Chamber News

Welcome New Members

Youth Leadership Program Hosts Final Day at the Desmond Hotel

Our final day with the 2025 Youth Leadership students was another very special day.

Mike Chain, Jr., the General Manager of the Desmond Hotel, graciously hosted the students for the day. Mike also assembled an all star cast of those responsible reputation of the Desmond Hotel. The students heard from: Mike Chain, GM; Kim Mullen, Marketing Director; Andy Kutufaris, Controller; Kevin Kessler, Sales Manager, Denise McKinney-Gibson and Chris Calhoun, Chef.

What was extra special about all of these speakers is that they didn’t preach about the specific skills they needed to do their jobs well. Instead, each speaker in their own way spoke about how important it is to treat people the right way. In addition, a recurring theme was that you need to be flexible and just do what has to be done. The pride they each have in their jobs came shining through. It was easy to see why the Desmond is such a special place.

After a morning with the Desmond staff, the students got to meet Natanya Sortland. Natanya works with the Fighting Back Scholarship Program. She was nothing short of inspirational.

The day was packed with moments that just touched your heart. A perfect way to end the 2025 YLP year!

Business After Hours

Our Business After Hours with The Timothy School could not have been better!

Over 50 Members and friends of the Chamber visited the Timothy School's inaugural Heart for Autism Art Show for an exclusive first look at the beautiful pieces done by students and alumni.

It was such a pleasure to see new connections being made while working with the Timothy School's team, board of directors and other volunteers.

Thank you to all who joined us and supported The Timothy School!

Our next monthly networking event, Morning Buzz with Matlack Florist, Cafe Gourmino & Madi's on a Roll is almost SOLD OUT! Click below to reserve your spot!

Click Here to Register

Exciting Ribbon Cutting with New Member: Adecco

This morning, CCCBI's Director of Member Engagement, Laura Ellis, was proud to attend the ribbon cutting for Adecco at their newest location in Paoli, PA.

Adecco, a global leader in workforce solutions, offers a wide range of services including temporary staffing, permanent recruitment, managed services, and workforce analytics across multiple industries. Their Mid-Atlantic region continues to thrive, with offices in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Ohio, and parts of West Virginia and Kentucky.

The ribbon cutting coincided with Adecco’s Regional Sales Meeting, where Mid-Atlantic Vice President Jason Guggisberg and Associate Director Brian Wootten introduced their team and shared the company’s story of growth and impact across the region.

Joining Laura were CCCBI Ambassadors Drew Braun, Jenn Christensen, Tim Gimmel, Patrick Hart, and Donna Mugler, along with member Roman Coia, all celebrating Adecco’s continued expansion and commitment to connecting talent with opportunity.

Congratulations to Adecco and thank you to all who joined us to celebrate their fellow member!

An Opportunity at Handi-Crafters Opportunity Center

Handi-Crafters Opportunity Center is hiring a Senior Director, Finance & Administration!

This role provides strategic, forward-thinking insight and leadership in the areas of finance, facilities, operation, HR, and information technology.

Click Here to Learn More

Legislative Update

SEPTA Budget: 45% Service Cuts, Major Fare Increases to Fill Funding Gap

Dozens of Bus Routes & Five Regional Rail Lines Would Be Eliminated, Others Reduced; 9 p.m. Curfew for Broad Street Line (B), Market-Frankford Line (L) & All Other Rail Services

PHILADELPHIA (April 10, 2025) – SEPTA today released a budget proposal that would require 45% in service cuts – coupled with major fare increases, workforce reductions and a 9 p.m. curfew for all rail services – to address a massive structural budget deficit during the new fiscal year that starts July 1. The release of the budget comes amid critical negotiations in Harrisburg on a statewide transit funding plan introduced in February by Governor Shapiro that would prevent these dire measures from taking effect.

Customers would see service cuts, including the elimination of dozens of bus routes and significant reductions in trips on all rail services, beginning with the launch of fall schedules on Aug. 24. A fare increase averaging 21.5% for all riders would go into effect on Sept. 1, followed on Jan. 1 by the elimination of five Regional Rail lines and the 9 p.m. rail curfew. A total of 50 bus routes would be shut down between Aug. 24 and Jan. 1.

“This doesn’t have to happen,” said SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. “Governor Shapiro has proposed a funding plan that would ensure all transit agencies across Pennsylvania have the budget stability needed to serve their communities. It is very important that our riders, advocates, the business community, and other stakeholders make their voices heard in Harrisburg this spring.”

The impact of the proposed service cuts would be felt throughout the city and region as reliable options for everyday travel to school and work are greatly diminished. It would not stop there.

Beyond regular riders, those traveling to games at the Sports Complex and other special events would have to navigate the 9 p.m. curfew for rail services, along with other restrictions. SEPTA would be forced to cease providing additional service to special events, including plans to support the World Cup, the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations and other 2026 events.

The effects on businesses – including the region’s healthcare systems that rely on SEPTA to transport employees and patients – would be immediate and far reaching. In addition, congestion on local roadways would worsen as SEPTA riders switch to driving, and overall, residents’ ability to safely travel across the region would be limited.

