Chambers Urge Lawmakers to Improve PA’s Business Competitiveness and Permitting Process
The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce joined the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry and other chambers across the state to send letters to Governor Shapiro and members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly in support of policies to improve our business tax competitiveness and permitting reform.
While lawmakers came together in a bipartisan effort to advance significant tax reform during the last session, there is still more to be done to increase Pennsylvania’s tax competitiveness. We’ve asked that lawmakers improve the treatment of Net Operating Losses (NOL), which will allow employers to offset tax liability losses from the previous year. Pennsylvania is one of two states that are below the federal limit of 80%. Our 40% rate is a deterrent to doing business in PA. Twenty-five states have no cap at all.
A major tax reform goal was realized last session through the enactment of Act 53, which allows the reduction of Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Tax (CNI). At 9.99 percent, PA had the second-highest rate in the nation. Now at 8.99 percent, PA’s CNI is set to be phased down gradually each year until the rate reaches 4.99 percent in 2031 – but should we really have to wait nearly a decade to realize the full benefits of this reform? We are urging legislators to accelerate the phasedown to keep jobs in PA, and to increase investment and economic opportunity. Once the phasedown is complete in 2031 and Pennsylvania reaches a 4.99 percent CNI rate, a Tax Foundation analysis shows Pennsylvania will leap from 44th in corporate tax structure to 27th. In terms of overall competitiveness, Pennsylvania will have improved from 29th place to 17th, and will have gone from the second highest CNI rate in the nation to the eighth lowest, based on current rates.
Continue reading the article here.
Read the tax reform letter here.
Read the permitting reform letter here.
|
|
We are looking for real-world examples of issues you have had with the permitting process. Please share those with me at [email protected]
|
|
Still not sure who you want as your County Commissioners? Watch the forum video and read the candidate essays here.
|
|
Please Return Your Ballots!
Each member should have received a ballot with ten names of potential members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Only one ballot was mailed per Chamber Member. Please take a minute to vote for your choices. You may choose ten. Ballots must be returned by May 30, 2023. Write-ins are welcome. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors in the future, please email Yvonne at [email protected]
|
|
Now Recruiting for the Leadership Huntingdon County
Class of 2024!
|
|
World Kinect purchases large quantities of electricity and gas on the open market at a discounted rate, then passes the savings along to
members of the local buying group, which is only open to Chamber members. You could save hundreds, and possibly thousands, of dollars on your annual utility bills through this program.
|
|
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?
Packages range from $125 to $1,000.
|
|
Interested in advertising in our enews?
The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations. Yearly rates are available.
|
|
Are You America's Top Small Business 2023?
The U.S. Chamber is proud to recognize the very best in American small business.
Beginning this year, our reimagined America's Top Small Business awards (formerly Dream Big Awards) honor the achievements of small businesses and highlight their contributions to America’s economic growth.
“Small business owners across the country embody the values of America, including a strong work ethic, a commitment to innovation, and a spirit of service. Their entrepreneurship and resilience contribute immeasurably to our local communities and national economy,” said Suzanne P. Clark, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “In addition to serving small businesses through policy advocacy, convening entrepreneurs to strengthen their networks and share best practices, and providing valuable resources to help people start, run and grow their business, the Chamber is also proud to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments and inspire the next generation of America’s entrepreneurs.”
Ten small businesses will be named as semi-finalists in seven U.S. regions. Regional finalists will be celebrated at a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber's historic headquarters in Washington, D.C., where one will be named America’s Top Small Business and win a $25,000 cash prize.
|
|
Juniata Reflections Gift Shoppe
Business After Hours
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Family Fest & Car Cruise
Monday, July 3, 2023
Huntingdon Presbyterian Church
508 Mifflin Street, Huntingdon
Car Cruise at 6:00 p.m.
Family Fest 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Anytime Fitness
Business After Hours
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
2023 Bonney Forge and HCCC
Golf Tournament
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Lake Raystown Resort, Lodge and Conference Center
Tri-County Business After Hours
Thursday, August 10, 2023
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
|
|
Annual Membership Luncheon
Thursday, August 17, 2023
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Westminster Woods
Huntingdon County Night at the Curve
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Sporting Clay Tournament
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Wednesday, September 20. 2023
(Storm date)
Annual Awards Gala
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Comfort Inn
Business After Hours
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
We are planning our 2023 events. If you are interested in hosting a Business Afer Hours or ribbon cutting please let Lorena know. lorena@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.
|
|
If you are hiring, please send position information to [email protected] or login to the member section of our website to post your jobs.
|
|
On April 25 we hosted a virtual canidates forum for Huntingdon County Commissioner Candidates. Five of the seven candidates participated. You can find more informaiton here.
|
|
“Double Your Donation 2023”
Huntingdon County Foundation (HCF) is set to kick off a new and different type of program to provide financial support to Huntingdon County non-profit charities. If you like the idea of donations to your chosen charities going twice as far, here is your opportunity! Huntingdon County residents are invited to participate in our “Double Your Donation 2023” Campaign.
The process is simple… (1) Residents choose their preferred non-profit to support from a list of nine enrolled charities. (2) Mail a check, of at least $25.00, made out to Huntingdon County Foundation to our address on the DONOR Form. (3) At the end of the campaign (May 1 thru July 15, 2023), HCF will match your donation, up to $250.00, and forward the total to your chosen non-profit! That’s it! Please visit our web page,
( huntingdonchamber.com/community-foundation) to download the DONOR Form and Information Page which lists the nine enrolled charities and describes all details of the DYD Program. You may also choose to give online using the “Donate” button on the web page.
The non-profit charities enrolled for 2023 are: Hunt. Co. United Way, Hunt. Forum of Churches Emergency Fund, Hunt. Co. Habitat for Humanity, Hunt. Area Food Pantry, Huntingdon House, Hunt. Co. Salvation Army, Mount Union Area Food Pantry, So. Hunt. Area Food Bank, Home Town Hearts (Formerly, Community Soup Kitchen). If you would like to participate, but do not have access to a computer, call our office (814-643-1110) to have a Donor Form mailed to you.
|
|
UC Fraud and UC-1099G Tax Forms
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.
More Information
|
|
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?
|
|
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
Lorena LaGroue
Program Director
Phone: 814-643-1110
Fax: 814-643-1115
|
Huntingdon, PA Promotions & Activities |
|
Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
