Chamber Central Newsletter December 2021

DECEMBER 2021

CHAMBER CENTRAL A PUBLICATION OF THE WESTMORELAND COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

By Noele Creamer, Contributing Writer

See Local ● Page 2

CHAMBER CENTRAL Christina Jansure December marks one of the Chamber’s most sought after events, the annual Holiday Bash & Business Expo. This year the event will be held on Wednesday, December 8th and feature roughly 70 vendors from our local business community. This is a great Chamber event to network and socialize with friends and colleagues to increase brand awareness and spread holiday cheer. You’ll have a chance to win door prizes raffled by each vendor and maybe even cash in on the 50/50. Don’t miss this festive occasion and be sure to continue to track other upcoming Chamber events scheduled for the new year!

Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair VP of Sales— Industrial & Commercial Division, Gillinder Glass

The Chamber staff is working on developing new interactive events its efforts on partnering with the WANT Job & Career Expo. This aneach month to attract and retain our membership community. These nual hiring event provides a platform to allow businesses to connect new networking techniques are just some of the creative ideas we’ve with students and job seekers from around the area. been working on.

As my term comes to an end as Board Chair, I can’t help but reflect Another new initiative being implemented provides a collaboration back on all the Chamber has accomplished these last two years. with Excela Health WORKS to offer a series on ‘How to Create a Win- Though it has been challenging, our exceptional team will continue to ning Workplace’. This series will be offered via webinar with recordimplement new initiatives geared towards promoting and strengthing links available on the Chamber’s website. ening business growth throughout Westmoreland County.

One of the Westmoreland County Chamber’s key initiatives focuses Thank you all for your loyal dedication to this great organization and on Workforce Development. With many of our businesses and coun- I’d like to wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season and prosperous ty residents being affected by the hiring gap, the Chamber is focusing New Year!

Local ● From 1

5 Additional Benefits to Shopping Local 1. Shopping local lessens your carbon footprint. Instead of needing to burn greenhouse gas-emitting fuel to ship products to your area, goods and services have much shorter distances to go.

2. You’ll find a much higher quality of food and goods than things shipped from overseas or longer distances.

3. Local shop owners will often be able to personalize items, making those holiday gifts even more meaningful to the recipients.

4. Creatives get additional exposure through your purchases.

While supporting their craft, you also expand their ability to reach new potential audiences by gifting their creations.

5. Many businesses will offer additional perks and incentives during the holiday season to thank you for your business. Even if you didn’t come in for the coffee or gift-wrapping option, they are the little ways owners can thank you for your business!

CHAMBER CENTRAL

Lisa Kennedy has been named the new Director of Membership with the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce. With an exemplary background of marketing and solution sales, Lisa has travelled domestically and internationally to work with both Fortune 500’s and small businesses alike. She is very excited to share that knowledge and experience here in her hometown, working with the Chamber team to improve and grow the size of our membership, while ensuring that our current members understand the Chamber’s quality and utilize our offerings to their fullest, thus leading to improved business health and growth.

TRUSERV Corporations selling Software solutions, ATM, and Optical Networking. Starting out as National Sales Rookie of the Year with NBI, Inc. she went on to a career of consistently exceeding her goals annually. Her experience working with several named Fortune 500 accounts throughout her career and being responsible for Sprint corporation with Marconi makes her comfortable in this sector when we have need of it in Westmoreland County, dealing with our local manufacturers, service providers, or our local government.

Lisa’s experience with TRUSERV corporation, traveling again domestically and internationally for 11 years while working with locally owned hardware stores, lumber yards, garDuring her sophomore year at UPG, Lisa den centers, and rental stores to persuade joined a local start-up computer company them to automate their accounting, inventory here in Greensburg as their third employee control, and point of sale to improve their and worked in everything from programming, bottom line, gives her a deep insight to the installation and tradeshows, to computerizing business challenges that many of our memtheir accounting and inventory control. Movbers face. ing forward, Lisa went on to companies such as NBI, Inc., Marconi Communications, and Lisa lives in Hempfield Township and is mar-

ried to husband, Denny and has two children, Elizabeth, 20 and Liam, 17. She is an avid skier and a Penn State Master Gardener, and enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Lisa can be reached at 724-834-2900 or lisa@westmorelandchamber.com.

