Town Halls with PA Secretaries of Agriculture & DCNR; Annual Dinner RSVP Deadline, Holiday Lights and More News You Can Use

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REGISTRATION DEADLINE: NOV. 12th at Noon

CONGRATULATIONS

to the

2020 Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Award Honorees

PRESIDENT’S AWARD: Silver Screen Dream Team*

JOHN ANDERSON AWARD: Everett Area Better Business Association

BUSINESS HALL OF FAME AWARD: Bedford Speedway

EMPLOYER COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative

EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARD (3 Categories):

Small (no more than 10 employees): Golden Eagle Inn

Medium (11-60 employees): Down River Golf Club

Large (61 or more employees): Creative Pultrusions

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR (with Rotary & Elks Clubs): Clifton Clark

INNOVATION AWARD: Hyndman Area Health Center

PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT AWARD: Bedford Fire Department #1, Inc.

HERITAGE PRESERVATION AWARD: Wayne Hyde

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION: Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Bedford Gallery

EXCELLENCE IN AGRI-BUSINESS AWARD: Olde Bedford Brewing Company

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: Michael Meehan

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD (with BCDA): PA CareerLink

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AWARD (w/Bedford Co. Transition Council): Shirley’s Cookie Company

SERVANT LEADERSHIP (with LBC): Jesse Topper & Deanna Weaverling

ATHENA AWARD: Honoree to be announced November 19^th

* The Silver Screen Dream Team includes 22 community partners who came together

with the Chamber of Commerce during the pandemic to build the drive-in movie screen

at the Bedford County Fairgrounds:

Ace Builders

Bedford County Fair

Bedford County Speedway

Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative

Bedford Township Supervisors

Clark Contractors, inc.

Coughenour Engineering

Creative Pultrusions

Fastenal

Golden Rule Lumber

HenderSon’s Painting

Knisely & Sons

Pennsylvania Municipal Code Alliance

SKE Designs & Signs

Trendz Design & Print Studio

Scott Electric

Sell, Neff and Associates

Sherwin Williams

Soaring Eagle Productions

Steltek Graphics

True Value Bedford

YBC Your Building Centers

Thank you to all who participate in the award nomination process.

We had more than 80 qualified applications submitted for the 2020 awards.

Those who were not selected this year will be reconsidered in future years. We are fortunate in our community that we always have more wonderful nominees than awards!

The Chamber looks forward to honoring some of the outstanding businesses, organizations and individuals this fall!

In spite of this year's challenges, there is much to celebrate!

Sponsorships are still available.

SPONSORSHIPS

Get Your Year-Long Subscription Today

Join Us Wednesdays, Noon-1pm for

Women in Business POWER HOURS

Featuring speakers, panel discussions, open forums,

networking and more...

Our Next Program: Wed.Nov. 11, 2020

Why Ask Why?

Motivation & Goal-Setting

Karen R. Weiss

We are all encouraged to set goals. If our internal motivation doesn't line up with our goals, we aren't going to achieve anything. We need a fire within us so that we can take the action necessary to work our goals into being. This workshop will help you identify your why so that you can set and achieve goals in the face of disappointment, failure and opposition.

Take-aways from this session will include:

Strategies to find your WHY
Strategies to verify that your goals are in alignment with your WHY
Strategies to handle nay-sayers.

Karen L. Weiss is the founder of Dream Big Coaching, LLC, a business coaching company designed to help people live lives of integrity and interior freedom so that we can be the pople wer were created to be. Her experience includes domestic and interational cross-cultural work in community development, public speaking and vision-casting. She is an author, former engineer, and livesin Central PA with her husband, Pat.

FUTURE POWER HOUR PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

Nov. 18 - Beverly Green & Carmen Bilek

Break Room to Boardroom:

Survive and Thrive in a Male-Dominated Workplace

Nov. 25 - Kellie Goodman Shaffer

Thanksgiving Eve Attitude of Gratitude

Dec. 2 - Katherine Kuln - Never. Burnout.Again.

Dec. 9 - Ella McElwee - Details to Come!

Dec. 16 - Details to Come

No programs Dec. 23 & 30 due to the holidays.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Sponsor Information

Thank you to our Women in Business series sponsors, recognized below.

Additional sponsorships and speaking opportunities are available.

Call Kellie or Sarah for details: 914-623-2233.

Secretary Redding Online Town Hall

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. CLICK HERE

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Secretary Dunn Online Town Hall

REGISTRATION REQUIRED. CLICK HERE

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Planning Underway for the 2nd Annual

A new holiday tradition! Launched in 2019, the Holiday Nights of Lights will be BIGGER & BETTER in 2020 with expected participation by more than 100 businesses, organizations and other community groups.

