Board of Directors Approves Health Initiative Pilot
Seven Businesses Added to Chamber Membership Rolls
Chamber to Provide Testimony on Transportation Funding Reform
Altoona Government Study Commission to Get Chamber Support
New Date Set for Chamber Trip to China
LBC Alumni Undertaking “Basket of Hope” Project
Friday is Deadline for “ACE Award” Nominations
Chamber Seeking Fall Intern
Would You Like to Be a U.S. Chamber Member – Free?
Southern Alleghenies to Hold Business Resource Expo
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Board of Directors Approves Health Initiative Pilot
The Blair County Chamber will participate in the pilot phase of a health initiative that will assist uninsured employees of Chamber member businesses to access coverage at a reduced cost. The initiative is being launched by Empower3 Center for Health, a Chamber Member, which has been working on its specifics for a long time, according to Chamber President Joe Hurd. “It’s a well-conceived program with a pretty impressive upside,” Hurd believes. “With the number of small businesses in our membership that have no practical access to healthcare benefits, we’re seeing tremendous potential.” The Chamber will be scheduling informational meetings in September to explain the program and answer questions. Dr. Zane Gates, one of the program’s initiators, will speak about the program at the September 12th Chamber Breakfast Club.
Seven Businesses Added to Chamber Membership Rolls
The Chamber’s Board of Directors approved seven new members to the organization at last Thursday’s meeting. The new members are: Fort Roberdeau of Sinking Valley, Headline Marketing & Communications of Altoona, Mary Kay, Inc. of Hollidaysburg, Notary & Copy Stop of Altoona, Pruonto’s Hair Design Institute of Altoona, Rampart Protective Service of Altoona, and Stepping Stones for Life of Dysart.
Chamber to Provide Testimony on Transportation Funding Reform
When the State Senate Transportation Committee holds hearings in Altoona on Tuesday, the Blair County Chamber, through its Transportation Committee, will provide testimony. Bob Kunselman, who chairs The Chamber’s Committee, will testify that The Chamber supports the funding reform legislation that passed the Senate in June but which got bogged-down in the House. The hearings are being held at the Altoona City Council Building. For more information or to join the Transportation Committee, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Altoona Government Study Commission to Get Chamber Support
Tomorrow night at the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Conference Center, a public meeting will be held to elicit input from the community on the potential direction of the Altoona Government Study Commission. Gary Drenning, a member of The Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee, will represent The Chamber at that meeting and will pledge the organization’s support in helping the Commission to select the best course of action for the city’s future. The meeting begins at 6:00 p.m.
New Date Set for Chamber Trip to China
Due to the Easter holiday, The Chamber has changed the date of its China Trip to April 4-12 instead of the previously announced date that had trip participants returning to the U.S. on Easter Sunday. This will be the third trip to China in the past four years and the cost is still a ridiculously low $2,399 pp/dou.occ., which includes all flights, meals and 5-star hotels. An informational meeting for the China Trip will be held on August 26th at 6:00 p.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development.
LBC Alumni Undertaking “Basket of Hope” Project
For the third consecutive year, the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Blair County Alumni will be accepting donations of common household goods to be given to women and families through Family Services’ Emergency Shelter and Domestic Abuse Project. Items can be donated as an individual or an office, with a group of neighbors or with a faith group. Donate just one item or fill an entire laundry basket. Items can be new or gently used. Donations can be dropped-off at the Blair County Chamber of Commerce, located at 3900 Industrial Park Drive in Altoona. Donations will be accepted August 27-30 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For a list of suggested items to fill a laundry basket, click here.
Friday is Deadline for “ACE Award” Nominations
The Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award will be presented at The Chamber’s Farm-City Dinner on October 29th. Nominations for that annual award are being accepted until this Friday, August 23rd. To access a nomination form, click here.
Chamber Seeking Fall Intern
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is seeking an intern for the Fall Semester. The intern should be majoring in Business Management, Marketing or Communications. The internship can be either for credit or personal enrichment. Interested students should contact Linda Stotler at 943-8151.
Would You Like to Be a U.S. Chamber Member – Free?
The Blair County Chamber has accepted an invitation to be part of the United States Chamber of Commerce Federation Program which would provide a free membership to any of our members that fit the program criteria. That criteria is that businesses must have total annual revenue of less than $10 million, cannot be a charity, non-profit organization, government entity or religious/educational institution or be a current, paying U.S. Chamber member. The Chamber will register all members that meet those guidelines unless the member indicates that they do not wish to participate in the Federation Program. To opt-out, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him at jhurd@blairchamber.com.
Southern Alleghenies to Hold Business Resource Expo
On September 5th, the Southern Alleghenies Business Resource Network, in cooperation with The Chamber, will hold “The Alleghenies Business Resource Expo” from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center. This event provides ample opportunity for businesses of all sizes to meet one-on-one with a network of non-profit organizations that can assist in growing or maintaining a business. There is no cost to attend. To register, call (855) 661-0094 or email saprep@sapdc.org.
Congratulations . . .
. . . to Sheehan Insurance Agency of Altoona, owned by Cullen Sheehan, which has been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2013. The designation is bestowed upon less that 38% of Allstate’s nearly 10,000 agency owners across the country and 24% of Allstate’s Pennsylvania agencies.
Blue Card Discounts
Here are a few of the discounts you can receive with your Chamber Blue Card. Click here to see the full list of Blue Card Discounts. To have an offer listed contact Christine Perkins at The Chamber at 943-8151.
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The Village at Morrisons Cove
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Receive 15% off Dinner Purchase when you present your Blue Card at The Bistro at the Village Green (The Village at Morrisons Cove). Limit one coupon per customer per visit. *Only good with purchase of an entree.
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10 Seven Marketing
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive $300 off of your business website design or redesign when you enroll inn our 6 month growth strategy. See website for details.
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ACE Answering Service
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Chamber Members will receive free account set-up and free first month service. Contact John at 888-231-8223 or john@aceansweringservice.com. No mater where you are, no matter what you do, you'll never miss a call.
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Aldo's Restaurant & Lounge
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Present your Chamber Blue Card to receive 10% off any dinner check. *Does not include alcohol.
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Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries
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Present your Chamber Blue card to receive 10% off rate for first month of services from ALSM at Home for new program participants
and or
receive 10% off rate for first month of services at the Senior Daily Living Center for new program participants.
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For more information, visit the website
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August 19, 2013
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Business After Hours
Thursday, August 29, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Tyrone Colonial Courtyard
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Breakfast Club
Thursday, September 12, 2013
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
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GRYP Networking
Thursday, September 12, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Jethro's
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Business After Hours
Thursday, September 19, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Express
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Small Business Partners Workshop
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Devorris Center for Business Development
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GRYP Lunch 'n' Learn
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Outback Steakhouse
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LBC Alumni Breakfast
Thursday, September 26, 2013
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Soho Room
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Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 8/19/2013
Safety Committee
Tuesday, August 20, 9:00 a.m.
The Chamber
LBC Youth Committee
Wednesday, August 21, 3:30 p.m.
Devorris Center
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