Chamber Award Honorees, Falling Leaves, and More News You Can Use

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TGI Friday Good Newsletter

October 23, 2020

The Chamber is pleased to announce our

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

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: CareerLink

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AWARD: Shirley’s Cookie Company

SERVANT LEADERSHIP: Announcement Coming Next week

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. Oct. 28th, 2020

Mental Health Awareness

in the Workplace

Jennifer Christman

Three Wire Systems/MyAdvisor

During these challenging times, there's no more important topic in the workplace than mental health. Jennifer Christman discusses tips for mental health and company culture, as well as resources to discuss with your team.

FUTURE POWER HOUR PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

Nov. 4 - Sherri Dunlevy - How to Design a Life you LOVE

Nov. 11 - Karen L Weiss - Why Ask Why:

Motivation and Goal Setting

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

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.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR OUTLINES FALL EVENTS & MUCH MORE....

The Chamber is pleased to share our Community Calendar with you! Contact us with events to add. PLEASE NOTE: lots of activities are planned for October weekends in spite of Fall Foliage being cancelled for 2020.

BEDFORD COUNTY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

What are your #bedfordcountyoutdoors plans?

News Release

Sponsorship Info

FREE GOOGLE Online Trainings

The Bedford County Chamber is proud to be a

Presenting a series of seminars to help you

GROW YOUR BUSINESS:

Using Data to Drive Growth - Introducing Google Analytics

Nov. 10th: 10:30am - 11:30am

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Description: Learn best practices, Google Analytics and analyze trends about how customers are interacting with your business online, then turn these insights into well-informed, actionable decisions.

In this session we’ll introduce talk about:

Identifying business goals and how you plan to use your online presence to achieve them
Incorporating data into your marketing plan
Selecting tools to help you find the answers you need
Intro to Google Analytics and how to use this tool to make better business decisions

Socially Distant - Family Friendly

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & EVENTS

NEW Sponsorships Available

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.

Thank you to our sponsors to date:

Click for Sponsorship & Display Information

COMING ATTRACTIONS...

Drive-In Movie Season Finale on Halloween:

DRIVE-IN TICKETS

Special thanks to these amazing partners

who made the building project possible!

Thank you to our sponsors to date:

Bedford Grange Mutual

Insurance Company

Knisley & Sons

Everett Cash Mutual

Bedford Fall Foliage Festival

Bedford/Hyndman Family Health Centers

UPMC Health Plan

Somerset Trust Company

Coldwell Banker SKS Realty

Larry Gilman Direct

Omni Bedford Springs Resort

Bedford Elks Lodge

New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc.

PA National Guard

Movie Night Sponsors:

ACM Bedford County Campus

Allstate Burchfield Agency

ALSM Children's Services

Bedford County Players

Bedford Moose Lodge 480

Bedford Sunrise Rotary

Bucher-Wallace Insurance

Bullington Financial Services

CFA/Bedford County Endowments

Clearidge Event Center

Edward Jones (Leigh Shank & Brian Jeffries)

First Choice in Home Care

First Peoples Community FCU

Fisher's Pharmacy

Hometown Bank

Homewood at Spring House

Chana Shaffer - Howard Hanna Bardell Realty

Vickie Lemley - Howard Hanna Bardell Realty

Interstate Emergency Services

Juniata Realty

M&T Bank

Michael Meehan State Farm

RWR Insurance

Personal Solutions, Inc.

Shetter Insurance

Thomas Subaru

Trendz Design & Print Studio

United Way of Bedford County

Thank you to our drive-in

construction & design partners:

Bedford County Fair

Bedford County Speedway

Ace Builders

Bedford REC

Clark Contractors & Construction Group

Coughenour Engineering

Creative Pultrusions

Fastenal

Golden Rule Hardware

HenderSon Painting & Line Striping

Knisely & Sons

Sherwin Williams

SKE Designs & Signs

Neff & Associates Engineering

Scott Electric

Soaring Eagle Productions

Steltek Graphics

Trendz Design & Print Studio

True Value - Bedford

YBC Bedford/Everett

Music/Movie Night Sponsors:

Lynn Ashe

Pennwood Ophthlamic Associates

Timber Ridge Chiropractic

Additional Contributions from:

Harry A. Snyder Insurance

Morningstar Trucking

Adelphoi

Women of the Moose

United Way Bedford County

Additional sponsors, materials and support will be needed. If you would like to be involved in this unique community project, call Kellie: (814) 623-2233

or cell: (814) 937-8049.

COVID-19 RESOURCE HUB

FOR BUSINESSES

Helping PA businesses come back stronger than ever

Virtual Event

Thursday, October 29th

1:00-2:00 p.m.

FREE TO ATTEND!

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Bedford County CARES Grant Program Round 2 Now Open for Small Business, Tourism and Non-Profit Organizations

The Bedford County Commissioners have opened up a second round of funding for small businesses and eligible non-profit organizations. Please review and complete the information below by October 30, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.

LEARN MORE

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

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

October 23 - GIYB Congressman Joyce Luncheon

October 30 - Ribbon Cutting for new Corporate Hangar - Bedford Co. Airport

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

Ribbon Cutting Celebration

New Corporate Hangar

Friday, October 30th - 11:00 a.m.

Bedford County Airport

Do you have something to celebrate?

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

feel like home.

Visit Our Website

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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