January 30, 2026

Shapiro's Annual Budget Address to be Held Next Week

George Stockburger, Harrisburg ABC 27

January 28, 2026

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro will hold his annual budget address on February 3, 2026. The address, which serves as the governor's "State of the State" speech, comes just 83 days after the $50.01 billion 2025-26 budget was signed into law four months past due. We've gotten a lot of stuff done in our first three years - and it's working, said a post on the governor's Facebook page. "Pennsylvania is on the rise. Next week, I'll share my plan for how we can build on that progress." The budget included a new tax credit for the working poor, expanded income tax credits to fund scholarships, millions in increased funding for education, and funding for new State Police cadet classes. Also, included in the budget was a deal pushed by Republicans to withdraw the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which Republicans argued was a tax on businesses. The $7.5 billion rainy day fund was also untouched; however, Republicans say the state has a $3 billion deficit. Major issues not settled in the recent budget were legalizing marijuana and regulations on skill games. Pennsylvania's Office of the Budget is also under new leadership after Uri Monson stepped down in December 2025. Shapiro appointed Zachary Reber to fill the role as of December 15.

To watch the Governor's Budget Address on February 3, please click here.

February 2026 PA Municipal & Nonprofit Leaders Funding and Resource Newsletter

From the office of Senator Judy Ward:

In an effort to keep local governments and non-profits informed about potential funding resources, attached (Click here for the newsletter) is the February 2026 PA Municipal & Nonprofit Leaders Funding and Resource Newsletter containing information on current funding opportunities that you may find useful. Here are a few noteworthy programs currently open for applications:

Community Conservation Partnership Program - Open Now, Closes April 30

Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program - Open Now, Closes March 13

Dollar General Literacy Foundation - Closes February 5

PennDOT Multimodal Grant Program - Closes Feburary 13

Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) - Closes February 24

Veterans Service Organization Grant - Closes February 27

Keystone Historic Planning and Construction Grants - Closes March 2

For additional information on a particular funding program, links are provided in the newsletter. If you have any additional questions on these or other funding opportunities for your projects, please feel free to contact Michele Ivory in my Hollidaysburg Office (814-695-8386 or mivory@pasen.gov) or John Breneman in my Lewistown Office (717-210-5700 or jbreneman@pasen.gov). Thank you!

Juniata College Career Day

Does your organization offer internships, research opportunities, shadowing programs, or full-time positions for recent college graduates?

They invite you to take part in Juniata College Career Day to connect with motivated and talented students eager to make an impact.

Ways to participate:

• Represent your organization at the career fair.
• Invite a hiring manager or HR representative to attend.
• Share this opportunity with your colleagues.

Juniata Career Day Information:

• February 27, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Last year, more than 400 students and 120 employers attended the event
• Fortune 500 Companies, Penn Business Journal's "Best Places to Work in PA" award winners, as well as other national and international companies, were among those registered
• NO CHARGE for an employer table/booth
• FREE Lunch for employer representatives

Registration information can be found here: Www.juniata.edu/careerday 

Fiscal Office Warns of PA's Looming Budget Shortfall

John Finnerty, State Affairs

January 29, 2026

The state Independent Fiscal Office is warning that if Pennsylvania's government spending continues to outpace revenue, that state's Rainy Day Fund will be cut in half as the state confronts a structural deficit topping $5 billion in the 2026-27 fiscal year. The warning comes days before Gov. Josh Shapiro is set to release his proposed spending plan for 2026-27. Shapiro's fourth budget address is set for Tuesday and comes less than three months after the governor signed his third budget. The 2025-26 budget was delayed more than four months as Shapiro and lawmakers wrangled over how to balance the spending plan without new taxes or other forms of revenue. Shapiro had proposed legalizing adult recreational use of marijuana and taxing skill games - slots-like video games found in convenience stores and bars. However, neither of those proposals were included in the 2025-26 budget. The IFO is estimating that when the current fiscal year ends, the state will have a $732 million in the general fund balance and $7.7 billion in the Rainy Day Fund. Unless lawmakers and the governor reach a deal on some kind of plan to generate additional revenue, the general fund balance will likely be wiped out and the Rainy Day Fund would be reduced to $3.1 billion after 2026-27.

