Chester County Economic Development Council

06/19/2026

Join us in celebrating Kathy McAfee's 20 years of service to our organization! Kathy assists our sister organization, Seedcopa, by preparing the documentation for loan closings, as well as routine servicing of the loan portfolio. We're grateful for the work Kathy does to help businesses get the resources they need.

06/19/2026

Today, we honor Juneteenth — a day of freedom, reflection, and continued commitment to equity.

As we recognize the end of slavery in the United States, we also acknowledge the ongoing work of building communities where opportunity, dignity, and justice are truly available to all.

Our offices are closed in observance of Juneteenth and re-open June 22.

Happy Freedom Day!

06/18/2026

More than 200 business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, policymakers, and economic development professionals gathered for Executive Insights 2026: A Panel of Visionary CEOs, a dynamic and candid conversation featuring four of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s most influential business leaders.

The discussion explored critical topics including regional economic competitiveness, workforce development, experiential learning and higher education partnerships, leadership and culture, technological innovation, America 250, corporate civic engagement, and positioning Southeastern Pennsylvania for long-term success on the national stage.

06/18/2026

Relive the magic from our Hall of Fame ceremony celebrating Gary Smith's 50 years of impact on Chester County's economic growth! It was a night of unfettered joy and connection, and we were thrilled to share it with our Chester County community.

Read more and view the group photo gallery: https://ccedcpa.com/blog/2026/06/05/gary-w-smith-inducted-into-the-chester-county-hall-of-fame/

06/17/2026

The Knicks' historic win might ring closer to home than you think. Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges received undergraduate degrees and played collegiate basketball at Villanova University, located in Montgomery County. Once upon a time, Bridges even called Malvern home!

No matter if you hail from New York or Pennsylvania, we can all be proud of their focus and hard work, whether it be collegiate or professional play. Congratulations!

06/10/2026

Congratulations to Jordan Peek, Project Manager for Agconnect and Darlene Jenkins Walls, Manager - Entrepreneur Outreach & Support, on their recent graduation from Leadership Chester County!

Presented by the Chester County United Way in partnership with West Chester University and the Chester County Chamber for Business & Industry, LCC prepares professionals to serve on area nonprofit boards.

06/09/2026

We're excited to highlight funding opportunities for businesses, school districts, municipalities, and non-profits. Additionally, we're proud to take an inside look at a local entrepreneur changing the landscape of career development with a learning experience platform that enables individuals to own their career path.

View news, where we've been, and where we will be all in our latest newsletter:

Email from Chester County Economic Development Council   June 9, 2026 Dear Stakeholders, We’re proud to share our June newsletter that highlights funding opportunities for not only businesses but scho

06/09/2026

From humble beginnings on a local farm to decades of impactful leadership, Gary Smith's journey is a testament to hard work, vision, and service. Hear from friends, family, and business leaders about Gary's impact on our region in the full tribute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAX4SKDLUto

06/09/2026

Under Chris Franklin’s leadership, Essential Utilities has more than tripled its value, expanding its customer base through strategic acquisitions and delivering strong returns for shareholders. Join us on June 10 to hear Chris share insights on driving sustainable growth and creating a positive work culture: https://business.chescochamber.org/ap/Events/Register/kgFYdyOszCVC1

06/08/2026

Join us on June 10 for an inspiring conversation with Dan Hilferty, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor. Dan has led transformative growth by overseeing major partnerships, a $400 million arena renovation, and the launch of a new era for Philadelphia sports and entertainment. His leadership has helped shape organizations like the Philadelphia Flyers, driving success in our region’s sports and entertainment landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand how Dan approaches leadership, innovation, and long-term success.