Click for Sponsorship & Display Information

ELF ON THE SHELF HOLIDAY SHOP LOCAL CAMPAIGN

Russell & Juliana Are Back!

The Chamber is pleased to welcome our Elves on Shelf back for the holiday season!

We'll be reminding everyone to SHOP LOCAL again through our holiday social media campaign, with the elves (and maybe even our canine friend, Trip) "visiting" area businesses each weekday between Thanksgiving and December 23rd.

If you'd like to be part of this promotion, we just ask that you provide some kind of door prize for the day that your business is featured, to be given to a winner of that day's drawing.

Each day we'll post 2 or 3 clues about your business on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok and a winner will be selected randomly from the first 10 correct responses each day.

To participate contact Sarah Ferrari and Chris Klinger (the Chamber's Senior Challenge student) at 814-623-2233 or click to email.

SMALL BUSINESS SHOWCASE

Friday, November 27th, 2020

ABC23 and FOX8

You're invited to be part of this special buy-local half-hour show on Fox 8 and ABC 23.

Exclusive title sponsorship - $1.,000

(Includes more than $6,000 in marketing value)

Segment Sponsor: $450 (6 needed to make this special program a showcase of Bedford County businesses!) - Your business featured in a 4-minute segment on this show, social media and more!

Call Kellie for details: 814-623-2233

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OUTLINES CHAMBER AND OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS & MUCH MORE....

The Chamber is pleased to share our Community Calendar with you! Contact us with events to add. This will help residents and visitors know what's happening and help YOU in planning future events. Please help us keep this calendar up to date by sharing your events with us!

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

What are your #bedfordcountyoutdoors plans?

News Release

Sponsorship Info

COVID-19 RESOURCE HUB

FOR BUSINESSES

Pennsylvanians helping Pennsylvanians:

The COVID-19 crisis has put millions of small business jobs at risk impacting millions of families across our Commonwealth.

The nonprofit Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund was launched by Jeff Bartos, Richard Phillips and Roger Braunfeld. Working with other business leaders throughout the Commonwealth, the Fund’s goal is to help save as many Pennsylvania jobs as possible while small businesses await recently approved federal funding.

This is a GRANT opportunity for for--profit businesses with 3-30 employees in business for more than 1 year.

Easy Application
Quick Turn-Around
No Repayment Required.

Learn More & Apply

PPP PROGRAM CURRENTLY CLOSED PENDING NEW LEGISLATION

EIDL Reopened for All Industries!

CLICK HERE FOR INFO

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is accepting new applications from small businesses across all industries. To inquire regarding previously-submitted applications:

CONTACT INFO - SBA Regional Offices

Harrisburg Office: (717) 782-3840

Pittsburgh Office: (412) 395-6560

Click Here to Learn More About Additional SBA Relief Options

PPP Forgiveness Application Now Available

The application for loan forgiveness for those who have received Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) assistance is now available. To apply for forgiveness, you must complete this application and submit it to your lender (the lender who serviced your loan. You may also complete the application electronically through your lender. The form also outlines the documents you are required to retain.

APPLICATION

PA CHAMBER RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES

Annual HR Conference

Voter Registration Info

US CHAMBER RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES

The U.S. Chamber offers ongoing trainings and programs to support the business community, including WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS, Technology Programs, NATIONAL TOWN HALLS, and more.

CLICK FOR UPCOMING EVENTS

US CHAMBER SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCE HUB

Business Resources from the U.S. Chamber

Check out the latest guides and resources from the U.S. Chamber, including the new

SMALL BUSINESS Covid-19 QUICK LINKS

Click the SBA logo above for information to help your business deal with some of the financial challenges of the COVID-19 Crisis.

Information includes:

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL)

Paycheck Protection Plan

Guidance for Businesses and Employers

SBA Products and Resources

Government Contracting

Resources are available from Small Business Development Centers across the state to assist businesses through the COVID-19 crisis. CLICK HERE for Info

The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies has established an emergency fund for non-profits impacted by COVID-19.

Click here to learn how to apply.

Update on legislative support for agriculture from the PA Farm Bureau. LEARN MORE

Important Links to Information

Regarding the Coronavirus:

DCED provides significant resources for businesses relative to the COVID-19 Pandemic, including:

Critical Medical Supplies

Procurement Portal

PA Manufacturing Call-to-Action Portal

UC Benefits for Self-Employed Portal Now Open. CLICK HERE FOR UPDATE.

