SBA Disaster Loans, COVID-19 Information, FREE Tools For Working Remotely & Much More!

Chamber Staff Working Remotely

The Chamber staff will be working remotely and only going to the office as needed until further notice. We can still be reached by calling (814) 643-1110. Please leave a voice message and we will return your call. You can reach us by email as well.

How Leaders Lead Through A Crisis

Dale Carnegie Training and JR Rodgers Associates are presenting "How Leaders Lead Through A Crisis" for FREE! It is a 90 minute workshop. You can self-enroll online at www.centralpa.dalecarnegie.com. There are different times and dates available. Click here for the flyer.

FREE Sequestered Selling Webinar

Moore Power Sales is offering a FREE Sequestered Selling Webinar on "How to keep your head on straight and moving forward in uncertain times" on March 26, 2020 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Click here to register.

State Tax Filing Deadline Extended to July 15

The deadline to file 2019 state personal income tax returns with the Department of Revenue has been extended by 90 days to July 15. The Internal Revenue Service also extended the federal filing deadline to the same date.

All penalties and interest on 2019 personal income tax payments will also be waived through the new deadline. The deadline is also extended for taxpayers who make quarterly estimated payments. First and second quarter payments will be due July 15.

The extension does not apply to local taxes. Community residents are encouraged to check with their local tax collection agency to determine whether local taxes are still due on April 15.

Taxpayers are encouraged to file returns electronically to enable the Department of Revenue to process returns while state offices are closed. Tax returns can be filed for free online through the PAdirectfile system.

Free tax forms and instructions are also available at www.revenue.pa.gov .

Nursing License Requirements Suspended to Support Coronavirus Response

In order to support the ability of nurses to treat patients during the current public health emergency, the Department of State has suspended a number of administrative requirements for nurses.

Registered Nurses and Practical Nurses will not need to apply for extensions of temporary or graduate permits, and all permits that would normally expire during the next 90 days will be extended for an additional 90 days. Temporary nursing practice permits and graduate permits will also be extended beyond one year and extension fees will be waived.

In addition, Registered Nurses, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse Specialists can continue to care for patients if their licenses are currently in renewal and set to expire on April 30. These licenses will be extended for an additional three months.

Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners will also be given the authority to practice to their full capabilities and assist in the coronavirus response without being required to practice within a specific clinical specialty.

Nursing school graduates can also apply for a graduate permit under certain circumstances to assist in the coronavirus response. More details on measures to help healthcare practitioners treat Pennsylvanians affected by COVID-19 are available here .

Extension of CDL Licenses

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has announced that CDL licenses set to expire between March 16 to March 30, 2020, are extended until April 30, 2020. Watch the PennDOT website for further extensions of these dates.

This extension does not apply to Commercial Driver License Medical Examiner’s Certificates (MEC) because this is a federal requirement that PennDOT does not have the authority to waive. Currently, operations that process MEC’s have been suspended, along with other operations of PennDOT, based on the recommendations of the PA Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

PennDOT is able through telework to process MEC’s sent to PennDOT for processing by email at [email protected] and by fax at 717-783-5429. If a CDL holder has recently submitted a MEC using the mail, it is highly recommended that the MEC be resubmitted using the email or fax telephone number above. This will help ensure the MEC is processed timely for the Commercial Driver License holders who have already submitted their Medical Examiner’s Certificate by mail.

URGENT: Request for Donations, Manufacturing of Medical Personal Protective Equipment

As the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the Commonwealth and the nation, there has been much attention paid to the fact that the health care community is critically low on the personal protective equipment (PPE) that will help guard them against contracting the virus as they continue to perform the important work of diagnosing and treating patients.

That's why the PA Chamber is making two urgent requests of businesses across Pennsylvania:

We are imploring businesses that have access to or a supply of N95 masks, eye gear, medical gowns and medical gloves and do not anticipate the need to utilize these items in the near future to donate them to their local hospitals. At the moment, a shortage of these items is resulting in health care providers having to wear the same PPE for hours on end, heightening their risk of contracting the virus. If you are able to assist in this crucial request, please email [email protected] . Any questions may be directed to Joe Tibbs, President of HAPEvolve, who is coordinating the effort on behalf of HAP.

