October 2019 Community Contribution Cover story: McLanahan’s helping to to eliminate misconceptions ononAg Ag ................................PAGES 3 Sweat forVets Challenge raises funds,awareness ..............................PAGE 10 Ribbon Cuttings ..............................PAGE 16 695-5323 COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SALE/LEASE - LISTING AGENT MATT DEPAOLIS 814-329-3021 #55769 - Main building has approximately 38, 334 sf #53571 - Prime real estate for sale or lease In revitalized & growing =hpgmhpg :emhhgZ' Ma^ A^kbmZ`^ =bl\ho^kr <^gm^k h__^kl *-%-1. l_ _hk with 4 loading docks and two ground level overhead Z oZkb^mr h_ ihm^gmbZe nl^l ln\a Zl Z k^lmZnkZgm% h_Û\^ liZ\^ hk Zg ^o^gm doors. Current tenant occupies approximately 3, 000 sf of _Z\bebmr' Ma^ *lm Ük h__^kl liZ\bhnl hi^g liZ\^ p( ab`a \^bebg`l% h_Û\^ liZ\^% h_Û\^ Zg] +-% .,- l_ h_ pZk^ahnl^ liZ\^' :iikhqbfZm^er Z \hg_^k^g\^ khhf% Z dbm\a^g^mm^% mph :=: k^lmkhhfl lmhkZ`^' Ma^ *)% 1))l_ bg ma^ fZbg [nbe]bg` Zg] *% *.+ bg Z ]^mZ\a^] lmnggbg` \nko^] lmZbk\Zl^ e^Z]l mh ma^ eZk`^ hi^g f^ssZgbg^ e^o^e p( `eZll railings open to below and elevator access. Contact the listing agent for [nbe]bg` \nkk^gmer ngh\\nib^]' <Zee FZmm =^iZhebl ,+2& more details and to schedule a time to tour the property. Watch my 3D tour ,)+* pbma Zgr jn^lmbhgl hk mh mhnk ma^ [nbe]bg`' ammi3((i^kkrp^eebg`mhgk^Zemr'\hf(,]&fh]^e(*-+*&*+ma&Zo^&ZemhhgZ&iZ( 2 Blair County 2 Blair Business Mirror Chamber News www.blairchamber.com Chamber Notes Double the Networking Business After Hours Will we be architects of Hampton Inn our own demise? The staff at the Hampton by Hilton Altoona is excited There’s an election coming-up. construction are hot-button issues, are we to host another Blair County Chamber Business After Whether or not that means something to willing to take a broad approach to find- Hours. Join us Wednesday October 30th for food, en- you is likely influenced by how seriously ing common ground in addressing them? tertainment and some great networking opportunities. you take your rights as an American citi- Or has the nastiness that was evident in The Hampton Altoona is always looking for ways to zen. Or how ticked-off you are. the campaign messages of several of the improve. In 2019 we officially became a Pet Friendly Unless you’ve been out-of-the-loop, candidates during the Primary the pre- Hotel, you no longer need to leave any of your family you’re no doubt aware that your vote car- ferred method of appealing to voters? members behind … including the furry ones. We also ries even greater impact in some elections There is, after all, a potentially cata- 180 Charlotte Dr., Altoona implemented the new Hampton breakfast experi- because so many of your fellow citizens strophic outcome to that second option. ence. The new breakfast includes an updated fresh look to the breakfast area and choose not to be part of An overreaction on my part? I don’t many new breakfast items. In addition to our already outstanding options, our classic the process. It in- think so. Even a dim-bulb like me can dis- Vanilla waffle is now joined by new flavors including Blueberry, Banana Bread, creases your clout in a sect the data and appreciate how commu- Chocolate and the crowd favorite, Cinnamon Roll. Hampton has also included signa- way that is unfortu- nities in other parts of the country have ture items such as Chobani Greek yogurt smoothies, pressed juices and egg white frit- nate, to say the least. thought they were accomplishing some- tatas. The voter turnout in thing significant by embracing contro- In addition to our new changes, there are many reasons to book at the Hampton. the 2019 Primary Elec- versy, only to gain a toxic reputation Families can indulge by booking an extra-large executive suite, relax in the indoor tion in Blair County instead. pool and enjoy the filling Hampton Breakfast. You will find all the tools you need was alarmingly low, So concerned about this situation is the when traveling on business, high speed wireless internet and an onsite business cen- despite the fact that Blair County Chamber that the Chamber ter. We can also host your meeting or special event for up to 120 guests in our flexible key positions were at Board, through its insightful Public Pol- meeting and event space. Special group rates are also available, just give us a call. JOE HURD stake. The results of icy Committee, has taken the preliminary that election were heav- steps to create a Political Action Commit- ily influenced by a determined collection tee (PAC). The purpose of the PAC is not of