June 26, 2026

Last Chance to Reserve Your Spot for Tonight's Performance!

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!

It's hard to believe it's already time to begin planning for our Annual Awards Gala! This year's celebration will take place on October 8 at Trophy Mountain Lodge, and we're currently seeking sponsors for our prestigious ATHENA Award and Volunteer of the Year Award.

The internationally recognized ATHENA Award honors an individual who demonstrates professional excellence, community leadership, and a commitment to empowering and mentoring women in their pursuit of leadership and career success. ATHENA sponsors receive recognition in all event publicity, the Awards Gala program, and during the award presentation.

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes a Chamber member who has gone above and beyond in service to the Chamber, exemplifying dedication to our mission and supporting our members. The award sponsor will be recognized in all event publicity and the Awards Gala program, have their name featured on the award, and be invited to present the award during the Gala.

If your business is interested in supporting one of these meaningful awards while gaining valuable community recognition, please reach out to MacKenzie at mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com.

The Chamber is accepting nominations for the Awards that will be presented at the October 8, 2026 Annual Awards Gala. Seven awards will be presented to outstanding businesses, organizations and members of our community.

David K. Goodman Jr. Community Service Award

This award recognizes an individual or organization who has demonstrated exemplary dedication of time or resources for the betterment of the community. This award is sponsored by Huntingdon Elks Lodge #976.

Customer Service Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize a business for their excellence in providing quality customer service. This award is sponsored by the Bonney Forge Corp.

Business of the Year 

The purpose of this award is to recognize a business which has contributed to the economic growth of the community and has helped to develop Huntingdon County. This award is sponsored by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Educator of the Year 

The purpose of this award is to recognize an active educator in the county who has demonstrated "above and beyond" commitment and service in the field of education. This award is sponsored by Juniata College.

Entrepreneurial Success Award 

The purpose of this award is to recognize a community member who has been in business for a minimum of three years, who individually owns and operates a business initially launched as a small business who has shown innovation and aided in the advancement of the community. This award is sponsored by Cassville Country Store and Restaurant.

Volunteer of the Year

This award recognizes a Chamber member for “above and beyond” service to the Chamber. This individual must be a Chamber member or work for a Chamber business and demonstrate support of the mission and goals of the Chamber. Sponsor needed.

ATHENA Award 

This Award is presented to a woman or man who is recognized for professional excellence, community service, and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

Please help us recognize a deserving individual for this prestigious world-wide award. Responses to the questions asked on the nomination form can be submitted either on the form or a word document. August 21 is the nomination deadline.

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Arize Federal Credit Union

Bumgardner & Flasher Oil, Inc.

Community State Bank

Homewood Living Martinsburg

Lincoln Caverns, Inc. & Whisper Rocks

MJEM’s Photos

Click here for the ATHENA Award Nomination Form.

Click here for the form to nominate in the other categories.

Click here for the list of past Award Recipients. 

What a bat-tastic evening at Lincoln Caverns & Whisper Rocks celebrating 95 years since their very first tour!

Guests were welcomed with a special gift bag before browsing the wonderful gift shop, then enjoyed an unforgettable Black Light Tour through Lincoln Caverns, complete with a surprise champagne toast deep inside the cave.

The celebration continued with a delicious dinner featuring pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches, baked macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, cookies, and beverages. The evening ended on a sweet note with the most adorable—and absolutely delicious—anniversary cake!

A heartfelt thank you to the entire team at Lincoln Caverns & Whisper Rocks and everyone who helped make this milestone celebration such a memorable experience. Congratulations on 95 incredible years of welcoming visitors, inspiring wonder, and showcasing one of Huntingdon County's greatest natural treasures.



We're so fortunate to have this remarkable destination right here in Huntingdon County. Here's to many more years of adventure and discovery!

WOW — What an unFOREgettable day!

Our 2026 Bonney Forge Corp & Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament was a tremendous success at the beautiful Huntingdon Country Club!

