Chamber News

Welcome New Members

CCCBI Hosts Third National Civics Bee Competition

CCCBI hosted its highly anticipated local competition as a part of the 2025 National Civics Bee, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities.

CCCBI’s local competition, in partnership with The Civic Trust® of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, was held at the Chester County History Center with the generous support of Technology Sponsor, Benchmark Federal Credit Union. Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell and Eric Roe served as judges for the live event alongside Chester County Chamber Foundation Board Chair, Kathleen B. Rosano of TD Bank.

After a distinguished panel of judges reviewed over fifty essays, the top submissions from the first-round civics essay competition were selected to advance to CCCBI’s local competition. Twenty 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from across our region were invited to this in-person live event featuring two rounds of civics questions followed by a Q&A round to test their civics knowledge.

“We are facing a civics crisis in America. Surveys show that 70% of adults cannot pass a basic civics quiz, and 79% of 8th graders fall below proficiency in civics. This threatens the strength, prosperity, and resilience of our nation. The National Civics Bee is dedicated to enhancing civics knowledge, skills, and disposition among young people and adults alike, inspiring the next generation to make a positive impact in their communities.” said Hilary Crow, Vice President, Civics, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Gautam M. from Charles F. Patton Middle School, Kriti K. from Lionville Middle School, and Logan M. from The Souderton Charter School Collaborative were named the top three champions, taking home cash prizes of $500, $250 and $125 with trophies. For a third consecutive year, Benchmark Federal Credit Union provided smart tablets to all twenty finalists to keep after the competition and ensure they continue to contribute to their communities.

“As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, community involvement and public responsibility is central to our core values, and the Civics Bee is always a very special day for us as we invest in the education of the next generation,” said Rebecca Worthington, Vice President of Community Relations at Benchmark Federal Credit Union. “We are so proud of all of this year’s participants and look forward to seeing our regional winners compete at the state level.”

The Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce will host the National Civics Bee PA State Finals on Friday, June 13, 2025 at the HUB-Robeson Center on the Campus of Penn State University in State College, PA. The top state winners will receive various prizes, and the first-place winner of the State Finals will earn a trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Championship in the Fall of 2025. Prizes at the National Championship include a grand prize of a $100,000 529 plan for first place, $25,000 for second place, and $15,000 for third place.

“The Chamber was so excited to work with our community partners once again to engage the next generation of leaders in Chester County through a fun and interactive competition,” said Laura Manion, President & CEO of CCCBI. “We are committed to working with our younger generations to be more collaborative, inclusive, professional, and civic, and the local and state civics bees are prime examples of encouraging our future leaders to be involved in their communities. We are grateful for each of our community partners who helped us ensure this event was a huge success for the third year in a row.”

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, including our amazing student participants, the educators & schools who encouraged these gifted students, the Chester County History Center, Benchmark Federal Credit Union, all three of our fantastic judges, The Right Touch Engravers & West Chester Printworks who provided our trophies and checks, the U.S. Chamber Foundation and finally the Civic Trust, who has brought this initiative for our next generation of leaders to life.

A New Vision for Women Influencing Business

Welcome to the First Monthly WIB Council Update!

We are excited to kick off our monthly updates to keep you informed and engaged with all things happening within the CCCBI Women Influencing Business (WIB) Council.

Each month, we’ll bring you a variety of content designed to inspire and support your professional journey. You can look forward to a feature article that connects with our monthly theme, along with a WIB Woman to Watch—a spotlight on a standout female WIB member who’s excelling in the month’s topic. We’ll also highlight a resource share, offering an article, podcast, book, or tool selected by our WIB Woman to Watch to help you continue growing. Of course, we’ll keep you in the loop with event updates, so you don’t miss out on any upcoming WIB or Chamber events.

To learn more, get involved, or join our WIB mailing list for full updates, please contact abby@chescochamber.org.

Legislative Update

Reciprocal Tariff Proposal May Affect Our Membership

Yesterday afternoon, the Trump administration announced a new proposal to implement reciprocal tariffs on America's trading partners. This approach aims to match the tariffs imposed by other countries on U.S. goods, potentially impacting a wide range of industries and consumers.

‌

As we navigate these developments, we remain committed to keeping you informed and engaged on how these changes may affect our economic landscape. Stay tuned for more updates and insights in this rapidly evolving trade environment.

CCCBI encourages our Members to communicate with us about the effects this may have on your business. Please email abby@chescochamber.org to connect with our advocacy team.

CCCBI President Testifies in PA Senate Committee Hearing on Life Sciences as Driver of Innovation & Economic Growth

Harrisburg, PA — April 1, 2025: The Pennsylvania Senate's new Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee convened on April 1, 2025, to examine the life sciences industry's pivotal role in advancing Pennsylvania's economy through innovation and job creation. The hearing emphasized the sector's significant contributions to the state's labor market and growth potential.

Senators and industry leaders discussed the need for bipartisan collaboration to strengthen the sector, overcome regulatory challenges, and address the critical gap between research and commercialization.

During the hearing, Laura Manion, President and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, testified on the life sciences sector's importance to Pennsylvania's economy, contributing significantly to labor income, tax revenue, and economic output. She highlighted Chester County's leadership in life science innovation, drawing on the legacy of one of the county’s most influential scientific pioneers—G. Raymond Rettew. Manion also advocated for legislation supporting early-stage startup companies. Her testimony emphasized the need for workforce development and policies to strengthen Pennsylvania's life sciences ecosystem, ensuring the state remains a hub for scientific research. She concluded by expressing CCCBI's readiness to collaborate on policy development to sustain and grow the industry.

Multiple other experts provided testimony on these topics. Chris Molineaux of Life Sciences Pennsylvania highlighted the industry's job creation potential and advocated for reducing FDA approval timelines. Josh Caputo, founder of Humotech, stressed the importance of supporting startups. Rick Nettles from Johnson & Johnson shared insights into the company's investments and drug development efforts. Michele Washko of Life Sciences Greenhouse Investments emphasized the importance of early-stage investment. At the same time, Rob Bair of the PA Building & Construction Trades Council discussed how life sciences directly impact the construction workforce.

Member Spotlight

Denney Electric Supply

Denney Electric Supply, a trusted local business that has been serving the Kennett Square community for over 85 years. Located at 510 West State Street, Denney Electric Supply has built a reputation for providing top-quality electrical products, tools, and expertise to both professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike.

Whether you're working on a simple residential project or handling a more complex commercial or industrial job, Denney Electric Supply has you covered. With access to thousands of vendors and products, they are equipped to meet the diverse needs of their customers.

For those looking to add a little flair to their space, Denney Electric Supply offers more than 1,100 square feet of stunning decorative lighting displays. Their showroom includes an impressive selection of chandeliers, lamps, ceiling fans, bathroom lighting, bath fans, landscape lighting, home accessories, LED mirrors, and cutting-edge smart home technology products. It’s the perfect place to find something that fits your unique style!

Denney Electric Supply also carries a wide range of smart home technology designed to enhance safety, convenience, and ambiance in your home. From enhancing functionality to making your house truly “smart,” their offerings can help you create the perfect environment.

As a dedicated member of the Kennett Square community, Denney Electric Supply is excited to continue building relationships within the chamber and provide the essential products that both homes and businesses rely on. Whether you’re a contractor, a homeowner, or a do-it-yourselfer, Denney Electric Supply is your go-to destination for all things electrical.

Landscape Lighting Sale Here!