U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LAUNCHES U.S.-KAZAKHSTAN BUSINESS COUNCIL |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced the launch of the U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Council (USKZBC) with the goal of advancing economic and commercial cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
“The U.S. Chamber is delighted to help expand U.S.-Kazakhstan commercial engagement, and with the members of the Council, we will focus on supporting initiatives and needed reforms that will contribute to the economic pillar of the U.S. strategy for Central Asia,” said Myron Brilliant, Executive Vice President and Head, International Affairs of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Building on existing corporate engagement in Kazakhstan, we are excited to now play an active role in the bilateral relationship as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 30th year of diplomatic relations.”
Trade between the United States and Kazakhstan stands at approximately $2 billion per year, with ample room for growth in sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, and infrastructure. The Council will carry on the mission of the former U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Association (USKZBA) through an enhanced business and policy platform. Chevron, the largest investor in Kazakhstan, has been named Corporate Chair of the Council and will help advance the business community's relationship in the country, which is home to more than 700 U.S. companies. To read the press release, please visit U.S. Chamber of Commerce Launches U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Council
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U.S. CHAMBER COALITION MOVES TO DEFEND NEPA REFORMS IN COURT |
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with eight other associations, has taken steps to intervene in litigation seeking to roll back recently enacted reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Earlier this summer, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) finalized updates to NEPA designed to reduce delays associated with the permitting process while maintaining thorough reviews and public input. On average, it takes over 4.5 years for a project to reach a NEPA decision, with transportation project applications ballooning to 7 years. The Chamber formed the Unlock American Investment coalition, which had representation from virtually every sector of the American economy, to support NEPA reform efforts.
“As we confront the dual threats of an economic crisis and climate change, it is more important than ever that reforms to NEPA are implemented,” said Ed Mortimer, vice president of transportation and infrastructure at the U.S. Chamber. “It will simply be impossible to build the infrastructure our nation needs—from telecommunications to roads and bridges to renewable energy—without the reforms the Administration has enacted. That’s why the Chamber and our partners are fully committed to defend this important rule. To read the press release, please visit U.S. Chamber Coalition Moves to Defend NEPA Reforms In Court
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PA CHAMBER OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY |
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PA CHAMBER STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR’S CALL TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA |
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HARRISBURG - PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Gene Barr issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s call for the General Assembly to legalize recreational marijuana.
“We recognize the fiscal pressure facing the Commonwealth due to the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the economy; however, we caution against rushing into substantial policy changes – such as widespread legalization of recreational marijuana – without appropriate consideration of the impact on Pennsylvania’s workforce and business community. Pennsylvania legalized marijuana for medical purposes only a few years ago and employers report significant confusion interpreting how they’re expected to manage medical marijuana among the workforce. It stands to reason lawmakers ought to at least address issues with the medical program before authorizing this massive expansion. To continue reading, please visit PA CHAMBER STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR’S CALL TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA
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HUD SEC. BEN CARSON HOSTS ROUNDTABLE IN HARRISBURG ABOUT ZONING DECISIONS |
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development was in Harrisburg on Thursday for a roundtable with local and federal officials.
Dr. Ben Carson addressed the importance of zoning decisions being made locally. The discussion lasted about an hour at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
Carson says affordable and fair housing becomes easier by cutting bureaucratic red tape.
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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 July 2020; quarterly data for house prices through the second quarter of 2020; 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: 2020 ELECTION INTEGRITY IN PENNSYLVANIA |
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PMA's David N. Taylor interviews Tom Feeney, President & CEO of the Associated Industries of Florida. Tom previously represented the 24th Congressional District of Florida and served as the Speaker in the Florida House of Representatives. Tom discusses his time as Florida's Speaker during the 2000 Presidential Election, when Gov. George W. Bush (R-Texas) defeated incumbent Vice President Al Gore (D-Tennessee) in the closest margin of victory in U.S. and Florida history, spurring subsequent recounts and legal challenges. Twenty years later, Tom is concerned that recent policy changes in Pennsylvania make for an uncertain atmosphere heading into the 2020 Presidential Election.To watch the video, please visit PMA Perspective: 2020 Election Integrity in Pennsylvania
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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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PREPARING FOR COMMUNITY AV DEPLOYMENT:
A PENNSYLVANIA PERSPECTIVE ON INNOVATION AND LEGISLATION
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Are You Driven to Learn More About Autonomous Vehicles? Have you ever wondered how an autonomous vehicle works, or even what it is? Now is your chance to learn! TMACC is proud to present our next Zoominar, Ready, Set....Preparing for Community AV Deployment: A Pennsylvania Perspective on Innovation and Legislation.
Speakers will provide an update on the progress and future of Autonomous Vehicles in Pennsylvania. The Keystone state has emerged as a leader in AV technology, testing, and development.
Guest Speakers include Mark Kopko, Director - Office of Transformational Technology, PA Department of Transportation, and Stan Caldwell, Executive Director, Traffic21 Institute and the USDOT-designated Mobility21 National University Transportation Center at Carnegie Mellon University.
Join us Thursday September 17th 8am, via Zoom. Free to attend. Registration is required. Space is limited to 100 participants. To register, please visit: Register Here!
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NOW YOU CAN WALK, OR BIKE, TO THE EXTON TRAIN STATION |
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On Wednesday, September 2, West Whiteland Township celebrated the new crossing at the intersection of Route 100 and Commerce Drive, with a ribbon cutting.
Improvements include ADA curb ramps, a new crosswalk, upgrades to the pedestrian signal equipment, and traffic signal timings to accommodate the pedestrian crossings.
As if that wasn't exciting enough, the improvements also connect the Chester Valley Trail to the Exton Train Station!
