November 4, 2022

Welcome to our newest member! Graystone Manor Huntingdon Check out their Facebook page Join us for the December 1 Business After Hours. See the invitation later in this enews.

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Now Accepting Community Improvement Award Nominations The Community Improvement Award is sponsored by the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce and the Huntingdon County Planning Commission. The Huntingdon County Community Improvement Award is intended to recognize excellence in development. New building construction, or substantial rehabilitation, subdivision and land development, and park and open space projects are eligible. Nominations are being accepted between November 3, 2022 and January 6, 2023.   Click here for the guidelines. Click here for the nomination form.

It’s Small Business Season! From October 31 – December 31st, we’re celebrating Small Business Season™. The chamber is encouraging every person of our community to support friends and neighbors by shopping, dining, and exploring our small businesses. Small Businesses Are a Big Deal to the Huntingdon County Community Small businesses made up over 60% of all new jobs this year and yet they face many challenges from rising costs to filling vacancies. Plus, according to JP Morgan Chase, “The median small business holds (only) 27 cash buffer days in reserve. Half of all small businesses hold a cash buffer of less than one month. Moreover, 25% of small businesses hold fewer than 13 cash buffer days in reserve.” That means over 50% of small businesses wouldn’t last over a month on their reserves. They need our help, and we need theirs. On average, $68 of every $100 spent locally stays in our community. Most of us turn to small businesses first when we’re seeking help for our nonprofits, youth activities, and sponsorships. When they thrive, we thrive! Where you spend your money this holiday season matters. Support small businesses by patronizing them and/or: ·        Writing reviews ·        Referring friends ·        Checking in and taking pictures or videos and sharing them on social media when you’re visiting small businesses ·        Sharing small business posts on social media ·        Talking about your favorite businesses on social media Join us and pledge to support local this holiday season. Shopping small can make a big difference. If you’re a small business, visit the Small Business Season website for your free marketing collateral.

Get to Know Your PA House 81st District Candidates In partnership with The Daily News, the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce is providing this article to help you make an informed decision as you prepare to vote on November 8, 2022. An article with responses from the candidates for the 30th Senatorial District ran previously in The Daily News on October 27. We reached out to all Pennsylvania and US candidates four times in order to give everyone an opportunity to respond. Only the candidates in this article and the one mentioned above chose to participate. PA House  81st District candidates, Incumbent Rich Irvin (R) and Ian Kidd (D) were asked to limit their responses to 250 words for each of the five questions developed by the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. No changes have been made to their responses. Question #1. How do you plan to encourage business growth in the Commonwealth and what expertise or prior experience do you have to facilitate success in accomplishing that goal? Rich Irvin: “Pennsylvania needs to create a climate that attracts businesses both large and small to our Commonwealth and area. Since being elected, my number one priority has been providing family sustaining careers and encouraging job growth in our communities. In this year’s budget, I worked in a bipartisan manner with the General Assembly and the Governor to enact tax legislation to cut the corporate net income tax rate from 9.9% to 4.99% on a phased-in basis. If we want corporations to call PA home reducing this rate is a big step to encourage business growth. When a large company comes to our Commonwealth small supporting business will grow as well.     Moving forward, I will continue the push of limiting the size and scope of government. Throughout the pandemic this administration granted approximately 400 regulatory waivers. As a member of the House of Representatives, I support codifying into law the elimination of these unnecessary or unhelpful business restrictions. Over the past session, I have authored and supported legislation to reform our regulatory landscape.” Click here to read the entire article.

The Chamber staff always refers callers and visitors to Chamber members first. Members also have the option of displaying their marketing materials on the Chamber’s in-house brochure racks.

Remember to vote on Election Day! Don't know where to vote?  Visit vote.pa.gov to find your polling place.

Get to Know Your 30th Senatorial District Candidates In partnership with The Daily News, the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce is providing this article to help you determine which candidate deserves your vote on November 8, 2022. We encourage you to make an informed decision and to get out and vote. In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt “No one will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.” PA Senate 30th District candidates, Incumbent Senator Judy Ward (R) and Carol Taylor (D) were asked to limit their responses to 250 words each for each of the five questions developed by the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee. No changes have been made to their responses. Question #1. How do you plan to encourage business growth in the Commonwealth and what expertise or prior experience do you have to facilitate success in accomplishing that goal?  Judy Ward: “As a former small business owner, I understand the many challenges facing business owners in Pennsylvania. During my time in the legislature, I have promoted job creation by reducing taxes, bureaucratic red tape, and government overreach. I have also fought for state funding for projects in Huntingdon County that have increased access to broadband and have incentivized businesses to expand and hire more workers. The 2022-23 budget utilized $42.3 million in American Rescue Plan dollars to make sure that PA employers weren’t saddled with Unemployment Compensation Tax increases.” Carol Taylor: “I ran my own business, in that running a law office, with staff, overhead, and decisions on investment are all key components to a business of any kind. My parents were small business owners, and I spent my younger years working in the office doing accounting functions. Click here to read the entire article.

Click here for a pdf. Click here to register online.

Click here for event details.

Interested in advertising in our enews? Contact Yvonne at [email protected]. The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations.

