A Home Run for Your Business – Networking at JSBL and BlueClaws
Join Jersey Shore Business Leaders (JSBL) for a all-you-can eat barbecue picnic, a BlueClaws baseball game, and business networking, Thursday, August 23, 2012, starting at 6:00 p.m., First Energy Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, N.J. The cost is $25.00 for members; $30.00 for non members, and includes the barbecue and a game ticket. Beers cost only $1.00 each. Bring plenty of business cards.
Payment must be postmarked before August 23. Mail checks made out to Jersey Shore Business Leaders, 1400 West Cross Street, Lakewood, N.J. 08701.
For more information, visit www.jerseyshorebusinessleaders.com or JerseyShoreBusinessLeaders@gmail.com. or call Michael Doyle, account executive for Greater Media Radio at 732-681-9591 Ext. 225. Find JSBL on Facebook.com/ JerseyShoreBusinessLeaders, and on Twitter at twitter.com/JSBLNetworking.
Harmony Bank Announces 2Q Earnings, Dividend, and Plans for a Third Office
Jackson, NJ – August 2, 2012. Harmony Bank (the “Bank”) today reported the results for the quarter and the six months ending June 30, 2012. The Board of Directors also announced a 5 percent stock dividend for common shareholders. The dividend is payable on August 29, 2012, to shareholders of record as of August 15, 2012. Currently, the Bank has 1,508,683 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
In addition, Harmony Bank announced its continued expansion with the planned opening of a third office, 104 Route 37 East in Toms River, N.J., in the winter of 2012. The Lakewood Branch opened December 2010.
For the quarter, which ended June 30, 2012, the Bank reported a net income of $148,335 or $0.10 per share, compared to $73,208 or $0.05 per share for the same period in 2011, an increase of $75,127 or 102.6 percent.
For the six months, which ended June 30, 2012, the Bank reported net income of $300,793 or $0.20 per share, a significant increase over the $20,971 or $0.01 per share reported for the same period in 2011.
As of June 30, 2012, the total assets of Harmony Bank were $137.1 million, an increase of 39 percent over the $99 million reported June 30, 2011. Total loans have increased $25.3 million or 32 percent to reach $105.1 million as of June 30, 2012, compared to $79.8 million as of June 30, 2011. Total deposits at the Bank increased 39 percent to $120.3 million at June 30, 2012, compared to $86.5 million at June 30, 2011.
“We are pleased with our balance sheet growth, which has led to the significant increase in earnings over the past year,” said Michael A. Schutzer, President and CEO of Harmony Bank.
Non-performing assets as of June 30, 2012, were $955,000 as compared to $250,000 on June 30, 2011. The increase was attributable to one commercial loan added to non-performing status; however, total non-performing assets were unchanged from the prior quarter end.
At June 30, 2012, Harmony Bank exceeded its applicable regulatory capital requirements with Tier 1 leverage, Tier 1 risk-based capital and total risk-based capital ratios of 12.07 percent, 15.38 percent and 16.63 percent, respectively.
As a step towards providing future liquidity for existing shareholders and other interested potential investors, the Bank has listed its common shares on the OTCQB market under the symbol HRMB. Visit http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/HRMB/quote for a link to the quote.
About Harmony Bank: Harmony Bank is a state chartered FDIC insured commercial bank that opened for
business in September 2008. Its headquarters are located in Jackson, N.J., with one branch office located in Lakewood, N.J.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain “forward-looking statements” about Harmony Bank, which, to the extent applicable, are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided under the Federal securities laws; and, regardless of such coverage, you are cautioned about. Such statements are not historical facts and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
- A severe decline in the general economic conditions of New Jersey;
- higher than expected increases in our allowance for loan losses;
- higher than expected increases in loan losses or in the level of nonperforming loans;
- unexpected changes in interest rates;
- a continued or unexpected decline in real estate values within our market areas;
- lack of liquidity to fund our various cash obligations;
- unanticipated reduction in our deposit base; and
- other unexpected material adverse changes in our operations or earnings.
We undertake no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in our expectations. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
Contacts at Harmony Bank:
Michael A. Schutzer, President and CEO
Michael J. Gormley, EVP/ CFO
Luau Party and Open House at Brick Rainbow Kids
Bring your family to “It’s a Luau Party,” an open house at Brick Rainbow Kids, 1823 Route 88, Brick, N.J., Sunday, August 5, 2012, from noon to 2:00 p.m., rain or shine. Enjoy island music, Kona Ice, Irene’s Hawaiian Adventure Shows, Hula dance lessons, Snazzy Jazzy face painting, tattoos, and more. Friends and favorite Hawaiian attire welcome!
Brick Rainbow Kids is a daycare and learning center that provides before school and after school care to accommodate the schedules of working parents from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily for children ages six weeks to 10 years. A N.J. certified kindergarten program is offered from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Among other specials features, parents and grandparents can see their child via an EZCAM Live, a secure Internet monitoring service. Brick Rainbow Kids offers state accredited curriculum-based programs and is open 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily for all age groups.
