The Latest News from CCCBI...

WHAT'S NEW AT THE CHAMBER

Youth Leadership Kickoff Dinner

CCCBI Foundation's Youth Leadership Program kicked off over a nice dinner at the Chamber this past Tuesday. Participants and parents were given the opportunity to meet others in the program, Chamber staff, and hear more about this year's program agenda. We are looking forward to a successful year ahead with this year's participants, volunteers, and program schedule, filled with valuable and educational activities!

Submit Your 2022 Small Business Awards Nomination!

The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry is proud to recognize the success of small business in our community at our upcoming 2022 Small Business Awards Dinner.

Chamber members meeting the following criteria will be eligible for the 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

Please email your completed nomination form to [email protected]

Deadline for submissions is Friday, December 16, 2022

Global Entrepreneurship Week

November 14-20, 2022 is Global Entrepreneurship Week. American entrepreneurship is on the rise with record startup rates last year.

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers funding options, business counseling, contracting assistance, and other resources to help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. Visit www.sba.gov to learn more.

SCORE Mentors Chester & Delaware Counties is also celebrating entrepreneurs and encourages anyone thinking of taking the first step to meet with a free mentor. SCORE business mentors can help you start, grow or transition your business. Click here to find your free business mentor.

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

US Senate remains in control of Democrats and US House is flipped to Republican control. Mitch McConnell held on to his leadership position and it appears not much will change for Senate Democrats.

Pennsylvania’s Senate Announces New Senate Leadership

Senate Republicans (Majority)

Senate Pro Tem: Senator Kim Ward
Senate Majority Leader: Senator Joe Pittman
Senate Majority Whip: Senator Ryan Aument
Senate Appropriations Chair: Senator Scott Martin
Senate Caucus Chair: Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill
Senate Caucus Secretary: Senator Camera Bartolotta

Click to read more via Politicspa.com

Congratulations to Senator Kim Ward. Despite her many personal and professional accomplishments that have earned her support from the Senate, she has the privilege of being the first woman to hold this position.

Congratulations also to our friends, Senators Ryan Aument and Scott Martin. Both have been supporters of our Chamber and business in the region.

Senate Democrats (Minority)

Senate Minority Leader: Jay Costa, Jr.
Caucus Whip: Tina Tartaglione
Appropriations Committee Chair: Vincent Hughes
Appropriations Vice Chair: Tim Kearney
Caucus Chair: Wayne D. Fontana
Caucus Secretary: Maria Collett
Administrator: Judy Schwank

Click to read more via Politicspa.com

PA House Leadership positions will not be announced since there is no clear majority, yet. Although we expect this could drag out in court challenges and recounts for months, it comes down to only 2 races. House District 142 of Bucks County between Joe Hogan and Mark Moffa, vacated by Representative Frank Farry when he won election to replace Senator Tommy Tomlinson, and House District 151 of Montgomery County between Representative Todd Stephens and Melissa Cerrato.

At the time of this writing, Joe Hogan appears to have won HD 142 and Melissa Cerrato leads Representative Todd Stephens in HD 151 by 37 votes with 59 provisional ballots outstanding.

If the State House wins the majority, it will likely elevate House Minority Leader Johanna McClinton to House Majority Leader or Speaker. Democrats would take control of the House for the first time since 2010.

We would like to thank House Minority Leader McClinton and Senate Majority Whip Aument for joining us for dinner shortly before Election Day and Congratulate you.

As we look to a new legislative session in 2023, we will continue to create opportunities for networking and communicating with our legislators and public sector leaders. Please do not hesitate to reach out and speak with Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry’s President and CEO, Laura Manion, with any questions or issues as CCCBI continues to engage in advocacy on behalf of the business community and members.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Lamb McErlane PC Attorneys At Law

Lamb McErlane PC has ranked nationally in one practice area and regionally in ten among the “Best Law Firms” in the 2023 Edition of U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers.

The 2023 edition recognizes the most elite firms across the nation, identified for their professional excellence with consistently positive feedback from clients and peers. To become eligible for a Best Law Firms ranking, at least one lawyer at the firm must be recognized in the latest edition of The Best Lawyers in America, an exclusive award presented to only the top 5 percent of lawyers in the United States.

Lamb McErlane PC is a full service regional law firm based in West Chester, with additional offices in Philadelphia, Newtown Square, Oxford, Exton, and Mt. Laurel, NJ. The Firm has 47 attorneys and has built a reputation on delivering the highest caliber of legal service in an environment focused on personal attention and results. Bringing the sophistication and experience equated with large, metropolitan firms, Lamb McErlane’s highly efficient, goal oriented and focused approach produces results that clients deserve.

Learn more about Lamb McErlane PC Attorneys At Law by visiting www.lambmcerlane.com

The Chester County Chamber greatly appreciates Lamb McErlane for their Chamber membership and owner, Joel Frank, Esq., for his support on our board.

Culinary Job Readiness Survey

Share Food Program is the largest-serving hunger relief organization in the Philadelphia region.

Share Food Program is currently developing a culinary job readiness program as an expansion to their existing service offerings in Chester County. They are working to craft a 16-week program that's informed by hospitality industry needs and designed to prepare participants for success within the field.

To help ensure the program aligns with the industry, they are hoping to gather valuable insight from those in the culinary field. You can complete the short survey here: Share Food Program Culinary Job Readiness Training: Industry Survey (office.com)