Deadline Approaching Quickly!
Join as we recognize our "Premier Member of the Year" and
"Outstanding New Member"
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Help Us Recognize Deserving Businesses and Individuals
Nominations are being sought for the following awards:
David K. Goodman Jr. Community Service Award - sponsored by Huntingdon Elks Lodge #976
Business of the Year Award - sponsored by Valley Rural Electric
Customer Service Award - sponsored by Bonney Forge Corp.
Educator of the Year Award - sponsored by Juniata College
Entrepreneurial Success Award - sponsored by Keller Engineers
Volunteer of the Year Award - sponsored by Arize Federal Credit Union
The ATHENA Leadership Award is sponsored by:
TEAM Chevrolet, Buick, GMC
Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc.
Grier School
Lincoln Caverns, Inc. and Whisper Rocks
MJEM’s Photos
World Marketing of America, Inc.
MiCamp Solutions LLC
Hickes Associates, Inc.
Stern Insurance Agency
Awards will be presented at our October 7 Annual Awards Gala.
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Membership renewal invoices were mailed last week for July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Please let us know if you didn't receive yours. [email protected] or [email protected]
We appreciate your continued support!
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Hold the Dates!
Annual Membership Luncheon - August 19 from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
New Event! Disc Golf - September 1
Sporting Clay Tournament - September 15 at 3:00 p.m.
Date Change! Budget & Legislation Luncheon - October 1 from 11:45 to 1:00 p.m.
Annual Awards Gala - October 7
Additional events and event details can be found later in this e-news.
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Partners In Excellence
Platinum
Fulton County Medical Center
Shafer Equipment Co.
Gold
Stern Insurance Agency
Silver
Community State Bank
Mutual Benefit Group
Bronze
Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc.
Orbisonia Hardware, Inc.
Royal
BottomLine Pros LLC
Culbertson Commercial Cleaning Service
FirstEnergy Corporation
Helpmates, Inc.
Jeff Tate Paving, Inc.
Juniata College
Keller Engineers
Lincoln Caverns, Inc. and Whisper Rocks
McDonald's
MDB Drafting & Design
Stiffler, McGraw and Associates, Inc.
Interested in learning about becoming a Partner in Excellence?
Packages range from $125 to $1,000.
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Employment Survey Results
Thanks to all of you that completed our recent employment survey. Here’s a quick overview of the results.
The overwhelming majority of those completing the survey are not having trouble getting employees to return to work. There seems to be more of an issue with this across the country than there is in Huntingdon County. Employers are having trouble finding new employees, which is no surprise to us. Half of those responding say that finding employees was also an issue for them before COVID.
Out of those responding that they are having difficulty finding new employees, half of those attribute it to the extra $300 a week unemployment compensation. The other half of the respondents cite lack of specialized training and experience as hindering their ability to hire.
Those with open positions have as many as forty-five openings. There is a pretty equal split of full-time and part-time positions available. There is also a wide range of salaries and hourly rates being offered for open positions, and contrary to what we’ve heard, many of the positions that can’t be filled pay very well. To attract employees, many businesses are offering increased wages. Some are offering sign-on bonuses, increased benefits, and flexible hours.
When asked what the Chamber can do to help them find employees a few respondents asked that we help them advertise their openings. This is a good time to remind you that you can post jobs on our website, huntingdonchamber.com. We have been promoting that section of our website via Facebook. The issue of the inability of some employers to offer healthcare benefits was also mentioned. Some things have recently changed, so watch for more information about an upcoming webinar with speakers that will share that information. The webinar is on September 21 at 9:00 a.m.
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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.
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DEADLINE SOON: Ben Franklin’s $50,000 BIG IDEA Contest
Ben Franklin Technology Partners, an award-winning, tech-based economic development program, is offering emerging entrepreneurs and small manufacturers the opportunity to participate in our fun, risk-free $50,000 BIG IDEA contest. In the past few years – maybe because of the popularity of the TV show, Shark Tank - there has been a growing interest in pitch competitions by the private sector, economic development professionals, and just regular folks who have an idea for an innovation that could turn into a business opportunity. So, why do most people enter Ben Franklin’s BIG IDEA Contest?
Because they want to win! Since the contest’s inception, nearly $2 million in cash prizes have been awarded throughout the program’s 32-county footprint in central and northern Pennsylvania. Winning up to $50,000 will go a long way in helping infuse a startup with much-needed cash. But, the pitch experience gained, the training offered, and the contacts made are worth every bit as much as the prize money.
If you have not received Ben Franklin funding, won a prize from either a previous contest or a TechCelerator Startup Boot Camp, and you currently do not have more than $500,000 in sales, you are eligible to apply!
But don’t wait! The deadline to apply is August 23, 2021 at 5 p.m.
For more Information, contact:
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Missed an issue of our Enews?
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Annual Membership Luncheon
Huntingdon Country Club
August 19, 2021
11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Disc Golf Tournament
Sunset Golf Club, LLC
September 1, 2021
12:00 p.m. Check-in
1:00 p.m. Start
5:00 p.m. Dinner
Sporting Clay Tournament
Shenecoy Sportsmen Club
September 15, 2021
September 22, 2021 Rain Date
2:15 p.m. Registration
3:00 p.m. Shoot
Member Benefit Webinar: Save Money on Energy and Health Insurance
September 21, 2021
9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
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Business After Hours
Arize Federal Credit Union
September 21, 2021
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Legislative Luncheon
Sunset Golf Club, LLC
October 1, 2021
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Annual Awards Gala
Huntingdon Country Club
October 7, 2021
5:30 p.m. Reception
6:00 p.m. Dinner
Hold the Date:
Spring Jam
April 3, 2022
2022 Administrative Professionals Luncheon is Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
"Highway to Rock" Concert
featuring Live Wire
May 21, 2022
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COVID-19 Vaccines at Penn Highlands Healthcare
Vaccine sign up now available. Per the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Penn Highlands Healthcare is vaccinating any Pennsylvanian ages 12 and above. Please call the PHH Vaccine Information Line at 814-503-4735 to sign-up or by visiting www.phhealthcare.org/vaccine to schedule a vaccine. If have questions, please call the PHH Vaccine Information Line at 814-503-4735 Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
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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 received 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.
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Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC):
Step by Step instructions with a CPA
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Member Restaurant Information
We are are providing the following to make it easier to support local restaurants. Click the restaurant name to view their menu. Those in bold are offering curbside pickup.
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Looking for more ways to promote your business?
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U.S. Chamber Pandemic Relief Resources:
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Pandemic Webinar Recordings - You can view the Chamber’s webinars explaining the new pandemic relief bills from late December and early January. They've uploaded the recording from this week here, plus the accompanying slides here, and you can find the recording from our December discussion here.
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Resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources.
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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.
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Contact Us
Yvonne Martin
President/ CEO
MacKenzie Huntsman
Program Director
Phone: 814-643-1110
Fax: 814-643-1115
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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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