Municipal Cooperation Forum Hopes to Kickoff Ongoing Effort
Chamber Signs-On to Oppose Minimum Wage Increase
“Business After Hours” Set for Wednesday at Senior CARE
WE-LEaD Workshop Message: “Get What You Want Every Time.”
Chamber Board Approves Five New Members
Nomination Period Begins for 2014 Business Hall of Fame
Chamber Night at the Curve Scheduled for May 6th
Deadline Approaching to Support GRYP Fundraising Project
Giant Eagle to Host Next “Buy Here. Live Here. Day”
McKillop, Miller Are Next “Role Models”
Check-Out The Chamber’s Low-Cost Healthcare Option
Sign-Ups Continue for Chamber Trip to Tuscany
Don’t Wait Too Long to Register for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts

Municipal Cooperation Forum Hopes to Kickoff Ongoing Effort
If Blair County is to succeed where a number of other counties in Pennsylvania have failed in finding common ground among its municipalities, the dialogue needs to begin now, believes The Chamber’s Legislative Action Committee.  That process begins with a Municipal Cooperation Forum to be held on Tuesday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center.  A reception beginning at 6:00 precedes the start of the Forum.  Event attendance is by invitation only and nearly 300 elected officials and municipal staffers have received those invitations.  The agenda of the Forum includes addresses from State Senator John Eichelberger, who chairs the Local Government Committee in the Senate and Peter Zug of the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services.  A panel discussion follows, moderated by Marty Marasco of Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation.  Panelists include: Michael Cortez of the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), John Frederick of the Intermunicipal Relations Committee, Rick Schuettler of the PA Municipal League and Zug.  Sponsors for the Municipal Cooperation Forum are: Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation; Durbin Companies; Leonard S. Fiore, Inc.; Hoss’s Steak & Sea House; M&T Bank; McQuaide, Blasko, Inc; Reliance Bank; Stiffler, McGraw & Associates; Stuckey Ford and Stuckey Subaru; UPMC Altoona; Ward Transport & Logistics; and WPS.

Chamber Signs-On to Oppose Minimum Wage Increase
When the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry sends a letter to all members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly opposing an increase to the Commonwealth’s minimum wage, the Blair County Chamber will be among those organizations signing-on to that letter.  The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to support the State Chamber’s opinion that an increase to the proposed $10.10 level would have an adverse effect on businesses and would result in significant job loss.  According to a study, that loss could range between 28,00 and 119,000 jobs over the next ten years.
 
“Business After Hours” Set for Wednesday at Senior CARE
Senior CARE Altoona will host the next Chamber “Business After Hours.”  That event will be held on WEDNESDAY, April 23rd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the company’s office, located at 1311 Twelfth Avenue in Altoona. The cost to attend is $6.00 for Chamber Members in advance or $7.00 at the door. Non-members may attend for $12.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

WE-LEaD Workshop Message: “Get What You Want Every Time.”
The announcement that Marsha Petrie Sue would be returning as keynote speaker to the next WE-LEaD Annual Workshop wasn’t the only piece of good news regarding that event. It was also announced that the workshop would once again feature an impressive array of exhibitors representing local businesses. This year’s WE-LEaD Workshop takes place this Thursday, April 24th at the Penn State Altoona Devorris Downtown Conference Center. The format for the Workshop is similar to what it has been in the past. Registration and continental breakfast are from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at which time attendees can visit the many vendors who have signed-up to exhibit at the event. Petrie Sue’s keynote, entitled “Communicating Results: How to Get What You Want Every Time,” begins at 8:30 and runs until noon. Lunch begins at 12:15 in the Heritage Discovery Center. The cost to attend the WE-LEaD Workshop is $70/person. To register, contact The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online. Once again this year, the corporate sponsor for the Workshop is Blair Medical Associates.

Chamber Board Approves Five New Members
The Board of Directors of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce approved five new members to the organization at last Thursday’s meeting.  The new members are: Dunkin’ Donuts; Epic Journeys, LLC of Johnstown; Morris Agency of Williamsburg; The Salvation Army of Altoona; and TRS Roofing of Williamsburg.
 
