Welcome to WED's Inaugural Newsletter

Street view of the Bucks County Justice Center with the County seal

Advancing workforce and economic development in Bucks County | June 2021

A Message from Executive Director Billie Barnes

To Our Community Members,

As the Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development (WED) for the County of Bucks, I welcome you to our inaugural newsletter.

The WED newsletter, which will be published monthly, is designed and distributed to provide our partners with invaluable news, events, trends, labor market data, achievements, and best practices in the world of workforce and economic development.

Please take time to review and note we will continue to publish timely and relevant information on workforce and economic development happenings in Bucks County. We strive to improve our content continuously and appreciate feedback, as we intend to provide the most impactful information for our readers. Let us know what you would like to see in future issues.

As you may know, WED brings together businesses, employers, workers, and youth seeking work-based learning opportunities. The local workforce and economic development network is guided by the leadership of the Bucks County Workforce Development Board and supported by the PA CareerLink® Bucks County one-stop service center. We hope to connect you with the resources that promote, drive, and ensure an effective workforce in Bucks County aligned with economic development through our newsletter.

We also are launching our new website later this month, which will help you stay connected to our local government offices. Be sure to check out updates from our dedicated colleagues at the County of Bucks.

Sincerely,

Billie Barnes

Announcements and Achievements

Congress Passes American Rescue Plan for Economic Recovery

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), an economic stimulus bill, was passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. Slated to be the next Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, ARP provides financial assistance to various facets of communities throughout the United States.

A key piece of this plan is to award counties and states with funding to promote economic prosperity and relief for ongoing recovery efforts. The County of Bucks anticipates receiving around $124 million over the next two years in two incremental payments of 50% each. Treasury guidance is still pending on the spending limitations for the first $62 million. The County seeks to provide economic aid and grant opportunities utilizing these funds.

Additionally, ARP allows the Small Business Association to manage the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Applications for this award opened on May 3, 2021, and will remain open until the funds have been exhausted.

In 2020, the Department of Workforce and Economic Development worked tirelessly to provide resources and grant assistance through the Bucks Back to Work Grant Program. A snapshot of the program’s success is available on the COVID-19 Economic Resources Portal.

Learn more

Klover employees work at construction site.

Klover Receives Governor's Achievement Award

Klover SEPA, Inc. was selected as a Governor’s Employer Award winner at Pennsylvania Workforce Development Association’s (PWDA) 37th Annual Conference, Workforce Rising: Prospering in a Time of Great Change, held virtually on May 5-7, 2021.

The PWDA and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry jointly presented the Governor’s Achievement Award to Employers as part of a prerecorded ceremony broadcast during the annual conference. The award recognizes Pennsylvania employers that are exemplary supporters of workforce, community, and economic development in the Commonwealth and have created jobs and partnered to hire skilled workers through Pennsylvania’s workforce development system.

“We are honored to recognize Klover SEPA, Inc. as an outstanding partner organization for Pennsylvania’s workforce development system,” said Carrie Amann, Executive Director of the PWDA. “The partnership between Klover SEPA, Inc., the Bucks County Workforce Development Board, and the PA CareerLink® Bucks County exemplifies the authentic and innovative collaboration needed to strengthen career path opportunities for Pennsylvanians in family-sustaining jobs and support a skilled regional workforce through registered apprenticeships and incumbent worker training.”

Founded in 1991, Klover SEPA, Inc. is an integrated family of companies that addresses commercial construction projects' carpentry and prefabrication needs, developing some of the most advanced methods, materials, and technology in the industry. The company is headquartered in Quakertown with established locations in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Watch the video

Upcoming Events

WED Talks Webinar: The Impact of Trauma on Employee Retention

Each month, the Bucks County Department of Workforce and Economic Development and PA CareerLink® Bucks County host WED Talks—interactive webinars for employers designed to focus on hot topics in workforce and economic development featuring industry experts.

Join us on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at 9 a.m. for a special WED Talks webinar featuring Daniel L. Jurman, DMin., Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Advocacy and Reform.