voters who were agitated by someone to endorse or fund political candidates. Its or something and were looking for a purpose is to tackle and support the pro- WEDNESDAY, October 30 • 5 -7 p.m. change. That strategy is nothing new. motion of issues that will help the county This time however, the consequences may to move forward. be more far-reaching. Blair County is a great place to live and Park Home With all the progress that has been work. It has been that for a long time. To made in Blair County in branding the remain that way will be a challenge sim- Park Home is owned locally by the Muccitelli Fam- area as a destination for business expan- ply because of the growing number of ob- ily. Since 1940, we’ve been serving customers in all of sion and relocation, the county is still stacles to prosperity. Many of those Central PA. Park Home offers brand name furniture, fragile in a number of ways. Many of obstacles are thrust upon us and are well mattress, and appliances and specializes in home those ways have at least a loose connec- beyond our ability to offset them. Some electronics and security. We offer In-Home Design tion to workforce development. Unless we are political, others geographic. They take consultations; have a low price guarantee on all of can provide an educated workforce that a toll on how we approach the things we our products, combined with top-notch customer meets the needs of at least the current can fix. 2134 Plank Rd., Duncansville service. business community, we’re in a whole lot We need to find ways to work more ef- Our knowledge on the products we carry sets us of trouble. Much needed business growth, fectively together to let others see the op- high above the competition. Park Home Store is an authorized dealer of many top sadly, would be out of the question. portunities that exist here and then brands. We carry all major appliances such as Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, Speed How the Primary Election figures-in to commit to making our future as enviable Queen and Sub Zero. We also carry a full line of mattresses from names like Tempur- this equation is more of an attitude as our past. We have never been a county Pedic, Sealy and Stearns and Foster. Our furniture brands include many industry dilemma than a strategic conundrum. to focus on finding ways to step-up by leaders such as Ashley, England, Franklin, Flexsteel, and Vaughn Basset just to name While no one would contest the fact that stepping-on someone else. a few. At Park Home, we pride ourselves in being a one-stop shop for your entire property tax reassessment and new school There’s no reason to start now. home and business lifestyle needs. Tuesday, November 5 • 5 -7 p.m. On the Cover: Andrew Wedel, Director of International Business Development for Agriculture at McLanahan Corporation examines an electrical panel being manu- factured to be sent to a customer. Cover 3 Story 3 Blair Business Mirror www.blairchamber.com On the Cover Farm-City Month McLanahan’s helping to eliminate misconceptions on Ag For Andrew Wedel, it’s the he emphasized. “Today’s farm- question that never seems to go ers are extremely savvy and are away. smart businesspeople. Automa- “People who know where I tion is used in all aspects of work will ask me, ‘How are dairy farming – from milking things at the foundry?” he dis- cows to recording the number of closed. “Many people still be- steps a cow takes in a day and lieve that we are solely a for how long she rests. The foundry. While it’s still a part of amount of data available to our business, we are so much dairy farmers was unfathomable more.” only ten years ago.” At McLanahan Corporation in At McLanahan’s, technology Hollidaysburg, where Wedel is has provided the ability to re- Director of International Busi- motely monitor equipment any- ness Development for Agricul- where in the world from ture, much has changed since Hollidaysburg. This makes it the company was founded by easier to step customers through James Craig McLanahan in 1835. an issue they might be having as The company is now a global manufacturer of materials pro- opposed to getting on an air- cessing equipment that is used plane each time someone needs in the mining, aggregate and assistance. agricultural industries. It has “The new generation of farm- expanded its footprint to include ers grew up with Smartphones offices in Australia, China, Chile and they like to manage and ob- and the United Kingdom. It has serve things literally at their fin- also acquired several companies gertips, no matter the time of to expand its product offerings.