The Sanatoga Post

POTTSTOWN PA – It’s still all about the economy, and economic news Friday (Jan. 6, 2012) seemed to be primarily good, both locally and across the country.  See these stories:

• Manufacturing Could Return, Despite Recession ‘Hangover’
  Given time, manufacturing jobs may come back to the U.S., local business leaders learned Thursday during a Chamber of Commerce forum in Limerick. It could soon be cheaper to produce goods in America rather than overseas, experts said.
• Employment growth picks up pace (Reuters News)
  Employment growth accelerated last month and the jobless rate dropped to a near three-year low of 8.5 percent, offering the strongest evidence yet the economic recovery was gaining steam.
• Analysts: Mohegan Sun casinos struggle with debt (The Associated Press)
  Moody’s Investors Service says finances recently reported by the parent company of Mohegan Sun casinos in Connecticut and Pennsylvania are improving, but insufficient to refinance hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.
• Shift in defense strategy could have ripple effect in PA (Harrisburg Patriot-News)
  President Barack Obama is calling for a smaller, refocused military — changes that could have a serious impact on some Pennsylvania military bases and the state’s overall economy.

 

LIMERICK PA – One regional economist believes manufacturing jobs are poised to return to the U.S. because global financial events have made it more expensive for competing nations to export goods, local business owners and leaders learned Thursday (Jan. 5, 2012) during an economic forecast breakfast in Limerick PA.

Brian Hess, senior research analyst at Brandywine Global Investment Management, told guests at the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce forum that rising wage costs in China combined with rising oil costs worldwide had narrowed the price gap between it, other countries and the U.S. in the race to sell durable consumer goods like appliances. The possibility for renewed competitiveness could spur manufacturing growth here, he said.

Hess and Derek Menaldino, chief investment officer of Main Line Financial Advisors in Pottstown PA, were featured panelists during an hour-long discussion of the coming year in business and finance, held at the Copperfield Inn at Lakeside.

Both focused their comments in reaction to results of a recent client poll undertaken by Main Line, in which its clients said they felt better about improvements in their own personal finances during 2011 even though they believed the global economy simultaneously worsened.

“Consumers look at the prices of things they buy, and feel better when cash is freed up in their own pocketbooks,” Menaldino said. Oil and food prices are major factors in personal expenses, he noted, and in the year just ended both were comparatively lower than those in 2009 and 2010. In that light, he added, “the global issues sort of fade away.”

Media reports on financial turmoil in Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain certainly attracted public attention, Hess acknowledged. He said he was nonetheless “excited by prospects outside the U.S.,” where several governments with “very stable” economies were promoting investment opportunities with lower risk.

Other predictions from the pair:

• The pump price of gasoline is likely to hover between $3 and $3.50 for much of 2012;
• National economic growth will be somewhere between 2 and 2.5 percent for the year;
• Marcellus shale oil drilling will again have a significantly positive financial effect on Pennsylvania this year, and for several more years as well; and
• Job creation will be slight, and unemployment will remain high nationally, because the U.S. is still reeling in the “long hangover period” that follows a recession.

Watch a video (above) of comments made during the breakfast, or see it at The Post’s YouTube channel.

WELCOMING ITS NEWEST MEMBERS – Several local merchants were welcomed Tuesday (Sept. 13, 2011) as the newest members of the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce. Representing firms joining the chamber, and picking up their membership certificates during its first monthly breakfast of the fall, were from left: Donald Federico of Last Call by Neiman Marcus in Limerick; Deanna Carfagno of Sunnybrook Ballroom & Restaurant in Sanatoga; Fred Jennings of Right at Home in Chester Springs; Edward Caine of EP Caine & Associates CPA LLC in Pottstown; and Steve Miller of Aabbots-Mauger Heating Oil, Fuel & Service Co. in West Chester.

Photo from the TriCounty Area Chamber

POTTSTOWN PA – Job openings available at businesses and organizations which are members of the Pottstown-based TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce are now being promoted online at the chamber’s website (here), according to Ashley Slaughter, its marketing and communications representative.

The new feature is a free service to members, some of whom suggested it in a recent survey, Slaughter said. Members can send job opening information via e-mail to the chamber, here.

The chamber has for years encouraged job seekers to send their resumes to it so members now of their availability in the market. That practice continues, Slaughter added; they can be sent to the chamber, 152 High St. Ste. 360, Pottstown PA 19464 by mail, or e-mail, here.

Notices of resumes received are published monthly in the chamber magazine, the Route 422 Business Adviser; mentioned at each membership breakfast, and kept on file for the convenience of members looking to fill a position. For more information on chamber programs, call 610-326-2900.

POTTSTOWN PA – Schultz Technology Solutions, whose offices sit near the corner of Ridge Pike and Rupert Road (right next to the line between Lower Pottsgrove and Limerick townships), needed to book an employee party. Arnold’s Family Fun Center, just down the road a piece (on U.S. Route 422, in this case) in Oaks, caters parties.

A match made in heaven? No, says TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce President Eileen Dautrich: a match made in speed networking.

Representatives of Schultz and Arnold’s got together briefly late last year, along with a couple dozen other chamber members, for the group’s attempt at quick “how-dos.” The idea is to assemble people in the same room and put networking literally on a fast track. They meet person-to-person, shake hands, introduce themselves, talk about their businesses and move on, all in the space of two minutes … one each per hand-shaker.