We are urging all businesses that believe they are able to turn their existing supply chain into the PPE output that the health care industry so desperately needs to please contact PA Chamber Government Affairs Director Kevin Sunday at (717) 645-2071 or [email protected].

To continue reading, please click here.

Penn Highlands Healthcare Welcomes Medical Supply Donations

DuBois (March 23) - Penn Highlands Healthcare invites community members and organizations to donate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the region's healthcare system. Penn Highlands will add these supplies to their inventory as the healthsystem enacts preparedness measures in the event that the spread of COVID-19 should pose a threat to our community.

Please click here to continue reading.

Kdan Mobile Offering FREE Tools to Help You Work Remotely

We hope that you're all staying safe and healthy! We're Kdan Mobile, an international SaaS (software as a service) company with an office in Huntingdon County, and we wanted to share our software with everyone at no cost to help make remote working/social distancing as productive as possible.

This link will take you to a signup page we put together that will let you create an account and access the following services:

DottedSign - our electronic signature tool that lets you create and send contracts online and collect signatures while working remotely
Very similar to DocuSign, for anyone that's used that service before
Creativity 365 - 5 tools that make it easy to create digital content for your website, social media, etc. It includes video-editing software, an animation tool, & others
Document 365 - our business software that includes a PDF Reader/editor, online faxing, and other service

We want to do our part to make remote working accessible for everyone. If anyone is looking for support or has questions about using any of the tools, please feel free to contact Joey DiGangi, one of our Huntingdon Team members & a local business owner that can help!

Email: [email protected]
Phone number: 6102486012

Best,

The Kdan Mobile Team

Huntingdon County Strong-Informational Updates During Coronavirus Crisis

We have created a web page for the businesses and residents in Huntingdon County to provide assistance during this time. There is information and resources for businesses and organizations , tools for working remotely to help keep your business running smoothly, information on business hours, closings and news and we information on restaurants that are offering curbside/take-out/delivery options .

If you have information that you would like us to add to this page, please let us know by emailing [email protected] or [email protected] . Please share the Huntingdon County Strong page with others so they have this valuable information as well.

HCCC Member to Member Facebook Page

The HCCC Member to Member Facebook page was created for our members to communicate with each other. This is a great opportunity for you to discuss ideas and issues with fellow members. We have also been sharing information on tools that you can use to work remotely as well as other information and tips during this crisis. We are not sharing this information on the Chamber's Facebook page. The group is a closed group, so if you are not yet part of it just visit the page and request to join. Chamber staff will approve your request and then you can start talking. Please let us know how your business is doing during this time and if there is any other information or resources that you need us to provide. We also post video tips on that page.

Coronavirus and Small Business-Next Steps and Best Practices

Small businesses especially are facing huge challenges during the response to the coronavirus pandemic. Federal and state mandates indicating that many businesses should offer limited service or completely close make it difficult for smaller businesses to remain viable and financially solvent. What are the legal ramifications for small businesses, and what resources are available to help them through these challenges?

WEBINAR HIGHLIGHTS

In response, the Pennsylvania Chamber Educational Foundation is presenting a free 1½ hour webinar as a public service to cover two important areas of information specifically to help small businesses.

First, top business attorneys Andrew Levy and Ursula Siverling of McNees Wallace & Nurick will discuss the legal ramifications facing small business with suggestions on best practices to help them stay viable. Then we have invited a top official from the U.S. Small Business Administration to discuss the resources available to help small businesses from suffering undue hardship. We will discuss:

How the coronavirus has impacted smaller businesses
What employers should be doing now to continue to protect their employees and customers – how do you protect your customers when the “doors” open again, what should you do if a noticeably ill customer shows up, how long do you limit your hours, and more
Best practices small business should continue to follow even when the pandemic finally levels off
Legal ramifications businesses must consider as they begin to get back up to speed
How long some of the modified laws will stay in place that you must comply with – FMLA, ADA, Wage & Hour, more
Business losses covered under insurance
Resources and financial options out there to help small businesses

The speakers will open up the last few minutes of the webinar to answer questions from participants.

