August 14, 2026

The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 17th Annual State of the Chamber Membership Luncheon at Westminster Woods yesterday. The event brought Chamber members and community leaders together for an afternoon of fellowship, celebration, and reflection as we look toward the future.

Guests enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the Westminster Woods team and musical entertainment from Take Note. Huntingdon County Commissioners Scott Walls and Patrick Reeder helped open the luncheon by leading attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, the luncheon highlighted Pennsylvania’s and Huntingdon County’s important role in our nation’s history. We were honored to hear from local history experts Lonnie Smith, Jr., Director of the Swigart Auto Museum, and Margaret Skrivseth, Executive Director of the Huntingdon County Historical Society, who shared insights into our community’s connection to our nation’s story.

The luncheon also provided an opportunity to celebrate the Chamber’s accomplishments from the past year and share goals and priorities for the year ahead.

We concluded the event by recognizing two outstanding Chamber members. Checker’s Grill received the Outstanding New Member Award, while PA CareerLink Huntingdon County was honored as the Premier Member of the Year. We congratulate both recipients and thank them for their continued support of the Chamber and our community.

A special thank-you goes to our generous sponsors, whose support helps make events like this possible. We are grateful to everyone who attended, participated, and contributed to making this year’s State of the Chamber luncheon a memorable celebration of our community and its bright future.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor - Altoona-Blair County Airport & Contour Airlines

Centerpiece Sponsor - Penn Highlands Huntingdon

Outstanding New Member Award Sponsor - Keller Engineers

Premier New Member Award Sponsor - Mutual Benefit Group

Supporting Sponsors - Arize Federal Credit Union, Hometown Pub, My Benefit Advisor, Shoe Sensation, Tuscarora Rigging and Westminster Woods

Patron Sponsors - Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau, Huntingdon Vision Center, Lincoln Caverns, Inc. & Whisper Rocks, PA CareerLink Huntingdon County and Team Chevrolet GMC

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

Trump Admin Ditches Small Business

Reporting Mandate

Andy Medici, Philadelphia Business Journal

August 12, 2026

The Trump administration has finalized a rule that scraps efforts to require small businesses to report ownership information. Millions of small businesses had originally been mandated to report so-called Beneficial Ownership Information, such as names and addresses of owners, as part of the Corporate Transparency Act passed by Congress in 2021, or face potential fines. The requirement, which was supposed to kick in Jan. 1, 2025, was subjected to a series of court battles. On March 2, 2025, the Treasury Department announced it would not enforce a subsequent deadline for any American-based small business and would not enforce any penalties or fines for businesses that did not report that information. This week, the agency issued a final rule that removed the reporting requirement entirely for American companies — and it also deleted all Beneficial Ownership Information it had already collected under the law. But it is ultimately unclear if the Treasury Department has the authority to ditch the requirements altogether.

To continue reading this article, please click here.

The Productivity Dividend of Better Benefits

Employee benefits are often evaluated based on cost, utilization, or annual renewal increases. However, one of the most important measures of a benefits strategy may be its impact on workforce productivity.

Employees who struggle with physical health issues, financial stress, or access to care often bring those challenges to work. Delayed medical treatment, unmanaged chronic conditions, and concerns about healthcare costs can contribute to absenteeism, distraction, and reduced performance.

Conversely, employees who have access to affordable healthcare, preventive services, mental health resources, and financial support programs are often better positioned to remain healthy, engaged, and productive. The result is a workforce that is more focused, resilient, and capable of performing at a higher level.

This productivity dividend can be difficult to measure directly, but its impact is real. Improved attendance, lower turnover, greater engagement, and higher employee satisfaction can all contribute to stronger organizational performance.

Many employers increasingly recognize that benefits are not simply an expense to manage. They are an investment in the workforce itself. By supporting employee well-being and reducing barriers to care, organizations can create value that extends well beyond healthcare costs.

In today’s competitive labor market, better benefits may not only improve employee health but also improve business performance.

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.

Prepare for the 2027 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15th through December 7th

Will your Medicare plan still meet your needs? AEP is the time to make changes to Medicare Advantage plans and Part D (prescription) plans, if needed.

• Be sure to review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from your insurer for details about changes to your plan for the upcoming year.
• Review premiums and copays for 2027.
• Check for possible network changes to your providers and hospitals.

2027 Part D (Prescription) Updates:

• Maximum out-of-pocket cap: $2400
• Deductible: $700

For more information, visit www.mybenefitadvisor.com/medicare.

My Benefit Advisor is a licensed health insurance agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the government or Federal Medicare Program.

It's hard to believe it's already time to begin planning for our Annual Awards Gala! This year's celebration will take place on October 8 at Trophy Mountain Lodge, and we're currently seeking sponsors for our prestigious ATHENA Award and Volunteer of the Year Award.

The internationally recognized ATHENA Award honors an individual who demonstrates professional excellence, community leadership, and a commitment to empowering and mentoring women in their pursuit of leadership and career success. ATHENA sponsors receive recognition in all event publicity, the Awards Gala program, and during the award presentation.

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a Chamber member who has gone above and beyond in service to the Chamber, exemplifying dedication to our mission and supporting our members. The award sponsor will be recognized in all event publicity and the Awards Gala program, have their name featured on the award, and be invited to present the award during the Gala.

If your business is interested in supporting one of these meaningful awards while gaining valuable community recognition, please reach out to MacKenzie at mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com.

The Chamber is accepting nominations for the Awards that will be presented at the October 8, 2026 Annual Awards Gala. Seven awards will be presented to outstanding businesses, organizations and members of our community.

David K. Goodman Jr. Community Service Award

This award recognizes an individual or organization who has demonstrated exemplary dedication of time or resources for the betterment of the community. This award is sponsored by Huntingdon Elks Lodge #976.

Customer Service Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize a business for their excellence in providing quality customer service. This award is sponsored by the Bonney Forge Corp.

Business of the Year 

The purpose of this award is to recognize a business which has contributed to the economic growth of the community and has helped to develop Huntingdon County. This award is sponsored by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Educator of the Year 

The purpose of this award is to recognize an active educator in the county who has demonstrated "above and beyond" commitment and service in the field of education. This award is sponsored by Juniata College.

Entrepreneurial Success Award 

The purpose of this award is to recognize a community member who has been in business for a minimum of three years, who individually owns and operates a business initially launched as a small business who has shown innovation and aided in the advancement of the community. This award is sponsored by Cassville Country Store and Restaurant.

Volunteer of the Year

This award recognizes a Chamber member for “above and beyond” service to the Chamber. This individual must be a Chamber member or work for a Chamber business and demonstrate support of the mission and goals of the Chamber. Sponsor needed.

ATHENA Award 

This Award is presented to a woman or man who is recognized for professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

Please help us recognize a deserving individual for this prestigious world-wide award. Responses to the questions asked on the nomination form can be submitted either on the form or a word document. August 21 is the nomination deadline.

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Arize Federal Credit Union

Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc.

Community State Bank

Homewood Living Martinsburg

Lincoln Caverns, Inc. & Whisper Rocks

MJEM’s Photos

Team Chevrolet GMC

Click here for the ATHENA Award Nomination Form.

Click here for the form to nominate in the other categories.

Click here for the list of past Award Recipients. 

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