Business After Hours with Limoncello Chester Springs
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On Wednesday evening, we held a packed Business After Hours at the exquisite Limoncello Chester Springs!
Limoncello Ristorante & Caterers is a family-owned Italian restaurant with locations in West Chester and Chester Springs, PA. Since 2006, the Mingrino family has been serving authentic Sicilian cuisine rooted in generations of family traditions, creating a welcoming place where guests gather for everything from casual lunches to milestone celebrations.
This BAH sold out in just a few days, and it is no secret why! Limoncello's Taoromina Room welcomed over 70 Chamber Members for a night of networking, delicious food and refreshing beverages.
Thank you to our generous hosts and to everyone who joined us! We have two more BAHs coming up in September, so don't wait to register if you couldn't make it this month.
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Announcing the Honorees for our Upcoming Annual Awards Celebration!
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On Thursday, October 15th, the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry will host our largest signature event of the year, the Annual Awards Celebration, at RiverCrest Golf Club & Preserve.
This tribute to America's 250th Anniversary will unveil inaugural awards, exciting speakers, premier networking opportunities and even a few historical figures!
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We are thrilled to announce the 2026 lineup of awards and honorees!
Advocate of the Year:
Pamela Sarne McCormick
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
ATHENA Award:
Glenda Brion
Community Warehouse Project of Chester County
Corporate Citizen of the Year:
Dan Hilferty
Comcast Spectacor
Executive of the Year:
Chris Franklin
Essential Utilities
The Annual Awards Celebration is more than just dinner and an award presentation; it's a unique opportunity that brings over two hundred executives, business owners, policy makers and professionals together for connection at the highest level.
We invite our Membership, our partners and our community to join us for a patriotic evening to remember! Our Members will have the first opportunity to purchase exclusive tickets starting on August 19th. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact our Director of Events, Jamie Comiskey at jamie@chescochamber.org to learn more and support this signature event.
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Housing Affordability in Chester County
By Laura Manion, CCCBI President & CEO
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Housing affordability continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing Chester County's workforce and employers.
According to the Q2 2026 Chester County Real Estate Market Report, the median sale price increased from $535,625 to $585,000 in just one quarter - an increase of nearly $50,000. The average home sale price has now reached $689,910, up 4% from one year ago, while the number of homes available for sale has declined 7% over the same period.
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These trends reinforce what we continue to hear from employers across every industry: the cost of housing is making it increasingly difficult to attract and retain employees.
Many workers simply cannot afford to live in the communities where they work, creating longer commutes, workforce shortages, and added pressure on businesses already struggling to fill positions.
To put today's market into perspective, a buyer purchasing the average-priced Chester County home at approximately $690,000 faces substantial upfront and ongoing costs.
Based on mortgage estimates prepared for a conventional 30-year loan at 6.5% interest, a buyer putting 20% down would need approximately $165,000 in cash to close and would face an estimated monthly housing payment of about $4,322, assuming $8,000 in annual property taxes.
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For buyers able to put down only 10%, the upfront cash requirement remains nearly $100,000, while the estimated monthly housing payment increases to approximately $5,029 when annual property taxes are $10,000 and mortgage insurance is required.
For many young professionals, first-time homebuyers, teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, and skilled tradespeople, these financial barriers place homeownership well beyond reach.
As home prices continue to rise and inventory remains constrained, the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry will continue to advocate for expanding housing opportunities across a range of price points, permitting and regulatory reform, and a strong workforce for a competitive economy.
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Founded in 1974 in Malvern, PA, People’s Light is one of Pennsylvania’s largest professional nonprofit theatres and a national leader in creating and producing new work. With a deep commitment to community, the organization seeks to inspire and connect people through stories that illuminate our shared humanity.
Each season features a mix of world and regional premieres, bold new takes on classics and joyful musical revivals, as well as creative community-centered programming that welcomes audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
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In addition to its robust season of productions, People’s Light is home to an award-winning education program and year-round arts engagement initiatives that transform the campus into a vibrant gathering place through immersive performances, music, food, and community. With its resident company of artists and long-standing collaborations with playwrights and performers, People’s Light continues to be a cultural hub that champions innovation, inclusion, and the transformative power of the arts.
People’s Light is also home to our wholly-owned subsidiary business, the Farmhouse at People’s Light, a premier destination for events of all kinds.
To learn more, visit www.peopleslight.org or follow along on social media @peopleslight.
Learn about the Farmhouse at People’s Light: https://www.farmhousepeopleslight.com/
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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
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