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Chamber News |
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Welcome New Members |
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Happy Thanksgiving from Your CCCBI Team |
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We're thankful for the people, the moments, and the memories that make life beautiful.
With gratitude, Laura Manion, Julie Varga, Marianne Martelli, Laura Ellis & Abby Wolfe
*Our offices will be closed on Thursday, 11/28 and Friday, 11/29. We'll see you again on Monday, 12/2! |
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Small Business Saturday |
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Champion small businesses nationwide and #ShopSmall on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Now more than ever, small businesses need our support. Please join CCCBI and organizations across the country as they celebrate small business contributions to their communities by shopping at a small business on November 30, Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday was founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by SBA since 2011. It is an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season.
Support our nation’s more than 34 million independent businesses this Small Business Saturday and all holiday season long.
Special thanks to Valley Creek Productions, who captured CCCBI, the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce and Downtown West Chester preparing for Small Business Saturday right here in Chester County!
"A healthy business economy drives the overall health of our community," said Laura Manion. "CCCBI represents over 300 small businesses, so we encourage you to shop small, shop local and support Chester County in the process this weekend." |
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Nominate a VISTA NextGen Superstar |
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VISTA Today has officially commenced its search for the 2025 class of VISTA NextGen Superstars.
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:
The winners will be announced the week of Feb. 17, and their profiles will be featured on VISTA Today beginning March 10. The annual Awards Reception & Celebration, which has become the premier networking event in Chester County, will be held on Thursday, May 8 at the Penn State Great Valley Conference Center.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Arc of Chester County, a nonprofit that promotes and protects the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
Have questions or want to know more about VISTA NextGen Superstars? Check out our FAQs.
Nominate someone to be a VISTA NextGen Superstar.
Sponsors are being sought for the program. Learn more about the various opportunities available to partner with VISTA Today as it honors Chester County’s next generation of leaders. |
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Road Closure Notice for West Chester Christmas Parade |
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As the Greater West Chester Chamber approaches the date of their Annual Christmas Parade, they're sharing a PSA about street closures in downtown West Chester that evening.
All Streets in Parade Footprint Closed on Friday 12/6 from 4:30pm – 10:00pm. Gay Street and Market Street between Matlack and New. The borough will begin the process of shutdown around 3:50pm that day to be fully closed by 4:30pm. No parking signs are also posted starting at 3pm that afternoon. Cars will be towed if they are parked along the parade route after 3pm.
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Delaware County Community College Brings Culinary Arts Program to Phoenixville Provided by Ben Silver, Main Line Today |
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DCCC expands into Chester County with its culinary arts program launching in Phoenixville this January.
Don’t miss out on Delaware County Community College (DCCC) classes because they’re too far away! Beginning this January, the DCCC culinary arts program is expanding into Phoenixville with four classes offered over the spring semester.
At its main campus and Phoenixville outpost at the Phoenixville Senior Center at 135 Church Street, DCCC offers certificate and associate degree programs that have already launched dozens, if not hundreds, of culinary careers across the region.
There’s been a distinct effort on the part of DCCC to ensure communities across Chester County receive the same opportunities as their Delaware County counterparts.
“We are thrilled to be offering another location to serve Chester County students,” says DCCC’s president Dr. Marta Yera Cronin. “It represents our commitment to providing greater accessibility to education to residents of both Delaware and Chester Counties.”
In Phoenixville, classes are offered on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3-7 p.m. or 6-10 p.m. and include topics like Culinary 1, Culinary 2 and food safety as well as menu planning and cost control.
Teaching these courses are esteemed local chefs from across the region like Zack Hathaway, part of the husband-and-wife team behind Sweet Amelia’s, and Maria Campbell, co-founder of Cooks Who Care. As the new culinary arts program continues to expand over the coming years, DCCC plans to bring in further experts in the field and offer distinct new courses. Whether students use the skills learned from these classes in professional settings or their home kitchen, DCCC aims to set students up for success.
One of the program’s greatest triumphs in recent years has been the career of Lucas Jenkins-Michl. The Chester County local parlayed his studies in culinary arts from DCCC into an internship with the Union League of Philadelphia, where he eventually became head pastry chef.
More recently, he led a group of students at the Chester County Educational Foundation Sweet Charity Fundraiser to take home the People’s Choice Award in 2023 and 2024.
For students on a budget, DCCC offers assistance through the Kelleher Connect Career Opportunity Fund. High school graduates who maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all courses, are residents of Delco or Chesco and are enrolled in at least two academic courses in an eligible certificate program (of which culinary arts is included) qualify for up to $5,000 in financial assistance each semester.
Going forward, DCCC has big plans for the region. Coatesville may be the target for an expansion of its skill trades carpentry program.
Furthermore, it announced plans to open a new branch of the college in Drexel Hill at the former Archbishop Prendergast High School. Between the 80,000-square-foot main building and 30,000-square-foot annex, DCCC aims to offer 14 majors for certificate and associate degrees. Additionally, a 17,000-square-foot early learning center is in the works for young learners at the same location. |
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Upcoming Events |
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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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