We were thrilled to welcome 92 golfers from multiple states who came together for a day filled with friendly competition, networking, laughter, and community spirit. This event would not have been possible without the dedication of our 12 incredible volunteers, the outstanding club staff, and the many businesses and individuals who helped make the day a success.

A special thank you goes to Bonney Forge for serving as our Title Sponsor for the 13th consecutive year. Your continued partnership and commitment to our community are truly appreciated. Year after year, your generosity helps create an exceptional experience for our golfers, sponsors, and supporters, and we are grateful for all you do.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors:

Title Sponsor - Bonney Forge

Dinner Sponsor - Allied Machine & Engineering

Hole-in-One Sponsor - Pat Mooney Saws

Hole-in-One Prize Sponsor - ArcelorMittal Long Products Canada

Hosted Hole Sponsors - Juniata College, Keystone Engraving, Martin Oil Company & Seaway Bolt

Snack & Beverage Cart Sponsors - Allegheny Tool & Supply, BASF/Chemetall, Keller Engineers, Inc. & PSI Group

Program Sponsor - Mutual Benefit Group

Putting Contest Sponsor - ChamberChoice - My Benefit Advisor, World Kinect Energy Services, Penn National Insurance

Door Prize Sponsor - Allegheny Tool & Supply

Tee & Cart Sponsors - Allegheny Tool & Supply, Community State Bank, The Paterson Agency, LLC, New Day Charter School & Raystown Realty, Inc.

Tee Sponsors - Team Chevrolet GMC, Assurance Media, Lawrence L. Newton, Attorney, Joe Krenztman & Son, Inc (x2) & Huntingdon Vision Center, Ltd.

Golf Cart Sponsors - MCS Bank, Ohio Star Forge & Erietec

Thank you to our amazing volunteers:

Angelina Altobelli & Ronnie Gist

Christa McGeary & Intern - Borough of Huntingdon

Leslie Kitchen & Jessica Rosman - Community State Bank

Diana McClure - Keller Engineers, Inc.

Michael Alan Simone - Friend of the Chamber

Jamie Hicks, Michelle Jones & Keshia Renninger - Bonney Forge

Bobbi Marshall - Arize Federal Credit Union

And a special thank you to everyone who donated golfer gift bag items and door prizes!



From the first tee shot to the final putt, the day was a wonderful reminder of what can be accomplished when our business community comes together. Thank you to everyone who participated, sponsored, volunteered, donated, and supported this year's tournament. We are already looking forward to next year!

A huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to Brad and the incredible team at the East Broad Top Railroad and the Borough of Huntingdon for their outstanding support during the recent Hunt Tower cleanup project!

The East Broad Top Railroad team generously spent the morning clearing brush, trimming trees, and helping improve the grounds around Hunt Tower, while the Borough of Huntingdon stepped in to clean up and haul away the brush, ensuring the project was completed safely and efficiently.

These partnerships are a wonderful reminder of what can be accomplished when organizations come together with a shared commitment to preserving Huntingdon County's history. Their hard work, generosity, and willingness to roll up their sleeves are helping us protect and showcase one of our community's most unique historic landmarks for future generations to enjoy.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed their time, equipment, and expertise to make this project a success.



Thank you, East Broad Top Railroad and the Borough of Huntingdon, for your partnership, your dedication, and your commitment to keeping Hunt Tower—and our community—looking its very best!

PA Chamber Applauds Senate Rejection of New Taxes on Pennsylvanians

PA Chamber

June 25, 2026

The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry issued the following statement after the state Senate blocked two amendments that would have raised costs on Pennsylvanians by imposing more than a billion dollars in new taxes through a new digital advertising tax and the implementation of mandatory unitary combined reporting: “We appreciate Senate Republicans standing up for Pennsylvania’s business community and our state’s competitiveness by rejecting this tone-deaf effort to increase costs and complexity for job creators and consumers who are already navigating significant affordability challenges,” PA Chamber Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Jon Anzur said. House Bill 1667 is an omnibus tax measure that includes several proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s tax code. During consideration of the legislation, lawmakers filed several amendments to the bill, including two offered by Senate Democrats that would have established a new, duplicative digital advertising tax and implemented mandatory unitary combined reporting for Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Tax. Both amendments were tabled by the majority party.

