Chamber News

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Youth Leadership Program Holds Last Program Day at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital

The Chester County Chamber Foundation's Youth Leadership Program enjoyed a beautiful day at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital!

Nearly 40 sophomores, juniors and seniors from high schools across Chester County spent the day at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, a part of Main Line Health, with 12 different speakers.

Employees and volunteers shared their education and career paths that led them to roles in nursing, pharmacology, physical therapy, patient management and coordination, insurance, and so much more. The YLP students were even given tours of the hospital and grounds, where they witnessed firsthand the innovative technology and care being given to patients.

Tuesday's session held some significant value for the YLP students...it was their last day of the 2023-2024 program year. Thank you to everyone at Bryn Mawr Rehab and Main Line Health for welcoming, educating and inspiring these amazing students!

WIB Committee Plays Pickleball

Last night, CCCBI's Women Influencing Business Committee hosted their second Pickleball Clinic & Open Play.

Over 30 women joined us at the YMCA Pickleball Center at Downingtown for a new kind of networking. Participants were able to choose whether they participated in a special clinic or went directly to open play. The Clinic provided instruction in small groups, and even one on one tips to help our attendees learn the game and begin to really play.

“I had never played Pickleball before and the YMCA instructors at this event provided great tips and instructions on how to play the game, "said WIB Committee member Bernadette Lane of Krapf Group. "It was a lot of fun for me and my colleagues who participated! We are even planning to come back again and play Pickleball with others!”

Thank you to the YMCA for hosting us and for donating a FREE 3-Month Membership to the Pickleball center. And special thanks to our Food Sponsor: Brumbaugh Wealth Management, our Court Sponsor: Krapf Group, and everyone who joined us for a wonderful evening!

Legislative Update

Governor Shapiro's New Energy Plan

On March 13th, Governor Josh Shapiro announced a new energy plan for Pennsylvania as a potential counter to the controversial Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) started by his predecessor, Gov. Tom Wolf.

The new plan follows the previous recommendations of the Governor’s RGGI Working Group and is broken into two separate legislative packages. If passed by the PA General Assembly, will attempt to reduce climate emissions, offer an electric bill rebate for consumers; sets new reliability targets for a resilient electricity grid by 2035, attract more federal dollars, supports low-carbon natural gas and nuclear facilities, and makes new investments in clean energy production.

First, the Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER) establishes a Pennsylvania-specific cap-and-invest program that apparently will allow the Commonwealth to determine its own cap on carbon and invest directly in lowering consumers’ electricity bills. If enacted, PACER would take Pennsylvania out of RGGI. Under PACER, 70% of the revenue will be directed back to Pennsylvania residents as a rebate on their electric bill and apparently also support projects that reduce air pollution in Pennsylvania; as well as potential clean energy projects – such as carbon capture and storage, geothermal deployment, and clean hydrogen – in energy communities that have hosted coal, oil, or gas infrastructure.

Second, is the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) that will update the Commonwealth’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS). PRESS adds nuclear power, next-generation technologies like fusion, and clean forms of natural gas with the goal of building out a more diverse, reliable, and affordable energy sector to attract federal investments in the Commonwealth. PRESS is designed with the goal of incentivizing a more reliable power generation fleet to combat the threats of extreme weather, cyberattacks, and other challenges that could impact individual sources of electricity. PRESS requires Pennsylvania to get 50% of its electricity from a diverse range of energy resources by 2035, including 35% from the clean energy sources of today and the future like solar, wind, small modular reactors, and fusion, 10% from sustainable sources like large hydropower and battery storage, and 5% from ultra-low emission forms of natural gas and other traditional fuels. By raising these targets for a diverse range of energy sources.

Both proposals have been met with mixed reactions from members of the Democrat House and Republican Senate leading to an uncertain future for the Governor’s plan. In the meantime, Governor Shapiro is still appealing the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s decision at the end of 2023, which ruled against Pennsylvania joining RGGI. The earlier filing from the Commonwealth Court stated the initiative was an invalid tax, and constitutionally, the state’s participation in RGGI can only be reached through legislation enacted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

In a statement, Shapiro’s administration said the Commonwealth Court decisions on RGGI were “limited to questions of executive authority, and our Administration must appeal in order to protect that important authority for this Administration and all future governors.”

Click Here to Read our Legislative Agenda

Membership Spotlight

ANEU Kitchens

Aneu is a modern kitchen. Once a mere food stall in the Wayne Farmer’s Market, 32 years ago, and now a multipurpose specialty grocer, home goods & catering business. As of last week, you can even find their quiche on QVC.

Their food is natural, whole, fresh, prepared daily and organic when possible. Every item in their kitchen is made from scratch. Aneu takes the time to design each menu item to fit the needs and dietary restrictions of their clients. Every event is unique, and food should be too. In addition, Aneu follows food and health trends not only in the food industry, but the entire wellness industry. Their focus revolves around exceeding client expectations with menus that fit all dietary and nutritional needs.

Aneu has 3 locations with 2 more on the way. Their headquarters in Paoli, Pennsylvania, has recently been renovated to include a venue space made to fit private parties of up to 60 people. Their soon-to-be open storefront at the Maurice Stephen’s House in Valley Forge National Park will also have a venue space with beautiful views of the Grand Parade. There is always something happening at the Aneu Co., so be sure to subscribe to their newsletter or follow their instagram account to stay in the loop. From a newly created Aneu Wine to Aneu Dog Food to ‘a new’ healthy snack line, there is definitely more to keep up with.