October 21, 2022

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

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.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO UPDATE YOUR LISTING! Information update forms were mailed to the main contact for each member a few weeks ago. If you have changes you must submit your form, or log in to your account on huntingdonchamber.com to make changes. Your business will be listed categorically in our printed Community Profile and Membership Directory, which is mailed to all Chamber members, handed out to residents and tourists who visit our office and distributed at select Chamber events. This directory is also produced electronically and shared on our website. Your business is also listed categorically in our rack card size directory.

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

Interested in advertising in our enews? Contact Yvonne at ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com. The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations.

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  ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com  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) 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 ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com 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.

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 ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com.

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 ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com Mathue Nissley Program Director mnissley@huntingdonchamber.com 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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