Important Reminder!!!!
Television Program on Agriculture Tapes Tomorrow
Blair Senior Services Hosting Wednesday’s “Business BEFORE Hours”
"Down on the Farm" Event is Thursday in Roaring Spring
Hileman to Speak at Next Chamber “Breakfast Club”
Small Businesses Get Something for Nothing from PCBI
Meeting Scheduled to Discuss New Healthcare Insurance Option
Great Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Television Programs
Help Pay Tribute to the Bigelow Family
Business Hall of Fame Dinner Slated for October 21st
Chamber Will Again Support “Operation S.O.S.”
Unsecured Booths Now Available for 2014 Home & Garden Show
Chamber’s China Trip is Opportunity of a Lifetime
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts
Important Reminder!!!!
The deadline for employers to provide notification to employees concerning the new rules under the Affordable Care Act is October 1st. This notification needs to be provided whether a business offers healthcare insurance coverage or not. Check with your broker if you offer coverage; if you don’t offer coverage, go to healthcare.gov for more information. Avoid the fines and take care of this TODAY!
Television Program on Agriculture Tapes Tomorrow
October is Farm-City Month and The Chamber is drawing additional attention to the importance of agriculture as Blair County’s number one industry by producing an “Issues” program entitled, “The Opportunities and Challenges of Blair County Agriculture.” The program will tape tomorrow at the Altoona Public Access Studio. Panelists will be: Sarrah Biddle of Mill Hill Farm Supply, Dan Brogdon of AgChoice Farm Credit, Sinking Valley Retired Farmer Jim Crawford, Joe Diamond of Blair County Farm Bureau and Andrew Ritchey of Ritchey’s Dairy. Carolyn Donaldson of WTAJ Your News Leader will moderate the program. Sponsors for this Issues program are: Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation, Altoona Mirror, Blair County Farm Bureau, Juniata College and Ritchey’s Dairy. Stay tuned for a schedule of when the program will run.
Blair Senior Services Hosting Wednesday’s “Business BEFORE Hours”
The next Blair County Chamber “Business BEFORE Hours” will be held this Wednesday, October 2nd from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the new Southern Blair Senior Center in East Freedom. A ribbon-cutting, set for 8:00 a.m., will officially open the Center. Blair Senior Services, Inc., Blair County’s Area Agency on Aging, will be hosting a grand opening of the Center that day. The Center will serve as a group dining, socialization, educational, recreational and health related activities facility for area seniors. There is no cost to attend Business Before Hours but registration is encouraged by calling The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
"Down on the Farm" Event is Thursday in Roaring Spring
The Chamber’s Annual “Down on the Farm” will be held this Thursday, October 3rd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Triple R Farms, 1450 Cabbage Creek Road, Roaring Spring. The farm is a cow/calf operation raising only pure bred Scottish Highlander beef cattle. The event will feature a pig roast provided by AgChoice Farm Credit and Holland Brothers Meats, kids activities, farm tours, Ritchey’s ice cream and live entertainment by Zupe. The cost to attend is just $5.00-per-person and kids under 12 are free. To register and for directions to the farm, call The Chamber at 943-8151
or register online.
Hileman to Speak at Next Chamber “Breakfast Club”
The wit and wisdom of longtime Tyrone farmer David Hileman will be on display at the next Chamber Breakfast Club, set for October 10th at The Casino at Lakemont Park. The event begins at 7:45 a.m. Hileman owns and operates Hilecrest Farms Angus and is a past recipient of The Chamber’s prestigious Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award. His keynote address at the Breakfast Club is entitled, “It’s Fun to Farm in Blair County” and will address the impact of agriculture on the Blair County economy and several issues that may adversely affect Blair County farmers. “Anyone who attends the Breakfast Club who hasn’t heard Dave speak is in for a real treat,” remarked Chamber President Joe Hurd. “He speaks with great knowledge but with even greater passion. As we observe Farm-City Month in Pennsylvania, his message is one that all of us should hear.” The cost to attend Breakfast Club is $16 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. A buffet breakfast is included. To register, contact the Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.
