Local Business

Local business briefcase

The Meadows goes global

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard has signed its first international franchise, in Canberra, New South Wales, Australia.

The newest Meadows franchisee is expecting a September opening, which will correspond with the beginning of spring in Australia.

Four flavors of The Meadows Original Frozen Custard will be served: vanilla, chocolate and two flavors of the day.

The Meadows Original Frozen Custard started in Hollidaysburg in 1950.

The Meadows Franchise Systems has franchised nearly 30 frozen custard stands in Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland. The Meadows Franchise Systems Inc. remains family-run, and each Meadows franchise is operated by the actual owners.

HUNTINGDON

Juniata College recognized

Juniata College has been included in the Top 20 in a poll that lists the best deals at “Small Colleges for the Environmentally Minded Student” by the website greatcollegedeals.net.

Juniata is rated No. 19 in the poll.

GreatCollegeDeals is a free, online resource guide for students.

The website offers a variety of rankings with a common theme: highlighting regionally accredited colleges offering quality education with below-average net prices.

Juniata’s environmental science program, one of the college’s most popular fields of study, was chosen because students can “choose to concentrate in natural science, general studies, wildlife conservation or environmental economics.”

Local Business

Local business briefcase

HUNTINGDON

Bank supports ER expansion

Community State Bank of Orbisonia has made a second health care donation with a gift of $5,000 for the J.C. Blair Hospital emergency room expansion project.

Last spring, Community State Bank made a $10,000 commitment to the new Convenient Care Center located in the Giant Plaza on Route 22.

The ER project is on schedule and entering the next phase of construction. A new reception and registration area recently opened while work continues in other areas to complete the new exam rooms. Completion is expected this fall.

Bedford Candies opens store

Bedford Candies has opened a new location in the Pleasant Valley Shopping Center in space previously occupied by Citizens Bank between Dollar Tree and Sherwin Williams.

Products available include homemade hand-dipped chocolate items, gourmet popcorn, gummies, fudge, ice cream and more. Many of the recipes have been passed down by generations and are handmade daily in Bedford.

The store takes special orders for corporate gifts, weddings, showers, reunions and other events.

Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit www.bedfordcandies.com or call 623-1545.

Local Business

Local business briefcase

Empower Business Solutions recognized with award

Empower Business Solutions of Altoona was recently awarded Acumatica’s Gold Partner Certification after its workers completed hands-on training and passed coursework.

Acumatica helps businesses streamline processes, maintain current data and make informed decisions using cloud software.

Chamber sets date, time for Wake Up to Wellness

The next Blair County Chamber of Commerce Wake Up to Wellness program will be 8-10 a.m. June 29 at Altoona Grand Hotel.

The agenda will include a discussion on the benefits/outcomes of workplace wellness, a review of the Blair County Corporate Challenge and guidelines for participation in the 2017 Challenge and a look at upcoming workplace wellness activities in Blair County.

The cost to attend is $10. Registration is required. To register, call the chamber at 943-8151 or register online at www.blairchamber.com.

A continental breakfast is included.

Tyrone

Tyrone Regional adds cardiac MRI service

Tyrone Regional Health Network has expanded its radiology services at Tyrone Hospital to include cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. It is the only cardiac MRI service available in Blair County.

The cardiac MRI service was added to support Tyrone’s cardiology service and create easier access to specialized heart exams for area residents.

Cardiac MRI creates both still and moving pictures of the heart and major blood vessels and is used by physicians to detect or diagnose a wide range of heart problems.

Carlisle

Giant, Martin’s donate $3M to local schools

Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets donated $3 million to 2,210 public and private schools through its school fundraiser, A+ School Rewards, for the 2015-16 school year.

Elmwood Elementary School in Mechanicsburg was the top earning school this year, receiving $23,721.

The top earning local schools included: Altoona Area Junior High School, $8,570,79; McAuliffe Heights, $4,483.91; St. Rose of Lima School, $4,326.28; and Juniata Gap Elementary School, $4,057.44