including a legislative update, upcoming events, and more!
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Women Influencing Business Committee Announces Female Business Leader of the Year and Female Rising Star of the Year

 

The Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry (CCCBI) is pleased to announce the 2023 honorees for the Women Influencing Business Committee’s Annual Dinner set to take place on Wednesday, September 13th at White Manor Country Club. Andrea Youndt, CEO of the Chester County Food Bank, will be honored as the Female Business Leader of the Year and Alaina Kearney of Barsz Gowie Amon & Fultz as the Rising Star of the Year. The dinner will also feature a special recognition for Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline after nine years of service. A Keynote Speaker will be announced at a later date.

 

"Andrea Youndt has dedicated over 30 years of service to the Chester County community. Her unwavering commitment has cemented her position as a Female Business Leader of the Year, and CCCBI is honored to recognize Andrea as a friend, leader, and advocate for women in business. Alaina Kearney has risen in her position as Director of Marketing at Barsz Gowie Amon & Fultz to create new connections for her personal and professional networks. Her commitment to strengthening CCCBI's community through connection and education has proven her to be a true Rising Star, and one to watch in her future endeavors. Both of these women have positively impacted their businesses and local communities in alignment with CCCBI's mission and that of our WIB Committee,” said Laura Manion, president of CCCBI.

 

The Annual Women Influencing Business Awards Dinner will take place on Wednesday, September 13th, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the White Manor Country Club.

 

All are welcome!

 

Meet the Board Monday

 

CCCBI's Board of Directors represents a diverse array of businesses, small and large, across Chester County. Follow us on social media to meet four new board members every Monday. If you're not on social media, come meet our Board at next month's Business After Hours at General Warren on Thursday, August 17th! 

 

Read about who they are, the value they get out of their Membership, and what they are looking forward to doing this summer!

 

Main Line Today Launches Main Line Bite

 

Main Line Bite by Main Line Today, a new vibrant and mouthwatering food and beverage platform, is set to take food enthusiasts on an unforgettable adventure through the remarkable culinary landscape of the Main Line and Western Suburbs. 

From upscale restaurants to cozy cafés, artisanal bakeries to farmers markets, the culinary-centric platform aims to highlight the diverse food scene that has been flourishing in the Main Line area. 

 

Followers of Main Line Bite on Instagram and TikTok can expect a feast for the eyes as they scroll through beautifully curated photographs and videos of scrumptious dishes, enticing beverages and captivating culinary moments, as well as secrets from top chefs and bartenders and boutique goods from local purveyors. 

 

"Our mission with Main Line Bite is to celebrate the culinary gems and hidden treasures of the Main Line and Western Suburbs region," says Gina Lizzo, managing editor of Main Line Today. "We believe that food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. By showcasing the culinary talents and innovations in our community, we hope to inspire people to embark on their own dining adventures and support local establishments."

 

The launch of Main Line Bite coincides with the region's growing reputation as a food destination, with a burgeoning scene that has captured the attention of food lovers far and wide. By showcasing the culinary excellence of the Philadelphia suburbs, the brand seeks to contribute to the region's thriving culinary identity and foster a sense of community among food enthusiasts.

 

Laura Manion Writes a Letter to the Editor

 

Our President & CEO, Laura Manion, wrote a Letter to the Editor calling for Governor Shapiro and our legislature to get back to work. Read more about the possible impacts of a prolonged budget impasse on our business and local community. Click the button below to read the full letter. 

 

Legislative Update

 

Costly Labor Strike Avoided

 

UPS and the Teamsters Union have successfully reached a tentative last week avoiding a costly strike that would have impacted the national economy.. Indeed, an economic analysis conducted by the Anderson Economic Group revealed that a 10-day walkout would have cost the U.S. economy $7 billion dollars, emphasizing the significance of avoiding the strike and reaching this agreement. 

 

Early last week both sides returned to the negotiating table to address some contentious issues, including  part-time pay, which had not been resolved in previous agreements. The deal was swiftly announced mere hours after the negotiations resumed.th. However, it still needs to be approved by rank-and-file union leaders at UPS before it can take effect. This agreement comes just six days before the looming threat of a strike, which could have been the largest single employer strike in U.S. history. 

 

Under the new five-year plan, existing part-time workers will receive a raise, ensuring they earn at least $21 per hour, while full-time drivers will have an average hourly wage of $49. Current workers will receive a wage increase of $2.75 per hour this year, and over the five-year contract, their wages will go up by $7.50 per hour. 

 

Aside from the wage raises, the agreement also includes significant improvements to worker conditions. Union leaders successfully negotiated air-conditioned cars as part of the new heat safety measures, which were agreed upon last month. Additionally, the deal puts an end to forced overtime on worker's days off, designates Martin Luther King Day as a full holiday, limits seasonal work to five weeks in November and December, and eliminates a lower-paid category of drivers who used to work shifts that included weekends, converting them into regular full-time drivers. 

 

Carol Tomé, the CEO of UPS, expressed satisfaction with the agreement in a written statement, stating, "Together, we reached a win-win-win agreement on the issues that are important to Teamsters leadership, our employees, UPS, and our customers."

 

The Teamsters Union, representing the drivers, hailed these wage increases as "historic," and the overall value of the new agreement is estimated to be $30 billion.  

 

Member Spotlight

 

Parralux

 

Contact Steve Pompeo to discuss your next project!

steve@parralux.com

Parralux is a full-service video solution firm located in Exton. They have a diverse roster of writers, directors, producers, animators and editors allowing us to stay versatile and creative. At Parralux, they recognize the power of video and are passionate about producing high quality, dynamic video content for any platform. Script to screen & everything in between! 

 

They collaborate with their clients & evolve to meet their video needs by staying on top of the latest trends and techniques to keep viewers engaged. Every day, they're creating Commercials, Branded Content, Corporate Videos, Social Media content and much more for a variety of brands across the country. 

 

Most importantly, Parralux has a client-first mentality: providing small shop attention with big production resources. They find solutions, meet deadlines, and always respect budgets. Their best work comes from listening first and asking the right questions. 

 

"We are Inspired. We are Dynamic. We are Parralux."

 

 

Upcoming Events

 

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a legislated public/private partnership which creates a new financing option for your capital stack. Your construction budget can use our private capital funding for costs which impact energy & water spend, renewable improvements or seismic strengthening (select states). The repayment of our capital is made through a long-term special tax assessment on the property.

 

PACE Equity now offers a low carbon option called CIRRUS™ Low Carbon financing which combines C-PACE financing with a low carbon verification by a third party. The program provides financial benefits, including a reduced rate, for pursuing enhanced energy efficiency.

 

Join us for this informative Coffee & Conversations to learn what PACE is, their process, and specifically how they can complete a capital stack – especially in this challenging banking environment!

 
 
 
 


We’d love to hear from and highlight your business! We are seeking member spotlight stories to include in our weekly newsletter!

Email your news to abby@chescochamber.org