Supporting Your Business is Our Business!
January 29, 2021
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Hold the Date!
Virtual "State of the County" Address Coffee Connection
March 5, 2021
8:00 a.m.
Registration information will be shared next week.
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Targeted EIDL Advance
COVID-19 Targeted EIDL Advance was signed into law on December 27, 2020, as part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. The Targeted EIDL Advance provides businesses located in low-income communities with additional funds to ensure small business continuity, adaptation, and resiliency.
Advance funds of up to $10,000 will be available to applicants located in low-income communities who previously received an EIDL Advance for less than $10,000, or those who applied but received no funds due to lack of available program funding.
Applicants do not need to take any action at this time. SBA will reach out to those who qualify.
SBA will first reach out to EIDL applications that already received a partial EIDL Advance (between $1,000 - $9,000). Applicants will be contacted directly by SBA via email in the coming weeks with instructions to determine eligibility and submit documentation.
More information can be found here.
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The Huntingdon County Commissioners hosted a ribbon cutting at the Courthouse this morning to celebrate the expansion of broadband services in the County. |
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PASmart Grant
Driver shortages in the trucking industry are nothing new, but one school in central Pennsylvania is trying to change that. The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology (The Academy), a career and technical school in Lewistown, PA that operates an adult CDL training program, was recently awarded over $319,000 to help support CDL registered apprenticeships in the Building and Construction Industry.
Now they need employers who want to be able to take advantage of this funding.
“This is a great opportunity for employers, both large and small, to attract, train, and retain drivers,” explained Mike McMonigal, Supervisor of Adult & Post-Secondary Education at The Academy. “We’re looking to partner with those who want to utilize registered apprenticeships in order to build a pipeline of talent for their company.”
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Pa. lawmakers move to curb governor’s emergency declaration powers; voters may get their say
Jan Murphy, Harrisburg Patriot News
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
State lawmakers have made it clear they hold a deep resentment toward Gov. Tom Wolf’s unilateral decision-making when it comes to responding to COVID-19 and are fixing to give voters a chance to show how they feel about the governor’s handling of the pandemic at the ballot box this May. The state House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 116-86 to approve legislation that provides for a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit the length of a governor-declared emergency disaster to 21 days, unless lawmakers agree to extend it. Currently, the governor’s emergency declarations can last up to 90 days and be extended indefinitely. Four Democrats joined the Republicans in voting for the measure. The legislation also includes a separate proposed constitutional amendment that would clarify that the Legislature can end an emergency declaration without requiring the governor’s consent through a concurrent resolution. It also provides for yet another constitutional amendment prohibiting the denial of equal rights based on race or ethnicity, bringing the Pennsylvania constitution in line with the U.S. Constitution. The Senate on Tuesday approved an identical bill by a 28-20 vote, with Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Lehigh County, siding with Republicans in supporting the bill.
It is the Senate bill, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland County, that is now moving through the House. The House is expected to bring that bill up for a vote as early as Tuesday. That would ensure it would meet the constitutionally required timeframe to be advertised so it can appear on the May 18 primary ballot.
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Restaurant Information
We are are providing the following to make it easier to support local restaurants. Click the restaurant name to view their menu. Those in bold are offering curbside pickup.
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Use the above link to find vaccination locations and their contact information.
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U.S. Chamber Pandemic Relief Resources:
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Pandemic Webinar Recordings - You can view the Chamber’s webinars explaining the new pandemic relief bills from late December and early January. They've uploaded the recording from this week here, plus the accompanying slides here, and you can find the recording from our December discussion here.
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PPP Loan Program Re-Opens for First and Second PPP Loans
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans – both first and second loans – have been extended through March 31, 2021 or until funding runs out. First-time PPP borrowers at community development financial institutions may begin submitting applications this week, with second loans and additional lenders soon to follow.
Small businesses must apply for PPP loans through a qualified financial institution, not through the SBA. Both the first and second loans are eligible for forgiveness when the loan’s funds are used according to the terms and conditions of the program.
First PPP Loan
Eligibility:
- 500 or fewer employees (including sole proprietor, independent contractor, or self-employed individual)
- Been in business prior to February 15, 2020
SBA Documents:
Second PPP Loan
Eligibility:
- 300 or fewer employees (including sole proprietor, independent contractor, or self-employed individual),
- 25% or more reduction in gross receipts in Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 of 2020 compared to same quarter in 2019 or 25% reduction in annual receipts in 2020 compared to 2019.
