There are many reasons to join the Chamber of Commerce!

For more than 100 years, the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce has been an active voice and leader for the businesses of Somerset County and the surrounding region. Your membership is a key part of keeping that voice alive. In addition to that, we offer many other “benefits of membership,” including:

  • Affordable, effective advertising and promotional opportunities that will take your message to businesses and customers throughout the region.
  • Building relationships with our business leaders through Chamber-sponsored events, including networking events, mixers, seminars, etc.
  • Chamber Local Loot gift certificate program that promotes local buying and highlights Chamber member businesses.
  • Demographic information for business planning and small business counseling to help your company grow.
  • Your company listing on our website and your website linked with ours.
  • Leadership Somerset County, a 10-month Leadership program offered by the Chamber to develop and nurture new leaders for Somerset County.
  • Legislative representation at the local, state and federal levels.
  • A quarterly newsletter to keep you abreast of news, events and issues.
  • Involvement and representation in many local and regional organizations.
  • Recognition as a business that is committed to the community.
  • Business referrals from our office staff.
  • Being a member of a unified county and regional organization.
  • Group health insurance programs through a partnership with Chambers of Commerce Service Corporation.
  • The opportunity to participate on Chamber committees to address issues particular to your business, industry or community.
  • Special member-to-member discounts, including selected business training classes at member educational institutions.
  • The knowledge that you have a professionally staffed business organization that is dedicated to the success of your business.
  • Marketing local products under the Chamber's BUY LOCAL program.
  • The reality of new initiatives created by the Chamber that will help our local businesses progress and profit in the future.
  • An energy savings program through World Kinect Energy Solutions that gives members discounts on their energy bills.
  • National surveys reveal that chamber membership increases the potential for consumer buying. Membership adds credibility and local ownership.
  • Investing in an organization that has a proven track record of benefiting the county's businesses and residents for more than a century.

One voice may not be heard, but 550+ will!

Representation in these organizations:

Chambers of Commerce Service Corporation
Community Foundation for the Alleghenies
Continental 1 Alliance
Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial
GO Laurel Highlands
Leadership Somerset County
North/South Highway Coalition
PA Association of Chamber Professionals
PA CareerLink Somerset County
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Private Industry Council
Rotary Club of Somerset
Somerset County Commissioners’ Leadership Committee
Somerset County Foundation for Higher Education
Somerset County Rails To Trails Association
Somerset County Technology Center Advisory Council
Somerset County Workshop
Somerset Hospital Board
Somerset Inc.
Soroptimist International of Somerset County
Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission
Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board
Southern Tier Education Council

Membership Services

Chamber Connection – Quarterly newsletter keeping you informed on current business issues and Chamber activities. Many local colleges and organizations conducting classes/seminars on business-related topics also utilize “Chamber Connection” to alert you to educational opportunities. Chamber membership enables you to take advantage of a reasonably priced marketing opportunity to insert advertising in the Chamber newsletter.

e-Dispatch – This communication effort comes to you by email, twice a month, with up-to-date Chamber news and information.

Website – Your company is listed alphabetically and by business category on the Chamber website at www.somersetcountychamber.com. Links from your listing to your own homepage are FREE to all members.

Micro-Revolving Loan Program - Chamber Members involved in tourism have access to a micro-revolving loan program that provides access to funds for small projects or to compliment a larger project. Minimum loans are $2,000.00 and the maximum is $10,000.00. The maximum participation of the loan fund is 50% of the total project. To be eligible businesses must be members of the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce and the Laurel Highlands Visitor’s Bureau at the time of the application and remain members of both organizations for the term of the loan. The loan is administered through the Somerset County Economic Development Council on behalf of the Somerset County Commissioners.

ChamberChoice Energy Program Managed by Kinect Energy Group – The Chamber is committed to helping its members save money and mitigate increases due to the rising cost of energy through a partnership with Kinect Energy Group. The primary purpose of this partnership is to help Chamber members manage energy needs both on the supply and demand side of the meter. A ChamberChoice Residential Energy Program is also available to Chamber member employees and their friends and family. Kinect Energy Group has recently added a savings program for commercial users of natural gas. For more information on these programs, call 866-699-9968 or visit https://one.wglenergy.com/cmp/kinect/

Local Loot Gift Certificate Program – The Chamber’s Local Loot gift certificates can be purchased at the Chamber office. Certificates are good at any participating Chamber Member business. Very convenient and easy to use! One hundred percent of purchases stay local. Great for employee incentives, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and much more!

A Conveniently Located Office and Information Center – Open Monday to Friday and staffed with a full-time executive director, full-time office manager and other support staff. The information center, operated in conjunction with the Laurel Highlands Visitor’s Bureau, has hosted more than 100,000 visitors since it opened. As a member, your brochures and/or business cards can be displayed here.

Chamber Business Directory – Your business will be listed in this directory under the categories of your choice. The booklet is distributed to all Chamber members, subscribers of the Daily American and countywide to tourists, to new and long-time residents seeking a particular service, bank, or library, to businesses interested in locating to the county, and others. ONLY CHAMBER MEMBERS ARE INCLUDED. In this way we recommend only our members to the public.

Group Hospitalization Plan Through Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield – Available to you, if qualified, upon becoming a Chamber member. Visit the Chamber Choice website at www.ccsc.net.

Guide to Somerset County – Tourism-related Chamber member businesses are listed in this guide in categories such as lodging, dining, recreation, attractions and historical sites, hiking, biking and outdoor recreation, specialty shopping, etc. This booklet is distributed from our office to visitors, in packets to those relocating to Somerset County, and to hotels, motels and restaurants for general distribution. They are also distributed by the Laurel Highlands Visitor’s Bureau throughout Fayette, Westmoreland and Somerset Counties and by Little Mountain Promotions in Garrett County, Md.

Small Business Development Center – A representative is available twice each month to help with questions concerning starting a new business, preparing a business plan and improving or expanding an existing business.

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