WAKE UP WESTMORELAND If you're looking to showcase your business, but simply cannot accommodate a large crowd, consider hosting a BREAKFAST! Wake Up Westmoreland Networking Breakfasts are traditionally held the third Tuesday of each month from 8:00 to 9:15 AM and gather 25-40 business people from throughout Westmoreland County.

Showcase your business!

Greet guests, conduct tours of your facility, and share information about your business with a captive audience. Also, hosts receive numerous mentions through the Chamber newsletter, website, e-blasts and more.

CHAMBER BASH Chamber BASH events are held the third Wednesday or third Thursday of each month (host's choice) from 4:30 to 6:30 PM, traditionally gathering 75-100 business people from throughout Westmoreland County.

These events provide members with the opportunity to network with other professionals in a casual, informal environment. There is no direct charge to host a BASH, however an

investment will be necessary for refreshments and other miscellaneous costs.

Who can host a BASH? Any member in good standing is eligible.

Hosts should also: • Have adequate space for 75-100 people to mix and mingle • Have sufficient parking to accommodate the expected crowd • Provide refreshments (hors d'oeuvres, adult beverages, soft drinks)

ANNUAL BASH SPONSORSHIP We are putting the annual BASH Sponsorship out for bid! What do you receive?

• Your logo incorporated into the official BASH logo • Recognition in all BASH marketing efforts • Recognition from the microphone at every BASH (10-11 events) • Guaranteed BASH hosting opportunity in 2022 • Elf Sponsorship at the 2022 Holiday BASH The bidding for this exclusive opportunity starts at $6,000!

If you are interested in hosting a BASH, contact the Chamber right away. Special consideration will be given to first time hosts, loca- If you are interested in any of these opportution within the county, and the uniqueness of nities, please contact Tricia at 724-834-2900 or tricia@westmorelandchamber.com! the venue.

& A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held at Palmer Imaging Arena in Delmont on November 4 to celebrate the venue’s new ownership/management, new ice rink naming rights partnership, and a new sports pub partnership. The 125,000 square-foot facility includes three NHL-sized ice rinks, with one of the ice rinks converting in March through August to dry floor concrete/sport court. These ice rinks are complemented by two meeting/party rooms that support a variety of corporate and community functions as well as group outings/field trips.

The YWCA of Westmoreland County hosted a Ribbon Cutting & Open House on November 9 to celebrate the grand opening of their Used Book Store. Stop by and shop their enormous selection on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and the first Saturday of every month from 10AM to 2PM. They would also love to take your used book donations! Call their office at 724-834-9390 to schedule a drop-off time. Find out more ways you can get involved and help support the YWCA by visiting their website at ywcawestmoreland.org.

Matthew Fridg, owner of Latrobe-based marketing agency, Headspace Media, has received an EMMY® Award for his short film "Saving Amelia." The 27minute film is an adventure in the spirit of classic family movies such as The Goonies and E.T. When two contentious sisters stumble upon an old two-way radio as they explore their attic, they realize they can mysteriously communicate with the past. As they start playing with the radio, they realize they are speaking with Amelia Earhart just hours before the final transmission of her ill-fated flight. It becomes a race against time to help save her. The film can be watched online at savingamelia.com.

Government News & Views with Dan DeBone One of the recent additions to the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce is weekly and/or at times daily legislative updates on a local, state and federal level. Our new benefit to members will include key articles, new bills or pending legislation and much more to ensure you and your organization are made aware of various items that could help and, unfortunately at times, create concern.

View these updates at:

westmorelandchamber.com/advocacy--government-relations

CHAMBER CENTRAL 2021 Board of Directors Christina Jansure - Gillinder Glass (Chair) Bradley Roth - McDowell Associates (Vice Chair) John Kline - Standard Bank (Treasurer) Sherry Magretti-Hamilton - Westmoreland County Register of Wills (Secretary)

Community LIFE

PNC Mortgage

J Corks

Prantl’s Bakery— North Huntingdon

Brent Mansfield 2155 Trebella Circle Rostraver Township, PA 15012 412-229-5518 www.commlife.org Home Health Care & Hospice Care

