Congratulations Sheetz!
2021 Business of the Year Award Recipient
Unfortunately, Sheetz was unable to attend the Annual Awards Gala, so Chamber Board Chair Mike Simone along with Chamber Board member Doug Roles presented the award to Sheetz DM Jimmy Brown. Valley Rural Electric sponsored the award.
|
|
Energy Alert: Have You Been Slammed?
It has come to our attention that many of you are receiving solicitation phone calls from a variety of electric and natural gas third-party suppliers. You need to be aware that many are utilizing sales tactics that are far from favorable for you. While the idea of “no contract” may seem like a good idea, it often comes with the ramification they can charge you whatever they want… and they do! Some will even tell you they are part of the Chamber program. The only Chamber endorsed energy consultant for electric and natural gas shopping is World Kinect Energy and our representative is Cheryl Hefft. If you have received any of these phone calls and have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out directly to Cheryl and she will be happy to assist you. She can be reached at
1-717-575-4807.
|
|
Leadership Huntingdon County Grant Writing Session |
Saturday they have their scavenger hunt. This is always a class favorite!
|
|
|
A More Effective Open Enrollment Season
Just the thought of an approaching open enrollment period can cause stress for employers and their workers. But with proper planning and a well-developed strategy, open enrollments can be organized, effective and a positive experience for all involved.
Development of a detailed timeline well in advance of the start of open enrollment season is a great first step. The employer and their benefit consultant can analyze the company’s specific objectives, style and demographics to develop a customized approach. Included in this stage should be the scheduling of webinars, benefit fairs, seminars and opportunities, as applicable. Likewise, the framework of an employee communication campaign can be developed, leaving specific details (like plan data, contribution schedules, etc.) to be inserted at a later time.
As soon as renewals are made available by the carrier(s), plans and contribution schedules can be selected by the employer and a communication piece should be distributed to all employees outlining the planned process, any critical information and any important dates and deadlines.
Benefit plan and contribution information should be presented to employees in a manner that encourages employees to become engaged in the process. The communication material should present the range of benefit details in a simple, understandable and even exciting, if possible, manner…customized as much as possible to the profile of employees in each organization.
Technology should be used whenever possible. Utilization of emails, webinars and online open enrollment tools all enhance the experience for today’s technology-oriented workforce and help to streamline the entire process.
Once open enrollment ends and everything settles down, the process can be reviewed and employee feedback solicited in order to better understand the components that worked well and those that didn’t. In this way, the experience can be further perfected for the following year’s open enrollment season.
The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at hccc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Craig Pritts at (800) 377-3539.
|
|
2021 Health Insurance Open Enrollment & Updates
Hosted by My Benefit Advisor
These webinars will provide general information and answer your questions about health insurance as 2021 open enrollment is right around the corner for most employers. This is the perfect opportunity to explore plan options and learn more about the latest laws, carrier news, and how the MBA program can benefit you. Register below for one of our upcoming sessions.
Agenda
- Overview of Insurance Marketplace
- Projected Renewal Increases
- Carrier Updates
- Cost Saving Strategies
- Employer Resources
|
|
Interested in advertising in our enews?
The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations.
|
|
Partners In Excellence
Platinum
Fulton County Medical Center
Shafer Equipment Co.
Gold
Stern Insurance Agency
Silver
Mutual Benefit Group
Bronze
Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc.
Orbisonia Hardware, Inc.
Royal
Bange's Masonary
MiCamp Solutions LLC
Culbertson Commercial Cleaning Service
FirstEnergy Corporation
Juniata College
Keller Engineers
Lincoln Caverns, Inc. and Whisper Rocks
McDonald's
Stiffler, McGraw and Associates, Inc.
NEW: Dirtbusters Cleaning Services
Interested in learning about becoming a Partner in Excellence?
Packages range from $125 to $1,000.
|
|
U.S. Chamber News: Business Community Steps Up
to Address Supply Chain Crisis
American businesses and consumers face severe effects from the nation’s supply chain shortage. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Clark joined CEOs of several major companies, the Vice President and other senior administration officials, and other stakeholders at the White House yesterday to address supply chain bottlenecks.