Small Businesses Get Something for Nothing from PCBI
The Chamber Board of Directors has approved the organization’s participation in a new program being offered by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry. That program would make it possible for any member of the Blair County Chamber with ten employees or fewer to become members of PCBI as no cost. “This program will provide valuable information to our smaller businesses as they deal with issues of great importance,” explained Chamber Board Chair Doug Mingle. “From what we see, there is no ulterior motive by the State Chamber other than being able to reach out to a segment of the business population that has been difficult from them to reach in the past.” The Chamber Board approved a similar program at its August meeting that made it possible for members in certain categories to gain free membership in the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. Any Chamber member-business with ten or fewer employees that would not wish to participate in the PCBI program should contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.
Meeting Scheduled to Discuss New Healthcare Insurance Option
If you are a small business that has never been able to offer affordable healthcare insurance to your employees, your ship may have come in. The Blair County Chamber is partnering with Empower3 Center for Health on a program designed solely for the uninsured. If you’d like to learn more, an informational session will be held on Tuesday, October 22nd from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. at the Devorris Center for Business Development. There is no cost or obligation to attend but pre-registration is encouraged. Call The Chamber at 943-8151 to register.
Great Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Television Programs
The Chamber’s “Issues” programs have been featured on the Altoona Public Access Channel for many years. The programs look at those aspects of the business community and the Blair County community in general that impact how we live and work. The Chamber will be doing two more programs this Fall. The first highlights Leadership Blair County; and the second, young professionals in our county. Not only will these one hour programs, moderated by Carolyn Donaldson, be interesting to watch, they also provide great sponsorship opportunities for businesses that are looking for ways to get their names out while also supporting The Chamber’s effort to better educate and inform the public on key topics. The cost to sponsor an “Issues” program is just $100 a show. It’s an inexpensive way to get a whole lot of exposure. Interested? Call Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.
Help Pay Tribute to the Bigelow Family
Randy & Twila Bigelow & Family are the 2013 recipient of the Blair County Chamber’s Agricultural Community Excellence (ACE) Award. The Bigelow family serves as outstanding ambassadors for agriculture. The ACE Award will be presented to the Bigelow Family at the Annual Farm-City Dinner, set for October 29th at The Park at Morrisons Cove. Sponsorships and advertising can be secured by contacting Christine Perkins at The Chamber, 814-943-8151 or emailing her.
Business Hall of Fame Dinner Slated for October 21st
The Chamber’s Annual Business Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on Monday night, October 21th at the Blair County Convention Center. The event begins with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception at 5:30 p.m. Dinner begins at 6:45. To make reservations, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Cost to attend the Dinner is $65 a person. Hall of Fame honorees are: Bellwood-Antis School District, Stuckey Ford and Subaru in Hollidaysburg, and Tom and Joe’s Diner in Altoona. In the category of Excellence in Small Business, the honorees are: Altoona Lung Specialists, Kooman & Associates and Stoney Point Events. The Altoona Curve is the Community Service honoree. Three businesses will be honored in the category of Sustainability. They are: Hollidaysburg Area High School, Sheetz, Inc., and Word Processing Services, Inc. EcoIslands, LLC and Gwin, Dobson & Foreman, Inc. are the Technology honorees and the Committee Choice Award recipient is The Nehemiah Project.
Chamber Will Again Support “Operation S.O.S.”
Operation S.O.S. (Support Our Soldiers) will kick off its 10th annual campaign and the Blair County Chamber will once again help to promote the program whose purpose is to make the holidays a little brighter for American troops stationed overseas. Once again, the packages that will be sent to soldiers should contain specific items of food and drinks, toiletry items and miscellaneous items such as ornaments, games and recently published magazines. Items may be dropped-off between October 28th and November 22nd at Smith Furniture in Duncansville. To access a list of needed items, go to www.smithfurniturehof.com.
