New Month, New News!

WHAT'S NEW AT THE CHAMBER

Moody's Analytics Presentation at November Board Meeting

Shannon Brobst, of Moody's Analytics, gave an informative local, state, and federal economic update to our board during this past month's CCCBI board meeting.

If you were not able to attend the meeting, click here to access Moody's Analytics 2022 Economic Outlook presentation.

Submit Your Small Business Awards Nominations

The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry is proud to recognize the success of small business in our community at our upcoming Small Business Awards Dinner.

Chamber members meeting the following criteria will be eligible for the small business award. Businesses can nominate themselves or another business they feel should be recognized.

Criteria:

Must be a member in good standing of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
Must employ fewer than 75 employees
Business must have been in operation for a minimum of five years
Business should show success in its industry and be active in the community

The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry is also proud to recognize the success of nonprofit organizations in our community through our Nonprofit of the Year Award. Chamber members meeting the following criteria will be eligible for the award presented at our Small Business Awards Breakfast. Businesses can nominate themselves or another business they feel should be recognized.

Criteria:

Must be a member in good standing of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
Must be an active 501 (c)(3) organization within Chester County
Must have been in operation for a minimum of three years
Must show success in its industry and be active through contributions and support for the community while adhering to the nonprofit’s mission statement

Click for Small Business of the Year Nomination Form

Click for Nonprofit of the Year Nomination Form

Please email your completed nomination form to [email protected]

Deadline for submissions is 5:00PM on Friday, December 16, 2022

Business After Hours on December 5th at Sycamore and Stone Farm!

Register today for our special holiday Business After Hours at beautiful Sycamore & Stone Farm in Chester Springs, on Monday, December 5, 2022, 4:30PM -6:30 PM!

Holiday cheer included… Enjoy local wine LeGarage Winery and local cheese from Birchrun Hills Farm.

This event is FREE for Members and $10 for Non-Members.

Don’t forget your business cards for this unique and fun opportunity to network with others in the Chester County business community.

Sycamore & Stone Farm

1251 Conestoga Rd

Chester Springs, PA 19425

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Seeking Member Perspectives to Support Business

We are seeking more members who would like to share perspective on ways to support your business, to feature in our upcoming newsletters for our readers.

If you are interested in sharing subject matter expertise focused on improving the workplace, uplifting neighborhoods in our region, and issues relevant to the changing needs of our business community please email Marguerite DeGrassa, at [email protected]

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Chester County Transportation Panel

Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry holds panel focused on transportation in the Commonwealth and the Chester County region with Secretary of Transportation Yassmin Gramian and Industry Experts

The panel was comprised of experts in the transportation field, including; the Secretary of Transportation for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Yassmin Gramian, PE; Regional Chief Engineer for McMahon Associates, Gary Graham, PE; SEPTA Legislative Affairs Director, Pam McCormick; and Executive Director of Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC), Tim Phelps. Juni Alam of Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG) moderated the morning’s topics.

Topics of discussion ranged from current projects being completed, projects continuing to work through processes of funding and policy, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, practical issues facing technology and advancement in implementation. Most notably, electric vehicle and infrastructure grid demands were discussed as they attempt to meet demands.

SEPTA also provided updates regarding investments in safety and continued support for employers and employees commuting, as well as for residents in the region traveling the Southeast Pennsylvania Region.

Tim Phelps of TMACC informed attendees on micro transit studies as they attempt to bridge the gap between state/government entities efforts and the local needs. This is a unique effort and speaks to the amount of time and effort being invested by all entities. Chester County is also building on the planning from SEPTA, PENNDOT, and other infrastructure spending to build out trail expansion.

Exton station, Downingtown station, Malvern station, and Coatesville station are being upgraded to respond to growth in population and potential Amtrak connections. Full service, ADA accessible upgrades, and parking expansion are all being assessed for funding and programming. These projects are mostly in planning and design, with goals to implement in 2028.

Other notable takeaways:

Electric vehicles will comprise 10% of fleet in Pennsylvania by 2030. Panelists agreed that planning for this expansion is critical in terms of policy and infrastructure.
87% of funding for transportation in the Commonwealth comes from the Gas Tax and is unsustainable.
Secretary Gramian noted that the state loses “10-15 million dollars a year as cars become more fuel efficient, and less gas is used as employees continue to work from home. The gas tax is not a sustainable source of funding as these auto manufacturers move away from certain types of cars and are going all electric vehicles.
EV Charging Stations will be a focus, especially on on interstates, and the state is partnering with energy companies, trade schools to train people how to fix and maintain.

Click for more information on SEPTA AND THE EQUITY IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT (EIP)

Click for more information on SEPTA REGIONAL FUNDING

A full video of Monday's panel discussion is available on our Youtube channel. Click here to watch.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Del Vacchio Landscape & Christmas Decor

It is December 1st, which means the holiday season is officially in full swing! Give yourself a gift this year with a hassle-free decorating package by Del Vacchio Landscape and Christmas Decor. Their experts will simplify your holiday decoration with end-to-end service so you can focus on what’s really important during the holidays.

Christmas Décor by Del Vacchio Landscape provides full-service holiday decorating services for customers in Chester, Montgomery and Delaware counties. Del Vacchio's professionals will work with you to create a custom package that meets all your holiday decorating needs. They will help you develop a design that brings holiday sparkle to your home or business using the highest quality products available. Christmas Décor’s fully insured installers train annually in the latest safety and design techniques for the most efficient installation and takedown.

Del Vacchio Landscape works with clients to create and enhance fantastic outdoor living spaces. Through Del Vacchio's Single Service Provider approach, they eliminate the need for you to deal with multiple companies because they handle all of your outdoor landscape, hardscape, and holiday decorating needs.

Visit www.delvacchiolandscapes.com for more information and to schedule your decorating consultation today.

The Chester County Chamber greatly appreciates Del Vacchio for their Chamber membership!