The Indiana County Chamber of Commerce held its monthly board of directors meeting Feb. 15 at the Indiana Country Club in White Township.
The board discussed many important issues including education, Black History Month, state budget, the Build Back Better program and more.
Chamber President Mark Hilliard began his report by discussing some education initiatives in the coming months that the chamber is involved in. Preparations are underway for the Excellence in Education awards banquet on May 13 at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex in Indiana. Last year’s event was attended by nearly 600 individuals. This event will see 56 students of the month chosen from each of the Indiana County public schools recognized, with one student ultimately being awarded a brand-new vehicle from Colonial Motor Mart. Hilliard said that this year the chamber is looking at enhancing the program and providing even more recognition for all of the nominated students.
“We are creating scholarship opportunities for our student finalists this year and are developing additional recognitions for each student at the event,” Hilliard said. “This is not going to be your typical end-of-year student award ceremony and we are hoping that it will encourage underclassmen to continue to work hard to potentially be nominated in the future.”
According to Hilliard, they are looking for businesses to sponsor the event to help provide the scholarships. A limited number of sponsorships will be available, and Hilliard said that many businesses have already expressed interest. If your business would like to be a part of the Excellence in Education event, please contact the chamber office at (724) 465-2511.
Hilliard concluded his report by announcing that this spring the chamber will once again partner with ARIN IU 28 in conducting a soft skills challenge in Downtown Indiana for students. The event will see each high school send juniors and seniors into the downtown on their scheduled day with the students splitting up into small groups and traveling around the Downtown to various locations to partake in challenges geared toward enhancing soft skills. Skills such as teamwork, communication and critical thinking will be needed at each location with places such as the Jimmy Stewart Museum, the Indiana County Court House and retail locations highlighted throughout the day.
Indiana County Commissioner Sherene Hess began the county update acknowledging that February is Black History Month. The commissioners were pleased to present a proclamation Feb. 1 at the courthouse in honor of African Americans and the Arts. She noted that there are many Black artists in Indiana County’s history, living and deceased.
Hess continued her report, informing attendees that the county has hired Amanda Steiner to fill the administrator role for Children and Youth Services. Hess also noted that the commissioners have met with aides from the offices of Sen. John Fetterman and Congressman Guy Reschenthaler to discuss projects that may be considered for the Congressionally Directed Spending and Programmatic Requests. Otherwise known as “earmarks,” these funds represent an opportunity for local governments and nonprofits to obtain one-time grant funding for a specific project in their community.
Hess next described in its efforts to maintain the quality and condition of the county parks, which are increasingly utilized by the public, the county is contracting a sizable project involving the Pine Ridge Maintenance area. Bids will be accepted for the work to be done. Hess also informed the board that efforts to support youth career readiness programs and development of career pathways are underway with the Business Education Partnership, a project of the Tri County Workforce Investment Board Youth Committee. These programs represent opportunities for local businesses to support youths in the way of skills development and provide career awareness and work-based experiences linked to regional high-demand occupations.
To conclude her report, Hess spoke of a new initiative called the Southwest PA Municipal Project Hub, which is aimed at channeling the historic amounts of investments being made available by the federal government to the local level to meet workforce, economic development and community revitalization needs. Funded by the Heinz Foundation, staff from the Hub will provide technical assistance and guidance to local governments, nonprofits, school districts, redevelopment authorities and other entities across the region, including those in Indiana County.
State Rep. Jim Struzzi began the state report by discussing Gov. Josh Shapiro’s recent budget proposal for 2024-25. Struzzi reported that while there are some good components to the $48.3 billion spending plan, it is important to be cautious.
“I am pleased to see investments proposed for education, agriculture and economic development as part of the governor’s plan,” Struzzi said. “But I also am cautious about the amount of additional spending that is included in the plan. It is important to remember that this is only the beginning of the process and that the Appropriations Committee will meet soon to drill down further on this budget and determine what truly is and is not sustainable for the commonwealth.”
Struzzi concluded the state report by announcing that he will be opening a brand-new office in Saltsburg in March. The soft opening is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 4 at 307 Point St. in Saltsburg. A formal ribbon-cutting will be announced at a later date.
Christina Koren, director of strategic partnerships at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, began the university report by informing the board that IUP again had a large presence at Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney. Koren said that the IUP Culinary Arts program was joined by the Nemacolin Resort and Carhartt in hosting a VIP at the event. This is the second year in a row that IUP was a partner with the VIP tent.
Koren also highlighted some key events on the upcoming calendar for IUP. On March 8, the university will hold a ribbon-cutting for its new hotel front desk simulation at the Eberly College of Business. The simulation lab will help students in the hotel, restaurant, tourism and event management program gain hands-on experience. The lab was made possible through a grant by the Statler Foundation.
The university report concluded with Koren announcing that on March 22, IUP will hold a kick-off for its Build Back Better collaboration with Cambria and Armstrong Counties for an entrepreneurial makerspace ecosystem. The $1.5 million grant was part of the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative BBB regional grant awarded by the United States Economic Development Administration in September 2022. The kick-off will take place at the IUP Northpointe campus in Armstrong County.
Byron Stauffer Jr., executive director of the Indiana County Development Corporation and the Indiana County Office of Planning & Development, began his report by discussing Shapiro’s new statewide economic development strategy unveiled earlier this month. The plan prioritizes investments in agriculture, technology, life sciences, manufacturing and energy. The plan also includes a major investment in site development through the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites program that is designed to bring more commercial and industrial sites online.
