PEARL SPONSOR Advance Disposal Services (formerly Veolia) Clarion Community Medicine - UPMC Community First Bank Magee Women’s Specialty Services at UPMC Northwest Marc Maslov, MD - Ear, Nose & Throat Associates of Northwest PA McDonald’s Northwest Savings Bank Suzan Hahnfeldt, State Farm Insurance Women’s Healthcare of Clarion

OPAL SPONSOR Central Electric Cooperative, Inc. Chartwells Dining at Clarion University Clarion Psychiatric Center DMS Printing

PERIDOT SPONSOR Brad Johnson Agency Nationwide Insurance Brady’s Bend Underground Storage Wolf’s Auto Outlet

PLATINUM SPONSOR The Farmers National Bank

DIAMOND SPONSOR Clarion Hospital Clarion Industries (Clarion Boards/Clarion Laminates)

Clarion University

BRONZE SPONSOR Pennsylvania American Water S & T Bank The Commodore Corporation

TOPAZ SPONSOR Golden Living Centers (Clarion-Shippenville) Kriebel Wells Wolfs Camping Resort

SAPPHIRE SPONSOR Clarion County Community Bank First United National Bank Holiday Inn of Clarion Structural Modulars, Inc.

EMERALD SPONSOR Burns & Burns Associates, Inc.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2013 SPONSORS!!!

STD PRSRT US POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT No. 20

CLARION, PA 16214

Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry 21 North 6th Avenue Clarion, PA 16214

CLARION CHAMBER CHRONICLE M A Y 2 0 1 3 V O L U M E 9 I S S U E 5

STAFF

Amy Baumcratz, President Hospitality Social Magnet

Stacey Thompson, Vice Pres Clarion Associates

Shirley Carroll, Treasurer Farmers National Bank

Tom Seidle, Secretary Seidle Chevrolet-Buick-GMC

Michael Bogush Pope & Bogush, Attorneys at Law

Joslyn Dechant Northwest Savings Bank

Evan Faller Faller’s Furniture

Mark Hall Clarion Borough

Rick Himes RRR Roadhouse

Michelle Kealey Harbaugh Clarion University

Jennifer Keth Sapphire Moon

Lisa Esser-Laugand S & T Bank

Bob Larson PA American Water

Scott Patterson Eat’n Park

Carol Porter H & R Block

Shelly Rhoades Clarion Psychiatric Center

Kim Titley Wolf’s Camping Resort

BOARD OF

DIRECTORS

Tracy J. Becker, CFEE Executive Director

Cody A. Rapp Assistant to the Director

Tammy R. Rider Office Manager

Barbara Eckert Administrative Assistant

Shop Early, Shop Often, SHOP LOCAL!!

Email Blasts If you are not receiving your Daily Email Blasts or if for some reason are not on the list to receive and would like to be, please call Barbara Eckert at (814) 226-9161 or email her at events@clarionpa.com.

Regional Business & Financing Workshop To Be Held at Cross Creek Resort

On May 15, the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism in partnership with the Northwest Commission and the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation will be sponsoring the 2nd Annual Regional Business Financing Workshop. The workshop is intended to inform businesses in the region about various federal, state and local financing programs that are available.The workshop will be held from 9:00am - 12:00pm with registration beginning at 8:30am. The event is free to attend and a continental breakfast will be provided.

Speakers include: Jill Foys, Northwest Commission Scott Dunkelberger, PA Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) Carl Knoblock, Small Business Administration (SBA) Barry Surma, Altoona Blair County Development Corporation (ABCD) Mike Richards, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Amy Keth, Clarion Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

For more information or to register (required) for this event, please contact Jo Cramer at joc@northwestpa.org or call 814-677-4800 x113. Registration deadline: May 10, 2013

Come Together Clarion Once Again a Success Everything came together for the second annual Come Together Clarion Event. The activity-filled day was held on Saturday, April 20 at the intersection of Main Street and 6th Avenue. The event featured an open-mic session, Family Olympics, contests with prizes, community advocacy tables, and the Neighborhood Star Awards ceremony. Among the “stars” this year was A-Jo Gallagher and her Dancer’s Studio, who won the award for Influential Business Owner. The event was hosted by the Advisory Board for Leadership & Engagement

and Clarion University Center for Leadership and Involvement, led by senior education major Anna Olszewski. The goal of the event is to bring together the Clarion University community and the Clarion area community. “It’s how the community converges with the college students, so everyone’s together,” said Anum Nawaz, a volunteer at Come Together Clarion. “All the RSOs are together, the community is together and that’s the best part, to be together.” Several concession stands and parent-child attractions were set up throughout the area, including a magic show/balloon animal making area. The “5K for 5 Causes” Run-Walk was held earlier in the day. All proceeds from the run-walk were divided between Big Brothers Big Sisters, Clarion County YMCA, Clarion University Relay for Life, the Northwestern PA Chapter of National Multiple Sclerosis Society–Western PA Chapter and Northwest Pennsylvania Rural AIDS Alliance. A few leading figures in the Clarion area were present at the event, including State Representative Donna Oberlander and Mayor Andrea Estadt. “It unites Clarion University and the Clarion community. I think that’s the only way to put it,” said Estadt. The overall goal of Come Together Clarion is to strengthen the relationship between university students and Clarion residents. Plans are being made for next year’s Come Together Clarion, with a tentative date set for April 26, 2014.

