Don't miss out on these upcoming events, a legislative update, and more!

WHAT'S NEW AT THE CHAMBER

January Business After Hours

Members meet over a whisky neat! Attendees had a fun time at our Business After Hours at Pennsylvania Distilling Company yesterday. Guests made valuable connections while enjoying a complimentary tasting and distillery tour.

More photos of the event can be found on our Facebook.

Join us at our next Business After Hours at Penn State Great Valley on February 15! Register here.

Small Business Awards Winners Announced!

Join us on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at Penn Oaks Golf Club to honor AEONRG, Home of the Sparrow, and SCORE- Chester and Delaware Counties. We are thankful for their commitment to the Chester County community.

Small Business of the Year AEONRG LLC is an Award-Winning Facility Renovation organization providing MEP and MRO Services to support the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and the National Cemetery Administration with effective and efficient facility solutions. AEONRG defines success through their value added, high quality, on time work delivered for customers and by giving back to veterans and the community.

Nonprofit of the Year Home of the Sparrow partners with women facing homelessness to secure housing, achieve long-term stability, and chart new paths for their futures. As a trusted service provider, they provide a safety net for single women, mothers, and their children in Chester County. Home of the Sparrow brings organizations and people together to solve the problem of homelessness and to create better futures for women and children.

Community Partner of the Year SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties is dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and encouraging the formation, growth and success of small businesses in our community through FREE counseling and no-cost or low-cost educational workshops and webinars.

Mark Madrid, Associate Administrator of U.S Small Business Administration will be our keynote speaker.

Sponsorships Opportunities Are Available!

Click here to view the sponsorship opportunities available. This event is a great opportunity to showcase your business while also supporting other local businesses in our community! Email Julie, at Julie@chescochamber.org for more information on sponsorships and questions about the event.

Civics Bee

Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry is partnering with the Pennsylvania Chamber and Chester County Intermediate Unit to host a regional Civics Bee, as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s National Civics Bee competition.

The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. In the first round of the contest, local 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will participate in an essay competition. Judges will then select 20 finalists to participate in our local competition on Saturday April 15, 2023 at 10:00AM at the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU).

This Civics Bee will feature special guest judges including, PA State Representative John Lawrence, Michael Hartman, Chief of Staff for Senator Carolyn Comitta, and Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, with more “celebrity” judges being added daily.

After the regional event at CCIU, the top 3 students from each local competition will then advance to the state competition. First place winner will receive $1,000 cash prize in both the local and state competition.

Students are to submit a 500-word essay to demonstrate their best understanding of civics. The essay topic is: Identify a problem, challenge, or opportunity in your local community. What can you do to contribute to its improvement based on Founding principles and civic virtues? Deadline for essay submissions is February 24, 2023 Submission window is January 13th – February 24th, 2023. Click here to view the online submission form.

If you would like to support your students, click here for resources including a flyer, a student and parent guide, and more.

Submit A Member Testimonial

We are thankful for your chamber membership! Help us celebrate you by sharing your positive experience with CCCBI and showcasing the great business benefits you receive through your membership.

Your experience could be featured in an upcoming CCCBI newsletter, social media post or other form of CCCBI communication.

CCCBI member, Terence Farrell, shares his positive experience with the chamber. Member testimonials like Terence's remind us why we do what we do every day: providing advocacy and connections for the business community in Chester County.

We would love to hear your CCCBI member testimonial! Please click here to submit your own.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

While the PA House of Representatives struggles through which party is in the majority, the PA Senate elected Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland as President Pro Temp. Senator Ward also took the important step to name Committee Chairs, which is an important step for any legislative actions.

Senator Carolyn Comitta (D) has been appointed as Minority Chair to Senate Environmental Resources and Energy. In addition, she will serve as a member on the Aging and Youth, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Education and Local Government Committees
Senator John Kane (D) will serve as Minority Chair for the Senate Labor and Industry Committee and on the Communications and Technology, Transportation and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committees
Senator Katie Muth (D) has been named as Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee and will serve on the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness (Minority Chair), Environmental Resources and Energy, Finance, State Government and Rules and Executive Nominations Committee

More information, including full list of committee assignments can be found here.

Congratulations to our Chester County Representatives on their appointments.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Neumann University

Pennsylvania State Senator John Kane presented a $1 million check to Dr. Chris Domes on December 20. The funds support the construction of a new student center, which is part of Neumann's campus master plan.

"The campus master plan is a 15-year blueprint that will position Neumann University as a very appealing option for families as they approach the college selection process in a competitive higher education marketplace," Domes explained.

The proposed site for the new building is the parking lot next to Flynn Hall on Convent Road.Within the first five years of the plan, Neumann has established two priorities for new campus facilities: a student center and an ice hockey rink.

"Neumann University is truly an educational pillar of the 9th District as well as our Commonwealth, and this project will be a part of so many lives," said Kane. Click to continue reading.

About Neumann University

Founded in 1965, Neumann is a private, Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition, which emphasizes:

respect for individuals
concern for the environment
social responsibility

The University offers undergraduate degrees in a broad variety of subjects, three doctoral programs, six master's degree programs, and an accelerated bachelor's degree program for adults. Visit neumann.edu to learn more.

The Chester County Chamber greatly appreciates Neumann University for their Chamber membership!

Chester County…. Are you Ready for an Encore?

Dust off your boots, Alexandra Kay (AK) is coming back to Chester County for an “Encore Performance” and this time she will be with her full band! Due to her popularity at the United Way Live United in Music Event in September United Way of Chester County is bringing her back for a special concert at the Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center in West Chester on March 25, 2023 at 8:30pm. Proceeds from this event, presented by PECO and Brandywine Valley Heating & Air Conditioning, will benefit United Way of Chester County’s Community Impact & Innovation Fund.

Generating millions of plays weekly on her videos, AK commands the attention of country music fans. The young singer/songwriter has accomplished a multitude of career milestones to date, including her appearance on NBC The Voice, a starring role in the Netflix Original Series ‘Westside’ and reaching the number one spot on the iTunes country chart independently four times with releases “I Kinda Don’t, All The Cowboys, That’s What Love Is” and most recently in October 2022 with her hit “Backroad Therapy.” AK toured in Summer 2022 with Tim McGraw and made her Grand Ole Opry Debut in November 2022.

TICKETS GO ON SALE ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 20^TH. Don’t wait – with only 300 tickets available, this show is expected to sell out quickly! General admission reserved seats will be $50 and limited VIP tickets will be available for $100. To learn more, visit www.AKatUptown.com.