WHAT'S NEW AT THE CHAMBER

CCCBI Holiday Party

Guests were filled with holiday cheer at our annual holiday party at Fox Barn @Twenty9 in Malvern on Tuesday. It was a fun evening filled with good food, holiday cheer, and great company!

Thank you to our party sponsors, Wawa, PA American Water, and Endo.

Click here to see more photos of the event.

Thank you everyone for supporting the Chester County Food Bank with your generous donations during our party. The total amount of pounds donated was an impressive 162lbs! Your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated. Happy holidays!

Submit Your Small Business Awards Nominations- Deadline is TOMORROW

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 Julie@chescochamber.org

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

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

Fed set to extend inflation fight with 7th rate hike of 2022

From the Associated Press

December 14, 2022

WASHINGTON (AP) — After four straight three-quarter-point interest rate hikes, the Federal Reserve is set to announce a smaller half-point increase in its key rate Wednesday, a first step toward dialing back its efforts to combat inflation. At the same time, the Fed is expected to signal that it plans more hikes next year than it had previously forecast to try to conquer the worst inflation bout in four decades. And most economists think Chair Jerome Powell will stress that the Fed will likely keep its benchmark rate at its high point through next year, even after the hikes have ended. The Fed’s decision Wednesday will follow a government report Tuesday that provided hopeful signs that inflation is finally easing from chronically high levels. Gas prices fell, the cost of used cars, furniture and toys declined, and the costs of services from hotels to airfares to car rentals dropped. The six rate hikes the Fed has already imposed this year have raised its key short-term rate to a range of 3.75% to 4%, its highest level in 15 years. Cumulatively, the hikes have led to much costlier borrowing rates for consumers as well as companies, ranging from mortgages to auto and business loans. Worries have grown that the Fed is raising rates so much in its drive to curb inflation that it will trigger a recession next year.

Read more here.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Barsz Gowie Amon Fultz

In 2017, two well-respected accounting firms with deep roots in Delaware County and personal commitments to client service, teamed up to become Barsz Gowie Amon & Fultz, LLC.



With offices in Media and Chadds Ford, the firm now stretches from Delaware County well into Chester County, Lancaster County, Philadelphia, Harrisburg and south to Delaware and DC and beyond.

Before the merger, one firm’s expertise was in its expert business planning services. The principals were skilled at working with clients throughout the lifecycle of a business – from start-up through growth and even to a sale or a leadership transition. The partners were known for their excellence in handling operational and accounting challenges often encountered by a business.

The other firm was known for its expertise in audit, accounting, tax, and management consulting services. Its leadership had developed considerable knowledge in Pennsylvania and Federal campaign finance laws and compliance and the partners considered themselves “general practitioners,” having held to the belief that independent and unbiased advice was the best way to build their business. Their clientele included governments, municipal entities, businesses (both for profit and not-for-profit), individuals, and political campaigns and committees.

Barsz Gowie Amon & Fultz continues to provide a full complement of auditing and accounting and tax services to its clients who will benefit from a more diversified range of professional services offered.

BGA&F believes in the power of relationships, helping to guide clients to financial security.

Please visit their website at www.barszgowie.com for more information.

The Chester County Chamber greatly appreciates BGA&F for their Chamber membership!

UPCOMING EVENT

Check out our website for more upcoming events!

With a Recession looming, the timing is optimal to meet with Prelude Solutions.

Your organization can save an average of 35% on telecom spend by allowing Prelude to audit and optimize your telecom/data/wireless providers with no upfront cost.

“Prelude Can Do It”

For an appointment reach out to Kristen Riley at Kriley@preludesolutions.com

CHESTER COUNTY CHAMBER OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

WWW.CHESCOCHAMBER.ORG