The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce office will be closed Monday, November 17th through Wednesday, November 19th as chamber staff travel to Seven Springs for the annual Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals Leadership Conference. If you need to contact us during this time, please call and leave a voicemail or send us an email. Our access will be limited but we will get back to you as soon as we can. The chamber office will reopen at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 20th. | | |
Gov. Shapiro Signs $50.09 Billion State Budget to End 135-Day Impasse
Ford Turner, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
November 12, 2025
After a political standoff that lasted more than four months, Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday afternoon signed a $50.09 billion state budget for 2025-26 that had just passed through the House and Senate in rapid-fire fashion. The 156-47 approval vote in the House, the 40-9 approval vote in the Senate, and the Shapiro signing in a packed reception room all happened within a span of four hours - contrasting greatly with the preceding 135-day stalemate. Features of the spending plan that were highlighted by legislative leaders included a continued boost in K-12 education spending toward a fair level; removing Pennsylvania from a multi-state climate compact; major reforms to the state-issued permit process; and creation of a new "Working Pennsylvanians" tax credit. The proposed budget deal that emerged early this week appeared to flow from an extended series of meetings involving House and Senate leaders and the administration.
To continue reading this article, please click here.
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Wednesday evening, we were honored to host a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Business After Hours for Stuckey Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram's brand-new facility - and what a celebration it was!
The new building is absolutely stunning and represents a tremendous investment in Huntingdon County. Guests were greeted with a warm welcome from Matt Stuckey and the Stuckey team, followed by a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem performed by the Juniata College Choir - a perfect way to begin this special Veterans Day event!
Before cutting the ribbon, we took a moment to honor and recognize our veterans for their service and sacrifice. Once the ribbon was officially cut, guests enjoyed a delicious meal, toured the impressive new facility, connected with the Stuckey crew, and networked with fellow professionals from across the community.
A heartfelt thank-you to the entire Stuckey team for hosting such an incredible evening. We're thrilled to welcome them to Huntingdon County and look forward to working together to continue strengthening our community for years to come.
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2025-26 PA State Budget Win
We're excited to share - not only did PA lawmakers finalize the 2025-26 PA state budget earlier this week - it focuses on children and early education workforce investments. Specifically, the budget includes a new Child Care Teacher Recruitment and Retention line item funded at $25 million!
With the continued uncertainty of how decisions at the federal level will impact future state budgets, this outcome is no small accomplishments. Local chambers of commerce played a pivotal role in this direct workforce support for the child care sector. We're proud to partner with and continue this collaboration to ensure every family has the care they need to work and every business has the employees they need to grow.
For some perspective, this new line item represents:
- A landmark investment: A brand new, recurring line item in our state budget specifically for child care recruitment and retention. This is the first new line item in early care and education since 2007 - an extraordinary accomplishment.
- Another critical step towards solving this crisis: These investments in child care and pre-k will begin to reverse the exodus of early educators as they provide a direct benefit to tens of thousands of teachers and other professional staff.
- A victory against the odds: Securing this funding in a challenging fiscal environment demonstrates the power of our persistence and collective voice.
- An official recognition of the profession: This investment is much more than the line item or amount of money in it, it is a clear acknowledgement of the invaluable role early educators have in the lives of children, families, in our communities and for our economy.
- A stronger coalition moving forward: We have been part of an effective coalition that will continue to work on solving the child care crisis.
This is the fourth consecutive state budget in which lawmakers have acted to help solve the access and affordability crisis affecting child care for working families but this is the first investment aimed directly at fixing the workforce crisis.
The 2025-26 PA State Budget Includes:
- $25 million in additional funding for child care ($25 million in the new Child Care Recruitment and Retention line with level funding in the Child Care Services and Child Care Assistance line items).
- $9.5 million in additional funding for the state's Pre-K Counts program.
- Level funding for the Head Start Supplement Assistance Program.