For more information, contact Donna Miller, director, or Dana Knast, assistant director, at 732-202-1635 or Donna@brickrainbowkids.com or Dana@brickrainbowkids.com.
Lakewood Officials to Hold Public Forum to Seek Input about Downtown
The Lakewood Township Committee is holding a public forum to discuss issues and solutions that pertain to growth and development of Lakewood’s downtown business district Monday, August 20, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium, Lakewood Municipal Building, 231 Third Street.
Topics will include business-oriented quality of life issues, such as parking policies, banners and signage enforcement, and the appearance and cleanliness of storefronts, among other areas of concern for downtown business owners and shoppers.
Steve Reinman, deputy municipal manager and director of the Office of Economic Development for Lakewood, says, “If you are a shopper, business owner, or landlord in the downtown and have an opinion, then you should be heard because we will be developing and implementing policy changes that will make the downtown better and will create a more pleasant experience for everyone.
“We have heard the collective call for more parking and have built numerous new lots to accommodate the shoppers and other visitors to downtown. The next step is to make sure policies and practices are put in place to see that the investment pays off for all of Lakewood – business owners and customers, taxpayers and visitors. Lakewood’s downtown is a great asset, and the township committee is taking steps to ensure that we maximize its value.”
Committee members are requesting that interested parties submit any topics that should be addressed no later than August 10, 2012, by contacting Susie or Cindy in the Manager’s Office at (732) 364-2500 Ext. 5200.
Anyone wishing to make public comments at the meeting must pre-register by emailing skay@lakewoodnj.gov or call 732-364-2500 Ext. 5200 no later than August 10, 2012. Each speaker will be allowed up to four minutes at the microphone.
OHI to Participate in Big Splash 2012
Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI) will be on hand August 4, 2012, from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m. to provide blood pressure screenings, health information, and give-a-ways at Big Splash 2012, Lake Carasaljo Amphitheater, North Lake Drive, Lakewood.
The Lakewood Clergy Association (LCA) Youth Leadership Training and Mentoring program is presenting Big Splash 2012. Admission and parking are free along with vendors, prizes, games, moon bounce, open mic, and more.
The sponsors are the Lakewood BlueClaws, Bank of America, Spirit Filled Life Ministry, and Faith Fellowship Church. For more information contact Rev. Sandra Gonzalez, 732-730-0444.
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; and 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; and 333 Haywood Road Manahawkin, provides comprehensive preventative and primary care, including pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, and dental health to the area’s uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented residents on a sliding-fee scale, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay.
OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call a representative in the Call Center at either 732-552-0377, Toms River, or 732-363-6655, Lakewood. Visit www.ohinj.org. for further information.
OHI Expands Its Patient Hours to Include Saturdays
Beginning August 4, 2012, Ocean Health Initiatives (OHI), a federally qualified health care center (FQHC), 101 Second Street, Lakewood, is expanding its hours to include Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Lakewood site will remain open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m., with evening hours every Tuesday until 8:00 p.m..
Patients can contact the Lakewood Call Center 732-363-6655 to make an appointment Monday through Saturday to see a doctor in all departments, including internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, dental, and social services.
Other OHI sites will keep their hours Monday through Friday: Toms River, 301 Lakehurst Road, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Manahawkin, 333 Haywood Road Manahawkin, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more information, contact Jennifer Corey, marketing coordinator, at 732-719-9026.
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; and 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; and 333 Haywood Road Manahawkin, provides comprehensive preventative and primary care, including pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, and dental health to the area’s uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented residents on a sliding-fee scale, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay.
OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call a representative in the Call Center at either 732-552-0377, Toms River, or 732-363-6655, Lakewood. Visit www.ohinj.org. for further information.
Entries Sought for 38th Annual JASPER Awards – Deadline Is August 3
Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association (JSPRAA) has announced the deadline for entries for the 2012 annual Jasper Awards, which honor excellence in communications, is Friday, August 3, 2012, at 5:00 p.m.
Eligible entries include communication tools that have been developed for a New Jersey-based company or by a New Jersey-based agency between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012. Anyone who conducts business in New Jersey may enter the competition. Local adaptations of national campaigns are not eligible.
Register entries online at awards.jspraa.com. After registering, prepare entries using guidelines found in the downloadable Rules & Categories PDF and send them to the specified location for judging.
Greg Weber, president of JSPRAA and owner of Garden State Press Clipping Bureau, Red Bank, said, “Last year JSPRAA gave 168 gold and silver awards in about 100 categories.”
Winners will receive awards at the Robert B. Meyner Reception Center at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, Friday evening, October 12.
