81 Local Chambers of Commerce Urge Pennsylvania General Assembly to Strengthen Child Care Workforce
Coalition calls for increase for Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention, plus additional investments in Pre-K Counts and Head Start POTTSVILLE, Pa. — A growing coalition of 81 local chambers of commerce from across Pennsylvania is urging members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to continue investing in the child care workforce as part of the final 2026-27 state budget. The coalition, led by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and joined by chambers representing communities in every region of the
Partnership with StageRight! gives Saint Vincent students a head start
LATROBE, PA – Throughout the spring semester, students in the Nonprofit Communication course at Saint Vincent College benefited from working with StageRight!, a Greensburg-based performing arts school, to develop fundraising, social media, marketing and public relations materials. The course, instructed by Dr. Melinda Farrington, an associate professor of communication and media arts within the College’s School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, focuses on integrated marketing and communication in
PA Chamber Hosts 2026 Chamber Day at the Capitol
Event brings together local chamber leaders and policymakers to discuss Pennsylvania’s economic future HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP), hosted local chamber leaders from across the Commonwealth in Harrisburg on June 2 for the 2026 Chamber Day at the Capitol. This annual event convenes local chamber leaders – whose collective memberships includes thousands of employers of all sizes spanning
Soil to Supper at Saint Vincent College
LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College will host a Soil to Supper event next month inside the Fred M. Rogers Center on campus. The public dinner event scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, at 6 p.m., will feature a five-course meal prepared by an executive chef. Complimentary wine tasting is available with each course. Tickets cost $125 and can be purchased online. Preregistration is required. Vegetarian options are available. With the theme “Grown by Neighbors, Shared by Neighbors,” the event celebrates
2018 Mister Rogers stamp wins USPS Stamp Encore contest
Reissued stamp, souvenir sheet available nationwide June 1 LATROBE, PA – The iconic 2018 Mister Rogers stamp featuring the beloved television personality was recently announced as the winner of the United States Postal Service (USPS) Stamp Encore contest. To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Postal Service, the public was invited to vote for their favorite stamp pane out of 25 recent offerings. Over 500,000 votes were cast, and the Fred Rogers stamp secured the win by more than 40,000
WVU Health System, Independence Health System sign definitive agreement
Agreement paves way to final closing in late September or early October 2026 and supports planned $800 million investment to strengthen hospitals and expand care in Western Pa. MORGANTOWN, W.Va., and GREENSBURG, Pa., June 2, 2026 — The West Virginia University Health System (operating under the brand WVU Medicine) and Independence Health System have signed a definitive agreement that will lead to WVU Health System acquiring Independence Health System. The transaction is expected to close in late September
Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland Awarded $100,000 ARC POWER Planning Grant
Westmoreland County, PA — The Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland (EGC) has been awarded a $100,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER Planning Grant to support a larger regional initiative focused on strengthening workforce development, economic opportunity, and long-term community resilience in Westmoreland County and the surrounding region. The ARC funding represents approximately 48% of the project’s total $210,000 cost, with the remaining funds secured through matching investments and
Pope Leo XIV receives Saint Vincent College leaders at the Vatican
LATROBE, PA – Saint Vincent College President Rev. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, PhD, and Saint Vincent Seminary Rector Very Rev. Edward Mazich, O.S.B., S’98, were personally received by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on May 13, 2026, at the Vatican. The audience highlighted Saint Vincent’s growing global presence within the Church and its leadership in Benedictine education. Father Paul and Father Edward spoke with Pope Leo about Benedictine education in the United States, with particular emphasis on
The In Your Write Mind Writers Conference is taking place June 25-28 at Seton Hill U in Greensburg,
Immerse yourself in a weekend for fiction writers of all experience levels. Attend Seton Hill University’s In Your Write Mind Writers Conference. $120 for the entire weekend event! Included with Registration: A FREE TABLE at our book signing on Sat, June 27thA live “Embrace What Haunts You” audio experience by Palimpsest ProductionsAgent pitch sessionsOver 30 writing-related classesGhost Tour of the historic Seton Hill University campusOpen mic nightCritique sessionsWho: In Your Write Mind is a writer’s
The University of Pittsburgh launches tuition-free initiative for Pennsylvania residents at regional
The University of Pittsburgh has announced the launch of The Pitt Regional Campus Tuition Pledge, tuition-free program beginning fall 2026 for eligible Pennsylvania residents at its Bradford, Greensburg and Johnstown campuses, as well as the Titusville nursing program. New and current students whose household Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $75,000 or less will pay zero in tuition — Pitt covers whatever tuition remains after all federal, state and institutional aid has been applied. “The Pitt Regional
The Financial Safety Net Every Western Pennsylvania Business Owner Needs
Nearly half of all startups don't make it past five years, and cash flow is usually why — funding gaps, poor budgeting, and inventory problems that compound until there's no runway left. For business owners in the Latrobe and Laurel Valley region, that's not a distant statistic. A financial safety net means your business can absorb a hard quarter, lose a major client, or face an unexpected expense without closing its doors.Start With a Cash Reserve The foundation of any financial safety net is a
The Collaboration Gap: What Latrobe-Area Businesses Lose When Teams Work in Silos
Collaboration inefficiencies cost teams hours every week — 64% of employees waste at least three hours, and 20% lose up to six. For business owners in the Latrobe and Laurel Valley region, where many teams run lean, that's a preventable drain worth closing. The practices below address the most common gaps — and a few that may surprise you.You're Already Shaping Collaboration (Whether You Know It or Not) It's tempting to assume that once you've hired capable people, collaboration takes care of itself. But
Building A Profitable Beauty Salon Through Better Money Management
Beauty salons operate at the intersection of creativity and commerce. A successful salon must balance client experience, staff compensation, inventory control, and cash flow management — all while staying profitable in a competitive service industry. Financial management is not just about tracking money; it shapes pricing, hiring decisions, and long-term growth.Key Financial Takeaways Track revenue by service category to identify your most profitable treatments. Separate fixed and variable costs to
Simple Efficiency Upgrades That Help Small Teams Do More
Small businesses in the Greater Latrobe–Laurel Valley region often juggle tight margins, limited staff, and rising expectations from customers. Yet the path to smoother operations doesn’t always require sweeping change. Sometimes, a few targeted improvements can unlock significant gains in productivity and capacity. Learn below about: Practical, immediately usable efficiency levers for small teams Ways to reduce recurring friction in daily operations Steps to streamline workflows without large
2020 Banana Split Celebration Dates Announcement
Latrobe, Pa. (September 2019) — It is with great pleasure that the Greater Latrobe - Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce announces August 21-23 as the date of the 2020 Great American Banana Split Celebration. Highlights of the 2019 celebration included the first Banana Split Princess Pageant, a third stage, blood drive, big banana car, an over 21 area, goat yoga, and expanded activity schedule for kids and adults. It is estimated that 12,000 people attended over the course of the three day event as Latrobe
GLLV Neighborhood Visitor & Information Center Traffic Continues to Increase
The Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Neighborhood Visitor & Information Center is many things to many people. It is a bright, shiny tribute to the businesses and people of the area. It’s a showcase for history and memorabilia from the area. The VIC has proven to be ground zero for business transactions between members. And yes, it’s the home of the chamber staff that has constantly created buzz and excitement within the new GLLV organization. “I’ve been in a lot of chambers offices and
