On Tuesday, CCCBI hosted our last New Member Luncheon of 2024 with over 20 attendees.
These lunches are the perfect opportunity to meet the Chamber staff, fellow new members and learn how to take advantage of your investment in CCCBI.
Thank you to all who joined us for an informative afternoon! We're looking forward to continuing this tradition in 2025.
Interested in learning more about the Chamber? Reach out to our Director of Membership, Laura Ellis, to get the conversation started.
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BGAF Offers Exclusive Member Discount Session
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Special thanks to Dave Fultz of Barsz Gowie Amon & Fultz, LLC for hosting a Member Discount Session on how to Maximize Your Tax Savings!
Dave's presentation covered seven key tax-saving strategies, from deductions to investments to employing your kids, for small business owners across industries. Our attendees were able to walk away with tips and new ideas to help their businesses save money heading into the 2025 tax season.
Member Discounts like this are so valuable and we're excited to host even more in the new year!
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CCCBI Announces 2025 Participation in National Civics Bee
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CCCBI is proud to announce our participation in the National Civics Bee for the third consecutive year!
The 2025 National Civics Bee®, an initiative aimed at encouraging more young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities, partners with state and local chambers of commerce to host regional competitions.
We hope to inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.
Help us spread the word to our local students, parents and schools so that we can have 20 top-notch finalists at our Regional Competition on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at the Chester County History Center.
Essays are due on Tuesday, February 4, 2024!
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Upcoming GAC Meeting Tomorrow Morning
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CCCBI's Government Affairs Committee (GAC) will host their final meeting of the year this Friday, December 13th from 8:30am to 9:30am via Zoom.
GAC will welcome Meredith Buettner Schneider, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition. Meredith will offer a short presentation on the current status of the law surrounding medicinal and recreational cannabis cultivation, distribution and use at both the state and federal levels. We are excited to hear her updates and her hopes heading into 2025. Our Government Affairs Consultant, Alex Rahn, will then provide a much anticipated update on the recent ruling related to the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Requirements. We will also review the Chamber's Legislative Agenda for 2025 and priorities going into next Session, including Leadership Changes, State/Federal Session schedules, and Pres-Elect Appointees.
These meetings are open to all CCCBI Members, please consider joining us to stay up to date on relevant legislation and advocacy efforts that affect your business.
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Federal Court Blocks Enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act Nationwide - At Least For Now
By Lamb McErlane Attorneys Vasilios J. Kalogredis, Esq. & Sonal Parekh, Esq.
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On December 3, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), effectively pausing its January 1, 2025, compliance deadline. This decision in Texas Top Cop Shop, Inc. v. Garland et al. raises significant constitutional questions about federal overreach and the burdens placed on small businesses.
The CTA, enacted as part of anti-money laundering efforts, requires businesses to disclose beneficial ownership information (BOI) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). With over 32 million U.S. businesses affected, the act aimed to enhance transparency and combat illicit financial activities, including money laundering and terrorism financing. However, critics argue the law disproportionately burdens small businesses with compliance costs, estimated to exceed $22 billion in its first year, while raising privacy and constitutional concerns.
Judge Amos L. Mazzant III granted the injunction, emphasizing the act’s potential violation of:
- Federalism Principles: Corporate regulation is traditionally under state jurisdiction. The CTA’s federal oversight disrupts this balance, pushing the boundaries of Congress’s authority under the Commerce Clause.
- First Amendment Protections: Plaintiffs, including the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), argued that the CTA improperly compels speech and association by mandating disclosure.
- Fourth Amendment Privacy Rights: The act’s requirement to disclose sensitive ownership information raises significant privacy concerns relative to the safeguards against misuse of collected data.
Unlike an earlier decision in Alabama, which applied only to specific plaintiffs, this ruling halts enforcement of the CTA across the country. This approach was deemed to be necessary due to the wide-ranging impact of the law and because the NFIB represents members nationwide.