Freedom Wireless - New Manager Congratulations Sara Maxwell on being promoted to Manager at the Clarion Mall Store Email: smaxwell@4freedomwireless.com Williams - New Contact Scott Carney is now working out of a different district. Our new local contact is Leigh McIntosh, CECD Address: Park Place Corporate Center 2 2000 Commerce Court Pittsburgh, PA 15275 Phone: 412-787-3830 Email: leigh.mcintosh@williams.com Wolfs Camping Resort - Change in Email Address Kim Titley of Wolfs Camping Resort asks that we use her ktitley@wolfscampingresort.com for communicating electronically instead of the previous info@wolfscampingresort.com.

Membership Contact Updates

Clarion Cemetery Association Since 1898, the Clarion Cemetery has been in existence to serve as a peaceful final resting place. For 115 years it has and continues to be a favorite for many area families, and with future plans in the works, it’s sure to continue the legacy. Some of the plans for cemetery within the next 5 years include repairing old tombstones that are no longer cared for, development of a brochure and web site so that they can be found and contacted locally and globally on the internet and much more. See the enclosed flier for more upcoming projects and other information.

The mission of the Clarion Cemetery is to provide a final resting place with a beautiful and peaceful setting; to create a desirable environment for each family to celebrate the life of their loved one with honor, dignity and respect; to preserve the property as a valued historical asset and a source of pride for the community; and to preserve the long-term financial stability of the Cemetery.

The officers of the Clarion Cemetery Association include R. James Smathers, President; Rick Goble, Vice President; and Myrna C. Eshbaugh, Secretary/Treasurer.

Contact them at: Clarion Cemetery Association Business Office 1304 East Main Street Clarion, PA 16214 814-319-6417

The Clarion Chamber of Business & Industry and its mission…….

Your Chamber of Business & Industry is a voluntary partnership of business and professional people working together to build a healthy economy and to

improve the Quality of Life in our community.

HOLD THE DATE!!! On behalf of the Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry Board of Directors, Staff and Membership Committee, we are inviting all of our chamber members to a “Picnic and Swimming Party” for you and your family. We are currently putting the final details together - keep watching your emails and snail mail for additional information. Hold the date of Saturday, June 22 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. for a great day of fun and the opportunity to meet other chamber members, board of directors and staff. Hope to see you there!!

Scenes from the Delta Contractors & Design Golf Outing

Get on the Trail! The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism will be kicking off an exciting initiative on May 15th. The ‘Get on the Trail!’ Entrepreneurial Contest for business development and expansion along the Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail offers rewards to new and expanding businesses which submit solid business plans to provide vital goods and services to users of the Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail segment reaching from Hydetown in eastern Crawford County to Foxburg Borough in western Clarion County. They are offering $5,000 for first place; $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place. The overall goal with the contest is to spur economic development for recreational activities. Their kick-off event on May 15th will feature prominent speakers including Cathy McCollom of McCollom Development Strategies and David Galey, Executive Director and Will Prince, Trail Town Program Coordinator for The Progress Fund. Also participating at the May 15 kick-off event will be a representative of the Clarion Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). This kick-off event is open to the public and will begin at 5:30 with a ‘munch and mingle’. The program will run from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the National Transit Building located at 217 Elm Street, Oil City. Reservations are needed by May 10th. Call the Oil Region Alliance at 814-677-3152 or register online at www.getonthetrail.org. They are also planning three educational forums in conjunction with this contest. While it is not required that folks who are interested in entering the Business Plan Contest attend the three forums, it is highly recommended. Topics to be discussed at the educational forums include: May 15, 2013 - 6:00 - 8:00pm - Businesses Needed Along the Trails - This forum will be held in conjunction with the kick-off event at the National Transit Building Great Room. Reservations needed by May 10. May 29, 2013 - 6:00 - 8:00pm - Finance for Seasonal Businesses - This forum will be held at Venango College - Room 208 of Frame Hall. Reservations needed by May 24th. June 12, 2013 - 6:00 - 8:00pm - Marketing Strategies for Seasonal Businesses - This forum will be held at Venango College - Room 208 of Frame Hall. Reservations needed by June 7th. They will begin accepting applications online for the contest on July 1. The deadline to apply will be July 31. The eventual contest winners will be announced in November. The contest application, rules, and other requirements can be found on the website www.getonthetrail.org. They also have a Facebook page: getonthetrail, and they encourage Facebook users to “like” their page. For questions you may have that you cannot find the answers to online, please contact Deb Lutz, Project Manager for the Entrepreneurial Business Plan Contest at the Alliance at 814-677-3152 ext. 115 or dlutz@oilregion.org.

