CHAMBER NEWS

You're invited! Celebrate the opening of Summit Community Bank's new 5th Avenue location at the Chamber's February Business After Hours. For over 140 years, Summit Community Bank has been proudly serving local communities in West Virginia and beyond, and they're excited to host a night of networking, good food, and good times!

This week, we're diving into a buzzworthy topic that has become a household phrase in the world of sports – Name, Image, and Likeness, commonly known as NIL. Joining us is Dave Allen, the Director of Community Relations for Par Mar Stores. In the wake of the opportunities that Name, Image, and Likeness have offered to student-athletes, Par Mar has stood at the forefront, collaborating proudly with talents across the region. We'll discuss the benefits and challenges it brings, and gain insights into Par Mar's experiences working hand-in-hand with universities and student-athletes.

Thank you to Reeves Kirtner, Kindred Communications, and presenting sponsor, Moses AutoMall of Huntington.

Tune in on Apple, Amazon, and Spotify!

Huntington Young Professionals hosted their first luncheon of the year on January 25 with Sarah-Frances Lyon of Edit with SF. Sarah-Frances shared the art of organization, time management, and how to create work and personal spaces that foster success.

Are you a young professional age 21-45? Sign up to receive news and upcoming HYP events!

In case you missed the news, FedEx and UPS have increased their 2024 rates by an average of 5.9%. Here's what you need to know:

• While the average rate increase is 5.9%, your actual costs are likely higher and will vary based on package specifics and the services you use.
• Don't forget about surcharges; most of these have also seen a significant uptick this year.

As two of the top trusted shipping providers for businesses, this increase could have a big impact on your daily operations. 

Luckily, we have good news - you can leverage our membership benefits to combat these rising costs. We’ve partnered with Excelerate America, a national GPO, to bring you discounts of up to 50% off on FedEx shipping services. These top-tier savings will help significantly undercut rate increases at no additional cost to you.

Learn more about the program and register for free to access these exclusive discounts.

Congratulations again to our Greater Huntington Candy Cane Trail $1,000 grand prize winner, Lynne Bailey!

A special thank you to our 2023 sponsors; Dynamic Restoration LLC, Peoples Bank, Huntington Bank, Kindred Communications, Kindred Digital, and 93.7 The DAWG.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thank you to all the ladies who signed up for the Galentine's event! Be sure to keep an eye out for upcoming WIN events!

Lazy, technology dependent, complainers, irresponsible – all words used to describe Generation Z. Lindsey (Millennial) and Vincent (Gen Z), Marshall Rec full time employees, together have experience supervising up to 200 part time Gen Z employees. In this presentation, they will go over the intricacies of managing Gen Z employees in the contemporary workplace. While the reputation of this generation is low, Gen Z has unique perspectives, strengths, and expectations as employees that we can all appreciate and learn from. Equip yourself with the tools needed to navigate and thrive in the evolving landscape of managing Gen Z in the workplace!

Lunch & Learn series generously sponsored by Ohio Valley Bank.

Registration opening soon!

MEMBER NEWS

Congratulations to one of our new members, CORE Health Centers - East Huntington, on their grand opening, located at 2240 5th Ave Suite 201 in Huntington!



With 22 clinics across West Virginia and Kentucky, CORE Health Centers offer complete Chiropractic and Wellness programs designed to provide non-narcotic, non-surgical solutions for pain relief and rehabilitation. Services available include; adjustments, kids chiropractic, sports injury care, auto accident care, massage therapy, x-rays, prenatal chiropractic, and more.

Through January 31, CORE Health is offering a complete spinal exam for $30, normally $350.

Advantage Valley commissioned a 10 county regional housing study to assess the availability and affordability of housing across the spectrum of household incomes. With recent increased economic activity and announcements in the region, the study was commissioned to better understand the region’s evolving housing market and attract and encourage residential development to meet current and future housing needs. 

Get ready for the encore performance of the year! Join us for an unforgettable evening and watch Developmental Therapy Center’s Local Celebrity Lip-Sync Battle Encore Performance, featuring Barry Burgess of Suttle & Stalnaker, Toney Stroud, Chief Legal Officer/VP for Strategic Engagement at Marshall University, Jimmy Lundy, owner of Specialty Systems Electric, and Brad D. Smith, President of Marshall University, as Hometown KISS!

This incredible showcase, scheduled for February 10, 2024, is part of the Developmental Therapy Center's 23rd Annual Valentine Celebration, and it's not just a performance—it's a mission! By attending, you're supporting the DTC's commitment to providing access to special instruction services and occupational, physical, and speech-language therapy for children and adults in our community, regardless of age, income, or geographic location.

Make your reservation now and be part of the magic! Your presence not only promises a night of laughter, music, and fun but also contributes to making a positive impact on the lives of those in our community.

Illness and injury are especially worrisome for our little ones. That's why Valley Health Systems, Inc. is thrilled to announce the expansion of its QuickCare for Kids pediatric services at our East Huntington Health Center 3377 US Route 60, Huntington, 25705, conveniently located on Route 60 between Huntington and Barboursville near Walmart. Beginning Monday, January 29, Valley Health providers will see patients regardless of their pediatrician or primary care provider seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on weekends. Additionally, the East Huntington pharmacy will be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., enabling patients to pick up prescriptions right after their visit.

Foundry Theater Receives $28,000 in ARPA Funds 🎭

Huntington City Council members Bob Bailey, DuRon Jackson and Mike Shockley have committed $28,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Foundry Theater.

The funding will be used to enhance the nonprofit organization’s outreach efforts and continue its mission of cultural offerings at the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium at Huntington City Hall. 

Established in 2021, Foundry Theater is a live performance and entertainment venture operating within the Jean Carlo Stephenson Auditorium. The nonprofit organization is focused on providing a new platform for the creative arts scene in Huntington and the greater Appalachian region.

In its short time of operation, Foundry has hosted The Good Time Show, concerts with the Huntington Symphony Orchestra, the Appalachian Film Festival, live podcasts and more. For more information about Foundry and upcoming shows, visit www.foundrytheater.org.on.

The City of Huntington received $40,628,967 in ARPA funds in 2021. The funding is meant to help communities across the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Each of Huntington City Council’s 11 representatives was designated with $100,000 in ARPA funds to distribute to community projects that qualify under the guidelines of the American Rescue Plan Act. 

Comedian John Crist wrapped 2023 as a Top 10 Worldwide Comedian (Pollstar). He spent the last year on his Emotional Support Tour, which he extended into 2024, and today, Crist adds 10 more dates to the tour including a stop here in Charleston at the Municipal Auditorium on June 6. He’ll perform his signature clean, yet no-holds-barred brand of comedy, offering hilarious commentary on all of life’s important topics. 

COMMUNITY NEWS

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Monday Morning Memo is Generously Sponsored by

Thank You to Our Trustee Member

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Please note that the deadline for submissions for "In the News" in the Monday Morning Memo is at 

4 p.m. each Wednesday for inclusion the following week. Submitted items will only appear one time in the memo unless discussed and agreed upon with Chamber staff.

Email all submissions to Rebecca Kasey, Director of Marketing, at rebecca@huntingtonchamber.org.

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