Danielle Butcher 25 East Pittsburgh Street Greensburg, PA 15601 724-691-0434 www.jcorks.com Fine Dining

Palmer Imaging Arena

Ariel Mulry 5136 Route 30 Greensburg, PA 15601 724-880-6661 www.pncmortgage.com/arielmulry Mortgage Services

Laura Herrington 21 Robbins Station Road North Huntingdon, PA 15642 724-515-2958 www.prantlsbakery.com Catering & Banquet Facilities

Parag Bedekar - Hydro Carbide Tool Company Tom Chakurda - Excela Health Thomas Jeffrey Cook - Somerset Trust Company Linda Dickson - Redstone Presbyterian SeniorCare Dan Galbraith - Solutionist-SWAG Walt Henry - Marketing Consultant Jeffrey McDonald - West Penn Power/First Energy Janeen Moffa - 1st Summit Bank Chris Mohler-King - Sendell Motors Ann Nemanic - GO Laurel Highlands Jason Rigone - Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation Judge Harry F. Smail, Jr. - Westmoreland County Civil and Orphans Court Dr. Tuesday Stanley - Westmoreland County Community College Paul Ward - Kennametal Daniel Wesolowski - Elliott Group *Bill Ferri - Ferri Pharmacy *James Smith - Economic Growth Connection *Michael Storms - Elliott Group *Tony Vecchio - Coldwell Banker

Kayla McKelvey 100 Center Ice Drive Delmont, PA 15626 724-468-1100 www.palmerimagingarena.com Amusement, Recreation

* Ex-officio member

Solicitor James Creenan - Creenan & Baczkowski, PC

Chamber Staff Chad Amond - President & CEO Dan DeBone - Executive Director Lisa Kennedy - Director of Membership Grace Markum - Leadership Westmoreland Facilitator/Consultant Joanne Pearson - Sr. Director of Operations Tricia Thomas - Director of Marketing

45 Years

20 Years

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

Chapel Hill Investment Analysts, Inc.

30 Years

15 Years

ChamberChoice GO Laurel Highlands Greensburg Community Development Corporation

25 Years First Energy/West Penn Power

Estate and Retirement Planning Center

10 Years Excela Health Frick Hospital Excela Health Latrobe Hospital First Call Plumbing UPMC East / UPMC Health Plan

HOLIDAY BASH 2021 Wednesday, December 8 • 5-8 PM Hempfield Township Athletic Complex

IT’S A HOLIDAY TRADITION! Come network with other Chamber members, enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and a cocktail at the cash bar, and perhaps win a door prize from one of our exhibitors! Celebrate the season Chamber-style at the Holiday BASH & Business Expo!

$

25

Includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, visiting with exhibitors, prizes and great networking!

REGISTER AT WESTMORELANDCHAMBER.COM OR MAIL IN THE FORM BELOW

Holiday BASH — Registration Cost: RSVP:

 $25 Admission ____# Attending PH: 724-834-2900 | WEB: www.westmorelandchamber.com Mail: Westmoreland County Chamber—241 Tollgate Hill Rd., Greensburg, PA 15601

Company Name: _____________________________ Contact Person:______________________________ Name(s) of Attendee(s):________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Total Amount Due: $________

Payment:

Phone: E-mail:

Check Mastercard  Visa Discover American Express

Name on Card ____________________________________________ Card Number_____________________________________________ Expiration Date__________ CVV Code: _____ Billing Address ____________________________________________ City_________________State____Zip Code_______

Checks Payable to: Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce

STATE OF THE Luncheon Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Stratigos Banquet Centre

Join the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Growth Connection, the Industrial Development Corporation as we welcome special guests, County Commissioners Sean Kertes, Doug Chew and Gina Cerilli for the 2022 State of the County Luncheon. The Commissioners will provide perspective on the county’s most pressing challenges heading into 2022 and offer updates on key agenda items related to business. Participants will be invited to interact with the Commissioners during the Q&A session, so come prepared to ask questions and provide feedback about topics important to your business.

Brought to you by:

Presenting Sponsors:

Sponsorships are available for this event!

Visit our website at westmorelandchamber.com or call our office at 724-834-2900 for details!

