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SFU sets business webinar
The Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center and Somerset Trust Co. have scheduled a pre-business planning webinar at 5 p.m. May 26.
The free webinar is for people who are interested in opening and operating their own business.
Topics to be discussed are feasibility issues, marketing, recordkeeping, business plans, legal issues, regulations/taxes and financing.
Preregistration is requested. Interested persons may contact the SBDC at 814-472-3200 or register online at www.francis.edu/SBDC-Workshops
Business After Hours returns
The first Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours of 2021will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. May 20 at the Blair County Convention Center.
bkibler@altoonamirror.com
The Wolf administration’s announcement Tuesday that coronavirus “mitigations” except for masking will end Memorial Day prompted satisfaction and optimism, as well as surprise and a bit of caution from local stakeholders.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” said Mike Luciano, owner of Mike’s Court, who has been seeing more customers lately, especially older ones who’ve been vaccinated and are feeling a new confidence.
“People are ready to socialize,” Luciano said. “They feel a little freer.”
“Any step toward life before the pandemic is a good thing,” said Matt Stuckey, president of Stuckey Automotive, speaking not so much on behalf of his own business, which COVID-19 restrictions haven’t impinged upon too badly since the summer, but for others they’ve damaged severely. He was driving past Peoples Natural Gas Field as he spoke. “I think that stadium will be full soon,” he said.
Kennametal Inc. on Monday reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $21.6 million.
The company had net income of 26 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 32 cents per share.
The engineered products maker posted revenue of $484.7 million in the period.
Kennametal shares have risen 13% since the beginning of the year.
Meeting set on France trip
The Blair County Chamber of Commerce is planning a trip to the French Riviera from Oct. 30 to Nov. 7. An in-person informational meeting for that trip will be held at 6 p.m. May 12 at the Devorris Center for Business Development or people can attend on Zoom.
Additional funding is available for restaurants and bars through the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
The fund provides emergency assistance for eligible qualifying businesses impacted by COVID-19, according to a letter written by state Sen. Judy Ward, R-30th District, and sent to Blair County Chamber of Commerce members.
Registration for the RRF will begin at 9 a.m. today and the Small Business Administration will begin accepting applications via the application portal at noon Monday. The application portal will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.
“Restaurants are the core of our neighborhoods and propel economic activity on main streets across the nation,” said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman in a statement. “They are among the businesses that have been hardest hit and need support to survive this pandemic. We want restaurants to know that help is here.”