Small Business Awards Breakfast- February 23, 2023

Join us on Thursday, February 23, 2023, 8:00AM-10:00AM at Penn Oaks Golf Club to honor AEONRG, Home of the Sparrow, and SCORE- Chester and Delaware Counties. We are excited to honor them for their commitment and dedication to our community.

Small Business of the Year AEONRG LLC is an Award-Winning Facility Renovation organization providing MEP and MRO Services to support the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and the National Cemetery Administration with effective and efficient facility solutions. AEONRG defines success through their value added, high quality, on time work delivered for customers and by giving back to veterans and the community.

Nonprofit of the Year Home of the Sparrow partners with women facing homelessness to secure housing, achieve long-term stability, and chart new paths for their futures. As a trusted service provider, they provide a safety net for single women, mothers, and their children in Chester County. Home of the Sparrow brings organizations and people together to solve the problem of homelessness and to create better futures for women and children.

Community Partner of the Year SCORE Chester and Delaware Counties is dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and encouraging the formation, growth and success of small businesses in our community through FREE counseling and no-cost or low-cost educational workshops and webinars.

Mark Madrid, Associate Administrator of U.S Small Business Administration will be our keynote speaker.

Sponsorships Opportunities Are Available!

Click here to view the sponsorship opportunities available. This event is a great opportunity to showcase your business while also supporting other local businesses in our community! Email Julie, at Julie@chescochamber.org for more information on sponsorships and questions about the event.

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Calling All Middle School Students for the Civics Bee!

Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry is partnering with the Pennsylvania Chamber and Chester County Intermediate Unit to host a regional Civics Bee, as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s National Civics Bee competition.

The National Civics Bee is an annual competition that encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. In the first round of the contest, local 6th, 7th and 8th grade students will participate in an essay competition. Judges will then select 20 finalists to participate in our local competition on Saturday April 15, 2023 at 10:00AM at the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU).

This Civics Bee will feature special guest judges including, PA State Representative John Lawrence, Michael Hartman, Chief of Staff for Senator Carolyn Comitta, and Chester County Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Michelle Kichline, and Marian Moskowitz, with more “celebrity” judges being added daily.

After the regional event at CCIU, the top 3 students from each local competition will then advance to the state competition. First place winner will receive $1,000 cash prize in both the local and state competition.

Thanks to our technology sponsor, Benchmark Federal Credit Union, each of the 20 finalists will receive a brand-new tablet to participate in the local competition and they will get to keep their tablet after the competition!

Students are to submit a 500-word essay to demonstrate their best understanding of civics. The essay topic is: Identify a problem, challenge, or opportunity in your local community. What can you do to contribute to its improvement based on Founding principles and civic virtues? Deadline for essay submissions is February 24, 2023. Click here to view the online submission form.

If you would like to support your students, click here for resources including contest details, a flyer, a student and parent guide, and more.

Submit Your J. Larry Boling Award Nomination by February 20

Please consider nominating a Local Government official at the municipal, county or school district level for the 2023 J. Larry Boling Excellence in Local Government Award. The J. Larry Boling Award is for a professional local government person who shows outstanding effective performance and an interest in economic efficiency.

Please email Marguerite at marguerite@chescochamber.org with the name of the individual, the government for which they work, and your completed nomination form.

The award will be presented at the State of the County on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 8:00AM-10:00AM at Desmond Hotel Malvern.

Please submit your nomination by February 20, 2023.

Legislative Update

Government Affairs Committee Meeting

This morning, our Government Affairs Committee (GAC) hosted their first meeting on 2023. The room was filled with representatives from government, business, the nonprofit sector, and various associations. We had a great turnout and many new faces!

The meeting began with the recognition of former GAC Chair Jim Manser (Executive Director of Government and External Affairs at Endo Pharmaceuticals) for his service to the Chamber as GAC Chair through many years of challenging policy and political discussion and the welcoming of new Chair Caitlin Ganley, Sr. Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs at Comcast Cable, who will steer us into the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. We look forward to Caitlin’s leadership!

With a full agenda, topics covered included policy issues on the county, state, and federal levels, such as:

Newly sworn-in Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed Harrisburg agenda and executive orders
A very unclear situation in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
New committee assignments in the PA House and Senate
Updates on tracked legislation for our member companies
Economic priorities for Chester County: quality, attainable housing, transportation, tourism, and economic development (an update was provided by Bobby Kagel, County Administrator)

Since 1971, Oliver Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing has been providing high-quality Heating and Cooling Services and installations. Oliver uses only the best products, and their professionals are knowledgeable and friendly.

Do you know the story of how Oliver began? Unlike many other HVAC contractors, Oliver was conceptualized at a church prayer meeting. At the end of the Vietnam War, Joe Oliver was one of 10,000 employees downsized from Boeing Helicopter Division, where he worked as an engineer. With a Master’s degree in Engineering from Yale University, Joe was struggling to support his wife and six young sons, but after much prayer and help from his church, Joe and Beverly, his wife, opened the doors of Oliver Heating & Cooling in February, 1971. Joe had no knowledge about HVAC contractors or the HVAC industry when he launched the company, but through perseverance, attending night classes and working 14-hour days, Oliver grew and flourished.

At Oliver, all of their technicians are factory-trained and NATE-trained to provide quality HVAC preventative maintenance, installations, and repairs.

Today, February 2nd is Groundhog Day, and Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow! Prepare yourself for 6 more weeks of winter, by giving Oliver a call to make sure you have top-quality heating in place.

Click to Learn More About Oliver Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing