A LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN |
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Dear Members and Friends,
The last few months have shown, more than ever, how important communication to and from our elected officials is to us all. We have all been met with unexpected business disruptions, staffing challenges, losses in revenue, and numerous other challenges. When these needs grow and there is so much uncertainty, knowing your legislators at all levels have a pulse on those needs, and are taking appropriate action to meet them, provides us all with a greater sense of comfort and security.
The Community and Government Relations Committee has continued to meet monthly during this pandemic to ensure we are all aware of what the continuing needs of the business community are so we can share with community and government leaders from the local to federal level. We have recognized the importance during this time, and are looking to reestablish priorities for the committee as we transition out of COVID response into the new chapter of post-COVID operations.
We met last week to discuss a redefined purpose of the committee, and are continuing to shape who we will be to serve you, our members, in the most effective way possible. We are looking at new ways to engage the local municipalities in our service area, keep up-to-date on relevant legislation, and look at business-related activity beyond Southern Chester County to see how that activity can provide opportunities for our members. I look forward to sharing the roadmap with you in the near future.
As always, know that the Chamber, and the Community and Government Relations Committee are here to serve you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Chamber at 610-444-0774 or to me directly at 610-925-4206 if you have questions or comments.
Sincerely,
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Doug Doerfler, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Committee Chairman
Community & Government Relations Committee
Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce
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U.S. CHAMBER STATEMENT ON WHITE HOUSE TRADE ACTIONS |
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Washington, D.C. - U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs Myron Brilliant issued the following statement today in response to trade actions by the White House relating to tariffs on imports of Canadian aluminum and an executive order on medical supplies:
“Today more than ever, American businesses of all sizes depend on trade as an engine of growth and job creation. However, the administration’s move to re-impose tariffs on aluminum from Canada is a step in the wrong direction.
“These tariffs will raise costs for American manufacturers, are opposed by most U.S. aluminum producers, and will draw retaliation against U.S. exports — just as they did before. We urge the administration to reconsider this move. To read the press release, please visit U.S. Chamber Statement on White House Trade Actions
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CONQUERING CARBON: HOW BUSINESSES ARE LEADING THE CHARGE ON CLIMATE CHANGE |
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August 7th, 2020 - Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing society today. And the business community is taking action to address this challenge in ways that improve environmental performance, strengthen their businesses, and meet the expectations of the communities where they operate.
An initial analysis of SEC financial filings (10-Ks) of Fortune 100 companies found that 60 mentioned climate risk in 2017 and/or 2018.
For example:
- Alphabet, parent of Google, stated, “The effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, drought, flooding, wildfires, and increased storm severity,” make its systems “vulnerable to damage or interruption.”
- MetLife noted, “Changing climate conditions, primarily rising global temperatures, may increase the frequency and severity of natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.”
The business community sees both the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change and is taking a leadership role to identify and implement real, practical solutions. Companies have stepped up to the challenge of reducing carbon emissions and are making real progress. They are developing innovative technologies to help communities worldwide address this global challenge.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce engaged leading businesses from across the country to highlight examples of companies taking action. This collection shows some of the themes and trends emerging and demonstrates the business community’s leadership and impact related to climate. To read the full report, please visit Conquering Carbon
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PA CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY |
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SCHOOL RE-OPENING PROCESS THE SUBJECT OF HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE HEARING |
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August 10, 2020 - The state House Education Committee hosted a public hearing last week with representatives from a number of educational organizations on the subject of re-opening Pennsylvania schools as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the Commonwealth.
PA School Boards Association Chief Advocacy Officer John Callahan said that while schools are doing their best to provide a safe environment for students, the efforts to re-open while at the same time battling the pandemic has created “an impossible scenario requiring complicated planning and preparation with few explicit answers, many health risks and looming financial disasters for many school districts due to significantly increased costs and unprecedented revenue losses.” He outlined six key areas in which his organization believes that lawmakers could make the most beneficial impact: permanent mandate waivers; charter school funding reform; transportation funding support; liability protection; delaying graduation requirements; and advertising/public notice reform. To continue reading, please visit School Re-Opening Process The Subject of House Education Committee Hearing
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PA CHAMBER WELCOMES EPA PROPOSAL ON OZONE STANDARDS |
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HARRISBURG - PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its proposal regarding national ozone standards:
“We welcome the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to propose retaining the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone. The existing standards have been shown to protect public health and the environment, while allowing the economy to grow and securing continued emissions reductions. As our nation recovers from this pandemic, business leaders need regulatory certainty as we work to re-shore manufacturing. This proposal is welcome news on that front.” View the press release, PA Chamber Welcome EPA Proposal
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FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF PHILADELPHIA
ECONOMIC NEWS
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The Philadelphia Fed has updated its monthly Tri-State Tracking series that provides statewide summaries of economic conditions using monthly and quarterly data of employment, housing, and personal income. The latest update includes monthly data for employment, building permits, and mortgage delinquencies through June 2020 and quarterly data for house prices and personal income through the first quarter of 2020.