Please click here for more information and to register.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available to Small Businesses and Non-Profits Facing Losses Related to COVID-19 to all of Pennsylvania

SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can't be paid because of the disaster's impact.

The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.

SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower's ability to repay.

For more information, please click here.

SBA Implements Automatic Deferment on Existing SBA

Disaster Loans

Today, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced changes to help borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through December 31, 2020, are now automatic. The changes mean borrowers of home and business disaster loans do not have to contact SBA to request deferment.

"The SBA is looking at every option and taking every action to cut red tape to make it easier for small businesses to stay in business. Automatically deferring existing SBA disaster loans through the end of the year will help borrowers during this unprecedented time," said Administrator Carranza. "Today's announcement adds a list of growing actions the SBA is taking to support small businesses." "These actions include making it easier for states and territories to request a declaration so small businesses statewide can now apply for economic injury disaster loans," added SBA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Steve Bulger who oversees the agency's operations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia. "This is another way the SBA is working around the clock to find ways to assist small businesses."

To continue reading, please click here.

The Bureau of Workers' Compensation Health & Safety Division will present the following special webinars in the effort to help keep Pennsylvania workers healthy and safe in these times:

Pandemic Preparedness

March 27, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.

Infectious Diseases

March 27, 2020 at 1:30 p.m.

To register, just click on the date above and you will be automatically re-directed to the event homepage and registration form.

2020 Spring Jam Rescheduled

The 2020 Spring Jam has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 14 at the Huntingdon Country Club from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. All tickets with the April 5 date will be honored.

Elected Officials Reception Postponed

Due to the guidance of Governor Wolf, the CDC, and several others we have decided to postpone the Elected Officials Reception that was scheduled for April 16. As soon as we have a new date, we will share that information.

Tips for Small Businesses to Plan for and

Respond to Coronavirus

Health and government officials are working together to maintain the safety, security, and health of the American people.

Small businesses are encouraged to do their part to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy.

For guidance and tips for your small business to plan and respond, please click here.

Combating the Coronavirus Toolkit

Guidance for Employers - Click here to download guidance for employers to plan and respond to the Coronavirus.

Workplace Tips - For workplace tips and resources for employers to combat the virus, please click here .

Corporate Aid Tracker - Click here to view our corporate aid tracker for details on how businesses are helping nationwide.

Survey on Business Impact - To view business impact survey results from the American Chamber of Commerce in China, click here .

Resilience in a Box - If your business needs help putting a plan in place, click here to use the U.S. Chamber Foundation's toolkit created in partnership with the UPS foundation.

More Resources - For more resources, including consolidated, business-specific guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please click here .

Click Here to See More Tools.

Partners In Excellence

Platinum

Fulton County Medical Center

Gold

Stern Insurance Agency

Silver

Community State Bank

Mutual Benefit Group

Bronze

Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc.

Orbisonia Hardware, Inc.

Royal

Ace Fix-It Hardware

BottomLine Pros LLC

FirstEnergy Corporation

Helpmates, Inc.

Jeff Tate Paving, Inc.

Juniata College

Keller Engineers

Lincoln Caverns, Inc. and Whisper Rocks

McDonald's

MDB Drafting & Design

Stiffler, McGraw and Associates, Inc.

Interested in learning about becoming a Partner in Excellence?

Contact Yvonne at [email protected] or 814.643.1110

Packages range from $125 to $1,000.

Featured Benefit

Chamber members can use the Chamber's bulk mailing permit for FREE! This saves you $225, since you don't need to purchase your own permit. You just pay postage. Stop at our office to pick up the USPS indicia and form. We can also share it with you electronically so that you can have it printed directly on your mail pieces. Contact [email protected] or (814) 643-1110 for more information.

Click here to register.

After your free trial period expires you qualify for a special discount because you are a member of the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce. If you prepay for six months, you receive a 20% discount. Prepay for a year and save 25%! There's no better time to try email marketing.