Chamber E-News November 8, 2011

Upcoming Events

Chamber 101
Tuesday, November 15

4:00-5:00 p.m.
Fairfield Inn and Suites Breakfast Area
Click here for details

Fairfield Inn and Suites
Business After Hours
Tuesday, November 15
5:00-7:00 p.m.

Click here for details

Winter Blues
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Huntingdon Country Club

Raystown Lake Region Home & Outdoor Show
May 4, 5 & 6, 2012

Fairgrounds

www.huntingdoncountyshow.com

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Chamber Website

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Community Calendar and Gateway Website

Buy The Alleghenies

After your free trial period expires you qualify for a special discount because you are a member of the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce. If you prepay for six months, you receive a 20% discount. Prepay for a year and save 25%! There's no better time to try email marketing.

Read Past E-News Issues

November 8, 2011

In This Issue

2012 Winter Blues: Non-Profits Invited

It's Time To Go Social. We'll Make it Simple

Media Day November 10

Facade Grant Application Deadline Extended

Member-to-Member Benefit Program

Marcellus Shale Update

2012 Winter Blues: Non-Profits Invited

February 19 is the date of the 2012 Winter Blues that will be held at the Huntingdon Country Club from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Member non-profits are once again invited to attend at no cost to them and sell raffle tickets for a large prize. Non-profits will again keep the money they raise from ticket sales and the non-profit that sells the most tickets will receive an additional $100. Last year non-profits raised a total of $2,900. The first 12 non-profits who complete and return the form will be able to participate. Click here for the form.

Food providers interested in participating can click here for the registration form. Click here for information on sponsoring the 2012 Winter Blues.

It's Time To Go Social. We'll Make it Simple.

If you're wondering if social media marketing is right for your business, the verdict is in...social media is a great way to drive repeat business and to attract new customers.

Social Media has changed the way people connect, discover and share information. But let's skip the jargon. Here's what you need to know:

Social media is the technology that connects people - whether it's to share content or just to chat.

Social networks, like Facebook and LinkedIn, are the places where social interactions happen (discovering & sharing).

Social media marketing is the way to use that technology to build relationships, drive repeat business and attract new customers through friends sharing with friends.

Sound familiar? That's because social media marketing is really just word-of-mouth powered by technology.

The new FREE Social Media instructional website www.socialquickstarter.com provides in depth information on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogging, and YouTube. The site also provides information on Ratings and Review Sites and the importance of being listed on those sites and information on QR Codes.

This free site developed by Constant Contact is definitely worth visiting.

Media Day November 10

Having a hard time reaching your target market?

Need more information on advertising options and the demographics each serve?

Here is your chance to meet with Advertising Representatives from several local and regional providers all at one time. Advertising representatives from the following companies will be on hand to meet with you and answer questions related to your marketing plan for your company.

Apryl Sparr Graphics

Comcast

Hunny 106

Lamar Signs

Merf Radio

Sample Media Group (Huntingdon Daily News, PA Business Central, and more)

State College Spikes

StelTek Graphics

WTAJ TV 10

Valley Log

Location: Comfort Inn of Huntingdon

Date: November 10, 2011

Time: 10:30 a.m. - Noon

This event is free

For more information, contact the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce at 814.643.1110

Facade Grant Application Deadline Extended

The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for the Huntingdon Borough Façade Grant Program designed to assist downtown business in improving their appearance. The Façade Grant Program works to support property owners and conserve historic architectural features of businesses located in the Borough of Huntingdon.

Interested property owners should complete and sign an application stating the work proposed and committing to do the work after the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development approves the Borough's application. Click here for the application and additional details. Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis. Only complete applications will be considered.

Façade grant funds are available for commercial property only. Applicants may apply for up to $2,500 per façade that is visible from a public right away. The maximum grant for four facades is $10,000. The property owner is required to match 50% per façade and pay a 5% fee on the grant and direct dollar match. Property owners may not begin work until their grant is approved. Owners must finance 100% of the project and submit proof of payment along with the invoices for the work completed to obtain their façade funds. It is anticipated that projects will begin in the next construction year. After receipt of the contract reimbursement may take six to twelve months.

Applications must be received by December 14 in order to apply for funding through the state.

Member-to-Member Benefit Program

The Member-to-Member Benefit Program allows all participating Chamber members to reap the benefits of doing business with other Chamber members through discounts, sales, and/or coupons. The following members offer Member-to-Member benefits:

The Altoona Mirror - Advertising package with special pricing (Call for details.)

