Maximizing Your Membership
|
This morning, CCCBI welcomed several members for an exclusive informational session on how to maximize your membership.
After joining the Chamber, it can seem intimidating to get involved and come to events. Some Member businesses have new employees who want to understand the resources they have access to. Other Members need some guidance with navigating their Member portal.
No matter the case, our Director of Member Engagement, Laura Ellis has the information to help our Membership make the most of their investment in CCCBI.
Thank you to all who joined us!
|
Deadline Approaching for National Civics Bee Submissions
|
There's only a few days left for our local 6th, 7th and 8th grade students to submit their essays in the National Civics Bee!
CCCBI is thrilled to host our third regional competition in partnership with the Civic Trust to engage our next generation of leaders in civic knowledge.
Whether you're a teacher, tutor, parent or student, you may know a student interested in this competition!
About the Competition
The National Civics Bee is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students from public, private, charter, and homeschools in participating states. There is no cost to apply.
Participants submit a 750-word (max) essay addressing a community issue, proposing a solution and incorporating Founding Principles and Civic Virtues.
Students progress through local, state, and national levels, with increasing prizes and recognition at each stage.
|
Nominate a VISTA NextGen Superstar
|
VISTA Today's search for the 2025 class of VISTA NextGen Superstars is ending on Friday, January 31st!
After five years of annually identifying and honoring Chester County’s most dynamic business and professional leaders, under the age of 40, who are shaping the county’s bright future, VISTA Today has rebranded its VISTA Millennial Superstars initiative to VISTA NextGen Superstars.
|
The rebrand acknowledges the evolving generational landscape and reflects the rising influence of Gen Z, who are now making significant waves in the workplace and community.
VISTA Today is now accepting nominations for its sixth class of honorees. What is a VISTA NextGen Superstar?
It’s a young professional (under the age of 40) who is breaking down walls, shattering expectations, and doing remarkable work in his or her profession or community. VISTA NextGen Superstars are blazing trails of success throughout Chester County, making it a better place to live.
How does the process work? Nominate an employee, colleague, client, friend, or yourself to join the 2025 class of VISTA NextGen Superstars. Nominations must be submitted by midnight, Jan. 31.
A committee will then evaluate and select 40 honorees from the hundreds of expected submissions. Honorees must:
- Live or work in Chester County or be enrolled in a Chester County-based university
- Be 39 years old or younger as of April 30, 2025
- Have achieved notable success in their chosen profession or trade
- Be actively engaged in efforts to improve Chester County’s quality of place
- Be an awesome person!
|
How Are You Celebrating the Super Bowl?
|
Is your business celebrating the Philadelphia Eagles in a special way?
Are you hosting an event, running a promotion or supporting the city of Brotherly Love?
CCCBI wants to know! Help us highlight Chester County's Eagles pride on social media and in our next newsletter by emailing abby@chescochamber.org or sending us a DM with details!
|
Can Your Employees Afford a Home in Chester County?
|
In Q4, the average home sale price in Chester County reached $615,000—a figure that raises serious affordability concerns for workers. Using a $600,000 home as an example, we examined two potential financing scenarios:
- Lower Down Payment ($60,000) → Higher Monthly Cost
Loan Amount: $540,000
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $4,341
- Higher Down Payment ($120,000) → Lower Monthly Cost
Loan Amount: $480,000
Monthly Mortgage Payment: $3,865
Both scenarios require significant financial resources—either a large upfront down payment or a high monthly commitment.
|
What Does This Mean for Your Workforce?
HUD recommends spending no more than 30% of income on housing to avoid financial strain. That means:
- To afford Scenario 1 ($4,341/month), a worker (or family) needs to earn $173,640/year
- To afford Scenario 2 ($3,865/month), a worker (or family) needs to earn $154,600/year
These figures exceed the median household income (~$120,000) in the region.
As an employer, this raises critical questions.
- Are wages keeping up with housing costs?
- Are employees forced into long commutes or financial stress?
- What role can businesses play in addressing affordability challenges?
Housing affordability is not just a personal issue—it’s a workforce issue. If employees can’t afford to live near work, businesses will struggle to attract and retain talent. It’s time to start the conversation.
|
Main Line Armory, located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, is a premier indoor shooting range and training facility founded by Iraq War veterans Greg and Katie Butler. Opened in 2023, the facility was conceived in response to a significant increase in local gun ownership, with the founders recognizing a gap in proper training and education for new firearm owners. Leveraging over 20 years of combined military, law enforcement, and business experience, the Butlers aimed to create a responsibly armed community by reimagining the range experience.
The 30,000-square-foot facility offers 21 state-of-the-art lanes, including five private VIP lanes, and features advanced technology such as touchscreen controls and programmable scenarios to tailor training to specific needs. The range also boasts a 4,000-square-foot retail area, which includes a unique women's boutique offering items like concealed-carry handbags and apparel designed for female shooters.
Greg and Katie Butler's journey to establishing Main Line Armory is rooted in their extensive service backgrounds. The couple met while serving in the Army National Guard during the recovery efforts for Hurricane Katrina. Both are Iraq War veterans, with Greg continuing his service as a Pennsylvania State Trooper. Their combined experiences highlighted the importance of proper firearm training and safety, inspiring them to create a facility that emphasizes education and responsible gun ownership.
Since its opening in April 2023, Main Line Armory has become a community hub where individuals can shop, train, shoot, and socialize in a safe and sophisticated setting. The Butlers' commitment to promoting gun safety, education, and proper training reflects their dedication to serving the community and fostering a responsibly armed society.
|
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
|
|