Read the reports:
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For more information from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, please visit: Philadephia Fed
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PENNSYLVANIA MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION (PMA) |
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PMA PERSPECTIVE: AMERICAN ENERGY LEADERSHIP AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY |
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On this episode of PMA Perspective... PMA focuses on American energy leadership and economic recovery. PMA’s David N. Taylor interviews U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny) about his pro-growth, pro-energy efforts in Congress. Carl Marrara talks to state Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Wayne) about how Marcellus Shale natural gas production powers the economy in NEPA. To watch the video, please visit PMA Perspective: American Energy Leadership and Economic Recovery
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DAVE TAYLOR DISCUSSES CARBON TAX - RGGI |
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For more information from Pennsylvania Manufacturer's Association, please visit: PMA
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TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT
ASSOCIATION OF CHESTER COUNTY (TMACC)
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REGIONAL AND STATE POLICE COORDINATE TO HELP CURB AGGRESSIVE DRIVING |
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As part of a statewide mobilization that runs from July 29 through August 23, 2020, over 60 police departments, including Chester County, will join Pennsylvania State Police in a coordinated aggressive-driving enforcement wave. The wave will help to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and deaths on roadways. To read the PennDot announcement, please visit Regional and State Police Coordinate to Help Curb Aggressive Driving
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For more information from Transportation Management Association of Chester County, please visit: TMACC
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THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA
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SUBCOMMITEE PARTICIPANTS ACCOUNCED FOR PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL RECHARGE AND RECOVERY TASK FORCE |
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The Philadelphia Regional Recharge and Recovery Task Force is pleased to announce the diverse and comprehensive list of business and civic leaders that will help develop the recharge and recovery plan for the city and the region. The group of over 120 individuals will work with the Task Force eight subcommittee to provide actionable and practicable steps that the private and public sector can take to help the Greater Philadelphia region recover in an inclusive way. Through the summer, this diverse set of leaders will contribute industry knowledge and expertise to ensure that the Task Force recommendations will not just help the economy but also ensure that all citizens have access to economic and entrepreneurial opportunities. One of the Task Force’s goals is to find solutions that break down or counter systems perpetuating inequality. To learn more, please visit Philadelphia Subcommittee Participants Announced
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A NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWPA |
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Three years ago, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia initiated Grow PA to launch a collaborative effort to bring attention to the Commonwealth's shrinking workforce, stagnant population, and an underperforming economy. Since its conception, Grow PA has convened hundreds of residents in urban corridors and rural communities across the state to devise solutions beyond short-term policymaking to reverse the state's trajectory, and help grow Pennsylvania.
Like other states across the nation, Pennsylvania is experiencing unprecedented economic uncertainty in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We recognize that our circumstances give Grow PA a renewed purpose to help Pennsylvania emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.
I am pleased to share that Grow PA will launch a new partnership with Penn State University (PSU) to explore solutions that inform communities, businesses, civic leaders, and policymakers on strategies to advance economic development and innovation in Pennsylvania.
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For more information from Grow PA - Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, please visit: Grow PA
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SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) |
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SBA ANNOUNCES HISTORIC RESULTS AND GAINS IN FY19 SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL PROCUREMENT SCORECARD |
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The annual scorecard is an assessment tool that measures how well federal agencies reach their small business and socio-economic prime contracting and subcontracting goals. The prime and subcontracting component goals include targets for small businesses, women-owned small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses, and small businesses located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones.
Every fiscal year, the SBA works with each federal agency to set their prime and subcontracting goals and their grades are based on the agreed upon goals. Each federal agency has a different small business prime contracting goal. The SBA ensures that the sum total of all the goals exceeds the 23 percent target established by law. To read the scorecard, please visit Small Business Procurement Scorecard Overview
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For more information from the U.S. Small Business Administration, please visit: US SBA
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CHESTER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION |
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August 5, 2020 - On Monday, August 3, the Brandywine Conservancy, in partnership with the Chester County Planning Commission, announced the completion of the Brandywine Creek Water Trail Feasibility Study!
As a part of the Brandywine Creek Greenway initiative, the study outlines recommendations for a formalized route along the Brandywine Creek for recreational use and enhanced trail connections. Recommendations focus on improving safe public access by providing proper amenities for kayakers and canoers, directing use to specific access points through unified wayfinding signage and a water trail map, and establishing an online presence to provide information on creek conditions as well as proper safety and stewardship practices.
The Planning Commission partnered with the Brandywine Conservancy on this project in an advisory capacity and contributed conceptual designs for the proposed launch facilities and proposed wayfinding system. To read the full report, please visit Brandywine Conservancy Feasibility Study
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August 10, 2020 - What planning projects are ready to advance in your community? The second round of the Vision Partnership Program (VPP), Chester County’s municipal planning grant program, is now open. The deadline for applications is September 25, 2020 at 4 pm. Eligible projects include individual and multi-municipal comprehensive plans, as well as ordinances, official maps, and a variety of studies. Efforts such as village master plans, trail feasibility studies, revitalization plans, historic preservation planning, stewardship plans, transportation studies, and sustainability/resilience plans are eligible project types.
Details and the application are available online. Applications are to be submitted online by September 25th at 4 pm. Pre-application meetings with the Grant Administrator are strongly encouraged. Please contact Grant Administrator Susan Elks at 610-344-6285 or selks@chesco.org to schedule a pre-application meeting or with any questions.
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For more information from the Chester County Planning Commission, please visit: Chesco Planning
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WORLD TRADE CENTER OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA |
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MADE IN USMCA - WEBINAR RECAP |
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For more information from the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, please visit: WTCGP
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8 Federal Road
Suite 1
West Grove, PA 19390
610-444-0774
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