August 16, 2024

On Tuesday, we had the pleasure of hosting a Ribbon Cutting for the gorgeous Moe's Mountainside Entertainment Venue (Rentals) located at 7745 Cottage Circle, Huntingdon. Attendees were welcomed with live musical entertainment by Randy Bernard which was enjoyed while touring the facility. Guests were left to mingle, have light breakfast refreshments and enjoy the scenic grounds at Urban Saddle Ranch.

On Thursday, we held our 15th Annual "State of the Chamber" Membership Luncheon at Westminster Woods to share our accomplishments with the membership and honor two of our members. We were happy to have an Irish theme this year to celebrate our upcoming trip to Ireland in April of 2025. Westminster Woods prepared a delicious meal consisting of an Irish Flag Spinach Salad, Irish Beef Cabbage and Potato, Dublin Irish Crusted Cod, Green Beans Almandine and Chocolate Cream Mint Cookie Pie. Guests enjoyed a live musical performance by Holly Foy and Besty Gamble of the band, Callanish, upon their arrival. After a brief welcome, guests heard from the Education, Leadership Huntingdon County, Events, Government Affairs Committees and the Huntingdon County Foundation. We then presented the Outstanding New Member Award to Huntingdon Electric Motor Services, Inc. and the Premier Member of the Year Award to Community State Bank. To conclude the luncheon, guests at each table determined who would be the lucky winner of the gift basket centerpiece full of Irish goodies!

Updated Plan Clears Path for Transportation Improvements Across PA

Ed Gruver, Central Penn Business Journal

August 15, 2024

The State Transportation Commission has adopted an updated 12-Year Transportation Program, clearing the path for infrastructure and transportation improvements affecting business travel across Pennsylvania. The State Transportation Commission (STC) plan anticipates that $88 billion will be available over the next 12 years for improvements to roads, bridges, transit systems, airports, railroads, and active transportation. "Transportation planning is a lengthy and collaborative process. By the time a new project starts in your neighborhood, it's already several years old," PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said in a statement. "PennDOT is always seeking ways to improve transportation infrastructure, and we look forward to putting the next 12 years of improvements into motion for travelers around the state."

To continue reading this article, please click here.

Join Huntingdon, Juniata & Mifflin Counties for their Tri-County Free Museum Day on Saturday, September 14, 2024! They are working on finalizing the list of participants (15 already confirmed between the 3 counties!) and continuing to share information which you can find here.

The Evolving Workplace: Viewing Changes Positively

The modern work environment is evolving at a remarkable pace. There are countless ways that the workplace today differs from that of just five years ago and it's unlikely that the pace of change will slow anytime soon. For many people, changes in the workplace can create stress and discomfort as they are pushed to vacate long-held norms and practices and attempt new ways of working and interacting with fellow employees and company leaders.

But change is good, and in fact, it is essential to virtually all aspects of business life. Typically, companies that modify their practices to adapt to change open the doors to creative opportunities and often thrive, while those that fail to adapt to these changes can stagnate or even fail. The stale environment these companies foster stifles creativity and the birth of new and forward-thinking ideas. And many times, it's these new ideas that lead to better opportunities for overall success through more efficient operations, fresh new products or unique, cutting edge services.

Forces Impacting a Company's Need for Change

The new look of today's workplace is due to a variety of factors, each of which may impact individual companies to various degrees. Here are a few forces that may work to pressure company leadership to consider changes to established practices:

• Employee Demographics... For possibly the first time in history, there can be five different generations in the workplace. Each age group comes with a unique perspective on their work responsibilities and have life-style specific needs and interests. For employers, understanding this multigenerational dynamic and its implications is essential for driving innovation and maintaining cohesive and productive work groups.
• Changes in Workplace Structure... The pandemic changed the traditional model of work in an office environment. Today, most people work remotely and although many firms have tried luring workers back to the office, for the most part, they've had limited success. Hybrid work models are likely the norm going forward but will pressure the company's employee culture, engagement and productivity methods and levels.
• Changing Focus on Diversity... The employee population of today has seen shifts in gender roles and includes an ever-widening range of racial groups and ethnic backgrounds. Many of these groups are commanding a greater sphere of influence and power. As a result, employers are offering enhanced health benefits, flexible work-from-home arrangements and racial, gender and pay equity. Employers have recognized that creating an inclusive culture is important to the success of their company and its long-term growth and profitability, since today's employees are quick to begin searching for new employment if they feel their needs are not being met.
• Changes in Government...Whether on a local or national level, changes in government invariably involves a shift in political agenda, which often times impacts how businesses operate. In obvious terms, this can refer to compliance issues, but employers need to also look carefully for indirect and more subtle impacts as well.

In short, employers should view change as good. Today's workplace demands constant attention to changing dynamics, but the reward for adaptation to needed changes often means the difference between success and failure.

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 hcc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Craig Pritts at (800) 377-3536.

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