Direct link to vote: https://pawatersheds.org/vote-for-a-2023-river-of-the-year/

Check out the Chamber's Facebook page for member-testimonials from...

Greg Bowden, The Princeton Group, Alex Blomstrom, Alex Blom Creates , Louise-Marie Tulio, Ambler Savings Bank , Kim Wright, Nothing Bundt Cakes , Matt Baker, Maillie LLP, Cathy McKeever, Bond, Pezzano and Etze, PC. and Debbie Reigner, TR Insurance Group

I would like to share an excerpt from a letter our Chairman, Joe Bergquist wrote to our members... "I would like to thank the Board Members, Executive Committee, Ambassadors, and volunteers that helped to make 2022 such a successful year. Without all your combined contributions the chamber would not be the ‘home’ it is for all the members." Please take a moment to click here to read the full "Chairman's Message".

Platform 1 Events

Erin Conlen - Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors

Montgomery County has introduced a new initiative, Montco Site Select, as a way to bring together a variety of tools, knowledge, and expertise to help everyone fro entrepreneurs to the Fortun 500 explore and understand the possibilities of locating and growing in Montgomery County. Montco Site Select is our approach to supporting site search inquiries through utilizing an online real estate query tool and a local network of stakeholders. We encourage real estate professionals, municipal managers, and all our colleagues in local economic development to sign up for alerts that are sent out whenever we receive a site search inquiry. Inquiries come to us from the PA DCED and GAT, site search consultants, and directly from businesses. Take a few moments to visit the Montco Site Select website and help us grow the local network of parties receiving Montco Site Select. 

Information on the program can be found here - https://www.montcopa.org/3821/Recovery-Office

The Montgomery County’s proposed 2023 general fund budget and capital improvement plan are now available for public review. The budget document and supporting materials can be found online at https://www.montcopa.org/4215/Proposed-and-Adopted-Budgets.  

The County is hosting two public budget hearings on December 1^st, 2022 and the Commissioners will vote on adoption of the budget on Thursday, December 15^th, 2022.  

Small businesses affected by the pandemic can now apply to receive a one-time grant of $500 towards their existing PECO natural gas account. The grant will be applied directly to your bill and will lower current outstanding balances or provide a credit for future charges.

To be eligible, applicants must have an active PECO gas account on or before March 31, 2020, take service under Rate GC (gas commercial service), have fewer than 25 employees, and have experienced financial hardship resulting from the pandemic. Each commercial gas business is eligible for only one grant, regardless of the number of gas accounts listed under the business name.

Applications will be considered in the order they are received, while funding lasts – apply today!

Email your completed application as an attachment to: PECOSCIGasGrantProgram@exeloncorp.com

Once your application is approved, you will be notified within 7-10 business days. The actual credit will be applied within 60 days of approval. If you have questions, please call 1-800-494-4000.

State assistance is available to develop and improve partnerships between schools, employers, organizations or associations for pre-apprenticeship and training pathways for students.Successful project applications should create career opportunities that lessen the gap between high school and employment or post-secondary education through the use of pre-apprenticeships.Applicants must be registered with the department as a pre-apprenticeship program and be connected to a registered apprenticeship program that will be responsible for administering and operating a pre-apprenticeship program. Additional details and the grant application for the Schools-to-Work grants can be found here. Applications are due by Oct. 12.

Montgomery County Commerce Department would like to share information about a new state initiative - CommonGoods. This is a unique opportunity for small businesses to expand their footprint while giving consumers the chance to shop “local” from wherever they might be. CommonGoods will expand markets, grow sales, increase sustainability, and help PA local shops and stores thrive. Registering in the directory is easy at commongoods.pa.gov. Visit the website to see if your small business meets the program criteria.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.

After checking eligibility requirements, you can file your rebate application online by visiting mypath.pa.gov. Submitting your application online does not require you to sign up for an account. You can check the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program instruction booklet to learn which information you will need to complete the process.

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency indicates the high volume of applications has slowed the review process, and online applications are not offered. You can learn more about the program and the application process here.

PA 30 Day Fund , provides forgivable loans for Pennsylvania-based small businesses and is eager to see an increase in applications from eligible small businesses in Montgomery County, particularly in applications from eligible minority and/or women owned businesses.  The forgivable loan is intended to provide immediate financial assistance (within maximum 3 days).

Montgomery County COVID-19 Daily Press Releases can be viewed here.

PA Career Link of Montgomery County is relocating from 1855 New Hope Street, Norristown, PA to a newly renovated location within the Human Services Center (HSC) at 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown PA. The new office is scheduled to open to the public by appointment only on August 17, 2020.