August 18, 2023

Career Readiness Grants Available Employers eager to improve Pennsylvania's talent pipeline should know about a new federal grant opportunity recently announced by the U.S. Department of Education. The Department’s Career Connected High School Grant program provides for schools, higher education institutions, and job creators to implement career-connected programs during students' final two years of high school and the first two years of postsecondary education. This also includes career exploration, dual enrollment, work-based learning, and the attainment of industry-recognized credentials. The notice inviting applications is available here. Further details about the application process, deadlines, and a pre-application webinar will be forthcoming. The PA Chamber Foundation encourages all interested employers to contact their partners in secondary/postsecondary education to find out more. For assistance, please contact the PA Chamber Foundation at ebolden@pachamber.org.

We had such an amazing time yesterday at our Annual "State of the Chamber" Luncheon yesterdat at Westminster Woods! Delicious French food followed by crepes made as requested. We congratulate the award recipients! Bobcat of Huntingdon received the Outstanding New Member award, and Kish Bank was honored with the prestigious Premier Member of the Year Award. A thank you to everyone who joined us at this memorable event. Your presence made our Annual Membership Luncheon truly special. Here's to another year of growth, connections, and success! Thank you to our sponsors! Preesenting Sponsor: Community State Bank Centerpiece Sponsor: Geisinger Award Sponsor: Keller Engineers, Inc. Award Sponsor: FirstEnergy Corp. Supporting Sponsor: Mutual Benefit Group, Kish Bank, Juniata College, Westminster Woods, My Benefit Advisor, Arize Federal Credit Union, UPMC Home Health Patron Sponsor: Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center, MiCamp Solutions, Huntingdon Vision Center, Tuscarora Rigging Inc., Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, Fulton County Medical Center

A Special Thanks to Our Award Sponsors:  David K. Goodman Jr, Community Service Award - Huntingdon Elks Lodge # Business of the Year - Valley Rural Electric Corp.  Customer Service - Bonny Forge Corporation Educator of the Year - Juniata College Volunteer of the Year - Arize Federal Credit Union Entrepreneurial Success Award - Cassville Country Store Click here for the nomination form. ATHENA Award Sponsors: TEAM Chevrolet, Buick, GMC Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc. Community State Bank Amanda Jenkins State Farm Agency Arize Federal Credit Union Lincoln Caverns, Inc. and Whisper Rocks MiCamp Solutions, LLC MJEM’s Photos World Marketing of America Stern Insurance Agency Click here for the ATHENA Award nomination form. Click here for the list of past award recipients. The nomination deadline is August 29!

Broadband Plan Approved The Commonwealth’s plan to distribute $1.16 billion in federal funds to build and expand broadband infrastructure was unanimously approved by members of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority on Thursday. PBDA member and State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R-Somerset), called the plan’s advancement “a huge step forward,” although it must still await federal approval before any funding can be allocated. Read more.

Interested in advertising in our enews? Contact Yvonne at ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com. The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations. Yearly rates are available.

Huntingdon County Night at the Curve Saturday, August 26, 2023 Altoona Curve Sporting Clay Tournament Wednesday, September 13, 2023 Wednesday, September 20. 2023 (Storm date) Shenecoy Sportsman Annual Awards Gala Thursday, October 5, 2023 5:30 reception; 6:00 dinner Trophy Mountain Lodge Breakfast and Briefing with Congressman Joyce Wednesday, October 11, 2023 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. Huntingdon Country Club Comfort Inn Business After Hours Wednesday, December 6, 2023 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Comfort Inn Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon (Come celebrate your employees and co-workers) Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Noon to 1:00 p.m. Huntingdon Country Club

MEMBERS ONLY: 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 ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com 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

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. MEMBERS may 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.

Contact Us Yvonne Martin President/ CEO ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com Lorena LaGroue Program Director lorena@huntingdonchamber.com 500 Allegheny Street Huntingdon, PA 16652 Phone: 814-643-1110 Fax: 814-643-1115 www.huntingdonchamber.com      Huntingdon, PA Promotions & Activities ‌ ‌

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.

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