Nomination Period Begins for 2014 Business Hall of Fame
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for its 2014 Business Hall of Fame and General Business Awards of Distinction Program, which honors local businesses that have made contributions to the improvement of the business climate of Blair County.  The Blair County Chamber Business Hall of Fame and General Business Awards of Distinction is an evening which honors a select group of businesses who have exceeded the parameters of what most view as successful. Awarding categories include: Hall of Fame, Heritage, Excellence in Small Business, Young Emerging Business, Technology, Committee Choice, Community Service, Safety and Sustainability. Nominate early! Allow your nominee ample time to complete their applications. Nomination forms are available on-line at www.blairchamber.com or by calling 814-943-8151. Nominee completed application must be returned to The Chamber by Noon, Friday, June 13.

Chamber Night at the Curve Scheduled for May 6th
The Blair County Chamber will join nine other chambers within the region for Chamber Night at The Curve on May 6th.  Chamber members are eligible for two free tickets and may purchase additional tickets at just $3.00 each.  It’s an excellent opportunity to network with other Chamber members and to support The Curve, who play Bowie that evening at 6:30 p.m.  The gates open at 5:30.  To reserve tickets, contact Chris Keefer at (814) 283-3126 or email him at ckeefer@altoonacurve.com. 

Deadline Approaching to Support GRYP Fundraising Project
Growth and Relationships of Young Professionals (GRYP) will be participating in the Blair County Respiratory Disease Society’s 26th Annual Wallyball tournament. BCRDS is dedicated to the prevention and aid to individuals and families affected by respiratory diseases. GRYP will be collecting monetary donations, until the start of the tournament this Thursday, to help support their programs. If you are interested in donating contact Rachel Litzinger at 943-8151 or email her.

Giant Eagle to Host Next “Buy Here. Live Here. Day”
After a successful debut at ARC Federal Credit Union last month, the “Buy Here. Live Here. Day” express moves to Giant Eagle in Logan Town Centre this Friday from 9:00 a.m. until noon.  Buy Here. Live Here. Day is a program that encourages businesses to create a party-like atmosphere in the most noticeable parts of their operation.  That atmosphere can include balloons, signage – anything that sends the message that the Blair County community is more vibrant when the people who live here support those who are attempting to having a positive impact on the economy.  Matt McKillop, store director at Giant Eagle, feels that Buy Here. Live Here. sends a message consistent with his store’s corporate philosophy. “We’re a local company that tries to support the local community,” McKillop pointed out.  “Initiatives like Buy Here. Live Here. help everybody.  We’re happy to be part of the effort that showcases the advantages of local buying.”  Any business that would like to host a Buy Here. Live Here. Day should contact Linda Stotler at 943-8151 or email her.
 
McKillop, Miller Are Next “Role Models”
Bobbie Miller of Advantage Resource Group and Bill McKillop of Giant Eagle will be the Blair County Chamber’s next “Role Models” at a program to be held May 22nd from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center. The Role Models program was initiated two years ago to provide a forum for business leaders to share their experiences and insights with those still climbing the corporate ladder. The format is strictly Q&A with a moderator asking initial questions to generate discussion and attendees carrying the ball from there. The cost to attend Role Models is $25 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members and includes lunch. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Check-Out The Chamber’s Low-Cost Healthcare Option
The Blair County Chamber has partnered with Empower3 Center for Health to offer Chamber-Member employers an affordable community-based health plan for their employees. The plan features level group rates, no deductibles, no pre-existing condition exclusions, substantial prescription drug coverage with co-pays of $10 or less and the opportunity to add dental and vision coverage. Call Maureen Frucella for details.  Her number is (814) 317-5063.

Sign-Ups Continue for Chamber Trip to Tuscany
The Blair County Chamber, in cooperation with Classic Travel and Chamber Discoveries, has scheduled a trip to Tuscany from October 20 to 28. If you’d like to be one of the people making this exciting excursion at an almost unbelievable price, call The Chamber at 943-8151 for a brochure.

Don’t Wait Too Long to Register for the Highmark/Chamber Golf Classic
The Annual Chamber Golf Classic will be held on Monday, May 12th at Iron Masters Country Club in Ore Hill.  Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield will once again be the main sponsor for this popular event which routinely sells-out several weeks prior. This year’s Classic will again include the helicopter ball-drop, courtesy of Pine Bottom Aviation Services. Registration for sponsors and golfers is underway as are the sales of tee-and-green sponsorships. For more information or to register, contact Stacy Hoover at 943-8151 or email her.

Congratulations . . .
. . . to MedExpress Urgent Care, with a location in Altoona, which has earned urgent care center accreditation.  All 129 MedExpress Centers have now earned that accreditation.

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 The Chamber at 943-8151.    

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