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HCCC Signs on to Letter Urging PA State Lawmakers to Address PA's Continuous Child Care Crisis
50+ Local Chambers of Commerce Across PA Urge State Investments in Child Care Teacher Recruitment and Retention
Teacher shortage is costing PA Economy Billions of Dollars Annually
HARRISBURG, PA - Local chambers of commerce from across Pennsylvania submitted a letter to state lawmakers urging them to address Pennsylvania's continuous child care crisis. The letter, signed by more than 50 local chambers of commerce and economic development agencies, calls for state investment that directly helps child care providers to recruit and retain their teachers. The letter explains, alleviating the child care workforce shortage, means classrooms can remain open or reopen, increasing the availability of child care for the tens of thousands of families that need it to remain in the workforce and contribute to Pennsylvania's overall economy.
During a state capitol press conference on June 11, President and CEO of the Schuykill County Chamber of Commerce, Bob Carl, underscored how low-wages within the child care sector are fueling a historic teacher shortage reducing the availability of child care and impacting employers in nearly every other sector across the state.
To continue reading this press release, please click here.
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On June 13th, we celebrated the graduation of the Leadership Huntingdon County Class of 2024 at Sunset Golf Club! Thank you to Pat Collins and her staff for providing us with an excellent evening full of great food and a professional and relaxing environment.
Congratulations to the graduates for successfully completing a nine-month training covering topics such as diversity, local government, grant writing, health, economic development, education, housing, team building, conflict resolution, and law.
Special thanks to Mike Fleck, a LHC Class of 2004 Graduate, for giving an inspiring Keynote speech. Mike is a native of Southern Huntingdon and has an impressive track record of leadership roles throughout his career. During his speech, he motivated the graduates to continue setting ambitious goals and encouraged them to seek opportunities to develop their leadership skills through their employment, volunteering, and community contributions.
As part of the program, the graduates had to identify community needs and collaboratively develop plans to address them. This year, the class formed four teams, each focusing on a significant community issue. The projects are as follows:
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Kistler Elementary PTO Benefit Golf Tournament (Jordan Hurrell, Patrick Reeder and Ashley Radle) - this project partnered with the Kistler Elementary PTO to organize a golf tournament to raise funds for new playground equipment for local children. Their efforts were remarkably successful, surpassing their initial fundraising goal of $4,000 by raising a total of $8,728.88!
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Huntingdon Community Center Food Pantry (Colleen McCloskey, Renee Anderson and Stacey Philips) - this project collaborated with community partners such as Huntingdon County Habitat for Humanity and three local United Methodist Churches to successfully set up a food pantry in the Huntingdon Community Center. Their efforts ensured that the youth attending the after-school activities not only had access to fellowship and a monthly meal but also the opportunity to select food items to take home addressing a crucial need within the community.
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Children's Corner at the Huntingdon County Courthouse (Jennifer B. Habel Hall and Stephanie Weaver) - this project focused on the creation of a Children's Corner for the Huntingdon County Courthouse. By securing toys, books, and a reading bench, they aimed to create a welcoming and safe environment for children who may be exposed to the legal system. This initiative addresses a critical community need by providing a comforting space for children during potentially stressful times, ensuring they feel more secure and at ease.
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Hope for Huntingdon (Samantha Dobbs, Israel (Oscar) Pollock and Taylor Schmidt) - this project aimed to benefit Huntingdon House, the local domestic violence organization. They organized photo shoots for families, with the proceeds going to Huntingdon House to support victims of domestic violence. Their efforts successfully raise $1,000 to assist this vital local organization and the families its serves.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Leadership Huntingdon County Committee for their dedication in making this event and the entire program a success! A very special thank you to Lorena LaGroue, HCCC Program Director, for all of her hard work in background to make sure the program ran smoothly and ensured success for the graduates, sessions and graduation!
We also want to thank our sponsors for this event:
Community State Bank
Mutual Benefit Group
Penn Highlands Community College
Huntingdon County Career & Technology Center
Team Chevrolet GMC
David A. Gardner, Realtor
Travis & Jenny Madden
Pine Ridge Acres
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On June 18th, we had a wonderful evening at ReKlaimed Vines/Defiant Distillery for a Business After Hours in partnership with Huntingdon County Business and Industry.
It was a great way to unwind and escape the heat, enjoying refreshing drinks and slushies, delicious appetizers, and engaging conversations. A special thank you to KIZ Resources, LLC for their informative presentation on tax credits.
We hope to see you at our next Business After Hours at Juniata College's new Statton Learning Commons!
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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.
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Business After Hours
(In partnership with HCBI)
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
ReKlaimed Vines Winery/Defiant Distillery
Bonney Forge Corporation & Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Huntingdon Country Club
Annual Membership Luncheon
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Westminster Woods
2nd Floor Dining Room of the Commons Building
Business After Hours
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Lake Raystown Resort, Lodge & Conference Center
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Huntingdon County Night at the Altoona Curve
(To benefit Huntingdon County Humane Society)
Saturday, August 31, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Altoona Curve
Business After Hours
Thursday, September 12, 2024
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
PA CareerLink - Huntingdon County
Sporting Clay Tournament
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
1:00 p.m. check-in
2:00 p.m. shoot
Shenecoy Sportsman Club
Annual Awards Gala
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Trophy Mountain Lodge
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 30, 2024
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MEMBERS ONLY: Download our logo to use on your website. Click the logo for more information. Feel free to link the image on your website to our website, huntingdonchamber.com.
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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.
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UC Fraud and UC-1099G Tax Forms
Victim of unemployment fraud?
Criminals using stolen identities filed claims for unemployment compensation in other people's names. Because unemployment compensation is taxable, state unemployment agencies submit Forms 1099-G to individuals in whose names and Social Security numbers the unemployment compensation was paid and to the IRS. Victims of fraud who receive Forms 1099-G with inaccurate amounts of unemployment compensation in Box 1 should notify the state agencies of the inaccuracies and request corrected Forms 1099-G. The Department of Labor details www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/UIIDtheft.
More Information
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Did you know........
Small businesses represent the largest segment by number of most local chamber membership rolls. Results in the research study by The Shapiro Group, Inc. and Market Street indicate the impact of local chamber membership on small businesses is very powerful. If a consumer knows a small business is a member of its local chamber, the business enjoys a 44 percent increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 51 percent increase in consumer awareness, a 57 percent increase in its local reputation and a 63 percent increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.
Research indicates that chamber membership stimulates business-to-business commerce in the local community. Other businesses in town are more likely to do business with you and your company if you are a member of the local chamber. Because a major part of a small business typically comes from business-to-business services, it is essential to maintain a positive standing within the local business community.
MEMBERS may download our logo to use on your website. Click the logo for more information.
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Paid Leave Tax Credit Resources and Guidance
Click here to view the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Fact Sheet to learn more about the Paid Leave Tax Credit, how it works, and who is qualified to receive it.
Click here to view the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s Fact Sheet to learn more about how to claim the tax credit during quarterly filings and additional resources for employers about the program.
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Looking for more ways to promote your business?
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Huntingdon, PA Promotions & Activities | |
Looking to start an endowment or to support community efforts? Click the logo above to learn more about the Huntingdon County Foundation. | | | | |
