Samuel Hayes and his department for producing a viable, market-driven program in a very short amount of time “
The pilot program, approved by the board of the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. on Oct. 22, will be available in all counties in Pennsylvania except Philadelphia County.
Under this plan, the revenue from all commodities, including by products such as milk can be protected with one insurance policy Eligible producers can purchase coverage levels of 65 percent, 75 percent or 80 percent of their 5-year revenue history or current year’s expected farm income, whichever is lower. Total coverage for each policy (liability) is limited to $100,000.
If available, producers may be eligible for federal cost sharing on premiums and Pennsylvania will also provide producers additional assistance.
Program details will be available from crop insurance agents in December. The sales closing date for the program is Jan 31.