Dr. Jurman will share the science that highlights how much of what we've been calling a lack of soft skills in low-income and historically underserved populations may actually be the result of years of chronic stress and trauma. The effects of these factors should concern all employers, especially as we begin to emerge from the extraordinary stresses of COVID and a year of social and political unrest.

Please save the date for Wednesday, July 14, 2021. The next WED Talks webinar will feature Ron Davis, Director of Diversity and Community Development at Parx Casino®. Davis will discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion and share best practices in achieving it in the workplace.

Workforce and Economic Development News

James Horan Appointed Board Chair

The Bucks County Workforce Development Board (BCWDB) appointed James Horan as Board Chair on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.

Horan is Chief Financial Officer at NewAge® Industries in Southampton, Pa., and an adjunct professor at his alma mater, LaSalle University in Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and an Master of Business Administration. His expertise in public accounting, private equity/venture capital, biotechnology, and life sciences and healthcare continues to help advance workforce and economic development in Bucks County.

In addition to his volunteerism, Horan enjoys sporting activities and spending time with his family, especially at the beach.

The BCWDB works to ensure that the Bucks County workforce system, covering numerous agencies and multiple disciplines, meets both employers' needs for skilled workers and workers' career and economic advancement. It is one of 22 established Workforce Development Boards in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania charged with policy-making and governance of workforce investment and development activities, allowing the Board to ensure that investments are locally driven.

The BCWDB is comprised of members from the private sector, local educational entities, labor organizations, community-based organizations, economic development agencies, and PA CareerLink® Bucks County partners and investors. Committees include Executive, Finance, Youth Council, and One-Stop Operating Partners. A list of all BCWDB members can be found at bucksworks.org.

Since January 2021, the Bucks County Department of Workforce and Economic Development has acquired an additional $893,657 to aid in COVID recovery with a focus on employer engagement and job-seeker training.

Inside of a restaurant with tables set for guests

A total of 197 businesses have been awarded grants through the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP). Visit the County of Bucks COVID-19 Economic Resources Portal for more information and to learn about new programs as they develop.

On May 10, 2021, SEPTA launched Owl Link to support late night and shift work job opportunities in lower Bucks County. With the completion of the 1-95/PA 276 Interchange, more businesses with warehouse operations are opening in the Bristol, Pa., area, creating and expanding job opportunities for people around the region.

#Prepared4PA, a State System of Higher Education project, is supporting four workforce innovation pilot programs to address pressing workforce training and education needs through strong partnerships between employers, higher education, and workforce systems. Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s 14 universities offer innovative programs and opportunities that prepare students for successful lives and careers in the Commonwealth.

Entrepreneur Spotlight

NATURAZ® Comes to Bucks County

WED welcomes NATURAZ® founder Mumbi Dunjwa to Bucks County and is excited to feature her eco-friendly and innovative company in this month's Entrepreneur Spotlight.

NATURAZ® is an ingredient conscious product line that is 100% vegan, non-GMO, and formulated to infuse lasting moisture and nourishment to hair. The company's passion and mission is to get customers to love, handle, and wear beautiful natural hair, regardless of type, with ease, beauty, and grace. A portion of purchases goes toward helping eradicate hunger in America.

In spring 2021, NATURAZ® was one of five inaugural recipients of the Bucks Built Startup Fund, a program funded by the County of Bucks and administered by Startup Bucks, a 501(c)3 organization founded in 2019 that exists to help innovative companies start, grow, and scale in and beyond Bucks County.

Visit the NATURAZ® website and discover innovative hair products.

PA CareerLink® Bucks County Updates

In-Person Services By Appointment Resume on June 14

Beginning June 14, 2021, PA CareerLink® Bucks County locations in Bristol and Perkasie will be open for in-person services by appointment Monday through Friday.

PA CareerLink® Bucks County works with community partners offering a wide range of resources for job seekers, including workshops, career and training assessments, employment opportunities, and training and education options.

Services for employers include On-the-Job training for new hires, incumbent worker training for existing employees, and help with setting up recruitment events for hiring new talent.

Explore the many employer and job seeker services offered at PA CareerLink® Bucks County.