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New national research underscores urgent need for continued federal and state investments in child care sector

The Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP) recognized their 2025 Chambers of the Year during their Chamber Professionals & Leadership Conference held this week at the Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Seven Springs, PA. 

HARRISBURG — The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, alongside the Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission, held an inaugural press conference at the Erie Crossroads Conference Center at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.

• Access to quality child care is crucial for economic growth and small business sustainability, reducing employee absenteeism and boosting productivity.
• Employers, including big brands like Patagonia, are finding innovative ways to offer childcare solutions, enhancing hiring and retention.
• Small businesses can support childcare by partnering with local centers, offering discounts, or supporting community programs, benefiting families and the economy.
• Investing in childcare creates jobs within the sector, stimulates local economies, and fosters a sense of community.
• Offering childcare support can lead to long-term savings for businesses by reducing turnover and fostering a more dedicated workforce, making it an economic imperative.

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Pennsylvania employers already pay some of the highest UC taxes in the entire country to finance one of the nation's more generous unemployment systems. These benefits are meant to help Pennsylvanians who lose their jobs through no fault of their own while they search for other employment; extending them to individuals who voluntarily participate in a work stoppage is wildly inappropriate.

PA Chamber President & CEO Luke Bernstein stood alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro during a press conference in Harrisburg last Thursday in which the governor delivered an official update on his administration’s efforts to streamline state processes for permitting and licensure, part of an initiative that Shapiro says aims to make Pennsylvania’s state government operate “at the speed of business.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2023

Contact:   Samantha Chivinski
                  570-622-1942
                  schivinski@schuylkillchamber.com

 Comcast to receive letter of support from Schuylkill County Broadband Task Force

Pottsville, PA (July 28, 2023) - As a collaborative leadership effort, the Schuylkill County Broadband Task Force (BTF) was assembled as a sub-committee of the Schuylkill Chamber Infrastructure Committee with leaders from the Schuylkill Chamber, Schuylkill County Government, Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, network of County libraries, and community.

Pottsville, PA (June 12, 2023) As a collaborative leadership effort, the Schuylkill County Broadband Task Force (BTF) was assembled as a subcommittee of the Schuylkill Chamber Infrastructure Committee with leaders from the Schuylkill Chamber, Schuylkill County Government, Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, and community. “The BTF has been instrumental in developing a multidimensional task force working in collaboration and partnership through coordinating efforts to seek out grant funding for our community members with a mission of “Internet for All.”, announced Robert S. Carl, Jr., President & CEO, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. “Access to Internet is the year 2023 is now as vitally important as access to our more traditional utilities in a world where access is critical for success.”

The Chester, Delaware, and Westmoreland Chambers of Commerce have spearheaded the effort leading to over 50 business organizations across the Commonwealth sending a joint letter to the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Shapiro Administration, imploring them to address the crisis surrounding accessible and affordable childcare.

Columbia Montour Chamber hosted a meeting with new President & CEO to strengthen partnerships.

The bipartisan event discussed how the General Assembly of Pennsylvania has changed in the past 60 years. Participants included former Republican House members Bob Allen, Mike Tobash, and George Uritis, former Democratic House members William Baldwin, James Goodman, Neal Goodman, and Tim Seip, and current House members Jerry Knowles, Joe Kerwin and Tim Twardzik.