Beacon Marketing Solutions - 20% off list price for all promotional (imprinted) items (first order only)

BottomLine Pros LLC - $50 rebate when you open a new account

Brenneman's Meat Market - 5% discount on retail purchases of $10 or more

Budget Blinds of Bedford - 30% discount on all of our window treatments

The Daily News - 40% discount on Chamber News advertising in black or color

Desert Garden Day Spa - 10% discount on all products & services

Doan's Bones- 10% off orders over $100.00

Fastenal - 10% off purchases for members

Four Seasons Florist - 10% off all in-store merchandise, picked up or delivered, paid with cash or credit card (Offer excludes wire orders, roses during Valentine's Day and Christmas, and items charged to house accounts.)

Grove's Office Supply - Discounts on UPS shipping

Healthy Prediction's Market - 20% off any non-food item

Hometown Delights - 10% discount

Huntingdon County Customs - Chamber members receive 20% off all custom grill grates

Huntingdon Gift Shop - 10% discount to members

Huntingdon County Drop-In Center, Inc. - 20% off consignment or donated items.

Kavazea Designs - 10% off any design fees

Kim's Country Korner - 10% discount

K. L. Myers Heating & Cooling - 15% off all products & services

Lincoln Caverns, Inc. - $1.00 off Adult Tickets and $0.50 off Children's Tickets (Not valid during special events.)

Log Cabin Gallery Shop - 10% off the item of your choice each visit

M&T Vacuum Systems - 10% off any new vacuum cleaner

Majik Rentals & Sales - 10% off all your purchases

Moove In Self Storage - Pay for your 1st month of storage, get your 2nd month free

ProCare Health Systems, Inc. - A new Corporate Rate for members (Call for details.)

Rick Worthy Contracting - 5% on all services pertaining to gutters (Cleaning, Seamless Gutters, Leaf and Snow Guard and Downspouting)

Service Center - 20% off phones and accessories

Shipley Energy - 10% discount on duct cleaning services; 5% discount on furnace, boiler and air conditioner installations; 5% discount on parts & labor for repairs & tune-ups (Discounts are for items directly related to the Chamber member's place of business, and not their homes.)

Spoiled Rott'n Pets & Their People - 10% off purchases of $20 or more

Swartz Fire & Saftey, Inc. - 10% Discount on all products and services

The Gage Mansion - 10% off rental fees for overnight stays, meetings, events, and group tours

The Uniform Place - 20% off name brand uniforms, 15% off shoes and accessories, and 10% off value priced items

Thompson's Candle Company - 10% off regular priced items in our factory outlet store.

Wireless Zone - 25% off accessories and 10% off phones

If you would like to offer a Member-to-Member discount, please contact the Chamber at (814) 643-1110

Marcellus Shale Update

Debunking the myths; examining governor's impact fee plan

Marcellus Shale: myths v. facts

As the General Assembly continues to debate the responsible development and growth of the Marcellus Shale drilling industry, considerable misinformation still clouds the discussion. To help clear up some of these misconceptions, the PA Chamber has prepared a document -- The Marcellus Shale: myths versus facts -- that addresses a number of inaccuracies about the industry related to regulation, tax liability, employment and hydraulic fracturing. The document, which can be found on the PA Chamber's website, is available here. Additional labor market information for Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale industries is available here.

Governor unveils Marcellus Shale impact fee plan

Gov. Tom Corbett recently announced plans to implement key recommendations of the Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission (PA Chamber President Gene Barr served on the commission and co-chaired one of its work groups), including an impact fee to benefit host communities and aid public protection.

The administration's proposal calls for an impact fee to be adopted by counties for use by local communities impacted by natural gas drilling. The fee is expected to generate $120 million in year one, increasing to $200 million within six years. The per-well fee could be up to $40,000 in the first year; $30,000 in the second year; $20,000 in the third year; and $10,000 in years four through 10.

The fee would be split 75/25 between local governments and state programs. Of the money allocated toward local impact, 36 percent would be retained by the county; 37 percent would be distributed to the local municipality hosting a drilling pad; and 27 percent would be distributed to all municipalities within a Marcellus drilling-impacted county.

The remaining 25 percent split would be divided among PennDOT, DEP, Department of Health, the Public Utility Commission and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for various Marcellus Shale-related purposes. Additional information about the governor's proposed fee structure and the plan in general is available here.