Welcome to the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce members' section. This is your section for collaboration and coordination. Keep abreast of important Chamber updates, upcoming events and member announcements. View the newsletter and receive the latest details on Chamber benefits such as our energy program, group health insurance and advertising opportunities.
Eggs & Issues
State of the County
Thursday, November 18th, 2021
Registration & Breakfast 7:30 a.m. Program 8 a.m.
Oakhurst Grille & Event Center
Join us as we host Somerset County Commissioners Gerald Walker, Colleen Dawson and Pamela Tokar-Ickes for the 2021 State of the County Update. As Somerset County’s leaders, they oversee a $55 million budget that spans county functions that include criminal justice, human services, public safety, public works and libraries.
The past year and a half has been a traumatic time in our history, however Somerset County experienced a housing boom and became a destination for many new visitors and new homeowners, spurring new business growth around the county. Plus, major projects are nearing completion, such as Somerset Lake, renewed efforts in completing 219, and improving broadband. Workforce Education has taken on a larger role as the biggest issue facing our employers is staffing. Get an update on the major efforts in retaining and attracting new employees through the Chamber’s Success in Somerset Workforce Education Initiative. We urge everyone to attend to hear about all that’s happening in Somerset County!
2021 Eggs Issues State of the County
A special thank you to Fairfield Inn, Pine Grill Restaurant, Glades Pike Winery, and Sechler Sugar Shack for sponsoring this giveaway!
Local Loot is accepted all around the county.
To purchase Local Loot, stop by the Somerset County Chamber office at 601 North Center Avenue, Somerset or call us at: 445-6431. What makes Local Loot even better is that the businesses treat it just like cash, so there are no hassles in redeeming it.
The special part of the Local Loot Program is that it keeps the money local, which helps the local economy grow and that provides jobs for local people. Any business can become a Local Loot participant by simply becoming a chamber member and that automatically allows the benefits of membership and that includes Local Loot.
Purchase Local Loot online https://somersetcountychamber.com/our-store/
Check out the 60+ businesses that accept Local Loot! https://somersetcountychamber.com/local-loot/
Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association - PRLA members can post open positions for free on the PRLA Job Board. And, for a limited time, non-members can receive a complimentary 30-day posting by using the code COVID-19. Forward this info to your hiring manager today.
CFA Launches Nonprofit Resource Library The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies launched a new service for local nonprofits: a resource library with tools, training, literature, and access to more than 17 million grant opportunities through Candid’s Foundation Directory Online.
The new Nonprofit Resource Library, sponsored by Wessel & Company, is offered at no cost to local nonprofit organizations. In addition to use of the Foundation Directory Online database, the library also houses Candid’s e-book collection through OverDrive. Physical reference resource topics include grant-seeking, philanthropy, volunteerism, proposal writing, nonprofit management, fundraising, and community and economic development. During any patron’s visit, CFA will have trained staff available to guide them in their efforts to discover and apply for a broad spectrum of new funding opportunities.
The library is now open by appointment during regular business hours. To schedule a visit or find out more, reach out to CFA Executive & HR Assistant Emily Wood at ewood@cfalleghenies.org or (814)208-8448.
Broadband Connectivity
Somerset County Library is participating in a Libraries Connect Communities and Broadband Resources grant project, working with broadband consultants to connect those who need Internet access with Internet Service Providers and others who are working on proposals for building out the area’s broadband infrastructure. The more addresses the library gathers of those interested in paying for monthly Internet services should connection options become available, the greater the chances of getting at least some groups of addresses written into proposals to be funded through programs such as the American Rescue Plan and the Emergency Connectivity Fund (through which the library is directly applying for some build-out funds for several patron residences). The library needs addresses of those interested to work on creating desired service address maps and gathering the make-ready information that is needed to move broadband connectivity projects forward to help vendors identify projects to include in their proposals as additional broadband funding opportunities become available.
Those interested can complete an online form at https://bit.ly/ConnectSomerset or through a print form that can be downloaded from https://somersetcolibrary.org/documents/ConnectSomersetPaperForm.pdf or completed at Somerset County Library or the Bookmobile. Print forms should be returned to Cheryl Morgan at Somerset County Library, 6022 Glades Pike, Ste. 120, Somerset, PA 15501 by mail or through the Bookmobile service. Those who do not have access to either the online or print form may call the Somerset County Library Service Desk at 814-445-5907, option 1 and ask staff to fill out a form on their behalf.
Johnstown Symphony Orchestra
In the 93rd season of music, the JSO has more options and extras to offer than ever before! Your amazing support got us through the tough 2020-2021 season, and we want to give back. For 2021 there is a new box office - The JSO office will be handling all ticket sales in person, on the phone and online! No need to go to the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center to pick up tickets, you can come straight to us during box office hours at the Galleria or order from our website. And no online processing fees - That’s right. Purchase your tickets or subscription with a credit card right here, on our website, and you waive any processing fees.
Lungs at Work - Black Lung Screening
Fall Fest
Live Your Dream
A More Effective Open Enrollment Season
Just the thought of an approaching open enrollment period can cause stress for employers and their workers. But with proper planning and a well-developed strategy, open enrollments can be organized, effective and a positive experience for all involved.
Development of a detailed timeline well in advance of the start of open enrollment season is a great first step. The employer and their benefit consultant can analyze the company’s specific objectives, style and demographics to develop a customized approach. Included in this stage should be the scheduling of webinars, benefit fairs, seminars and opportunities, as applicable. Likewise, the framework of an employee communication campaign can be developed, leaving specific details (like plan data, contribution schedules, etc.) to be inserted at a later time.
As soon as renewals are made available by the carrier(s), plans and contribution schedules can be selected by the employer and a communication piece should be distributed to all employees outlining the planned process, any critical information and any important dates and deadlines.
Benefit plan and contribution information should be presented to employees in a manner that encourages employees to become engaged in the process. The communication material should present the range of benefit details in a simple, understandable and even exciting, if possible, manner…customized as much as possible to the profile of employees in each organization.
Technology should be used whenever possible. Utilization of emails, webinars and online open enrollment tools all enhance the experience for today’s technology-oriented workforce and help to streamline the entire process.
Once open enrollment ends and everything settles down, the process can be reviewed and employee feedback solicited in order to better understand the components that worked well and those that didn’t. In this way, the experience can be further perfected for the following year’s open enrollment season.
The Somerset County Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at somco.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Matthew Bricker at (800) 377-3539.
Looking for a way to promote or market your business, organization or upcoming event? The Chamber offers a number of marketing and advertising options for members. Details coming soon!
The Somerset County Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting this region as a superior locale in which to live, work, vacation and conduct business. Membership consists of all sizes of businesses representing agriculture, financial, health, manufacturing, media, retailing, service, and tourism. Membership also includes various organizations such as service clubs, churches, elected officials, and individual associate members. The common thread is that all members share an interest in enhancing and improving the economy and quality of life in our region through networking opportunities.
601 North Center Avenue
Somerset, PA 15501
Phone: (814) 445-6431
Fax: (814) 443-4313
