The TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted an economic development luncheon that put the focus on three issues currently facing businesses across the region.
The luncheon featured a Business Impact panel that included: Bruce Baldwin of Wolf Baldwin & Associates PC; Laura Manion, president and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry; and Jennifer Butler, executive director of the Montgomery County Workforce Development Board.
Baldwin presented on laws regarding medical marijuana in the Workplace. Baldwin, who practices business law, employment law and commercial litigation, also offered information on how employers can minimize the risks through employment manuals and testing policies, according to a press release.
Manion addressed the childcare crisis and how this affects employers as much as their employees. Recruitment and employee retention is affected largely by the affordability of childcare, accessibility, labor shortage and more, the chamber said in a press release. Manion championed the expansion of the childcare tax credit in Pennsylvania from a 30% to a 100% match of federal credit helping 220,000 Pennsylvania families, according to the release.
Butler spoke about training dollars to assist businesses and shared information about resources to help employers with talent recruitment and retention. Butler, who is involved in the administration of programing to assist career seekers and employers, also shared information about available funding, and how to connect to career services.
The Nov. 14 event was the chamber’s largest networking event of the fall, and had more than 165 attendees representing business from across the tri-county region, the chamber said.
During the event, more than 25 chamber members with significant business anniversaries were recognized.
The TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce serves businesses in southeastern Berks, western Montgomery, and northern Chester counties, as well as the Route 422 corridor.