Why it matters: Ports with hundreds of ships waiting to dock, warehouse space shortages, and the lack of rail and highway freight capacity are leading to empty shelves and higher prices.
|
|
PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Program
Now Open
The application deadline is November 5, 2021.
PennDOT is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund. Applications are due by November 5, 2021. Funding can be used to coordinate local land use with transportation assets to enhance existing communities; for projects related to streetscapes, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, and pedestrian safety; for projects improving connectivity or utilization of existing transportation assets, and for projects related to transit-oriented development. Municipalities, counties, school districts, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports, rail freight and passenger rail entities are eligible to apply. A local match of 30% is required. More information can be found on the PennDOT website- http://www.penndot.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/MultimodalProgram/Pages/default.aspx .
|
|
If you are hiring, please send position information to [email protected] or login to the member section of our website to post your jobs. We've begun promoting this on Facebook.
|
|
Altoona/Blair County Airport
Business After Hours
October 28, 2021
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Burkes Outlet Ribbon Cutting
November 4, 2021
8:00 a.m. Chamber Member Preview
8:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting
First Center Business After Hours
November 18, 2021
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
|
|
Hold the Dates:
Spring Jam
April 3, 2022
2022 Administrative Professionals Wednesday, April 27, 2022
"Highway to Rock" Concert
featuring Live Wire
May 21, 2022
Huntingdon County Night at the Curve
August 6, 2022
8th Annual Sporting Clay Tournament
September 14, 2022
September 21, 2022 (storm date)
|
|
|
COVID-19 Vaccines at Penn Highlands Healthcare
Vaccine sign up now available. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Penn Highlands Healthcare is vaccinating any Pennsylvanian ages 12 and above. Please call the PHH Vaccine Information Line at 814-503-4735 to sign-up or by visiting www.phhealthcare.org/vaccine to schedule a vaccine. If have questions, please call the PHH Vaccine Information Line at 814-503-4735 Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
|
|
Did you know........
Small businesses represent the largest segment by number of most local chamber membership rolls. Results in the research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc. and Market Street indicate the impact of local chamber membership on small businesses is very powerful. If a consumer knows a small business is a member of its local chamber, the business enjoys a 44 percent increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 51 percent increase in consumer awareness, a 57 percent increase in its local reputation and a 63 percent increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.
Research indicates that chamber membership stimulates business-to-business commerce in the local community. Other businesses in town are more likely to do business with you and your company if you are a member of the local chamber. Because a major part of a small business typically comes from business-to-business services, it is essential to maintain a positive standing within the local business community.
Show your membership pride and that you are a repitable business. Download the Chamber logo to use on your website. Click the logo for more information.
|
|
Paid Leave Tax Credit Resources and Guidance
Click here to view the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Fact Sheet to learn more about the Paid Leave Tax Credit, how it works, and who is qualified to received it.
Click here to view the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s Fact Sheet to learn more about how to claim the tax credit during quarterly filings and additional resources for employers about the program.
|
|
Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC):
Step by Step instructions with a CPA
|
|
Looking for more ways to promote your business?
|
|
U.S. Chamber Pandemic Relief Resources:
-
Pandemic Webinar Recordings - You can view the Chamber’s webinars explaining the new pandemic relief bills from late December and early January. They've uploaded the recording from this week here, plus the accompanying slides here, and you can find the recording from our December discussion here.
|
|
Resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources.
|
|
Quick Connect Coaching Sessions
Weekly, Tuesdays at 8:30 am
Looking for a quick answer to a question related to disaster recovery, reopening, stabilizing, or projecting for growth? Then attend a "Quick Connect" session to get your questions answered. Each week a consultant will address answers related to a specific topic.
|
|
Contact Us
Yvonne Martin
President/ CEO
MacKenzie Huntsman
Program Director
Phone: 814-643-1110
Fax: 814-643-1115
|
|
Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