Link for Traditional Unemployment Benefits

Available Here.

DOWNLOAD DOCUMENT

Save Money & Reduce Energy Through Incentives

First Energy has announced that their program is back, and accepting new applications. The program allows residential and commercial rebates through a portion of energy saved. This also can apply to new construction as well. The website for the official overview is https://www.energysavepa-business.com/program-overview/index.html

The link above will also guide you through the application process. To give you an idea of what is involved and the documents you need ...

Apply for Rebates

Non-residential customers of FirstEnergy's Pennsylvania utilities are eligible to receive incentives for installing new equipment that reduces electrical energy use.

To apply, visit the energy efficiency programs portal. If you're a first-time user, you'll need to create an account.

Once you've completed the registration process, you can log in to the portal using your email and a temporary password, which will be provided via email.

Upon project completion and receipt and verification of all required documentation, the incentive check will be processed and mailed to the applicant or to an authorized representative, if requested on the application.

Apply online or contact us at 855-801-5803 for assistance.

Project Document Requirements:

Every project should contain a minimum of 6 document for payment, 4 of which are gathered at Pre-Approval.

Step 1 – Pre-Approval

Documents:

• Appropriate calculator with estimated savings

• Utility bills associated with site of project

• W9 form for all parties receiving payment

• Spec sheet for all new equipment

• Dual incentive form (if splitting incentive payment with a third party)

Step 2 – Project Completion

• Project must be completed and operational

• Project may require a post inspection

Step 3 – Payment

• Invoice

• Letter of Attestation

CHAMBER SERVICES AVAILABLE for MEMBERS

BULK MAIL ASSISTANCE

The Chamber offers the use of our bulk mail stamp and account to our members!

Contact Delrae Hagstrom to review the bulk mail process and to schedule your mailing.

delrae@bedfordcountychamber.org

CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN

The Chamber is the only organization in Bedford County authorized to provide certificate of origin documentation.

Contact Kellie Goodman Shaffer to arrange for processing.

kellie@bedfordcountychamber.org

The Chamber Advantage program promotes buy-local spending habits while serving our membership in multiple ways:

(1) provide an offer to your fellow members and drive business through your door

AND/OR (2) give this valuable card with dozens of offers to your employees (FREE)

AND/OR (3) use the card for special discounts/offers from local businesses, saving you money while benefiting our local economy.

Call Delrae for more info on how to use this FREE MEMBER BENEFIT

NEW IN 2020: Sponsorship Opportunity (your logo on thousands of new Chamber Advantage Cards! (Call Kellie for details: 623-2233.)

Find Offers Here

More For Your Calendar:

Chamber & Chamber Foundation Save the Dates - 2020

Wednesdays - Noon-1pm - Women in Business Power Hours

November 16 - 1pm Online Town Hall with PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding

November 16 - - 2pm Online Town Hall with DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn

November 19 - Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration (format pending Covid restrictions)

Opening Friday, November 27 - Opening Night of Holiday Nights of Lights

(Drive-Through Lights Open Select Dates thru Dec. 27)

November 28 - Shop Small Saturday

Byrne and Kelly Concert at Woodhaven (Foundation) - New Date Friday July 2, 2021

Do you have something to celebrate?

Ribbon Cutting, Groundbreaking, Anniversary, New Ownership Key Ceremony

and Virtual Events for New Websites, Social Media, etc.

If so, call Kellie or Sarah at 814.623.2233

You can now register and pay for Chamber events online.

Make sure you have created your ChamberMaster login so you can enjoy the convenience of online registration.

Here's how:

1) Visit the event calendar on our website and click on the event of interest.

2) Click the green "Register Now" button to take you to the member registration page.

3) If you don't have a password or don't remember it, simply click "Forgot your password?" and follow the instructions to re-set your password. Then complete your registration as a member. (You can also use your email address if you are a registered contact for your company.)

Members receive special discounts and access at many of our events, so registering as a member rather than checking out as a guest is better.

If you have any questions about how to register for an event or create your password, feel free to call 814-623-2233 for assistance.

Chamber Member & Community News

Learn more about Victoria House: the area's premier offerings in Personal Care Living: Inclusive pricing, caring staff, beautiful, comfortable rooms that

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2020 HOMEWOOD VICTORIA HOUSE ALL INCLUSIVE

Bedford County

Chamber of Commerce

203 South Juliana Street

Bedford, PA 15522 - USA

Phone: 814.623.2233

Fax: 814.623.6089

Email Us!

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