REGISTER AT WWW.WESTMORELANDCHAMBER.COM

WESTMORELAND COUNTY PRAYER BREAKFAST 4

Friday, February 4 7:00 - 9:00 AM

You adapted. You pivoted. You overcame.

Throughout the pandemic you have successfully and gracefully overcome challenges and faced adversity with courage and strength. We salute YOU—teachers, nurses, police officers, grocery workers, janitors, restaurant owners, social services workers & small business owners.

Ferrante’s Lakeview

$25.00 per person

6153 Route 30 Greensburg, PA 15601

$20 for Student Sponsorship Advance registration required

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Georgia Teppert Superintendent, Greater Latrobe School District For 47 years, the Westmoreland County Prayer Breakfast has featured spiritual readings and messages of hope from prominent leaders in our Business, Education, Government, and Labor sectors. This event offers a unique opportunity to gather in a forum that builds upon the strengths that unite us as residents, elected officials, employers, educators, and workers. Additionally, students from every school district in Westmoreland County are invited to attend as a way to highlight the importance of unity to tomorrow’s leaders.

This year’s event will focus on RESILIENCE and will feature Dr. Georgia Teppert as keynote speaker.

Sponsor a Student: A $20 sponsorship allows a local high school student to attend at no cost to him/her.

Advance Registration Required:

Presented by:

Cost: $25/per person RSVP: PH: 724-834-2900 WEB: www.westmorelandchamber.com | Mail: Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce, 241 Tollgate Hill Rd. - Greensburg, PA 15601 ❑ Adult Tickets: _____ x $25 = $________ ❑ Student Sponsorship _____ x $20 = $________ TOTAL DUE: $__________ Name: ____________________________________________ Company: _________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________ Attendees: ___________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________ ____________________________ Payment Method: ___ VISA ___ M/C ___ Discover ___ AMEX ___ Check made payable to Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce Credit Card No: _______________________________________ Exp Date: ________________ CVV Code:__________ Name on Card: ___________________________________________________________ Card Billing Address: ______________________________________________________________________________

No refunds or cancellations after January 21, 2022 • For more information, visit westmorelandchamber.com

GreenForge Westmoreland County’s most unique professional/commercial site Space Available • 1,900 & 6,300 SF suites available

Rental Rates

• $10 & $16.50 per square foot

Lease Contracts

• Flexible lease term • Full-service lease includes all public utilities

Location

226 Donohoe Road, Hempfield Township Convenient, major artery access to: • • • • • • •

PA Turnpike - Exit 67, Irwin (12 miles) PA Turnpike - Exit 75, New Stanton (10 miles) Interstate 70, connect at New Stanton (10 miles) US Route 22, connect at New Alexandria (8 miles) US Route 119 (4 miles) US Route 30 (1 mile) Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (8 miles)

Special Conservation Feature Geothermal Heating and Cooling — an environmentally friendly, low-impact and low-cost way to use the earth’s energy to provide comfort instead of using nonrenewable fossil fuels

For more information

Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp.

Joseph D. Sisley Marketing Director 724-830-3061 | email WestmorelandCountyIDC.org

SCORE is here to help.

Our team of volunteer business mentors is ready to help your business survive—and thrive.

Interested in mentoring?

Learn more about giving back to your business community and how to become a SCORE volunteer.

Stop by and visit with us at the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce Holiday Bash!

westmoreland.score.org • (724) 539-7505 • St. Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Rd, Latrobe, PA 15650

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World-Class Care in Greensburg

Cardiothoracic Surgery UPMC Cardiothoracic Surgery Omar Awais, DO Tadeusz Witek, MD 412-232-5665 Lawrence Crist, DO 412-357-7269

UPMC Outpatient Center 410 Pellis Road, Lower Level Greensburg, PA 15601 724-853-4559

Gastroenterology Ravi GI Associates Ravi Kondaveeti, MD Laken Kuntz, CRNP 412-565-7013

UPMC Outpatient Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., for in-person and telemedicine visits. Appointment days and times vary by specialty.

Todd Scho ol Rd .