PHOENIX Rehabilitation to hold Grand Opening and

Chamber Mixer - Wine & Cheese Celebration PHOENIX Rehabilitation and Health Services, Inc. (PRHS) and Facility Director, Martina Kondas, PT, DPT, CLT, MPA, welcome area residents to attend their Grand Opening Wine and Cheese Celebration on Friday, May 17 from 4pm to 7pm held with the Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry. The open house will be held at PRHS’s newest outpatient physical therapy center on 1294 East Main Street (formerly the home of Gross Motors across from Sheetz) in Clarion. The celebration will feature live entertainment by Master Blaster Karaoke & DJ Services, catering by 6th & main market, as well as wine tasting by Red Bandana Winery. Kondas hopes that the guests will take advantage of the

opportunity to look around the state-of-the-art space equipped for aquatic therapy with an Aqua Ark™. The Aqua Ark™ is a patented scientifically engineered hydro rehabilitation system utilizing a deep, water filled tank. The Aqua Ark™ design provides patients with the ideal, controlled environment for effective rehabilitation. To coincide with the event, PHOENIX will be hosting a pet supply drive to support Clarion’s local pet shelters. PHOENIX is asking guests to donate an item from the following wish list: antibacterial wipes, pee pads, Dawn, Palmolive dish soap, canned food, treats, laundry detergent, disposable gloves, newspapers, paper towels and Clorox. Guests who bring a donation will be entered into PHOENIX’s special prize giveaway. Kondas and her staff are enthusiastic about receiving a good turn-out and believe that area residents will enjoy the celebration, which is free and open to the public. Kondas states, “We encourage and look forward to community members stopping by to meet our staff, tour our facility and to learn about our programs and services.” RSVPs are greatly encouraged by May 10, 2013. Please call PHOENIX at (814) 297-8093. When seeking physical therapy, it’s the consumer’s right to choose his/her provider. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call PRHS in Clarion at (814) 297-8093. New services include Occupational Health Rehabilitation, Functional Capacity Evaluations, Direct Access, InterX® Therapy, Manual Therapy, Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), and Lymphedema Care. Call (888) 644-7747 toll-free or visit www.phoenixrehab.com for a complete listing of PRHS locations.

Introducing Our Newest Chamber Members! Clarion Cemetery Association, Inc. Mark’s Auto Repair Myrna Eshbaugh Mark & Tricia Shingledecker 1304 East Main Street 54 North 1st Avenue Clarion, PA 16214 Clarion, PA 16214 (T): 814-319-6417 (T): 814-2266-8000 (F): 814-226-4141 (F): 814-226-9515 Cemetery Automotive Repair and Inspection Email: marksauto54@gmail.com Email: drsshing@verizon.net

Chamber Day on Capitol Hill with Governor Tom Corbett Please join PACP and the PA Chamber for one of the most exciting events for local chambers in Pennsylvania - the 2013 Chamber Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, June 11. The Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry members are invited to a day of networking with other chamber professionals and business leaders to have insightful meetings with key state lawmakers and legislative staff on the issues of importance to job creators and Pennsylvania's local communities. Should you and your guests require an overnight stay in Harrisburg prior to the event, please contact Tracy Becker by Thursday, May 16 so that we may reserve a block of rooms at the Crown Plaza (23 South Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101) at a lower cost to you. The tentative agenda for the event is below. Please keep in mind that the speakers may change up to and during the day of the event. Legislators' availability is contingent on the legislative voting schedule.

TENTATIVE AGENDA 7:30am - 9:00am Legislative Breakfast Capitol - 60 East Wing 9:30am - 10:30am Transportation Policy Discussion House Majority Caucus Room - PA Capitol Building - Senator John Rafferty, Majority Chairman, Senate Transportation Committee - Senator John Wozniak, Minority Chairman, Senate Transportation Committee - Bryan Kendro, Policy Director, PA Department of Transportation 11:00am - 11:30am PA Chamber Presentation Gene Barr, President & CEO of Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry PA Chamber Meeting Room, 417 Walnut Street 11:30am - 1:00pm Luncheon The Honorable Governor Tom Corbett (confirmed) PA Chamber Meeting Room, 417 Walnut Street 1:30pm - 2:30pm Workforce Development Policy Discussion Room 8 E-A East Wing - PA Capitol Building - Michelle Staton, Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development, PA Department of Labor & Industry - Carolyn Dumaresq, Deputy Secretary for Elementary & Secondary Education, PA Department of Education - Representative Dave Reed, Chairman, House Majority Policy Committee 2:30p.m. - 3:00 Refreshment Break 3:00pm - 4:00pm Economic Outlook Discussion (Budget, Pension, Taxes) Room 8E-A East Wing - PA Capitol Building - Dan Meuser, Secretary of Revenue - Charles Zogby, Secretary of the Budget

The cost to attend “Chamber Day on Capitol Hill” is $75.00. Please contact Tracy at the Chamber office for any questions and/or to make your reservation.