What This Means for Businesses
For now, businesses are not required to comply with the CTA’s reporting requirements. However, the legal landscape remains fluid. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has not indicated whether it will appeal, but litigation could extend to higher courts. Businesses should: (i) pause CTA compliance efforts, (ii) stay informed about potential appeals or regulatory adjustments that could affect enforcement; and (iii) consult legal counsel to evaluate their exposure under the CTA if the injunction is lifted.
The Road Ahead
This ruling adds momentum to broader challenges against federal regulatory overreach. It may set a precedent for scrutinizing laws that significantly impact small businesses and state-regulated areas. While the injunction offers immediate relief, the CTA’s fate could hinge on appeals or a potential shift in policy under a new presidential administration. For now, small businesses and legal professionals should remain vigilant as the case progresses, potentially reshaping the landscape of corporate regulation in the U.S.
If you have any questions or if we may be of further assistance regarding compliance or other health care matters, please feel free to contact Bill Kalogredis, Esq. or Sonal Parekh, Esq.
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Vasilios J. (Bill) Kalogredis, Esq. has been advising physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals and their businesses as to contractual, regulatory and transactional matters for 50 years. He is Chairman of Lamb McErlane PC’s Health Law Department. Bill can be reached by email at bkalogredis@lambmcerlane.com or by phone at 610-701-4402.
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Sonal Parekh, Esq., who contributed to this article, is a practicing attorney at Lamb McErlane PC who focuses on healthcare transactional matters and a broad range of healthcare regulatory-related issues on behalf of healthcare systems, physicians, dentists, and other healthcare providers, and is a pharmacist by education and training. Sonal can be reached by email at sparekh@lambmcerlane.com or by phone at 610-701-4416.
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*This alert is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice. Should you require legal advice on this topic, any health care matter, or have any questions or concerns, please contact Vasilios J. (Bill) Kalogredis, Esq. or Sonal Parekh, Esq.
Lamb McErlane PC is a full service regional law firm based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with additional offices in Philadelphia, Newtown Square, Oxford, and Mount Laurel, NJ. The firm has built a reputation on delivering the highest caliber of legal service in an environment focused on personal attention and results. Bringing the sophistication and experience equated with large, metropolitan firms, Lamb McErlane's highly efficient, goal oriented and focused approach produces results that clients deserve. lambmcerlane.com
Read more about this ruling in our Weekly Legislative Update, distributed every Friday. Please email abby@chescochamber.org to join our mailing list.
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At PureBread Deli, with five locations in Delaware and Pennsylvania, our mission is to DELIGHT each guest that walks through our doors. From breakfast to lunch, with catering and fresh baked goods available daily, PureBread Deli is here to put a smile on your face and deliver delicious food with amazing service to everyone in our community! Our relaxing environment filled with great music and entertaining dog videos is enjoyable for all ages!
As PureBread approaches its 25th year in business, the local company remains true to its core values of Excellence, Quality, Service and Community. The PureBread family believes that every day is an opportunity to help and serve others, be kind, self-improve and make the world a better place.
We are a group of homegrown, family restaurants dedicated to serving quality, accurate & fast orders every time. To ensure elite product quality, Purebread has a seasoned and caring culinary team working in a state of the art 6,000 sq ft commissary facility located in Wilmington, DE. This team maintains control of our exceptional product selection by supplying our stores daily with the freshest of ingredients.
Do you have a staff meeting or upcoming special event? Sweeten the day with us! Our catering service consists of custom-made platters that are prepared perfectly for you. Choose from our unique, craveable sandwiches served on our freshly-baked, homemade bread; fresh, signature salads served with delicious dressings; savory soups and sinfully-delicious baked goods. Pair it with our hot roasted coffee and freshly brewed iced tea to satisfy your thirst.
Please check out our website at Purebreaddeli.com
Or visit us at our facebook page to learn more.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
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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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