PECO is urging customers to be aware of a scam that is now targeting small businesses throughout the area. The scam, which previously only targeted residential customers, claims that customers are behind on their account and must make immediate payment to avoid service termination.

The awards were given in five categories: small, medium, large, extra-large and companies headquartered elsewhere.

The Best Places to Work competition is based entirely on how statistically significant samples of employees anonymously rated their own companies on things like team effectiveness, trust with co-workers, alignment with goals, and trust in senior leaders as well as recognition and benefits. The Survey is administered by Quantum Workplace, an independent third-party surveying firm.

Board Vice President Bill Brady Selected As Successor

The Transportation Management Association of Bucks County announced in September that long-time executive director Bill Rickett will be retiring from his position effective October 31 and the association’s board of directors’ vice president Bill Brady will replace him. Rickett, who has spent 14 2 years with the TMA, has been the first and only executive director of the non-profit organization.

Many readers may have heard of the "pay-or-play" penalty, also known as the Employer Shared Responsibility Payment, under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("Affordable Care Act"). However, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, only 4% of U.S. firms qualify as a large employer subject to the penalty.  For those readers who may not be familiar, the "pay-or-play" provision, which has been delayed until 2015, requires employers with 50 or more Full-Time Equivalent employees to provide health coverage that meets minimum essential coverage and affordability standards to at least 95% of their full-time employees (and their dependents) or face a penalty if their employee obtains a federal tax credit for health care purchased through the federal or state Health Insurance Marketplace.

The Bucks County local Economic Outlook report for August 2013 serves as an addendum to the labor market reports, providing additional information for the Nation, State, and local region. National data is based on August 2013, while State and Local data are based on July 2013. Download the report.