- Used all the funds from the first PPP loan (not required to have applied for forgiveness yet)
- Been in business prior to February 15, 2020
SBA Documents:
Loan Amount Calculation
Loan amount is based on 2.5x the average 2019 monthly “payroll” costs, 2020 monthly “payroll” costs, or measured over the 12 months preceding the loan. Businesses in hospitality and restaurants (NAICS Code 72) are allowed 3.5x average monthly payroll.
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The 2021 Healthcare Challenge for Employers
For a large number of employers, the exceptional economic pressure placed on them during 2020 has only heightened the annual challenge of managing costs relating to their company’s benefit programs. Although various vaccines and treatments are on the near-term horizon, the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic remain largely unknown. Virtually everyone expects health care premiums to increase in the months ahead, but the severity of increase is less known. Of course, even if health care premiums remained relatively flat, employers may still not be able to comfortably fit them in their budget with revenues mostly down over the past several months.
With so many uncertainties, many business owners are struggling to come up with a way to prepare for the coming year. From our perspective, the following three strategies can prove pivotal for employers when developing effective, long term strategies in the current climate:
1. Incorporate a painstakingly thorough approach to employee benefits
2. Take advantage of any available digital healthcare technologies
3. Incorporate new and creative strategies will be best able to manage the predicted volatile trends in health care costs and their impact on insurance premiums.
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 Mycal Jones at (800) 377-3539.
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Hometown Heroes Banner Applications Being Accepted
The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce and Huntingdon Borough are proud to present the Hometown Heroes Banner Program. This program is a tribute to soldiers from the Huntingdon Borough area who served or are serving our Country in a branch of the military.
Each banner will honor a specific individual. They will be 30 x 60 all-weather banners. They will include his/her photo, branch of service and era of service. Banners will be displayed on poles throughout Huntingdon Borough.
This program is non-political and non-artisan. These banners will serve as a reminder of those individuals who have proudly served our Country. The banner cost will be $150. Banners will be hung before Memorial Day 2021 and remain up until Veteran's Day 2021.
Applications are being accepted between November 1 and March 20. Applications will not be accepted after March 20.
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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
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?
Packages range from $125 to $1,000.
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Virtual "State of the County" Address
March 5, 2021
8:00 a.m.
Administrative Professionals Luncheon
Huntingdon Country Club
April 21, 2021
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Highway to Rock!
Beside Lincoln Caverns
May 22, 2021
4:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Business After Hours
Huntingdon Rotary &
Huntingdon County Foundation
Gage Mansion Bed & Breakfast
May 26, 2021
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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Annual Golf Tournament
Huntingdon Country Club
June 16, 2021
11:30 a.m. Registration
1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start
Business After Hours
Lincoln Caverns
June 24, 2021
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Family Fest & Car Cruise
Huntingdon Presbyterian Church
July 3, 2021
6:00 p.m. Car Cruise
6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Family Fest
Sporting Clay Tournament
Shenecoy Sportsmen Club
September 15, 2021
September 22, 2021 Rain Date
2:15 p.m. Registration
3:00 p.m. Shoot
Annual Awards Gala
Huntingdon Country Club
October 7, 2021
5:30 p.m. Reception
6:00 p.m. Dinner
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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Wellbeing in the Workplace: A Practical Guide for Employers
Just recently, the coalition released its Practical Guide for Employers—a toolkit providing actionable steps to help businesses of all sizes take measures to prioritize mental health and emotional wellbeing in the workplace. Click here to view the toolkit.
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Resources from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber continues to create, update, and evolve its various guides and resources to continue bringing you and your members the information you need during this difficult time. We encourage you to continue utilizing and sharing the following items as you see fit:
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Free Re-opening Signage
As Pennsylvania businesses begin to reopen, each business owner will need to examine their operations and make changes to meet public safety guidelines. PASBDC has created signage to address common health concerns. All images are completely free to use, so please share, download, print and distribute as you wish!
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Business Resources
Monitor public health indicators, adjust orders and restrictions as necessary
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Office Hours
Following the Governor's guidance, staff is once again working remotely and only going to the office as necessary. If you need to reach us, please call 814-643-1110 and leave a message for us or email [email protected] or [email protected]
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Huntingdon County Strong:
Business and Community Resources
Click graphic below.
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Quick Connect Coaching Sessions
Weekly, Tuesdays at 8:30 am
Looking for a quick answer to a question related to disaster recovery, reopening, stabilizing, or projecting for growth? Then attend a "Quick Connect" session to get your questions answered. Each week a consultant will address answers related to a specific topic.
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Contact Us
President/ CEO
MacKenzie Huntsman
Program Director
Phone: 814-643-1110
Fax: 814-643-1115
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Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation. |
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