January 16, 2026

The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce we're recruiting for our Leadership Huntingdon County Class of 2027!

This is your opportunity to grow, connect, and make a lasting impact right here in Huntingdon County.

Our Leadership Huntingdon County program offers a hands-on, immersive experience featuring lectures, discussions, site visits, teamwork, and real-world problem solving. Participants gain insight into key areas shaping our community, including:

• Economic Development
• Health Care
• Local Government
• Human Services
• Tourism, Arts & Culture
• Education
• Criminal Justice
• Diversity
• Grant Writing

Program highlights include a Kick-Off Reception in August, a September retreat, fall and spring field trips, and monthly morning sessions through May.

Applications are now open! Request, complete, and submit your application by July 31, 2026.

If you're ready to strengthen your leadership skills, expand your network, and help shape the future of Huntingdon County, this program is for you.

To review the tentative schedule, click here.

To see the brochure with more details, click here.

For your application, click here.

Small Business Benefits That Deliver Big Impact

Many small businesses assume competitive benefits are out of reach due to cost. The reality is that some of the most effective benefit programs aren't the most expensive...they're simply the most intentional. For employers with limited budgets, the goal shouldn't be to match Fortune 500 benefit plays, but to focus on offerings that employees genuinely value and use.

One of the highest impact benefits is flexibility. Flexible scheduling, hybrid work options, and generous PTO policies consistently rank among the top drivers of employee satisfaction, often at little to no direct cost. For many employees, flexibility can outweigh higher salaries elsewhere.

Another powerful option is financial wellness support. Benefits such as student loan repayment assistance, emergency savings programs, or access to financial coaching help employees manage real-life stressors. Even modest contributions or educational tools can significantly improve engagement and retention.

Mental health resources are also increasingly important. Expanding Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), offering virtual counseling, or providing mental health days sends a clear message that employee well-being matters. These programs are often affordable and widely appreciated.

Small businesses can also benefit from offering voluntary benefits, such as accident insurance, critical illness coverage, or pet insurance. While these benefits are typically employee-paid, they enhance the overall benefits package and give employees more choice without increasing employer costs.

Finally, clear communication can amplify the value of every benefit offered. Simple benefit summaries, short videos, or manager talking points help employees understand and appreciate what's available to them.

In today's competitive labor market, small businesses don't need the biggest benefits budget to compete. By focusing on flexibility, well-being, financial support, and communication, employers can build benefits programs that punch well above their weight.

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.

Keystone Grit: What Pennsylvania Business Owners Say Really Drives Success

Timothy Alexander, MyChesCo

January 14, 2026

As inflation, labor shortages, and economic uncertainly continue to buffet small and mid-sized companies, a new survey suggests Pennsylvania business owners are holding fast to something far more enduring than quarterly profits: a deeply rooted business culture built on identity, skill, and long-term trust. A study by financial media company MarketBeat, based on responses from 3,002 business owners, found that the single most valued trait of doing business in Pennsylvania is the state's strong regional identities - a patchwork of local cultures that shape how commerce is conducted from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and everywhere in between. Those regional differences, the survey found, are not seen as a weakness but as a strength, reinforcing industries ranging from life sciences and healthcare to engineering and manufacturing. Behind that defining trait came four others that together from what many responders described as the backbone of Pennsylvania's commercial character: deep pools of skilled and specilized labor, a culture rooted in long-standing industries, a long view toward stability and legacy, and a practical, process-oriented approach to running a business.

To continue reading, 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