“Our plan for Indiana County has been to get sites built, prepared and ready to go so that we can continue to build up our industrial parks,” Stauffer said. “That was a key factor in attracting companies like Urban Outfitters to our county, and we want to continue that trend with our business parks.”
Stauffer concluded his report by announcing that the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission will soon be holding another round of Public Participation Panel meetings for Indiana County. The Transportation Improvement Program for years 2025-2028 is being developed, and the draft TIP will be made available for public review at these meetings. The region’s long-range transportation plan is implemented with a series of shorter-term investment plans, known as Transportation Improvement Programs, or TIPs. Each TIP is a step along that 25-year investment in our region’s future. Staff from SPC, PennDOT and the counties will also take part in the public meetings.
Greg Van Horn, president of the Indiana County Tourist Bureau, reported to the board that the first edition of the 2024 Seasonal Events brochure is in circulation at brochure racks located throughout the county. This brochure is updated on a quarterly basis. If you would like a supply of your own, stop by the ICTB office in the Indiana Mall or call (724) 463-7505 for more information.
Downtown Indiana is holding a Chili Cookoff today at Noble Stein Brewing Co. The Blairsville Area Underground Railroad will be celebrating Black History Month with an open house at the Blairsville Underground Railroad History Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. At 1 p.m., members of the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office will be presenting a Community Initiative Award to the BUGRR.
Van Horn continued that March brings the return of some familiar community events including the Family Fun Fest — Game Show Edition on March 2 and Sally’s Bazaar from March 8–10, both happening at the Indiana Mall. On March 6, the popular Empty Bowls fundraiser returns to the Indiana Eagles. This special community event brings together local artisans and restaurateurs and helps to support the Indiana County Community Action Program. The Spring Coin Show at S&T Bank Arena on March 9 and Smicksburg’s Spring Open House on March 23 provide occasions to explore Indiana County.
With the return of IUP’s faculty and students for the spring semester, Van Horn reported that there are many exciting upcoming events for residents and visitors alike. The Cejka Planetarium in the university’s newly opened John J. and Char Kopchick Hall will host free shows for the community during the spring semester. The upcoming shows include “The American Total Solar Eclipse of 2024” on March 7 and March 18 at 7 p.m. and March 30 at 11 a.m., and “Far from Home: Perseverance on Mars” on May 14 at 7 p.m. Weather permitting, after the shows, there will be telescope observation of the night sky (evening shows) or of the sun (daytime shows). Seating is limited; doors will open 15 minutes before each show. Groups that wish to attend are asked to call (724) 357-5626 or (724) 357-2379 in advance of the shows.
The tourism report continued with Van Horn announcing that the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex is busy hosting various sporting events and will be welcoming back the PA State Taxidermy Association from March 20–24. This will be the association’s third year gathering at the KCAC for their annual convention and art competition. The public is invited on Saturday, March 23, for an “Outdoor Sportsman’s Show” to view the taxidermy and wildlife art competition room and participate in voting for “People’s Choice” awards. There will be more than 40 vendors, raffles, demonstrations, a food truck and more. For more details, check out the tourist bureau website, www.VisitIndianaCountyPA.org.
The Indiana Theater has a robust schedule of events featuring live music and comedy, movies and open mic nights. For a complete concert lineup and schedule of community events, visit https://theindianatheater.com/full-calendar/.
Van Horn concluded his report by stating to the board that those seeking more information about upcoming events, including area Lenten specials and ideas of things to do, please visit ICTB’s website: www.VisitIndianaCoun tyPA.org.
Chauncey Ross, public relations and communications specialist from White Township, informed the board that White Township is on the verge of an extraordinarily busy period of development in the commercial and public-sector fronts.
Construction season has begun early, and Ross said that projects are underway or will be coming soon in sanitary sewer and storm sewer improvements, road work and the traffic signal at Warren Road, Ben Franklin Road and Indian Springs Road. Projects are also expected this year in Kennedy-King Park and at the White Township Recreation Complex.
Ross continued his report by explaining that public involvement is key in two areas right now in White Township. The White Township Stewardship Committee has completed a draft plan for the future care and well-being of White’s Woods. It is not available for public review and comment before the final plan is presented to the supervisors. Ross said that anyone who would like to learn about White’s Woods and its future can find the draft plan on the township website at whitetownship.org. Find the Stewardship Committee under the Government drop-down menu.
Ross also announced that the Chevy Chase community is going through a public-driven planning process. According to Ross, several neighborhood residents have come forward with an interest in how to have a better community. The Indiana County Planning Office, through Josh Krug, has taken on the planning process and will hold two public town-hall style meetings to collect input. Those who care about or have an interest in the Chevy Chase community will be asked to suggest the valuable features that should be protected, the good things about Chevy Chase that should be improved or enhanced, and the community issues that should be changed or transformed, under the “PET” principles. The planning office will soon announce the date for the first town-hall meeting in March.
Ross concluded the township report by stating that many restaurants have come through the various stages of the planning process in White Township, such as Primanti Bros., Texas Roadhouse, Jersey Mike’s, Panera Bread and Applebee’s, and now Raising Cane’s. But Ross would like it to be noted that the township is not endorsing any of these businesses or presenting them as being better or as good as existing businesses. Ross said that the township’s mission is to create the platform that enables business owners and entrepreneurs to choose locations for starting businesses, putting people to work and moving dollars through the local economy.
Upcoming chamber member events include:
• Ribbon-cutting at Dunkin’, Locust St., Indiana, 10:30 a.m. Monday
• Coffee Talk, 8 a.m. Tuesday at Riziki Cafe
• Business After Hours, 5 p.m. March 28 at Levity Brewing
The chamber will meet next on March 14 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