- $13.2 million increase for the Early Intervention Part C (infant and toddler) program through DHS, with $10 million of these funds allocated for a rate increase for providers.
- $28.5 million increase for the Early Intervention Part B (age three to five) program through PDE.
We're grateful to the Schuykill Chamber of Commerce team for leading the way with this incredible work and we're proud to advocate with them.
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On Wednesday morning, we had the distinct pleasure of joining the Frank P. Hommon Post No. 24, American Legion for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the installation of their new elevator!
This long-awaited project has been years in the making and will make a tremendous difference in ensuring that veterans and their families can more easily access and enjoy all that the Legion has to offer.
It was and offer to attend their Veterans Day Breakfast, connect with guests, and hear firsthand how meaningful this improvement is to the community it serves.
Congratulations to the Frank P. Hommon Legion on this wonderful achievement - a true investment in accessibility, service, and care for our local heroes.
Ribbon Cutting Picture Photo Credit goes to Joe Thompson, The Daily News
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On November 12th, we proudly joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—along with 214 national associations and state and local chambers across the country—in calling on Congress to take immediate action to reopen the federal government.
You can read the letter by clicking here.
You can read a press release from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by clicking here.
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PA Chamber Statement on Passage of the State Budget
PA Chamber
November 12, 2025
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Luke Bernstein today issued the following statement following passage of the 2025-26 state budget and related policies and code bills: "This budgets agreement contains several major victories the business community has long fought to achieve that will enhance our state's overall economic competitiveness. Meaningful permitting reform is a huge step in the right direction and builds upon last year's success, while exiting the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will provide much-needed clarity and encourage energy development and investment. This represents important progress for Pennsylvania. We also applaud the continuation of additional pro-growth tax provisions, including maintaining the phasedown of Pennsylvania's corporate net income tax and the gradual increase of net operating loss deduction limits, as well as key investments to support workforce development. However, the agreement contains a tax provision that will make Pennsylvania less competitive by discouraging research and development investment into the Commonwealth, though we are encouraged that language was included that requires the Department of Revenue to review the provision's impact, which should inform policymaking going forward."
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On Thursday morning, we had the pleasure of partnering with McCartney's Workplace Solutions to host and insightful seminar, Designing Space for Humans: How Community Principles Help Attract, Retain, and Empower Every Generation.
Together, we explored four major macro shifts reshaping the modern workplace and discussed how transforming traditional offices into vibrant "workplace districts" can foster stronger community, boost productivity, and enhance engagement across all generations.
As new talent enters the workforce and seasoned professional navigate ongoing change, creating spaces that emphasize inclusivity, connection, and well-being has never been more important.
A sincere thank-you to McCartney's Workplace Solutions for leading this timely and thought-provoking session!
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New $193M Tax Credit a 'Hand Up' for
Working Pennsylvanians
Eric Schiccitano, CNHI
November 13, 2025
Pennsylvanians eligible for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit will find a boost in their claims in the upcoming filing season after a state-level credit was authorized as part of the commonwealth's new budget. The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit provides an additional 10% based on a qualified filer's federal return, or up to an extra $805 based on the maximum federal credit available. The new credit, now included in the Fiscal Code, is eligible beginning with the 2025 tax year. It was adopted Wednesday as part of Pennsylvania's $50.1 billion budget for 2026-26. The program is expected to return $193 million to Pennsylvanians. The Senate Democratic Caucus expects the credit to be claimed on more than 800,000 returns. Efforts to enact the tax credit were bipartisan. The Earned Income Tax Credit is income-based, among other basic qualifications. A married couple filing jointly and claiming three children or qualifying relatives for the 2025 tax year could earn no more than $68,675 to qualify. The income limit for a single person with one claimant is $50,434.
To continue reading this article, 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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Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 29, 2025
W.I.S.H. (Where Is Santa Hiding?)
Saturday, December 6 - Saturday, December 13, 2025
Various Locations in Huntingdon County
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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. | | | | |