General Surgery Catalane and Willis Surgical Associates David D. Catalane, MD Paul M. Willis, MD 412-771-2266

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Heart and Vascular Care Vascular Catalane and Willis Surgical Associates David D. Catalane, MD Paul M. Willis, MD 412-771-2266

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Imaging UPMC Imaging Services Diagnostic x-ray suite 724-853-4559 No appointment needed

Obstetrics and Gynecology UPMC Magee-Womens Specialty Services Sandra Rygg, MD 412-372-0645 Orthopaedics UPMC Orthopaedic Surgery Jeanne Doperak, DO Jonathan Hughes, MD 412-687-3900 Orthopaedic Specialists-UPMC Greg L. Soxman, PA-C 1-877-471-0935 Pain Management UPMC Pain Management Jacob Shipley, MD 814-443-5800 Telemedicine Visits Exclusively Endocrinology UPMC Endocrinology 412-586-9700 Ear, Nose, and Throat Services Metro ENT Associates Philip A. Pollice, MD 724-772-2711

UPMC.com/PellisRoadOPC EAST522943 IB/CD/CD 10/21 © 2021 UPMC

“Get It Done Right The First Time” Written Warranty & References Provided

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INTERIOR & EXTERIOR BASEMENT WATERPROOFING DBugwaterproofing.com

Visit our website and watch our video: www.DBugWaterproofing.com

Inside French Drains/ Outside French Drains

Before

After

Purging & Sealing Walls

Installation of New or Existing Basement Entrance Ways

Cement Finishing (Driveways, Sidewalks, Porches)

Replace Pushed Foundation

Downspout Lines

Glass Block Windows

Foundation Piering

Wall Anchors

Floor Drains

Bilco Doors for Basement Entranceways

Window Wells

Sump Pumps (Repairs)

Mold Remediation

Outside Surface French Drains Cement Sidewalks & Porches

Basement Remodeling Moisture Proofing E-Z Breathe Ventilation Systems in Basements & Crawl Spaces

French Drains

Storm Drains & Catch Basins

Painting Foundation

Curbing

Replace & Install Sewer lines

Foundation Repair

Regrading (Excavation) Support Pushed Foundations with I Beams

Crawl Space Remediation (sealing of crawl spaces and French drains)

Hardscape Excavation

Install Concrete Retaining Walls for Pushed Foundations

Repainting Brick & Stone Mold Remediation (replace mold covered drywall)

Camera Sewer Lines

FREE ESTIMATES Kecksburg 724-424-9442 Uniontown 724-437-2716 Belle Vernon 724-929-5808 Johnstown 814-539-6374 Somerset 814-443-1923

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Irwin 724-863-4196 New Kensington 724-337-4874 Latrobe 724-539-8971 Greensburg 724-838-5359 Indiana 724-349-3127

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INTERIOR & EXTERIOR BASEMENT WATERPROOFING DBugwaterproofing.com Why Use D-Bug Waterproofing?

1) How many years in business........................... 80 yrs.

2) Reference list............................................................Yes 3) Own employees (no sub-contract labor).................Yes 4) Workers comp, liability all insurance required.......Yes 5) Signed contract (protects you the owner)..............Yes 6) Belongs to the Better Business Bureau - Runner-Up for 2010 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics (have current BBB reports)...Yes 7) Supervisor inspects job...........................................Yes

8) Family business (Does that little extra)...................Yes 9) Work is done when scheduled to do it....................Yes 10) Completion certificate (Customer comments)......Yes 11) Lifetime warranty on inside french drain..............Yes 12) 100% success ratio on inside French drain..........Yes 13) Labeled vehicles.....................................................Yes 14) Clean-up after work completed.............................Yes 15) Cover items with plastic........................................Yes 16) Contract is transferable.........................................Yes

Why Do Basements Leak?

1) As the ground becomes saturated, the water table begins to rise, putting pressure against the basement floor, then water seeks cracks in the cement for entry caused by hydrostatic water pressure.

2) Inadequate gutters and down spout leadoffs 3) Clogged or defective exterior french drains

4) Improper grading of the terrain 5) Poor soil draining (clay & shell) 6) High water table, etc.

These are some causes of a leaking basement which can be remedied by an interior french drain.

How To Remedy a Basement Leak with Interior French Drain

Installation of an interior french drain relieves hydrostatic water pressure at the base of the foundation and under the basement floor. The french drain itself will eliminate water seepage under the footer, where the block touches the footer and it drains the water out of the foundation by applying weep holes to the block.