Does it work? Sure, Dautrich swears, and she says the Schultz-Arnold’s pairing (their party was held in December) is just one example of proof. Now another speed networking event is planned for next Tuesday (May 10, 2011) from 2-4 p.m. at the chamber’s offices, 152 High Street, Suite 360, Pottstown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

To make things work in the time allotted, the event will be limited to no more than 39 chamber member participants, each representing a different company. The cost is $15, but who knows how much business that investment could yield, Dautrich adds. For more information or to reserve a spot in the room (hint: wear your track shoes), call 610-326-5158.

POTTSTOWN PA – The Capital Campaign Review Board of the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce (TCACC) has endorsed fund-raising efforts to provide a new permanent home for the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, chamber Executive Director Eileen Dautrich said Monday (Feb. 28, 2011).

The cluster recently purchased the former George A. Amole American Legion Post building at 57 N. Franklin St., Pottstown PA.  Renovations there are already under way, with volunteers working 800 hours on site clean-up and demolition. A new roof has been installed, and future renovations include structuring new office and conference spaces, installing energy-efficient systems, and buying a walk-in refrigerator and freezer.

The Pottstown-based chamber review board, which works on behalf of area businesses to identify and acknowledge local non-profit capital campaigns, gave the cluster fund-raising drive its official approval. The board intends to assure financial contributors that their donations would be well-spent.

LIMERICK PA – You know it’s January when college football bowl games continue endlessly on television, when weathermen and women predict the next storm could be a “snowicane,” and when Jim King returns with his crystal ball for businesses.

King, president and chief investment officer of National Penn Investors Trust Company, this Thursday (Jan. 13, 2011) makes what has become his annual foray to the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Forecast Breakfast to offer is thoughts on what lies ahead for the local, state and national economies, as well as a review of notable market and economic events during 2010.

Networking at the breakfast begins at 7 a.m. in the Copperfield Inn at Lakeside, 594 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick PA; the meal will be served at 7:30 a.m., followed by King’s remarks. Chamber members who have heard him speak several times, by the way, report he’s been accurate more often than not.

King is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and the Central Atlantic School of Trust. Locally, he is a director of the Inter-Faith Housing Alliance. Professionally, King also is a member of both the CFA Institute and Bond Club of Philadelphia, as well as an affiliate member of the Financial Analysts of Philadelphia.

The breakfast is sponsored by National Penn and National Penn Investors Trust. Tickets for the event are still available, according to chamber President Eileen Dautrich, priced at $25 for members, $30 for members who must be invoiced, and $50 for non-members. To buy tickets or for more information, call the chamber office at 610-326-5158.

ROYERSFORD PA – “Policy and Politicians,” a review of this month’s election outcomes and what they mean for businesses and job creation, will be presented by Gene Barr, vice president of government and public affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, during the Nov. 17 (2010; Wednesday) breakfast meeting of the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce at 7 a.m. in Spring-Ford Country Club, 48 Country Club Rd., Royersford PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Breakfast sponsors include the Salvation Army of Pottstown, Salvation Army of Boyertown, and Pottstown’s SCORE Chapter.

Tickets cost $25 for chamber members; $30 for members who must be invoiced, and $50 for non-members. Advance reservations are requested. For more information or to make a reservation, call 610-326-5158.

Photo from Clipart.com

LIMERICK PA – When Lower Pottsgrove and Limerick (PA) township representatives receive awards today (Oct. 20, 2010) for regional planning cooperation, it will be in front of a packed house at the newly re-opened Copperfield Inn, according to TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Eileen Dautrich.

The chamber, sponsor of the greater Pottstown area annual Economic Development Luncheon that begins at 11:30 a.m. this morning in the restaurant at 594 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick PA, declared the event a sell-out after receiving “overwhelming support” from the business community, Dautrich said.

The townships are scheduled to be presented with the chamber planning award in acknowledgment of their combined efforts to manage commercial growth at the Sanatoga interchange of U.S. Route 422. Both are working to solve common problems with land use, traffic management, and controlled growth at the interchange, and are marketing to attract business to the area.

The luncheon’s solidly sold status means no further registrations were being accepted as of last Friday (Oct. 15), and no tickets are available at the door. “We apologize for any inconvenience,” Dautrich added, but the chamber is obviously pleased with such success. Its next event, she reminded members, will be a breakfast meeting planned for Nov. 11.

Photo from Google Maps

POTTSTOWN PA – Just like some businesses it represents, the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce said Thursday (Oct. 14, 2010) it would reduce costs in a tightened economy by reorganizing its leadership and cutting its staff. That means current chamber President Tim Phelps will resign his position effective Nov. 1, and Vice President Eileen Dautrich will be promoted as the advocacy organization’s sole executive officer.

The announcement was made in a late afternoon e-mail from chamber board Chairman Terese Brittingham to its members.

The move is intended to ensure the chamber will “continue providing high quality services to its members,” Brittingham wrote. Phelps, who will pursue other opportunities, was publicly thanked in her e-mail “for leading the Chamber through the past years in difficult economic times.” It also congratulated Dautrich on her new responsibilities.

The chamber’s offices are located at 152 High St., Suite 360, Pottstown PA. The announcement consisted of three brief paragraphs.

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