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Chamber News |
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Welcome New Members! |
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Lunch and Learn |
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CCCBI coordinated with McGinn Financial Services to host a Lunch and Learn on April 4th. Paul Stanzione, CFA and Chris LaBounty of Manning & Napier spoke to attendees about the current economic climate, what has happened in the last decade, and what may happen in the next decade.
Mr. Stanzione, a profile strategist, works closely with clients to assess their financial goals and identify opportunities specific to that client. For the Lunch and Learn, he covered three key areas that are essential for anyone navigating the financial field, the economy, inflation both near and far, and investment market implications. All three factors are connected and affect one another.
Members who attended were able to ask Mr. Stanzione questions about the current economy and what can be expected in the near future. He was able to provide insight into why inflation rates are currently high, and where future investment opportunities have promising potential.
CCCBI thanks Paul Stanzione and Chris LaBounty for offering their expertise to our members, and McGinn Financial Services for helping to make this successful Lunch and Learn possible. |
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Women in Business Golf Outing Hole Sponsors Wanted |
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The Women in Business Committee’s Gals on the Green is seeking hole sponsors for their upcoming outing on May 2nd! Hole sponsorships are $150 and include a sign, as well as a ticket to the cocktail reception held after golf.
The outing is SOLD OUT, with women from various industries across the county and region participating. This is a great opportunity to showcase your business at very little cost to you!
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Julie at julie@chescochamber.org |
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Legislative Update |
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Regulatory and Permitting Reform Priority for Legislators |
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Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland/Dauphin/Perry) introduced legislation they say will reduce and reform the state’s regulatory process, holding state agencies transparent and accountable. Senate would require every state agency to post all permits issued on its publicly accessible website. State agencies would also be required to create an accessible tracking system for applicants to check the status of their applications and clearly state the legal authority that the agency relies on when rejecting a permit application.
“The status quo punishes job creators, farmers, non-profits, local governments, and Pennsylvania taxpayers,” Phillips-Hill said. “By cutting down on permitting delays and bureaucratic red tape, we can avoid significant costly subsidies footed by taxpayers, and, more importantly, we can compete for jobs and businesses once again to grow our economy and provide opportunities for the next generation.”
The tracking system must include processing time, dates of each permit, completeness review, technical review, elevated review, and an estimated time remaining for each incomplete phase of the permit approval process. In addition, a contact person will be assigned to answer any questions about the application process. The legislation would require state agencies to contract with third-party professional entities at any point a permit is subject to a decision delay.
“Businesses and individuals around the state are often forced to wait lengthy and unknown amounts of time for a permit while their projects and livelihoods suffer. This legislation would give certainty to applicants and ensure maximum transparency from government,” Rothman said.
State agencies would have to submit an annual report to the General Assembly documenting how many applications it reviewed, the average timeframe for permit decisions, number of applications reviewed by third-party reviewers and the number of employees who reviewed the permit applications in each regional office. In addition to legislation above in the PA Senate, House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) hosted a hearing titled “Obstacles to Opportunity: Pennsylvania’s Permitting Process” to hear the challenges of the Commonwealth’s permitting process and explore possible solutions, on March 22. Kail opened the hearing suggesting that permitting reform is essential to improving the economic climate in the Commonwealth. He then introduced a panel of experts.
Kevin Sunday, director of government affairs at the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, noted some remedies that would lead to further investment include going beyond a “money-back guarantee” for permits (a reference to a recent Executive Order announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro); establishing timelines for the authorization of key projects; and providing agencies resources to efficiently review permits. He listed several “missed opportunities” for major manufacturing projects simply due to delays and overly burdensome permitting process issues.
“The state lost out on a major petrochemical expansion in the southeast due to a lack of infrastructure and an associated protracted permitting process,” said Sunday. “We were not in the running for a semiconductor manufacturer because of site availability. Other manufacturers that produce life-sustaining medicine and consumer goods have reported that our state’s process to permitting significantly lowers the likelihood of new investment coming to Pennsylvania as they deliberate internally.”
David Taylor, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association, detailed a list of approaches needing to be taken to fix this issue. This includes involving the General Assembly regarding regulations that impose a significant economic cost to Pennsylvanians; ensuring state regulations are not stricter than those of the federal government; and requiring state regulatory agencies to be partners in compliance. Michael Ford, secretary-treasurer for the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, emphasized the workers are ready, when the work is there. He stated we are at a historic time because of bipartisan support.
“We have everything in Pennsylvania,” said Ford. “We have all the logistics we need, we have a skilled and qualified workforce, and we have energy like nobody’s business. We can really take it to the next level, but we have to work together to get that done.”
The Chester County Chamber looks forward to supporting legislation that supports the Chester County business community. |
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Member Spotlight |
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IT Edge |
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It Edge is Chester County's full-service technology solution for companies, organizations, and non-profits.
Located in West Chester, IT Edge has been providing network and computer solutions for over 30 years. Whether you are a new client, or have been with them since the start, IT Edge prides itself on being a client-centered company. By offering Extended Hours Support outside of the typical 8-5 service, they go above and beyond to be available when trouble strikes.
It Edge is committed to the community just as much as their customers. For over 20 years, they have prioritized working with non-profits making a difference in the community, like Community Volunteers in Medicine and over 25 other organizations. |
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CCCBI is grateful to have a member like IT Edge who is active in both the community and the Chamber. Braedon Swindler, M.B.A, is IT Edge's Marketing Division Lead and an active member of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry's Young Professionals, and Ambassador Committees. |
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Upcoming Events |
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Email your news to abby@chescochamber.org |
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