Business News
January 22, 2021
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Use the above link to find vaccination locations and their contact information.
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Department Of Health Updates COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, Launches Eligibility Tool To Help People Prepare
When Vaccine Is Available
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today released the latest revised COVID-19 vaccination plan that includes people who are 65 and older, and those 16-64 with certain underlying medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the disease.
“Pennsylvania is expanding our vaccination efforts to start including anyone over 65 and people ages 16-64 with serious medical conditions that make them more at risk for severe illness due to COVID-19,” said Cindy Findley, Department of Health’s Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, and leader of the state’s Vaccine Task Force.
The CDC has defined this group as people who have conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cancer, sickle cell disease and chronic kidney disease. Pregnant women also are included in this group. A full list of these medical conditions is available in version 5 of the interim vaccine plan on the department’s website.
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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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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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Gov. Wolf: $2.2 Billion in COVID-19 Funds Help K-12 Schools Improve Services to Students
Governor Tom Wolf is dedicating $2.2 billion in federal stimulus funds to K-12 school districts and charter schools affected by the COVID-19 pandemic to support food programs, technological improvements and other education services.
“All schools have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and I commend school communities for rising to the challenge to combat the toll it has taken,” said Gov. Wolf. “This extra funding is critical to help schools meet the unique needs of educating students at this time while keeping school buildings safe when students return to the classroom.”
The federal relief is provided by the bipartisan Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II) Fund passed by Congress in December.
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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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SBA Emergency Loan Webinar:
Process for applying and FAQ's
Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Do you have questions about the SBA Emergency loan (2nd Round) for small business owners? This no-cost webinar is designed to provide our small business clients with answers to help you understand:
- Who is eligible for an SBA Emergency 2nd round loan
- What you need to have in hand before filing your application
- Understand realistic timelines for approval/closing on your loan
- Helpful guides to help you estimate your economic loss to SBA
Facilitating the call is PASBDC Director of Capital Acquisition, Marcia McGavisk. Marcia brings over 25 years of commercial SBA 7A lending experience and she has experience as VP of Operations with one of the largest SBA 504 lenders in the Commonwealth. Because of the anticipated number of people on this webinar, we will take questions through chat and we will try to address as many questions as possible in the one-hour time slot that we have available. Please recognize that we may not have all of the answers to questions about the eligibility for the second round PPP. But we will address as many questions as we have correct information to share.
Participants will receive more common screenshots of the SBA Emergency loan application. You will receive an FAQ about COVID-19 and other documents related to the loan application process.
A Zoom link will be provided upon registration.
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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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Spring Jam
Huntingdon Country Club
April 11, 2021
5:00 - 8:00 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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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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