Support Services to Start a Business
Through Huntingdon County Partnership for Economic Progress (PEP), the county has coordinated the efforts of many organizations such as Juniata College Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (JCEL), Huntingdon County Business and Industry (HCB&I), Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) and the Huntingdon County Visitor's Center to provide support for entrepreneurs and business owners.
JCEL
JCEL is a business creation center located on the Juniata College Campus. Their main goal is to provide support and encouragement to members of the Juniata College community and residents of the greater Huntingdon County area. This is accomplished by:
- Managing County Enterprise Zone (HCEZ), which provides low interest loans and tax credits for qualified projects
- Managing Sill Business Incubator, which provides part-time and full-time office and light assembly space to businesses
- Supporting business start-up operations, through mentors and professional service providers
- Collaborating with regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Service Core of Retired Executives (SCORE) for start-up support.
Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce
The Huntingdon Chamber of Commerce is an organization dedicated to business and community improvement in and around Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. This is done through:
- Supporting workforce development and workforce education
- Supporting retail and other business promotion
- Coordinating area-specific micro-loan and facade grant programs
- Providing access to insurance program and networking opportunities and support
Huntingdon County Business Industry
HCB&I is contracted with JCEL to provide management services for this county wide economic development agency and align the goals of all agenices involved in local economic developments, including local and state government. The three areas mainly focused on by HCB&I are:
- Managing county Keystone Opportunity Zone, which provided tax abatement for qualified projects
- Managing Riverview Business Center-property available
- Serves as liaison to state and federal funding programs
Huntingdon County Visitor's Bureau
Huntingdon County Visitor's Bureau helps connect visitors to local resources, businesses, entertainment venues, lodging and restaurants. It promotes member businesses in numerous ways including in the annual Visitor's Guide with 110,000 in circulation and on their web site. Business in the tourism industry particularly will benefit from the resources of the Visitor's Bureau.