To continue reading this article, please click here.

We're beyond thrilled to announce our inaugural Women's Conference presented by Geisinger, Leading As You Are: Confidence in Leadership and Life, focused on encouraging authenticity, confidence, and courage in leadership.

The conference will take place on Friday, March 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Ellis Hall Ballroom at Juniata College. (We thank Juniata College for their partnership on this event!)

As we prepare for this exciting event, we are seeking businesses and organizations interested in investing in the professional development of women. This conference will bring together women from across our community for a full day of inspiration, learning, and meaningful connection - and your support can help make a lasting impact.

We would the opportunity to partner with you and highlight your commitment to leadership, growth, and community engagement. Sponsorship opportunities offer visibility, connection, and the chance to directly support women as they lead in business, organizations, and life.

Thank you for considering being part of this impactful event. We look forward to connecting with you.

Please click here for the full pdf version of the investment package.

We invite you to join us as we co-host for another year of Community Improvement Awards and to celebrate the accomplishments of the Huntingdon County Planning Commission during 2025.

The Annual Dinner Meeting of the Huntingdon County Planning Commission will be held Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Greenland's Lodge. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. for a networking reception and cash bar, followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. The menu includes: a salad bar, roast beef, turkey, mashed potatoes, beef gravy, gourmet vegetable blend, dessert bar, and beverages.

The Planning Commission will host the Annual Meeting at 7:30 p.m. with the presentation of their Annual Report, 2025 Community Improvement Awards presented in partnership with the Chamber and Kish Bank, and guest speaker, Bradley Esposito.

The cost is $35 per person.

Payment must be submitted prior to the event in the form of cash or check to:

The Huntingdon County Planning Department (HCPDD)

205 Penn Street, Suite 3

Huntingdon, PA 16652

RSVP by February 9, 2026 via email to planning@huntingdoncounty.net.

The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce, Huntingdon County Business and Industry and Huntingdon County Arts Council are working together to promote "Raystaurant Week," February 21-March 1, 2026. To participate, a restaurant, food truck or caterer need not be a member or partner of any of the organizations, but must agree to participate in at least one of the theme days. Participation does not necessarily mean offering discounts, but rather featuring daily special menu items or partnering with another entity to do cross-promotion that fit the day's theme, as well as providing a check-in incentive provided through the campaign to your customers when they come to your restaurant during the week.

HCVB will be featuring paid advertisements for Raystaurant Week in The Daily News, WTAJ-TV, and on Seven Mountains Media and Quick Rock radio stations that will drive customers to a landing page on Raystown.org featuring all of the week's participants. Several of the media outlets will also offer opportunities for each participating restaurant to purchase advertisements at a cooperative discount rate to feature their own establishment.

This is the second year coordinating a restaurant week promotion, and our target market is locals and travelers within 50-100 miles of Huntingdon County. We know some of these questions might involve other members of your staff, so the form is set-up so you can come back to it and edit as needed.

If you own or represent multiple restaurant locations, please complete one form for each.

Grants available to host entertainment and more

The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau (HCVB) Winter Tourism Stimulus Grant is designed to encourage the development of new or enhanced visitor experiences, events and targeted marketing campaigns that specifically attract tourism activity and overnight stays during the non-peak season (defined as January 1st through March 31st).

The primary goal of this grant is to diversify the county's tourism offerings and increase wintertime occupancy and visitor spending, thereby strengthening the year-round economic resilience of the hospitality sector.

Questions?

Feel free to contact any of the following get your questions answered!

Matt Price, HCVB Executive Director

mprice@raystown.org

Lissy Kinder, HCVB Director of Marketing & Digital Engagement

lissy@raystown.org

Christa McGeary, HCBI Entrepreneur Coach

cmcgeary@hcbi.com

MacKenzie Huntsman, Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO

mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com

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