Thank you for being a member and supporting the work the Chamber does for businesses and the community. A renewal reminder has just been mailed to those of you who have not yet renewed. We realize that times are difficult, so please contact us at 814-643-1110 if you would like to set up a payment schedule.
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Message from a Community Member
Last week we received the nicest message from a member of our community and we thought we'd share a portion of it with you.
We found so many activities and ideas and because of that the boys suggested that we send a virtual thank you note :-) thank you so much!... They love the virtual tours -- they're both really into animals and nature so the zoo sites & web cams are awesome!...
With everything going on in the world we wanted to pay it forward and put positivity out there, so we thought we'd share another useful resource with you, just like you helped us!! Ben & Luke did some research together and found this awesome page for Virtual Field trips from Home."
These young men found this additional resource we will be adding to that page once it is updated and live again. We often receive words of appreciation, but these in particular made our day. It's so nice to see our youth giving back to others,
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On Monday, October 18 we participated in Industry Tours at John R. Wald Company, Superior Huntingdon Composites and E B Endres Inc. We had representatives from Juniata College, Penn State Altoona, Mount Aloysius College, Saint Francis University, PA CareerLink Huntingdon County and Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center attend to talk to local employers about their needs for students about to enter the workforce. Thanks to CareerLink for helping us plan this event.
We plan these tours yearly, so if you would like your business to be one of the tour hosts, please contact Yvonne at ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com
or 814-643-1110.
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Information in the articles below was one topic of discussion during our meeting this morning with the PA Chamber and other Chambers across the state. We will continue to monitor this and keep you informed.
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Higher wages, sick pay now attached to
Pennsylvania’s incentives
In a stalemate with lawmakers over raising the minimum wage or requiring companies to have paid sick leave, Gov. Tom Wolf said last week that he will impose those requirements on companies getting loans, grants, or tax breaks from the state. The minimum wage that incentives-receiving companies must pay is $13.50 an hour, rising to $15 an hour on July 1, 2024, under an executive order signed by Wolf. State contractors already must pay that amount, under a prior executive order Wolf signed in 2016. The sick pay requirement has no required time frame attached to it. The state annually budgets for tens of millions of dollars in grants, loans, and tax breaks for companies that make certain promises to expand in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania’s minimum wage has been set to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour since 2009 when Congress last increased it. Since Wolf took office in 2015, he has urged the Republican-controlled Legislature to increase the minimum wage, without success amid GOP opposition. Currently, 29 states have set minimum wages above the federal minimum, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Thirteen states have enacted laws to require paid sick leave, the NCSL said. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have approved their own ordinances to require it of companies doing business in those cities.
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PA Chamber Urges Thoughtful, Inclusive Process for Developing Far-Reaching Workplace Proposal
PA Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf announcing a series of executive orders impacting employers and the workplace.
"We appreciate the governor’s intent and urge his administration to solicit input from employers to help avoid unintended consequences.
For example, requiring strict wage and benefit standards for employers to qualify for state aid may not impact larger corporations but could pull critical lifelines from small businesses already struggling through pandemic and workforce crises.
The governor has also called for public shaming of employers who violate labor laws. We certainly support holding accountable those who skirt the law, harming employees and creating an unfair advantage over law-abiding competitors. At the same time, policymakers should recognize that violations are often unintentional and eventually remedied. Employment laws and regulations are notoriously complicated; such as similar federal and state laws that include subtle differences creating what’s known as the 'compliance trap.'
The governor mentioned employers owing unemployment compensation back taxes, but some may not even be aware they owe, especially after the chaos of the last year and a half. We would hope a public list of 'bad actors' only includes companies who violate the law and willfully fail to comply after exhausting appeals or any administrative resolution process.
We look forward to working with the administration as it further develops these policies."
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As you begin thinking about holiday shopping please consider purchasing Chamber Bucks gift certificates that can be redeemed at several local businesses. They can be purchased from the Chamber office at 500 Allegheny Street, Huntingdon in any denomination. Call ahead (814-643-1110) and we will have them ready for you to pick up.
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Huntingdon County Added to the Federal
Major Disaster Declaration
Huntingdon County has been added to the federal major disaster declaration for Public (municipal) Assistance for damages from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida, August 31- September 5, 2021.
Twelve municipalities and municipal authorities have reported a total of an estimated $350,000 in damages and costs.
FEMA/PEMA will be conducting Applicant Briefings via WebEx next. Each applicant municipality or municipal authority must register for one of the times that the briefing will be presented. The briefing will give applicants information on the program, process and the FEMA Grants Portal which must be used to apply.
Although Huntingdon County EMA has provided administrative support to municipalities to enter damages in the statewide computer system for initial eligibility, each municipality will need to continue the process through the FEMA Grants Portal.
Information on the WebEx schedule and registration details will be forwarded to affected municipalities by the EMA Office via email as soon as it is available.
Huntingdon County has been added to the disaster declaration for Public (municipal) Assistance only.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced that Private, Non-Profit Organizations in Huntingdon County are eligible to apply for SBA Disaster Loans for damages caused by Ida.
Examples of organizations eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans include food kitchens, museums, libraries, community centers, schools, and colleges.
The SBA had previously announced that businesses and residents in Huntingdon County are eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses and most non-profit organizations.
Any non-profit, business, or individual in Huntingdon County who would more information and to apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan should call the FEMA toll-free hotline at 800-621-3362.
Huntingdon County is not included in the disaster declaration for Individual (property owner/ resident) Assistance because the total amount and extent of private damages and costs from this storm did not meet a federally-required threshold.
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On Saturday, October 16 the Leadership Huntingdon County Class of 2022 had fun during the scavenger hunt field trip. Classmates were divided into groups and visited different parts of the county. We often hear that people have lived here all their lives and discovered things they didn't know during the scavenger hunt.
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Interested in advertising in our enews?
The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations.
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Partners In Excellence
Platinum
Fulton County Medical Center
Shafer Equipment Co.
Gold
Stern Insurance Agency
Silver
Mutual Benefit Group
Bronze
Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc.
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.
NEW: Dirtbusters Cleaning Services
Interested in learning about becoming a Partner in Excellence?
Packages range from $125 to $1,000.
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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.
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Burkes Outlet Ribbon Cutting
November 4, 2021
8:00 a.m. Chamber Member Preview
8:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting
First Center Business After Hours
November 18, 2021
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Hold the Dates:
Spring Jam
April 3, 2022
2022 Administrative Professionals Wednesday, April 27, 2022
"Highway to Rock" Concert
featuring Live Wire
May 21, 2022
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Huntingdon County Night at the Curve
August 6, 2022
8th Annual Sporting Clay Tournament
September 14, 2022
September 21, 2022 (storm date)
We are starting to plan our 2022 events. If you are interested in hosting a Business Afer Hours or ribbon cutting please let MacKenzie know. mhuntsman@untingdonchamber,com
We are also in the process of planning our Dale Carnegie, Google, Human Resource, and other seminars. Please let us know if you have specific educational needs.
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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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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.
Show your membership pride and that you are a repitable business. Download the Chamber logo to use on your website. Click the logo for more information.
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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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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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