Unsecured Booths Now Available for 2014 Home & Garden Show
Although the Blair County Home & Garden Show will not take place until February 28, March 1 and 2 of next year, the committee overseeing that event has already started the booth selection process. Beginning October 7th, unsecured booths will be made available to new exhibitors. To renew a booth or be put on the list to receive information, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151. Payments can be made with cash, check, Discover Card, Master Card or VISA. The Blair County Home & Garden Show is a partnership of the Blair County Chamber and the Blair-Bedford Builders Association.
Chamber’s China Trip is Opportunity of a Lifetime
The Chamber’s next China Trip (April 4-12, 2014) is an opportunity for people to broaden their perspectives on what is happening in the world. It is also a whole lot of fun. If you haven’t secured information on what the trip entails and haven’t marveled at its ridiculously low price, simply stop-by the Chamber Office, located in the Devorris Center for Business Development. This will be the third trip to China in the past four years and the cost is just $2,399 pp/dou.occ., which includes all flights, meals and 5-star hotels. It’s the trip of a lifetime!
Congratulations . . .
. . . to the members of the Blair County Chamber who were recently recognized by Pennsylvania Business Central magazine as “Women Making a Difference.” Those women are: Amy Seltzer of Seltzer Financial Strategies, LLC; Kathleen Wallace of Catanese Group, Patricia Ryder of Clearfield Bank and Trust Company, Sue Griep of the Blair County District Attorney’s Office and Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry of Penn State Altoona.
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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Mattress World
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Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off Simmons Beautyrest, Simmons True Energy, Simmons Work Class, Simmons Comfortpedic, Simmons Beautyrest Black, Laura Ashley, or King Koil I-Matt series products
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Mill Hill Farm Supply
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When you present your Chamber Blue Card, receive $5 off a $25 or more purchase. All Mill Hill products qualify, including bird feed, pet food, garden seeds, gardening supplies plus much more!
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Oak Spring Winery
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Present your Blue Card to save 10% on your order at Oak Spring Winery
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Phoenicia Mediterranean Restaurant
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Present your Blue Card to receive 10% off your bill. Discount excludes alcohol purchases.
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Ramada Altoona Conference Center
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Present your Blue Card to receive 20% off in any of the Ramada's restaurants - The Cosmopolitan or the Tropical Courtyard
AND OR
receive 10% off of sleeping rooms (based on availability) or 10 percent off on any banquet room or meeting room.
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September 30, 2013
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Upcoming Events
Register online
Business BEFORE Hours
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Southern Blair Senior Center
Register Here
Down on the Farm
Thursday, October 3, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Triple R Farms, Roaring Spring
Register Here
Breakfast Club
Thursday, October 10, 2013
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Safety Workshop
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
7:45 - 10:00 a.m.
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Lunch 'n' Learn
Thursday, October 17, 2013
12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
The Blairmont
Register Here
GRYP Halloween Party
Thursday, October 17, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Aldo's Lounge
Register Here
Business Hall of Fame Dinner
Monday, October 21, 2013
5:30 - Reception
6:45 - Dinner & Progam
Blair County Convention Center
Register Here
GRYP next Conference
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
8:00 - Noon
The Casino at Lakemont Park
Register Here
Busines After Hours
Thursday, October 24, 2013
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Michanowicz Endodontics
Register Here
Speed Networking Blair County
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
7:45 - 9:00 a.m.
Devorris Center for Business Development
Register Here
Farm-City Dinner
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
6:30 p.m.- Reception
7:00 p.m. - Dinner/Program
The Park at Morrisons Cove
Register Here
Upcoming
Committee Meetings
Week of 9/30/2013
Chamber Ambassadors
Tuesday, October 1, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Small Business Partners
Wednesday, October 2, 11:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Legislative Action Committee
Thursday, October 3, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
BASICS Subcommittee - Early Childhood Education
Thursday, October 3, 10:00 a.m.
The Chamber
BASICS Career Fair Task Forces
Friday, October 4, 8:00 a.m.
Devorris Center
Follow The Chamber
on Facebook
Click here
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