Chamber Members begin to enroll in electric program
Welcome -- New Chamber Members!
New subcommittees approved by Chamber Board
Sustainability Coalition to hear climate presentation
Retail Roundtable to focus on raising consumer awareness
Lunch 'n' Learn topic applies to variety of business sectors
Task force to begin discussion on highway issue
Transportation Committee to hear state Chamber priorities
Chamber Members invited to "Chamber Day on Capitol Hill"
Deadline to apply for Leadership Blair County Adult program is June 30
Business Excellence Dinner reservatgions available online
"Issues" program on long-term care continues this week
Chamber's trip to Ireland continuing to attract interest
"Immaculate Reception" photo helping scholarship program
LBC Class raising funds for park project
Nominated anyone for the Hall of Fame yet?
Congratulations . . .

Chamber Members begin to enroll in electric program
The enrollment process has officially begun and members of the Blair County Chamber have joined Chamber Members from throughout the Penelec territory to lock-in guaranteed savings through the ChamberChoice Electric Program. OnDemand, which has been coordinating the specifics of the program for ChamberChoice, has successfully negotiated a guaranteed savings product with First Energy Solutions for all meters that use less than one million kwhs of energy consumption. Chamber Members who originally attended informational meetings and who expressed interest in the product have been sent Electric Enrollment Forms and have until May 31 to complete and return them. Beginning later this week, a second wave of information will be sent to all Chamber Members who have not yet taken the opportunity to learn about the program. “We want all of our members to have access to this tremendous member benefit,” explained Chamber President Joe Hurd. “Those who have researched it and compared it to other products that are out there have told us how impressed they are and how anxious they are to sign-on. It’s the real deal.”  For more information on the Electric Program, call ChamberChoice at 1-866-699-9968.

Welcome -- New Chamber Members!
The Chamber’s Board of Directors approved the following new members at the May 20 Board meeting: Canary Labs, Discovery House Blair County, In-Shore Technologies, Joe Krentzman & Son, Rove Enterprises Inc. dba Woody’s II, Steve “That DJ Guy,” The Altoona Hotel and The Circulatory Centers.

New subcommittees approved by Chamber Board
The Chamber’s Board of Directors has approved the creation of four Board subcommittees that will address organizational issues during the second half of 2010. The subcommittees will focus on strategic planning, board development, membership recruitment and ethics. "As a business organization we face numerous challenges and we are fortunate to have a board made up of talented people with significant vision," explained Chamber Board Chair-Elect Ron Muffie of The Hite Company. "These subcommittees will get to the heart of where we hope to be entering 2011."  

Sustainability Coalition to hear climate presentation
Climate change legislation currently being debated in the U.S. Senate will ultimately have an impact on Blair County as well as the rest of Pennsylvania . What will that impact be and what can the business community do to get a prominent role in the decision-making process?  That will be one of the primary discussion points at Wednesday’s meeting of The Chamber’s Coalition on Environmental Sustainability, to be held at 10 a.m. at the Devorris Center . Making a presentation on climate change will be Anne Crowley, a consultant for the Union of Concerned Scientists and Raymond Najjar, an associate professor in the Department of Meteorology at Penn State University . To become a member of the Coalition or just to sit-in on this presentation, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.  

Retail Rountable to focus on raising consumer awareness
What do people find when they look for Blair County retail on search engines and what would retailers prefer that they find? Do people in Blair County even have a solid grasp of what retail establishments are located here? These and other questions will be top of mind when the Chamber’s Retail Roundtable meets next Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. at the Devorris Center . If you’re a retailer who would like to attend, contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.  

Lunch 'n' Learn topic applies to variety of business sectors
If your business is a covered entity under HIPAA, if a business associate is covered or if you fall under Graham Leach Biliey, this Thursday’s Chamber Lunch 'n' Learn program is one that you can’t afford to miss. Entitled, “You’ve Had a Data Breach! The Law Requires that You Respond. Are You Ready?” the program will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Park Hills Country Club. The agenda will address what constitutes a data breach, the frequency and costs associated with data breaches, the regulatory landscape, organizational exposure, how to close the gaps and much, much more. The presenters are Tom Kristofco, President of Business Continuity Concepts in Hollidaysburg and Larissa Crum, Executive Vice-President of Immersion, Ltd. In State College . The cost to attend the Lunch 'n' Learn is $22 for Chamber Members and $30 for non-members. Members who send three or more attendees can attend for $17 per person. To register, call The Chamber at 943-8151 or register online.

Task force to begin discussion on highway issue
A task force that was formed to look at the possibility of re-directing a portion of PA Route 22 to gain greater access to Interstate 99 will hold its first meeting on Wednesday at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House in Huntingdon beginning at noon. The task force is comprised of five representatives each from Blair, Huntingdon and Mifflin counties . The Blair County reps were selected from The Chamber’s Transportation Committee. They are: Grove Dixon from Smith Transport, Joe Keller from Keller Engineers, Ethan Imhoff from the Borough of Hollidaysburg, Bob Kunselman from the EADS Group and Patrick Miller from Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation.

Transportation Committee to hear state Chamber priorities
Jim Willshier, a government affairs specialist with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industries, will discuss the state Chamber’s priorities for transportation funding in Pennsylvania at Thursday’s meeting of The Chamber’s Transportation Committee. Any Chamber Member interested in attending the meeting or becoming a member of the Transportation Committee should contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151. The meeting begins at 8:15 a.m. at the Devorris Center .  

