Chamber Office Closed for Independence Day
Chamber Executive Committee Approves Four New Members
Chamber Announces Trip to Thailand/Hong Kong in 2015
Coalition on Sustainability to Rebuild Momentum
Reminder: Membership Recruitment Can Yield Great Rewards
Low-Cost Healthcare:  The Chamber Makes It Happen
Only One Month Until the “Backbone Bash”
Congratulations . . .
Blue Card Discounts

Chamber Office Closed for Independence Day
The Blair County Chamber Office will be closed on Friday in recognition of Independence Day. The office will re-open on Monday at 8:30 a.m. To access Chamber information or to register for a program or event, visit the Chamber Website.
 
Chamber Executive Committee Approves Four New Members
The Executive Committee of the Blair County Chamber, which approves new members in June and July because the full Board doesn’t meet during those months, has recently approved the following members:  AOO Kitty Hawk, LLC of Martinsburg; McCloskey’s Landscaping, Inc. of Bellwood; National Property Inspections of Hollidaysburg; and Paisley Interior Design, LLC of Tyrone.

Chamber Announces Trip to Thailand/Hong Kong in 2015
The success relationship between the Blair County Chamber and Citslinc, Inc. will continue in 2015 with a trip to Thailand and Hong Kong, set for October 30th to November 7th.  “The three China trips that we’ve taken with Citslinc have all been first class,” explained Chamber President Joe Hurd.  “From talking to some other chambers who have done the Thailand/Hong Kong tour, we have a great experience to look forward to next October.”  The Chamber will issue an RFP to its member travel agencies to determine where it will travel in the Spring of 2015.  “We’re hoping to be able to offer a great Spring tour as well,” Hurd noted.  For more information on the Thailand/Hong Kong tour, call The Chamber at 943-8151.

Coalition on Sustainability to Rebuild Momentum
The Blair County Chamber’s Coalition on Sustainability took an unplanned hiatus this Spring and it intends to make up for lost time.  The Coalition, which encourages businesses and schools to take more active roles in preserving the environment and working to educate consumers on the benefits of “going green,” will meet in late August to look at possible projects.  The Coalition is also hoping to recruit new members.  For more information or to sign-up to be on the Coalition, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151 or email him.

Reminder: Membership Recruitment Can Yield Great Rewards
Despite the best efforts of The Chamber’s dedicated staff, it’s been proven time-and-again that the best recruiters of new members to the organization are other members.  “Business people want to hear the message from someone who has already invested in the organization,” reported Doug Mingle of Roaring Spring Department Store, The Chamber’s Board Chair.  “It just resonates better.”  There’s also a financial incentive for members who get others to join.  Bring a completed membership application and a form of payment to the Chamber Office and you’ll earn a $25 gift card to the Chamber-business of your choice.  “Too hard to pass-up,” Mingle pointed out.  For more information on how to be a Chamber recruiter, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.

Low-Cost Healthcare:  The Chamber Makes It Happen
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.

Only One Month Until the “Backbone Bash”
The much-anticipated “Backbone Bash,” sponsored by The Chamber’s Small Business Partners, will be held on Friday, August 1st at the Buccinese Society beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The event gives representatives from small businesses the opportunity to network and, in general, have a fun and relaxing time.  The cost to attend, which includes food and adult beverages is just $10/person.  To help offset the cost of the Bash, which is appropriately named because small business is the “backbone” of the local economy, sponsorships are available.  Door prizes are also accepted.  For information on either, contact Rachel Litzinger at 943-8151 or email her at rlitzinger@blairchamber.com.

Congratulations . . .
. . . to Coldwell Banker Town & Country Real Estate of Altoona which was ranked 13th in North America through May in total units sold among Coldwell Banker affiliate offices with 21 to 35 sales associates.
. . . to Juniata College’s Early Childhood Education Center which has again earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

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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