Chamber News

Welcome New Members

Special Announcements for CCCBI's Young Professionals

Our Young Professionals Network is proud to present their second Summer BBQ!

This is a unique networking opportunity dedicated to the next generation of leaders in and around Chester County. Join us to make meaningful connections with like-minded professionals in a relaxed setting.

Attendees can enjoy food, beverages and fun with three of your fellow CCCBI Members: Farm Boy BBQ, Artillery Brewing and Stick 'Em Axe-Throwing.

This year, we'll be visiting Greencastle Consulting's beautiful office right here in Malvern.

This event is perfect for early-to-mid-career professionals, recent grads, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to expand their network in a fun and social setting.

Are you a seasoned leader? All are welcome! Join us to share your knowledge with our YPs or share this invitation with any YPs that you already know.

We are also excited to partner with the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce and Exton Region Chamber of Commerce to invite you to the Inaugural Field Day for a Cause!

Register alone or with friends and join us for an afternoon of competition & connection while supporting Bournelyf Special Camp, a local nonprofit offering outdoor recreational activities for individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities ages 8 and up right here in Chester County!

Click Here to Register

Players will be split into two teams: Team Red and Team Blue to compete in a selection of Field Day Favorites including Kickball, Cornhole, Relay Races & More.

Each game victory will accumulate points for your team! The winning team will win bragging rights & be invited to join us in presenting a donation check to Bournelyf Special Camp following the event.

Custom Shirts, Snacks & Soft drinks will be provided.

This is an event you won't want to miss!

Special Announcements for CCCBI's Women Influencing Business

CCCBI and the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce's Women Who Lead has sold out!

We are excited to visit Testa Rossa with women from both chambers for a night of networking in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

Special thanks to our generous sponsor, Brumbaugh Wealth Management for helping to make this event possible!

Email nicole@chescochamber.org to join the waitlist.

There's only a few spaces left for CCCBI and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce's Gals on the Green!

The 1 Hour Clinic and Open Play has officially sold out, but there are limited tickets left for the 9 Holes for Experienced Golfers.

Anyone interested in registering a foursome or signing yourself up to be partnered with fellow ladies from across the region can email nicole@chescochamber.org to learn more or reserve a hole sign on the course.

Click Here to Register

Come join us for a full day of networking, golf and fun with our sponsors, S&T Bank and Livthentic!

Legislative Update

Trump Fires Top Jobs Official - Here's What it Means for the Economy

President Donald Trump recently fired Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the agency responsible for reporting how many jobs are being created each month. The decision caught many people in Washington by surprise. However, the financial markets did not react much.

Trump says he fired McEntarfer because the jobs numbers she released were rigged and made the economy look worse than it is. McEntarfer, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, strongly denies any wrongdoing. This move has sparked a national debate about how we measure the economy, how politics may be influencing data, and what needs to change.

Was the Firing Justified

Supporters of Trump argue that the BLS has been putting out job numbers that are often corrected later, and usually downward. For example, the agency recently revised job numbers and lowered its estimate by about 250,000 jobs for May and June.

To Trump, this shows that the current system is not working well and needs significant upgrades. They want faster, more accurate, real-time data, not numbers that get revised weeks or months later. Many experts, even some who disagree with Trump, agree that the government should invest in better technology to improve how data is collected.

Why Critics Are Worried

Critics, including economists from across the political spectrum, are alarmed by the firing. They argue that the BLS has always been an independent agency, protected from political pressure, and that this firing could make people question whether politics is influencing job numbers.

Even a former Trump-appointed BLS commissioner said it's "impossible" for a commissioner to fake or change the data, because they only see the final numbers shortly before they're released. Organizations like the American Economic Association say that removing McEntarfer could hurt public trust in the government's data, which is critical for businesses, the stock market, and the Federal Reserve.

Markets Didn't React — Should We Be Concerned?

Financial markets did not panic after McEntarfer was fired. That could mean investors still trust the system, or they may be just used to political drama by now. Some economists are concerned that this lack of response indicates people are becoming desensitized to significant changes in how government agencies function. If the data becomes unreliable, it could result in poor decisions in both business and government.

Is the U.S. Economy Slowing Down?

This debate comes at a time when the economy may be cooling off. The latest report showed only 73,000 jobs added in July. The unemployment rate went up slightly to 4.2%, and the economy grew just 1.2% in the first half of 2025, compared to 2.8% last year. Some blame Trump's new tariffs on steel, cars, and other goods for slowing down growth. Others argue that the wages and consumer spending are still strong. What everyone agrees on is that uncertainty makes it harder for businesses to plan and hire. And when the data they rely on is called into question, it only adds to that uncertainty.

What Happens Next?

While this latest action by President Trump was a serious step, it may also shine a spotlight on the need to improve how the government tracks economic data. It raises big questions: Should we modernize the system? Can we do that while keeping political interference out? And how can we rebuild public trust in the numbers that guide major decisions? Ultimately, the debate he sparked may help drive the necessary reforms. America needs data that is both quick and equitable and trusted by all.

Click Here to Read our Legislative Agenda

Member Spotlight

Meridian Bank

Meridian Bank, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Meridian Corporation (Nasdaq: MRBK), is a $2.5B full-service commercial bank. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Malvern, PA, Meridian has 20+ offices across PA, DE, NJ, MD and now FL.

We focus on the growth of our customers and the economies of the markets we serve. Meridian specializes in business and industrial lending, merchant services, retail and commercial real estate lending, and wealth management. We utilize our robust digital banking platform and strategically-placed branch model to minimize our overhead costs and pass those savings along to our customers.

During our more than 20 years of banking excellence, we’ve helped thousands of business owners, homebuyers, and residents in the communities we serve to achieve their financial goals. This year Meridian launched our first commercial featuring testimonials from three notable Philadelphia-area customers, Brent Celek, Mo Rushdy, and Roland Kassis sharing their stories of Meridian’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs. www.meridianbanker.com/commercial

Meridian’s success is built on partnering and investing in the vitality of our communities while supporting a strong team of banking professionals. This year Meridian was named a 2025 Top Workplace by the Philadelphia Inquirer. We believe that empowered employees foster loyal customers.

We invite you to experience the Meridian difference.