November 8th Webinar – eCommerce 101 for Manufacturers November 8th Webinar – Developing a Cybersecurity Budget

Platinum Fulton County Medical Center Shafer Equipment Co. Gold Stern Insurance Agency   Silver Mutual Benefit Group   Bronze Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc. Community State Bank Grier School 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.  Dirtbusters Cleaning Services MCS Bank Interested in learning about becoming a Partner in Excellence? Contact Yvonne at  [email protected]  or 814.643.1110 Packages range from $125 to $1,000.

Graystone Manor Huntingdon Business After Hours December 1, 2022 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. State of the County Address Coffee Connection February 15, 2023 7:45 to 9:00 a.m. Huntingdon Country Club Huntingdon County Night at the Curve Saturday, August 26, 2023 Sporting Clay Tournament September 13, 2023 September 20. 2023 (Storm date) Annual Awards Gala Thursday, October 5, 2023 Trophy Mountain Lodge We are planning our 2023 events. If you are interested in hosting a Business Afer Hours or ribbon cutting please let Yvonne know. ymartin@untingdonchamber,com We are also in the process of planning our seminars. Please let us know if you have specific educational needs.

Download our logo to use on your website. Click the logo for more information. Feel free to link the image on your website to our website, huntingdonchamber.com.

Click here for the flyer.

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.

Webinar: Medical Insurance Market Changes & Updates The local experts at My Benefit Advisor can guide you through the latest market updates, products, and services to help you understand your renewal options for health insurance and/or employee benefits plans. These webinars will provide general information and answer your questions as 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 for one of our upcoming sessions. Agenda Overview of the Insurance Marketplace Renewal Increases Carrier Updates Cost Saving Strategies Employer Resources Tuesday, October 25 – 10:00 am | Register Tuesday, November 1 – 2:00 pm | Register These free webinars are being offered through our partnership with the ChamberChoice Service Corporation.

DEP Small Business Advantage Grant The Small Business Advantage Grant provides reimbursement grants ranging from 50% to 80% of eligible project costs to Pennsylvania small businesses to improve energy efficiency or reduce pollution or waste by upgrading or replacing equipment or supplies; improving processes; or reducing runoff into affected waterways. Maximum grant award amounts will vary from up to $5,000 to up to $8,000, based on the environmental impact of the project and whether the project location is in an Environmental Justice Area in Pennsylvania. Click here for the map. Project work completed on or after July 1, 2022 will be considered for funding. The application period will close when funding is exhausted or on March 24, 2023, whichever occurs first. 2022 Small Business Advantage Grant Program Guidelines    Click here for more information.

BIG NEWS!! It's Small Business Season and we would like to invite you to join us! Small Business Season™ is a free global marketing campaign created to help share the message and educate on the importance of shopping local. Join us! Let's help our community thrive this season! Sign-up here (it's free): https://bit.ly/smallbusinessseasonchambermember

UC Fraud and UC-1099G Tax Forms https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-treatment-of-unemployment-compensation Victim of unemployment fraud? Criminals using stolen identities filed claims for unemployment compensation in other people's names. Because unemployment compensation is taxable, state unemployment agencies submit Forms 1099-G to individuals in whose names and Social Security numbers the unemployment compensation was paid and to the IRS. Victims of fraud who receive Forms 1099-G with inaccurate amounts of unemployment compensation in Box 1 should notify the state agencies of the inaccuracies and request corrected Forms 1099-G. The Department of Labor details www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/UIIDtheft. Taxpayers should only report income they actually received on their tax returns. Do not report income you did not receive. The IRS offers tax guidance to victims at https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-theft-and-unemployment-benefits. More Information IR-2021-71, IRS to recalculate taxes on unemployment benefits; refunds to start in May IR-2021-81, IRS reminds U.S. territory residents about U.S. income tax rules relating to pandemic unemployment compensation New Exclusion of up to $10,200 of Unemployment Compensation

The Chamber's Membership & Marketing Committee is looking for some people to join the committee and help develop more ways we can support our members. If you would like to learn more about the committee, please contact me at [email protected].

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. Download our 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 receive 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.

Looking for more ways to promote your business? Tag the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce in your Facebook posts and we will share them on the Huntingdon, PA - Promotions & Activities page. This page is followed by more than 4,000 people and it is free advertising for you.

Resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce The U.S. Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources. 10 Steps to Host a Vaccine Clinic  Public-Private Partnership Best Practices for Vaccine Distribution Generalized Overview of the Requirements to Host a Vaccine Clinic  The Best Ways for Employers to Promote COVID-19 Vaccines  Mask Guides: Recommendations for Wearing and Selecting  How to Select a Mask Graphic COVID Vaccines Digital Resources Center Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans COVID-19 Vaccines FAQ Federal Unemployment Assistance Proposals: State Impact Comparison Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness Reopening Business Digital Resources Center Reopening Business Digital Resources Center Toolkit Small Business Reopening Playbook Main Street Lending Program Guide State-Specific Guidance Map Backgrounder on Health Coverage Options Backgrounder on Unemployment Insurance Under the CARES Act Independent Contractor's Guide to CARES Act Relief Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist Temporary Paid Leave and Family Medical Leave Guide Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program Guide Employee Retention Tax Credit Guide Coronavirus Small Business Guide Coronavirus Response Toolkit

Click here for access to timely 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. Learn more

Contact Us Yvonne Martin President/ CEO [email protected] Mathue Nissley Program Director [email protected] 500 Allegheny Street Huntingdon, PA 16652 Phone: 814-643-1110 Fax: 814-643-1115

Stay Connected Chamber Website ‌ ‌ ‌ Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation.

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