Like transit agencies across Pennsylvania and the nation, SEPTA is facing this budget gap due to a combination of the end of federal COVID relief funding and increases in the day-to-day costs of providing service to customers. The federal COVID funds helped SEPTA maintain service for essential workers through the pandemic. While ridership has recovered over the last few years, SEPTA has had to take on additional costs to address emerging challenges – particularly crime, disorder and the vulnerable population. The Authority has also had to grapple with the impact of inflation on everyday necessities such as fuel, power and supplies.

SEPTA has been responding to this funding crisis by cutting costs and generating new revenue. Aggressive austerity measures, including a freeze on management pay and cuts to third-party consultants, have resulted in savings of $30 million. Other measures, including a 7.5% fare increase and the resumption of paid parking at Regional Rail lots, are generating new revenue. Together, these efforts have helped reduce SEPTA’s budget deficit to a forecasted $213 million for FY2026.

“We know how critical service is to our customers and the region, and we have done everything possible to avoid the drastic measures that are proposed in this budget,” said Interim General Manager Scott A. Sauer. “We have made significant progress in cutting costs, growing ridership, improving reliability and delivering on safety and security enhancements. All of that is at risk if we are forced to start dismantling the system.”

Governor Shapiro provided SEPTA riders with a lifeline last fall when he flexed federal highway funds to fill the current year’s budget gap. That, however, was a one-time measure. SEPTA is required by law to pass a balanced Operating Budget prior to the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, and the Authority’s only options to close such a massive structural deficit are to raise fares and cut costs by eliminating services and reducing the size of its workforce.

SEPTA today also released its Capital Budget Proposal for the coming year. Funding constraints and inflation are impacting SEPTA’s ability to move forward on some improvement efforts. Under the proposal, SEPTA would close the funding gap by deferring dozens of projects and other capitalfunded initiatives, which will delaying achievement of previous commitments for key priorities like station accessibility.

SEPTA will hold four public hearings about the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget at SEPTA Headquarters on May 19 (11 a.m. and 5 p.m.) and May 20 (10 a.m. and 4 p.m.). The Capital Budget hearings will be held on May 21 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

In addition to commenting in-person, the public can submit comments by email at operatingbudget@septa.org and capbudget@septa.org, voicemail by calling (215) 580-7772 for Operating Budget and (215) 580-7771 for Capital Budget, or U.S. mail (SEPTA Budgets, 1234 Market Street, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Comments must be submitted by May 28.

SEPTA will thoroughly review all public feedback before the Operating and Capital Budget proposals are sent to the SEPTA Board for a vote on June 26.

For more information on the FY 2026 budget proposal, please visit https://septa.org/fundingcrisis/.

SEPTA's Service Reduction Plan & Impact Briefing

Last week, SEPTA announced its budget proposal that will cut service by 45% and raise fares by more than 20% to address a $213 million deficit without a permanent state funding solution for transit.

As a stakeholder in SEPTA service, we hope you will participate in an important virtual briefing on the broader impacts of SEPTA’s proposed budget and service reductions hosted by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.

Wednesday April 23

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Click Here to Register

Hear from SEPTA Interim General Manager Scott Sauer about the drastic steps needed to address the agency’s budget crisis, as well as the austerity measures, including a hiring freeze and administrative cuts, SEPTA has taken to reduce its budget deficit from $240 million to $213 million. Representatives of Econsult Solutions, Inc. will also discuss their analysis (linked below) of the anticipated impacts across healthcare, education, tourism and other sectors.

Attendees will also learn what the Chamber, and other leaders and advocates are doing to support SEPTA and the critical services the transit agency provides to the entire region. Find out how you can join in the events and initiatives underway to urge swift action by state legislators and leaders on Governor Shapiro’s proposal for new state funding for SEPTA and transit systems across PA.

We hope your schedule will allow you to join the virtual briefing on Wednesday, April 23 at 12:00 PM. Please share this invitation with your company/organization leadership.

Resources and information about SEPTA’s Budget is available on SEPTA’s website at:

Member Spotlight

PEECO

The Philadelphia Electrical Equipment Company—better known as PEECO—is led by Stephen Chambers, a humble yet driven CEO whose leadership is propelling the company to incredible heights. While PEECO’s roots are local, its impact is global.

Founded in a garage in 1981, PEECO has grown steadily over the years. But when Stephen took the helm in 2022—after over a decade learning every facet of the business—the company’s growth truly skyrocketed. Today, PEECO manufactures custom switchgear right here in the United States, proudly serving major clients such as the U.S. Army and Navy.

So, what exactly is switchgear? In simple terms, it’s the equipment that keeps power flowing without interruption—critical for institutions like hospitals, universities, and data centers. PEECO’s custom switchgear ensures that when seconds count, power remains uninterrupted.

PEECO’s work can be found throughout Chester County at institutions like Longwood Gardens and Penn Medicine, and far beyond—including sites across North America and Europe. Recent shipments have gone to Syracuse and Harvard Universities, and even a confidential data center in central Pennsylvania.

While PEECO is now a leader in its industry, its foundation remains family-focused. Many team members have been with the company for decades. PEECO prioritizes promoting from within and mentoring local trade school graduates, helping them launch meaningful careers in the power industry.

At the heart of PEECO’s success is a strong belief in faith, family, and community. As a Chester County native, Stephen is committed to giving back to the region that shaped him. PEECO is proud to be a new member of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry and looks forward to building an even stronger local presence.