Entry fees support the James R. McCormick Scholarship Fund, established in 1983, to recognize the outstanding achievements of Monmouth and Ocean county students, focusing on communications or advertising. More than $120,000.00 has been awarded to date.
For more information, contact the JSPRAA Hotline at 732-842-3311.
Lakewood UEZ Joins with Central Region Project Team to Offer “Green Jobs” Hiring Incentive
The Lakewood Development Corporation, the administrative arm of the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), is collaborating with the State Energy Sector Partnership to offer businesses up to $4000.00 per person hired through “Green Jobs” Hiring Incentive, a Central New Jersey energy grant.
Central New Jersey businesses in Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, Mercer, and Greater Raritan who hire a new, full-time unemployed worker in a “green energy job” will be reimbursed 50 to 90 percent of the salary, up to $4,000.00 per qualified worker hired.
“Green Jobs” must be in renewable energy (RE), in such fields as solar, wind, etc.; or energy efficiency (EE), such as advanced manufacturing practices, HVAC, and insulation, among others. The minimum salary must be $10.00 an hour for at least 32 hours per week. Employers may hire multiple employees, up to 25 percent of the workforce; but a contract must be in place BEFORE the employee begins work. This program ends January 2013.
Patricia Komsa, the executive director of Lakewood’s UEZ, said, “Because we feel this grant would be beneficial for our businesses, we are making every effort to notify our businesses about this hiring incentive. We are working with Lawrence Sternbach, Central Region Project Team, who is managing the grant as our liaison to help match our businesses with this grant opportunity.”
For more information, contact Patricia Komsa at 732-364-2500 Ext. 5257 or Lawrence Sternbach at 732-683-8850 Ext. 3711 or visit lawrence.sternbach@dol.state.nj.us.
About the UEZ: The Urban Enterprise Zone program was designed to foster economic growth to revitalize and stimulate designated urban communities. The program encourages businesses to create private-sector jobs though public and private investment. More than 8,000 businesses throughout the state and more than 500 businesses in Lakewood benefit from tax and financial incentives. Personnel from the Lakewood UEZ are available to discuss program eligibility and answer questions.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner Joins Staff of OHI
Corazon Alvarado, Freehold, a Registered Nurse (RN) and an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) has joined the staff of OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives), a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations in Lakewood, Toms River and Manahawkin.
Alvarado will serve in the Adult Medicine Department of OHI, providing for the management of acute and chronic illnesses, evaluating and disseminating treatment plans, conducting routine physical examinations, and helping patients understand proper management of their care, among other responsibilities.
Before joining OHI, Alvarado was an advanced nurse practitioner at UMDNJ-UCHC, Trenton, working collaboratively with physicians in the care of inmates in the N.J. prison system, providing healthcare to all inmates.
Alvarado received her B.A. in Nursing from the University of the Philippines and an M.A. in Nursing Education from New York University, N.Y. She holds a Post Master’s degree as an Advanced Practice Nurse from the University of Medicine and Dentistry, Newark, and an MBA from Waldon University, Baltimore.
Alvarado is a licensed N.J. Registered Nurse; Adult Health, Advanced Practice Nurse; American Nurses Credentialing Center; and a BLS instruction for the American Heart Association. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Nurses Association (ANA), the Filipino Nurses Association (FNA), and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society.
Alvarado will be available at Lakewood and Toms River offices, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For further information call either 732-552-0377, Toms River, or 732-363-6655, Lakewood; or visit www.ohinj.org.
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; and 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; and 333 Haywood Road Manahawkin, provides comprehensive preventative and primary care, including pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, and dental health to the area’s uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented residents on a sliding-fee scale, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call a representative in the Call Center at either 732-552-0377, Toms River, or 732-363-6655, Lakewood. Visit www.ohinj.org. for further information.
Doing Business with the Federal Government – Free UEZ Seminar
The Lakewood Development Corporation, the administrative arm of the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), is offering the public a free small business seminar “Doing Business with the Federal Government,” Wednesday, July 25, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Conference Room C, the Lakewood Municipal Building, 231 Third Street, Lakewood. All businesses are welcome whether or not they are participating in a UEZ program.
The workshop, given by Sherry Rose and Dolcey Chaplin of the NJIT Defense Procurement Center, will explain the process of conducting business with the federal government. NJIT Defense Procurement Center has generated more than $30 million a year in new contracts for New Jersey small businesses. A question and answer period will follow.
Register online at www.lakewoodnj.gov/department/uez. For further information, call Anita Doyle at 732-364-2500 Ext. 5395.
About the UEZ: The Urban Enterprise Zone program was designed to foster economic growth to revitalize and stimulate designated urban communities. The program encourages businesses to create private-sector jobs though public and private investment.
More than 8,000 businesses throughout the state and more than 500 businesses in Lakewood benefit from tax and financial incentives. Personnel from the Lakewood UEZ are available to discuss program eligibility and answer questions.