Your latest CCCBI Newsletter!

WHAT'S NEW AT THE CHAMBER

Emerging Leaders Kickoff Happy Hour

Yesterday was the CCCBI Emerging Leaders kickoff happy hour at Locust Lane Craft Brewery!

Attendees enjoyed networking with peers, enjoying the beautiful fall weather on the outdoor patio, while sampling delicious food items from the Foster Ave Carvery new fall menu.

Are you a young professional looking to network and build connections with your peers, while having fun doing so? Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry’s Emerging Leaders is the perfect group for you to join! Learn more about our Emerging Leaders group here.

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 Marguerite@chescochamber.org

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

CCCBI Government Affairs Committee Meeting

Thank you to all who attended our Government Affairs Committee Meeting this morning at the Desmond Hotel Malvern. The meeting was an intimate opportunity for guests to ask questions and get to know the endorsed general election candidates.

Thank you to our Government Affairs Committee and our event sponsor, Pennsylvania American Water.

Thank you to the following endorsed candidates for attending and participating in this morning's meeting:

Guy Ciarrocchi for the 6th Congressional District

John Lawrence for PA 13th House District

Tim Hennessey for PA 26th House District

Jessica Florio for PA 44th Senate District

Dan Williams for PA 74th House District

Chris Pielli for PA 156th House District

Christina Sappey for PA 158th House District

Craig Williams for PA 160th House District

For more information on our Government Affairs Committee please email Marianne, marianne@chescochamber.org.

Save the date for our next Government Affairs Committee meeting with special guest, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Yassmin Gramian, PE, on November 28, 2022 at the Desmond Hotel Malvern.

Sign On Opportunity- in support of legislation, SB 1083

The Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry joined chambers across the state to sign on to the PA Chamber of Business & Industry chamber letter in support of legislation, SB 1083. This legislation supports over 2700 businesses in the Commonwealth adversely affected by Unemployment Compensation (UC) decisions penalizing them due to forced shutdowns during the pandemic, and taking away their preferred UC experience rating, costing them significant additional operating expenses.

We stand in partnership with the PA Chamber and numerous other chambers across the state to serve as a United voice for our small businesses.

To read the full letter, please click here.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

West Chester University

West Chester University is a community of educators that develops graduates to succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

Enrolling the largest first-year class in its history (3,006 first-year students in fall 2022 compared to 2,628 in fall 2021), West Chester University (WCU) remains the destination of choice for numerous students, as confirmed today by final census data. WCU’s overall enrollment continues to be robust and impressive as the country emerges from a pandemic that has prompted many universities and colleges throughout the nation to experience significant enrollment declines. Final census data for fall 2022 shows that West Chester University continues to exceed 17,000 students as overall enrollment stands strong at 17,275 students. West Chester University is thriving in the Commonwealth; total enrollment for Fiscal Year 2022 is less than 2% down in *headcount and less than .5% down in *Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) from 2021. West Chester University remains the largest university within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

*Headcount = An unduplicated headcount signifies that each student is counted one time under their primary major only.

*Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) = A calculation that is determined by adding the course credit hours and then dividing by the number of credits that represent full-time for each student population. Undergraduate FTEs are calculated using the total undergraduate course credit hours and dividing by 15. Graduate FTEs are calculated using the total graduate course credit hours and dividing by 12. Course credits and the FTEs generated are calculated at the course level regardless of the level of the student enrolled in the course. Using this formula, enrollment is measured, and the University’s budget is planned.

The fall 2022 semester also brings news that the University continues to hold an impressive graduation and retention rate. With its recent R2 designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, the University now shares the distinction with other universities in the country that have “high research activity” in academic settings where teaching is the priority. New data from U.S. News and World Report’s College Rankings show that of the 128 R2 schools in the nation, West Chester University ranks 26 on its overall graduation and retention rates; this puts the University in the top-quarter of all R2 schools.

The Chester County Chamber greatly appreciates West Chester University for their Chamber membership and involvement in our community.

Chester County 2022 Guide & CCCBI Membership Directory

Be on the lookout for a hardcopy of the 2022 Directory delivered in your mailbox soon! Thank you to our board, members, sponsors, and volunteers for their contributions and support of the Chamber this year.

Thank you to our member, Today Media, for all of their hard work and dedication to produce a beautiful directory this year.