Welcome Jamie Comiskey, our NEW Director of Events!
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We are thrilled to formally introduce CCCBI's NEW Director of Events, Jamie Comiskey!
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Jamie brings a wealth of expertise in event planning, experiential marketing, client services and business development.
Prior to joining the Chamber, Jamie founded her own event planning consulting business in 2012, and before that enjoyed an extensive career in corporate roles including Vice President of Experiential Marketing for a global concierge service.
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Jamie is passionate about events and finding unique ways to add a “wow” factor to make them memorable and fun. Outside of work, you’ll find her power walking, at the gym, playing pickleball, enjoying the outdoors, and focusing on important causes, including those that support military veterans.
Do you have an idea for a Chamber event, or a dynamic guest speaker? Jamie would love to hear your feedback!
Reach out to jamie@chescochamber.org to get connected and meet her at our next event.
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Congratulations to Bloom Sanctuary!
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Congratulations to Bloom Sanctuary!
Last Friday, CCCBI joined Dr. Brandie Keates as she hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of Bloom Sanctuary PLLC in Paoli!
"The Chamber welcomed my Bloom Sanctuary with such warmth and generosity. The ribbon cutting felt like a true celebration of community, and I’m so grateful for the support from some amazing folks. I’m excited to continue to be part of the Chester County business community and to serve families with the care they deserve." - Dr. Brandie Keates
Bloom Sanctuary is a specialty chiropractic practice dedicated exclusively to pregnancy, postpartum care, and infant wellness. With over 20 years of experience treating pregnant women, Dr. Brandie—a former paramedic and board-certified pregnancy chiropractor (FICPA)—brings a unique blend of medical expertise and compassionate, research-based care.
Her approach combines gentle chiropractic adjustments, muscle work, and sports medicine principles to help women feel strong, pain-free, and confident throughout pregnancy. Beyond one-on-one patient care, Dr. Brandie has created books, free guides, and online courses to empower women everywhere with practical, evidence-based tools for a healthier pregnancy.
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The 2026 Trade Review That Will Shape Pennsylvania's Economy for Decades
By Laura Manion, CCCBI President & CEO, PennLive - Opinion
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The first major review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is underway, and few states have more at stake than Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth’s manufacturing, agriculture, energy, and logistics sectors all rely on the stable North American supply chains that power billions of dollars in economic activity each year.
From steel in Pittsburgh to medical devices in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania’s strengths depend on reliable partnerships with Canada and Mexico -- our two largest export markets.
Under the terms of the USMCA, the United States, Mexico, and Canada must conduct a joint review in July 2026 to decide whether to extend the pact for another 16 years come 2036.
The United States has already begun its internal process -- gathering public comments, holding hearings, and evaluating how the agreement has affected key industries. The results of that review will shape the future of North American trade for decades. Pennsylvania’s economic identity is often defined by its manufacturing heritage, but the modern Commonwealth is far more diverse -- and far more connected to North American markets -- than many realize.
Canada and Mexico rank as our top two customers, helping support the more than $50 billion in goods Pennsylvania exports each year.
To understand why this review matters, it’s worth recalling what the USMCA fixed. While NAFTA laid the groundwork for free trade in the 1990s, the USMCA modernized that framework for today’s economy. It strengthened rules of origin to keep manufacturing and auto production in North America, added a gold-standard digital trade chapter that NAFTA never had, updated protections for intellectual property, improved access for U.S. agriculture, and created tougher, enforceable labor and environmental standards.
The agreement is working. Since it passed, trade between the three countries has increased by 50%. And more than half of all U.S. manufacturing trade with Canada and Mexico now moves through intra-firm supply chains -- meaning companies design, assemble, and ship components back and forth, often crossing borders multiple times before becoming finished products.
That level of integration is essential for manufacturers in Pittsburgh, Erie, Allentown, and York. Losing it would inject uncertainty into investment decisions, raise costs for Pennsylvania businesses, and push production toward foreign competitors.
The USMCA also modernized the rules that keep Pennsylvania’s service and technology sectors competitive. Philadelphia’s fast-growing cell-and-gene-therapy ecosystem relies on data flows, IP protections, and regulatory coordination that NAFTA couldn’t provide. The same is true for logistics hubs in the Lehigh Valley and Harrisburg, where distribution networks depend on predictable border operations to move goods efficiently across the continent.
Agriculture has just as much at stake. Pennsylvania produces more mushrooms than any other state -- more than 60% of U.S. production -- and relies on consistent, science-based market access to Canada and Mexico. Our dairy, poultry, beef, apple, and hardwood producers depend on those same markets. The USMCA strengthened sanitary rules and stabilized trade in a way that supports family farms from Lancaster to Potter County.
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Greencastle Consulting is the nation’s premier strategy execution firm that’s 100% veteran-owned and entirely veteran-operated. With a team of seasoned professionals, we bring a wide breadth of experience to our clients.
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Our expertise spans strategy execution, operations consulting, and data and analytics.
Established in 1997 by veterans, Greencastle focuses on crafting customized solutions that address specific challenges, providing solutions that future-proof organizations, delivering high-quality results that exceed expectations, working collaboratively and cross-functionally to uncover hidden opportunities, and taking a holistic approach and consider the organization's culture, goals, and unique challenges to provide solutions that foster lasting success.
Beyond our consultancy services, we are committed to supporting the veteran community. We give back to veteran non-profits, help veterans gain on-the-job training, and host events that support and celebrate veterans— Most notably VetFest, a family-friendly, annual veteran festival held each September and Greencastle’s flagship event supporting the veteran community.
Recognized with prestigious awards such as a spot on the Inc 5000 list 5 years in a row, The American Business Awards Veteran Owned Business of the Year, ESGR’s Freedom Award, and Philadelphia’s Best Places to Work, Greencastle Consulting is a trusted partner for organizations seeking mission-focused, adaptable solutions that drive operational efficiencies and save valuable time.
Whether we’re helping organizations turn strategy into action, supporting veterans as they transition into civilian careers, or bringing the veteran community together, everything we do is rooted in service. Every partnership, project, and event helps us honor our veteran roots, invest in our people, and strengthen the communities we serve.
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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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