CCCBI Welcomes Special Guests to February Board Meeting
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CCCBI's Board of Directors welcomed new member, Cafe Gourmino, and Focus Media Services to this morning's February meeting.
Cafe Gourmino's mobile coffee cart was set up to greet the Chamber's board and staff with some delicious and made to order coffee.
Brad Sattin and Chris O'Connell (Fox29) of Focus Media Services joined us not only to educate the board about their media presence and strategic use, but they also spent time with Chamber staff!
Julie Varga, Laura Ellis, Abby Wolfe, and our new intern, Reilly, had one on one time to ask questions about public speaking, media training and more.
Thank you to our special guests!
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Meet Reilly Cook!
As a senior at West Chester University, Reilly is majoring in Marketing and plans on entering the fashion, beauty or sports industries post graduation this spring.
In her free time, Reilly enjoys watching the wildly popular TV show, The Bachelor, with her roommates. She also loves going shopping, getting smoothies, and spending time at home with her family.
"For only having been at the Chamber for two weeks, I've learned so much! It is really interesting to be behind the scenes and understand how the company runs."
We look forward to working with Reilly this semester! Please help us welcome her as the newest addition to the Chamber team!
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A Statement from CCCBI on Governor Shapiro's Second Budget Proposal
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On Tuesday, February 6th, Governor Josh Shapiro proposed his second budget plan. The Governor highlighted education funding, increasing minimum wage, higher education reform, legalization of recreational use of marijuana, and economic development, amongst other items, in his $48billion proposal.
“Ohio has one-and-a-half million fewer people than Pennsylvania, yet they’ve invested over seven times more in economic development than we have. And you know what, their investment is paying off. And I’m sick and tired of losing to friggin’ Ohio! We need to catch up,” stated Governor Shapiro.
Shapiro continued, “This year, we have a real chance to build safer communities, become more competitive economically, and invest in our students and their success – and this budget lays out a comprehensive and aggressive focus on doing just that without raising taxes and maintaining a surplus of $11 billion at the end of June 2025,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Since my first day in office, I’ve been focused on getting stuff done – and this budget will continue to create opportunity for every Pennsylvanian with historic investments in economic development, education, healthier and safer communities, and much more. I look forward to working with the General Assembly to continue to get stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania, solve the most pressing problems we face, and meet this moment responsibly and with bipartisan compromise.”
Laura Manion, President & CEO of CCCBI, stated, “Pennsylvania's economy remains sluggish in its post-pandemic recovery, with fewer jobs and fewer individuals in the labor force. Thanks to Governor Shapiro's commitment to using economic and workforce development to address this situation, we are confident that his focus on improving the Permitting and Regulatory Processes will help businesses and all employers remain viable.”
Items of note:
- $500 million in bond funds to expand PA SITES, supporting on-site development in priority industries
- $25 million for Main Street Matters
- $20 million to support large scale business innovation
- $18 million for tourism and business marketing
- $3.5 million for the PA Regional Economic Competitiveness Challenge
- $10 million for environmental permitting streamlining and IT modernization
- $283 million for investment in mass transportation through additional
- SUT transfer to the Public Transportation Trust Fund
- $283 million for investment in mass transportation through additional
- SUT transfer to the Public Transportation Trust Fund
- $2 million to support internships at PA-based businesses
- $1.072 billion increase in basic education funding
- Maintain $7 million for dual enrollment programs
- $2.4 million for Career and Technical Education
- Establishes a new higher education system with unified governance for PASSHE universities and Community Colleges
- Invests $194 million for higher education
- $30 million to the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program, addressing the recruitment, retention, and equipment needs crisis
- $2.5 million for the Energy Programs Office to leverage federal funding in support of planning and environmental justice initiatives
- $4 million for medical debt relief for low-income Pennsylvanians
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For nearly thirty years, The Desmond Hotel, a Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Malvern, has been a loyal member of CCCBI.
This award-winning hotel and conference center is known for its charm, warmth and genuine service, receiving recognitions from The Knot Best of Weddings, Wedding Wire Best of Weddings, The Knot-Hall of Fame, and is now offering New Summer Wedding Deal!
Throughout the year, CCCBI visits The Desmond for a variety of events including our State Legislative Forum, Housing Panel and our upcoming Small Business Awards Breakfast!
Make your reservations now, and don't miss these exciting events being held at The Desmond over the next few months:
- 2/17: Murder Mystery Wine Dinner - An intriguing night of tasty food, extraordinary wine and death! Tickets are on sale now and end on Tuesday 2/13.
- 2/10 - 2/14: Valentine’s Special Dinner and Overnights.
- Micro March: Meet the Brewer! Extended Happy Hours! Free Samples! Stay tuned for more info.
- 3/31: Easter Buffet is now taking reservations. Book soon, this popular buffet sells out fast!
- April: Oysters & Champagne: Save the date and stay tuned for more info.
- Get ready for an exciting summer ahead on their Sunset Grille Deck! On the horizon…Lobster Nights, Live Music, Bourbon Tasting, Beer & BBQ, Cigar Dinner and more! Stay tuned for more info.
We're grateful for The Desmond's continued support and we look forward to many more years of wonderful events at their premier location!
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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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