The $28.05 billion budget was adopted without broad-based tax increases, as lawmakers rejected new taxes on smokeless tobacco and cigars, as well as the implementation of combined reporting, which would have been a tax increase for many Pennsylvania businesses. The governor

                          

The guaranteed savings program is for users with less than 1 million kwhs and it is what it says

                          

Reservations are currently being taken for sales representatives who will meet one-on-one with representatives from selected businesses to discuss purchasing needs. This will introduce purchasers to suppliers – in their own back yard – who may offer better products and pricing than currently received.

The “Business Connection” program will be held April 27 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Comfort Inn, Huntingdon. Anyone interested in learning more about this event should contact the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce at (814) 643-1110 or visit www.huntingdonchamber.com. This event is being offered in partnership with the Huntingdon County CareerLink and with sponsorship from the Comfort Inn Huntingdon.

Businesses in our region currently spend $7.4 million a day outside our region. We’re doing our best to create valuable connections that will help to retain more of our local money so that we may enjoy the economic development advantages that result.

Click here for additional information and the sales opportunity invitation.

                          

The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau is partnering with Huntingdon County United Way, the US Army Corps of Engineers, The Friends of Raystown Lake, JB Tree Farms, local groups and the member businesses of the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau to hold an open house at the Raystown Lake Region Visitors Center on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 from 1-8 p.m.

In the true spirit of the season, they will be asking the community to help decorate a money tree in support of the Huntingdon County United Way annual fundraising campaign. They hope to collect $1,000 or more to donate to United Way by trimming the Christmas tree donated by JB Tree Farms.

Popular local musical duo Dan and Galla will be entertaining with seasonal favorites throughout the afternoon. Special performances include the Second Chance Trio of Hesston, violin soloist Ranger Melissa Bean, Gene Hoffman, the Cassville United Methodist choir and MoonShadow Harp Therapy.

The Raystown Lake Region Visitors Center will be trimmed with garland, decorated with lights and Christmas trees from area Senior Centers to provide a festive atmosphere in the holiday spirit to welcome all to the open house. Light refreshments will be served while supplies last.

For information about recreational activities, attractions and places to stay in Huntingdon County and the Raystown Lake Region, visit www.raystown.org or call the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau at 888-RAYSTOWN.

                          

Facebook recently crossed the than 250 million active users milestone. More than 120 million of those users log on to their Facebook account at least once per day. Two-thirds of those users on Facebook are outside of college with the fastest growing demographic of over 35 years of age.

Facebook is much more than just another online yellow pages. What does Facebook have to offer local businesses in Huntingdon County? See for yourself:

Meet your customers.

Facebook is not just for college kids. Members are typically older and more mature on Facebook. Interact with your customers. If they post something, respond. The days of suggestion boxes and anonymous surveys are gone. People want to know what other customers are saying about your business.

Find business contacts.

With more than 120 million active users, and predicted to be 500 million by 2011, not only are your friends on Facebook, so are your prospects, your customers, and your competitors. You need to be on too to stay up to date.

Build customer relationships.

By engaging in conversations with your prospects and customers, you can better adapt your marketing and business services to meet their needs.

Raise brand awareness.

By consistently showing up, posting relevant information, and leading discussions, you can increase visibility and credibility as the expert in your field. Promote that new product or best seller with photos for everyone to see as soon as they log onto their Facebook account.

Develop your brand.

The lines between business and personal have become blurred. You can reveal as much or as little about yourself as you wish, allowing you to personalize your brand. What makes your business unique?

Publish information.

A business page on Facebook allows you to publish a stream of information to your subscribers. Publish events, sales, and updates. Have Facebook only sales coupons. More importantly, post pictures and videos for your business.

Target your niche market.

Facebook users volunteer vast amounts of information when upon account creation. These kinds of demographics would previously have cost fortunes to access. Facebook gives all this information to you free of charge.

Increase your Google PageRank.

Create a Page for your business and share information with your fans. Pages are indexed for optimal search engine positioning. Facebook is the 3rd most popular web site in the world. A higher ranking site such as Facebook linking to your businesses website greatly increases your businesses page rank value.

Targeted advertising.

With Facebook Social Ads, you can explore extremely targeted advertising for minimal cost. Take advantage of the vast amount of demographic data that Facebook has already collected for you.

No cost marketing.

Facebook is totally free to use and with regular activity, your business will end up with more traffic and more paying clients. Send out updates to everyone that is a