May 15, 2026

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

Congratulations to D & A Grove Construction, LLC and Michele L. Snyder Grove on being recognized as the 17th fastest-growing women-owned/led company in the nation by the Women Presidents Organization as part of its prestigious 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies ranking.

This outstanding achievement highlights the company’s continued growth, leadership, and commitment to excellence within the construction industry. Under Michele’s leadership, D & A Grove Construction, LLC has demonstrated innovation, dedication, and a strong commitment to both clients and community, earning national recognition among an impressive group of women-led businesses across the country.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Michele and the entire D & A Grove Construction team on this remarkable honor and wish them continued success in the years ahead.

Pa. Supreme Court Holds Municipal Stormwater

Charge is a Tax

National Law Review

May 12, 2026

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently issued a significant decision affecting how municipalities fund stormwater management programs. In Borough of West Chester v. Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, the Court held that a municipal stormwater "fee” was, in fact, a tax, with implications for how these programs can be structured and funded. In 2016, the Borough of West Chester adopted a “stream protection fee” to fund its stormwater management system, including infrastructure maintenance and compliance with federal and state environmental requirements. The charge applied to developed properties and was based largely on the amount of impervious surface (e.g., buildings, pavement) on each property. West Chester University and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) refused to pay, arguing the charge was a tax from which they are immune. The Supreme Court agreed and held that the stormwater charge is a tax, not a fee for service. As a result, PASSHE and the University are not required to pay.

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The True Cost of Healthcare: It’s More Than Premiums

When employers evaluate their health benefits, the conversation almost always starts, and ends, with premiums. While those costs are highly visible, they represent only a portion of the true financial impact. The bigger, less obvious costs often go unmanaged.

Healthcare doesn’t just affect your balance sheet; it directly influences how your workforce performs every day.

Absenteeism is the most recognizable factor. Employees dealing with unmanaged health conditions, delayed care, or financial barriers to treatment are more likely to miss work. But even more costly is presenteeism—when employees are physically present but not fully productive due to health issues, stress, or fatigue. This silent drain on performance often exceeds the cost of absenteeism yet rarely shows up in traditional reporting.

There’s also the impact on retention. Benefits that feel expensive, confusing, or difficult to access can lead employees to seek opportunities elsewhere. In a competitive labor market, healthcare isn’t just a cost, it’s a key component of your value proposition as an employer.

And then there are downstream financial effects. Poorly managed plans can lead to higher utilization of emergency services, increased specialty drug spend, and delayed diagnoses that result in more complex and costly treatments over time.

The takeaway is simple: focusing solely on premiums provides an incomplete picture. A high-performing benefits strategy looks at total impact—cost, utilization, employee experience, and long-term outcomes.

Employers who take this broader view are better positioned to make informed decisions. By improving access to care, supporting employee engagement, and monitoring trends throughout the year, they don’t just manage costs, they improve performance. Because in the end, the true cost of healthcare isn’t just what you pay, it’s what it prevents, what it enables, and how it shapes the health and productivity of your organization.



The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at hccc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Craig Pritts at (800) 377-3539.

Interested in advertising in our enews?

Contact MacKenzie at mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com.

The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations. Yearly rates are available.

If you are hiring, please send position information to mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com or login to the member section of our website to post your jobs.

Contact Us

MacKenzie Huntsman

President/ CEO

mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com

Trinity Smith

Program Director

trinity@huntingdonchamber.com

500 Allegheny Street

Huntingdon, PA 16652

Phone: 814-643-1110

Fax: 814-643-1115

www.huntingdonchamber.com