March 10, 2023

2022 Community Improvement Award Recipients

Huntingdon County Planning Commission and the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce presented five Community Improvement Awards at the Planning Commission’s dinner on March 9. Those representing the award recipients are, from the left, Barry Slusser (Bluegills Bar & Grill) Alisha Grove (Mount Union Area Community Garden), John Kearns (Huntingdon County Arts Council), Susan Simpson (Huntingdon County Arts Council) Susan Wentzel ((Huntingdon County Arts Council), Kathy Jones (Huntingdon Landmarks) and Mike Sines (Bobcat of Huntingdon). Click here to read about the award recipeints.

Click here to print the form.

Click here to print the forrm.

Governor Shapiro's 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget in Brief Click the graphic to for a pdf of the Governor's proposed budget.

Governor’s 2023-24 Budget Proposal On March 7th Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his first Budget Address, outlining key public policy priorities and summarizing his proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. The following are initial highlights of particular relevance to the PA Chamber and broader employer community: Budget Proposal Overview The total proposed spending is $44.4 billion, which represents an 8 percent (or $3.3 billion) increase over last year. This does not include over $930 million for the State Police the governor proposes moving to a new fund. Including these funds would bring the year-over-year increase to over 10 percent. Proposed Changes in PA Tax Structure The governor noted the bi-partisan efforts last session to phase down the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNI) from 9.99 percent to 4.99 percent by 2031, and said that “while the work that you began is critically important, we need to speed up these cuts.” While his budget document does not reflect an accelerated phase-down of the CNI, he asked the legislature “to work together to do just that.” The governor called for a refundable tax credit program for newly certified nurses, police, and teachers equal to $2,500 per year for three years to attract and retain workers in these fields. While he called for eliminating the sales tax and gross receipts tax on cell phones, which would save $62 million, he also called for increasing the 911 surcharge from $1.65 to $2.03, which would generate an additional $54 million. He also called for an increase in the income limit for Property Tax Rent Rebates from $35,000 or less for homeowners and $15,000 or less for renters to $45,000 or less for both, which would expand the program to an additional 173,000 seniors and persons with disabilities. The income limits would also be indexed for inflation. Click here to read the entire article. The Chamber will be following the proposed budget discussions and will update you on things that affect your business.

Penn National Insurance offers dividends to Chamber members. Contact Brown & Walters Insurance Agency, Inc at 814-447-5568 or Jack H Port Agency at 814-643-6310 or 814-542-2514.

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.

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

Elected Officials Reception Wednesday, April 12, 2023 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Gage Mansion Bed & Breakfast Administrative Professionals Luncheon Wednesday, April 26, 2023 noon - 1:00 p.m. Huntingdon Country Club 2023 Golf Tournament July 26, 2023 Huntingdon County Club Huntingdon County Night at the Curve Saturday, August 26, 2023 Altoona Curve Sporting Clay Tournament September 13, 2023 September 20. 2023 (Storm date) Shenecoy Sportsman 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 to print 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.

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] Lorena LaGroue Program Director [email protected] 500 Allegheny Street Huntingdon, PA 16652 Phone: 814-643-1110 Fax: 814-643-1115 www.huntingdonchamber.com

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.

‌