Supporting Your Business is Our Business!
February 12, 2021
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Thank You COVID-19 Frontliners!
A special thanks to these Huntingdon County restaurants for helping us show appreciation to our frontliners during the month of February. Certificates have been distributed to emergency and hospital workers thanks to the Huntingdon County Emergency Management Agency and Penn Highlands Healthcare.
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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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The Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a federal law that requires employers with 20 or more employees to offer continuing coverage to individuals who might otherwise lose their health benefits due to a qualifying event. Some states have similar laws for smaller groups. These qualifying events that could trigger COBRA are:
- An employee’s termination of employment, unless for reasons of gross misconduct
- An employee’s reduction in hours of employment
- A strike or walkout
- The company’s bankruptcy
In the situations above, the employee and any covered dependents are entitled to 18 months of continued coverage through COBRA.
Additionally, the spouse and/or children of a qualified employee are entitled to 36 months of coverage as a result of:
- Death of the covered employee
- Divorce or legal separation
- The employee becoming eligible for Medicare benefits
- A dependent child ceasing to be eligible under the employee’s medical plan
Once a qualifying event occurs, the employer is required to send the employee a notice within 14 days informing them of their eligibility. Normally, the employee has 60 days to accept coverage which can carry a premium of 102% of the group premium (the extra 2% is an optional administrative fee the employer may include). The coverage under COBRA would be the same coverage the employee had on the group plan.
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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WE NEED YOU! Join the American Red Cross today to make a difference in your community. Volunteer at a local blood drive and become a Blood Donor Ambassador, with our Disaster Response Team or supporting our Service to the Armed Forces program. To learn more about our opportunities please contact 412-715-5906 OR apply now by clicking on the following link: www.redcross.org/volunteer
Become a Volunteer
Volunteering carries out 90% of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross and includes various roles. Learn how to volunteer with us today!
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Use the above link to find vaccination locations and their contact information.
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Last year’s Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce map was so popular that it SOLD OUT and supplies ran out early. This year, an additional 1,000 copies will be printed to meet the demand for this go-to full-color map, bringing the total copies distributed to 6,000. Reserve your space today before it is gone and get access to visitors and residents alike. Contact Centre Publications at 800-200-5375. |
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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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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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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.
Make Better Decisions Using
Google Analytics
March 16, 2021
10:30 a.m.
Business After Hours
Huntingdon County Career
& Technology Center
April 14, 2021
5:00-7:00 p.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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The 2021 Spring Jam has been canceled. |
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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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