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2025 Industry Tours
We were honored to once again host educators from across our region for this year’s Industry Tours!
Our morning began at ACCO Brands, where we explored their rich history in Huntingdon County, learned about their current workforce needs, and got a fascinating look at how they create their world-famous products.
Next, we visited Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, where we heard about an exciting new venture that will have a major impact on Huntingdon County. Their team shared valuable insights on the positions they’re seeking to fill and the skills needed to join their workforce.
We wrapped up the day at Westminster Woods, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch before touring their beautiful facility and learning about the wide variety of career opportunities available there.
We’re so grateful to each of our host sites for their warm hospitality and open, honest discussions about local workforce needs. Our participating educators found the experience incredibly valuable as they prepare students and adult learners to enter today’s workforce.
A special thank-you to our participating institutions:
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center, Huntingdon County Career & Technology Center, Juniata College, Mount Aloysius College, PA CareerLink Huntingdon County, Penn State Altoona, and Saint Francis University.
And of course, an extra shoutout to our Industry Tours Committee for organizing this meaningful experience year after year. We’re already looking forward to next year’s tour!
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Important Alert!
We've been alerted that the fundraising platform GoFundMe Pro recently created donation landing pages for millions of American nonprofits without their permission, causing widespread concern.
You may want to check your nonprofit's name against the GoFundMe search engine to see if a page was created, and if so, follow the steps in the article below to either official claim the page or notify the GoFundMe support team to have it removed.
Please see the article about this here:
GoFundMe created a page for my nonprofit-what should I do? - Heller Consulting
| | DEADLINE TO REGISTER APPROACHING! | | |
PA Budget Impasse Remains as Lawmakers Dig in Heels on Education, Health Spending
Zack Hoopes, PennLive
October 22, 2025
Pennsylvania's 16-week-long budget impasse will grind on for the foreseeable future, as the Republican-controlled state Senate this week passed another flat-funded budget that Democrats described as half-baked. Senate Democrats expressed dismay that Republicans were treading over the same ground they were in August, when the Senate GOP passed a budget bill nearly identical to the one that passed Tuesday on a party-line vote. Republicans said they were justified in holding their ground given the gap between the state's projects revenues and Shapiro's desire spending levels, saying that Democrats' previous compromise offers didn't bring expenditures down enough to make a meaningful dent in the deficit. The budget bill that passed the Senate on Tuesday would appropriate $47.9 billion from the general fund - the state's main operating account - for the 2025-26 fiscal year, which began July 1 with no spending authorizations in place. This is effectively the same budget as last year's, which passed at $47.6 billion but also saw overages in areas like prison costs.
To continue reading this article, please click here.
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Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau Launches Fund to Help Draw Tourism in Winter
HUNTINGDON, PA - October 23, 2025 - The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau (HCVB) today announced the launch of the Winter Tourism Stimulus Grant Program, a new initiative designed to catalyze the creation of novel events, unique experiences, and targeted marketing campaigns during the county's non-peak season.
The grant aims to increase visitor traffic and, critically, drive overnight stays in Huntingdon County between January 1st and March 31st, 2026.
Eligible applicants, including local for-profit tourism businesses, non-profit organizations, and municipal governments, can apply for funding up to $20,000 per project. The program requires all applicants to provide a minimum of 25% financial match.
"Our goal isn't just to have a great winter season this year, it's about building a sustainable winter tourism market that lasts," said Matt Price, HCVB Executive Director. "We are specifically looking for projects - whether new events events or expanded offerings - that include a clear, credible plan for financial self-sufficiency in subsequent years without relying on future HCVB funds. This infusion of cash is meant to ignite long-term growth and diversify our year-round economy."
To continue reading this press release, please click here.
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PA Senate Passes Permitting Transparency Bill
Justin Sweitzer, City & State PA
October 22, 2025
A day after tensions flared during a debate over the state budget, Senate lawmakers voted in bipartisan fashion to approve legislation that would bring more transparency to the state's permitting processes. The state Senate voted 28-22 to pass Senate Bill 6, a bill that would require state agencies to create public online tracking systems for sate permits - and allow third parties to review permit applications. The bill had the backing of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry. In a memo sent to Senate lawmakers on Wednesday, Amy Brinton, the chamber's director of government affairs, said the bill will improve the state's ability to process permits by fostering better communication between agencies, allowing for a third-party review of permit applications and deeming permits approved when agencies fail to meet deadlines and refer applications for third-party review. Following the bill's passage, PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein said it was a "major step toward ensuring that Pennsylvania's permitting process supports economic growth."
To continue reading this article, please click here.
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We recently joined fellow Chambers from across Pennsylvania and the nation in signing a coalition letter to both the U.S. House and Senate, opposing several bills that seek to prohibit arbitration and class action waiver provisions.
Arbitration has long served as a fair, efficient, and cost-effective way to resolve disputes - benefiting both businesses and individuals. The coalition letter highlights that eliminating arbitration would primarily advantage class action attorneys, while leaving consumers and employees with fewer practical, accessible options for resolving their concerns.
As always, we're proud to stand with our peers to support policies that promote fairness, efficiency, and balance in the business community. To read the full letter, please click here.
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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.
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Budget & Legislative Update
Coffee Connection
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
Huntingdon Country Club
Business After Hours
Thursday, November 11, 2025
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Stuckey Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Seminar: Designing Space for Humans: How community principles help attract, retain & empower every generation
Thursday, November 13, 2025
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Comfort Inn
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Talent Discovery Workshop
Friday, November 14, 2025
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
Huntingdon County Career & Technology Center
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 29, 2025
State of the County Address
Coffee Connection
Thursday, February 19, 2026
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
Huntingdon Country Club
Women's Conference
Friday, March 13, 2025
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location TBA
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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.
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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.
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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.
MEMBERS may download our logo to use on your website. Click the logo for more information.
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Looking for more ways to promote your business?
| | Huntingdon, PA Promotions & Activities | | Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation. | | | | |
