August 9, 2024

HCCC Signs-On to Tax Campaign Coalition Letter

We recently signed on to a coalition letter that will be calling on the next Congress and Administration to commit to pursuing a pro-growth agenda and acting to prevent any tax increases on American families and businesses.

It's been nearly seven years since the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs ACT (TCJA) was signed into law. The TCJA achieved a substantial modernization of the United States' approach to taxing business income, particularly with respect to cross-border transactions. However, many of the TCJA's tax reforms were enacted on a temporary basis and will expire at the end of 2025. Without congressional action, the expiration of these provisions will result in negative impacts to both individuals and businesses of all sizes.

Some the major expiring tax provisions that Congress will have to address in 2025 include:

• Provisions governing the tax treatment of certain business expenses and investment costs;
• The 20% deduction for qualifying pass-through business income;
• Provisions to maintain a competitive international tax code;
• Estate and gift tax (death tax) relief;
• Lower individual income tax rates, the higher standard deduction, the expanded child credit, and the higher alternative minimum tax phaseout thresholds; and
• Expanded health insurance premium tax credits.

Taxpayers should prepare for everything to be on the table next year - including otherwise "permanent" provisions like the TCJA's 21% corporate income tax rate or the Inflation Reduction Act's energy tax credits. By the start of the next Congress, nearly 60% of House members and 20% of Senators will not have been in Congress when the TCJA was enacted.

We had a great time celebrating National S'mores Day at Lake Raystown Resort, Lodge & Conference Center in partnership with our friends at the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce! The shrimp, mashed potato bar, chocolate fountain and of course S'mores were delicious! The networking and fellowship were phenomenal. We were grateful to end the evening with a cruise on the Proud Mary.

Hospitals Should Be Partners, Not Targets, in Healthcare Policy

By Tom Corbett (46th Governor of Pennsylvania)

Access to high-quality healthcare is a necessity for all Pennsylvanians. Basic healthcare should be non-negotiable regardless of where a person lives or how much money they make.

Some of us are lucky enough that daily, we can take this for granted. We simply assume that if we get sick or have an emergency, we'll be able to access medical attention when and where we need it. But for Pennsylvania's 3.4 million rural residents - more than a quarter of our state, the third-largest rural population in the country - access to care can be hard to come by. And it could be even harder if Congress moves forward with misguided legislation that would cut hospital reimbursements for patient care.

Hospitals are truly the front lines of 24/7 healthcare. When a child breaks a bone or wakes up in the middle of the night with a fever, when a parent exhibits symptoms of a potentially significant health problem, or when a loved one fighting a serious disease experiences complications, families can count on their local hospital for care - any time of the day, every day of the year, for nearly every kind of medical need.

To continue reading, please click here.

The Chamber is accepting nominations for the Awards that will be presented at the October 3 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 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 Award - 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 Award - 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 Award - This award recognizes a Chamber member for "above and beyond" service to the Chamber. This individual must be a Chamber member of work for a Chamber business and demonstrate support of the mission and goals of the Chamber. This award is sponsored by Arize Federal Credit Union.

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. Sponsors for this award are Amanada Jenkins, State Farm Agency, Community State Bank, First National Bank, Hickes Associates, Inc., Lincoln Caverns, Inc. & Whisper Rocks, MiCamp Solutions, LLC, MJEM's Photos, Stern Insurance Agency, TEAM Chevrolet GMC and World Marketing of America, Inc.

Click here for the ATHENA Award Nomination Form.

Click here for the form to nominate in other categories.

Click here for a list of past Award Recipients.

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

Lorena LaGroue

Program Director

lorena@huntingdonchamber.com

500 Allegheny Street

Huntingdon, PA 16652

Phone: 814-643-1110

Fax: 814-643-1115

www.huntingdonchamber.com