“The Chester Valley Trail has come to be known as a commuter trail, and this extension to and from the train station opens up many more possibilities for commuters, including those who can now travel on the train to work in retail businesses, restaurants and hotels here in West Whiteland,” said Chester County Commissioners’ Chair, Marian Moskowitz.
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Visit West Whiteland's webpage for more details!
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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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LEGISLATIVE UPDATES: KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR YOUR BUSINESS |
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Federal
- The Senate returns next week from recess to release and vote on a parred down version of the Republican’s original relief package proposal that was introduced more than a month ago.
- The measure is likely to extend unemployment benefits, allocate additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, and provide emergency appropriations for education, testing and tracing, and vaccine development.
- Democratic leaders have continued to call for agreement on a spending level above $2 trillion before they restart negotiations on an additional relief package.
- A new relief and assistance package could potentially be added to a continuing resolution to keep the government operating through at least the November election.
- Chamber members should contact their elected representatives in Washington, D.C. to urge these leaders to return to the negotiating table.
State
- The Pennsylvania Senate Communications and Technology Committee will hold a hearing next week on the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 contact tracing app that will be launched later this month.
- The Chamber is working with numerous public and private partners on expanding contact tracing and testing and is developing a focused, short-term resource attraction campaign to increase testing capacity for southeastern PA.
- August’s state General Fund revenue collections exceeded expectations for the month — primarily through the continued collection of last fiscal year’s revenues — adding an additional $209 million above estimates.
- The state House of Representatives has considered legislation to make several changes to Pennsylvania’s election law including moving up the absentee/mail-in ballot deadline, requiring election results on Election Day, increased in-person voting safety, among many other provisions.
- The PA Supreme Court said it would consider a lawsuit by the state Democratic Party to order changes to state election law that would allow mailed-in ballots to be counted if they are returned without an envelope, to allow voters to fix problems
- The Chamber will host a virtual event with Budget Secretary Jen Swails on Sept. 9. Read the full update to learn more and register.
Local
- The Chamber sent members of City Council a letter expressing continued concerns about mandating emergency paid sick leave through Bill 200303, which is up for final passage when City Council returns from recess on Thursday, September 10.
- Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia have exceeded 34,000 with over 1,700 deaths.
- Mayor Kenney and Philadelphia School District Superintendent Dr. Hite coauthored a personal message to families starting the school year entirely online to spread the word about the PHLConnectED program.
- There is less than a month left to complete the 2020 U.S. Census with only 53.5% of Philadelphia households reporting to date.
- The city has issued guidance on apportionment and allocation to explain these tax concepts in non-technical terms, using relevant examples.
- The Chamber will host a virtual event with the Deputy Mayor of the Department of Planning & Development Anne Fadullon on September 14. Read the full weekly update to learn more and register.
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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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NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK TO KICK-OFF SEPTEMBER 22-24 |
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WASHINGTON – Today, Jovita Carranza, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, announced the kick-off for National Small Business Week. The virtual event, rescheduled from May due to the coronavirus pandemic, will be held September 22-24. National Small Business Week honors the nation’s small businesses, many of which are veteran, women and minority-owned, for their achievements and dedication to their communities. This year’s National Small Business Week activities will include numerous educational panels providing retooling and innovative practices for entrepreneurs as our nation’s small businesses look to pivot and recover toward a stronger economy. The event will recognize the national award winners, including the naming of this year’s National Small Business Person of the Year.
“I am thrilled to host SBA’s virtual National Small Business Week ceremony and provide this opportunity to recognize inspiring entrepreneurs from across the country for their innovation, and in many cases this year, resilience,” said SBA Administrator Carranza. “This year, we will spotlight America’s outstanding small businesses and their stories of perseverance and their ability to pivot and overcome adversity. This event will also feature many educational forums that will inspire entrepreneurs around the country as they recover and sustain their operations.” To read the press release, please visit National Small Business Week to Kick-off September 22-24
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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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LANDSCAPE3 SUCCESS STORIES |
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The Planning Commission tracks a number of metrics and successes across the county each year that pertain to the six goals found within Landscapes3. In the coming months, we'll be sharing a number of stories highlighting the successes, achievements, accomplishments, events, and other activities that occurred in Chester County in 2019. Some examples include the release of the county's Return on Environment report, the 25th Anniversary of the Town Tours & Village Walks program, and the completion of the Urban Centers Design Guide.
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ROUTE 322 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT COMPLETED |
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This past June, East Bradford Township, in partnership with PennDOT and state and local representatives, successfully completed the Route 322 (Downingtown Pike) Bridge Replacement Project! What started as just a bridge replacement project quickly turned into a collaborative local-governmental effort, which resulted in a variety of additional public recreational benefits as well. Check out the before/after photos, and learn more.
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Each year, the Planning Commission collects and reports data on housing prices, housing affordability, and new units constructed across Chester County as part of the ongoing implementation of Landscapes3. The 2019 residential housing data (which was presented at the Planning Commission’s Board Meeting on August 11) was largely consistent with the data from 2018, however there were a few key differences to acknowledge, including a 4.4% increase in the median home sale price ($355,000), a decrease in housing affordability and home sales, and a shift in construction from multifamily units to single-family attached homes. Additionally, there were a total of 1,409 new units built in Chester County in 2019. To read the full report, please visit Housing Report
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In early August, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that the deadline for census data collection is now September 30, 2020. So far, just over 76% of Chester County's households have already completed the 2020 Census. For those who have not yet completed the census, a census taker will come to your home to follow up in person. All census takers will wear masks and follow COVID-19 safety protocols. To learn more and take the Census, please visit Census Update
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For more information from the Chester County Planning Commission, please visit: Chesco Planning
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West Grove, PA 19390
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