Chamber Members invited to "Chamber Day on Capitol Hill"
If you’re a member of the Blair County Chamber who likes to keep abreast of issues affecting the business community at the state level, The Chamber has an opportunity that might attract your interest.  “Chamber Day on Capitol Hill,” sponsored each year by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry and the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals, will be held in Harrisburg, June 15. The event will include opportunities to meet with legislators, a roundtable discussion on key issues, a news conference and a private legislative reception. Interested members should contact The Chamber. The Chamber will underwrite the cost of the event for any members who would like to attend. Contact Joe Hurd at 943-8151.

Deadline to apply for Leadership Blair County Adult program is June 30
The 17th class of The Chamber’s Leadership Blair County Adult program will begin its yearlong journey into servant leadership in September. Applying to be part of that class is taking place now with the application process ending June 30. "We always have a high amount of interest at this time of the year and we still restrict our classes to 24 people,” explained Judy Juda, The Chamber’s Vice-President of Programming & Membership Education. "It’s important that interested people apply as soon as possible so that we can set up interviews.” People may apply online or can secure an application by calling The Chamber at 943-8151.

Business Excellence Dinner reservations available online
Even though June 14 is still a few weeks away, it’s not too early to make your reservations for The Chamber’s Annual Business Excellence Dinner to be held at The Casino at Lakemont Park . This year the event pays tribute to a longtime leader in the business community – Mike McLanahan of McLanahan Corporation. Keynote speaker for the dinner is Michael McGrann, Executive Director of the S. Dale High Center for Family Business at Elizabethtown College . Testimonial comments will be provided by Dick Scholton of S&T Bank, Tim Sissler of Reliance Bank and Dr. C. Scott McLanahan, a pediatric neurosurgeon from North Carolina who is the brother of the honoree. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m.  Reservations can be made by calling The Chamber at 943-8151 or reserving online. 

"Issues" program on long-term care continues this week 
“Healthcare and Blair County’s Future,” the Chamber’s trilogy on the impact of new legislation impacting the local healthcare industry will continue to feature its second show at 11 a.m. this morning and will continue to offer it Mondays at 11 a.m. and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on the Altoona Public Access Channel. The program focuses on long-term care and home health. Panelists for the program are: Chris Dear of Valley View Home, Kathy Johnson of The Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg, Debbie Larkin of Presbyterian Village of Hollidaysburg, Ward Prostejovsky of The Village at Morrisons Cove and Theresa Zurilla of Home Instead Senior Care. Sponsors are: Affinity Health Services, Altoona Center for Nursing Care, Altoona Regional Health System, Golden LivingCenter-Hillview, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Homewood Retirement Community, The Winds at Mattern Orchard and Young, Oakes, Brown & Company.

Chamber's trip to Ireland continuing to attract interest
Ever have the opportunity to spend a night in a medieval castle?  That’s just one of the many great amenities to The Chamber’s first-ever tour of Ireland . The Chamber, in cooperation with Classic Travel and Collette Vacations, has put together a nine-day excursion to the Emerald Isle that will be unsurpassed in fun and excitement. And each day, more and more people are getting the traveling bug. If you’ve always wanted to visit Ireland but didn’t think you could afford it, contact Donna Wilt at 696-3558.  

"Immaculate Reception" photo helping scholarship program
In order to raise funds to support its adult scholarship program, Leadership Blair County is raffling-off an autographed Franco Harris “Immaculate Reception” photo. The beautifully framed photo is 16x20 and includes a certificate of authenticity. Chances are being sold at $5 each or three for $10 and the drawing will take place at the LBC Adult Graduation on June 10. Contact Judy Juda at The Chamber to purchase a chance.  

LBC Class raising funds for park project
The LBC 2010 class project is the fundraising and construction of Phase II of the Booker T. Washington Park. The overall goal of the park project is to create a focal point within the community that all members of the family can enjoy. Phase I was the construction of the basketball court on 19th Street and 13th Avenue in Altoona . The class project phase will be opposite the basketball court and concentrates on activities for adults and young adults. The “mind and body” park will include outdoor exercise stations, walking paths, gaming tables and a picnic area. The property as it stands now is an abandoned lot, including a blighted building, collapsed retaining wall and dumping area. Future phases of the overall park will add an event gazebo and children’s playgrounds. The park is the site of the annual Booker T. Washington Three-on-Three Basketball Tournament. The fundraiser is “A Night at the Races” which will be held on June 5 at the Bavarian Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m. and races begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and include admittance and the buffet dinner.  You also have the opportunity to purchase and name a horse prior to the event. Minimum cost is $10 per horse. There also will be silent auction items and an open bar. Tickets can be purchased at The Chamber or from any class member. Checks should be made payable to Central Blair Recreation and Park Commission. 

Nominated anyone for the Hall of Fame yet?
The nomination process continues for the 2010 Blair County Business Hall of Fame. Do you know of a business in Blair County that absolutely should be in the Hall of Fame or should receive an award for such things as safety, technology or community service. How about your own business? Visit The Chamber’s website today and download a nomination form. It’s our one chance each year to show what a great business community we have! 

Congratulations . . .
. . . to Tim Sissler, President/CEO of Reliance Bank, who was awarded the 2010 Distinguished Citizen Award from the Penn’s Woods Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
. . . to the Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center which was recently named 2010 School of the Year by the Equipment and Engine Training Council. 

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