To continue reading this article, please click here.

The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce invites you to be part of one of our signature events as we gather to reflect on the past year, celebrate our accomplishments, and look ahead to the opportunities that await our business community.

This year's luncheon is especially meaningful as we also recognize and celebrate America's 250th Anniversary—honoring the spirit of innovation, resilience, leadership, and community that has shaped our nation and continues to drive our local economy forward.

• Celebrate the Chamber's achievements from the past year
• Learn about our goals and vision for the year ahead
• Connect with fellow business and community leaders
• Commemorate America's 250th birthday with us

Whether you're a longtime Chamber member or simply interested in the future of Huntingdon County, we invite you to join the conversation and be part of what's next.



• Thursday, August 13, 2026
• 11:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
• Westminster Woods, Huntingdon

Reserve your seat today and help us celebrate our progress, our future, and 250 years of the American spirit!

House Votes to Revoke Tax Break for Data Center Industry

Ford Turner, The Center Square

June 25, 2026

The state House on Thursday gave bipartisan approval to revoking a sales tax exemption for equipment for data centers, with one supporter equating the industry frenzy in Pennsylvania to an irresponsible and speculative "gold rush." The Democratic-controlled House the previous day passed a bill codifying data center standards backed by Gov. Josh Shaprio, as well as a bill to give municipalities the ability to enact a six-month "pause" on data centers. The data center industry tax break took effect on Jan. 1, 2022. The program eliminated $41.1 million in state revenue in 2024-25 and will eliminate $114.8 million this fiscal year, according to a recent state report. The lost revenue is projected to increase to $517.2 million in 2030-31, the report said. The actions came as both the House and Senate scaled back their voting-day schedules between Thursday and June 30, the final day of the fiscal year and the deadline to produce a state budget. Both the House and Senate are scheduled to return to Harrisburg for voting sessions on Monday.

To continue reading this article, please click here.

Why Lawmakers May Need to Tap Pa.'s Rainy Day Reserves to Balance This Year's Budget

Stephen Caruso and Jaxon White, Spotlight PA

June 24, 2026

A rainy day is looming over the state Capitol. As Pennsylvania lawmakers approach the June 30 deadline to pass a budget, they’re facing mounting costs for obligations like healthcare and education. There’s also a multibillion-dollar gap between how much the state expects to spend and what it expects to bring in, even with new revenue options, like taxing soon-to-be-illegal skill games, on the table. That means lawmakers are likely to target the state’s last-ditch reserve fund, commonly called the Rainy Day Fund, to balance the 2026-27 budget. The fund is intended for emergency use only. Lawmakers have painstakingly built it up since 2018, with a current balance of roughly $8 billion. Before that, it sat almost empty during a period of post-recession turmoil. Matthew Knittel, executive director of the Independent Fiscal Office, said in an email it’s “technically” possible to avoid taking money out of the fund to balance the budget. The state “would need either a very large revenue infusion, a very large spending cut, or some combination of the two.” “Based on current dynamics,” Knittel added, “that appears highly unlikely.”

To continue reading this article, please click here.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening as Huntingdon Borough celebrates America 250 and kick off the holiday weekend in style!

Join us on Friday, July 3rd for our annual Car Cruise & Fireworks Show. We're hoping to make this our biggest year yet as we celebrate 250 years of America!

 Participant Information:

• Vehicle staging begins at 5:00 PM at Huntingdon Area High School
• The cruise departs at 6:00 PM and heads to Downtown Huntingdon
• Vehicles will be parked downtown for spectators to enjoy and admire

 The first 100 registered vehicles will receive a commemorative dash plaque!

Whether you're bringing your classic car, muscle car, truck, motorcycle, or simply coming to enjoy the show, this is a great opportunity to celebrate our community and our nation's 250th anniversary.



Bring your family, bring your friends, and help us make this a tremendous year for America 250!

Get ready to witness history as the legendary Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 rolls through Huntingdon!

Join Huntingdon Borough for the Big Boy Watch Party!

• July 8
• 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• Portstown Park (842 Penn St., Huntingdon)

Bring your family, friends, lawn chairs, and cameras for an unforgettable afternoon!

While we wait for the Big Boy to arrive, enjoy:

-Delicious food trucks

-Live DJ keeping the energy going

-Local vendors

-A fun, free, family-friendly atmosphere

Safety Reminders!

As exciting as this event will be, please remember:

• Stay a safe distance from the railroad tracks at all times.

• Never cross or walk on the tracks except at designated crossings.

• Follow all instructions from law enforcement and event staff.

• Keep children close and supervised.

• Be patient and courteous, it's going to be a busy and exciting day!

Make a day of it in Huntingdon!

After you've seen the world's largest operating steam locomotive, stick around and explore everything our community has to offer. Grab a bite at one of our local restaurants, browse our unique shops, enjoy Raystown Region hospitality, and experience why Huntingdon is such a special place to visit.



Let's give Big Boy, and everyone visiting Huntingdon, a warm welcome! We can't wait to see you at Portstown Park for an afternoon of history, community, and fun.

Skill Game Ruling Leaving Pennsylvania Businesses Facing Possible Taxes, New Regulations

Maggie Kent, 6abc

June 16, 2026

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that classifies skill games as gambling devices is raising concerns among small businesses that rely on the machines for extra revenue.

Gas station employee Kunal Mandhan said customers often stay for long stretches to play.

"They're going to stay all night. They're going to leave when we leave around 11," he said. "Many customers come in, and when they play the games, we expect them to buy more sodas and everything. Even lottery, even Pennsylvania lottery."

To continue reading this article, please click here.

Pennsylvania Unemployment Rate Remains Under National Average at 4.2 Percent, New Record High Set for Total Nonfarm Jobs

Steve Ulrich, Politics PA

June 18, 2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today released its preliminary employment situation report for May 2026. 

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was at 4.2 percent for the fourth month in a row in May. The PA rate remained one-tenth of a percentage point below the U.S. unemployment rate, which was also unchanged over the month at 4.3 percent.

The Commonwealth’s unemployment rate matched its May 2025 level of 4.2 percent. The United States’ rate was also unchanged over the past 12 months.

To continue reading this article, please click here.

The Bob Perks Cancer Assistance Fund announces their $20K for 20 Years Online Giving Campaign to celebrate 20 years of helping local cancer patients. Over the next 20 weeks, their goal is to raise $20,000 to fund 20 cancer patient applications. To donate, please visit https://givebutter.com/BPF20YEARS. 

Celebrate Huntingdon County Night at PNG Field!

Join us on Saturday, August 15 at 6:00 PM as the Altoona Curve take on the Akron RubberDucks during a special Huntingdon County Community Night benefiting the Huntingdon County United Way! This exciting evening will bring our community together for baseball, fireworks, and a chance to showcase the pride and spirit of Huntingdon County.

We know it’s also the final evening of the Huntingdon County Fair, but we hope families, friends, neighbors, and co-workers will still be able to make the trip to PNG Field to enjoy a fun summer night together while supporting a great cause. Whether you attend with your business team, your family, or a group of friends, this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our county and give back to the United Way programs that make a difference throughout our communities.

Businesses and individuals alike are encouraged to support the event through sponsorships or ticket purchases. Every donation helps strengthen local programs and services that benefit Huntingdon County residents year-round.

Let’s pack the stands, celebrate Huntingdon County, and make it a night to remember!

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