February Committee Updates
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Governmental Affairs:
Joining with the members of the Agriculture and the Transportation Committees, a roomful of Governmental Affairs committee members met with Congressman GT Thomas (R-PA 15th) in a Town Hall format. While the conversation centered on the Listening Tour that the Congressman is conducting ahead of draft the update US Farm Bill, the topics covered were wide ranging. ‘Regulatory certainty’ was a catch phrase which was mentioned often. The idea being that no business, particularly farms, can be successful when regulations are in a steady state of flux.
State Representative David Rowe (R-85th) was the featured speaker at the committee’s virtual lunch meeting on February 10th. He was asked to address an ‘insider’s take on what was going inside the PA Capitol’ that may not be getting reported by statewide news outlets. While the PA House of Representatives has been delayed in getting the 2023 Session started, David did report that the Policy Committee, on which he sits, has been very busy. He did confirm that until February 22nd, when the House comes back into Session, the members, himself included, are literally locked out of their Chamber.
Senator-elect Lynda Schlegel Culver will be sworn into office on February 28th during a public ceremony in the PA Senate Chambers that all committee members have been invited to attend.
Events:
This year we may not have a gala planned, but our events committee keeps busy helping to plan all of our Premier events. Beginning with the Economic Forecast on 3/9 and then our Annual Meeting and Awards ceremony in May they work with our staff in designing events to remember.
Young Professionals:
Joining the current LSV class and LSV alumni, the Young Professionals networked at the Bull Run Tap House in Lewisburg, PA on Thursday, February 16th. Attendees enjoyed the famous Bull Dip and other appetizers as they waited their turn for a dynamic photo session with Mel and Sam of Lewisburg Studios. These were not stuffy corporate photos, Mel and Sam brought personalities out. If you haven’t received an email to access your photos, please send me an email kalvarez@gsvcc.org
Communications & Technology:
Are you following us? You should be. The communications and technology committee has been updating the Chamber social media, re-designing the weekly e-lert, sending out additional communications via radio and print. If you haven’t already downloaded the member plus app, you need to. We’re going to continue to promote it because it really does maximize your chamber experience.
Women’s Leadership:
In honor of Women’s History Month the Women’s Leadership Committee will have an after hours social on 3/1 at the GSVChamber building. Join the committee and celebrate while helping to determine the theme for the 2023 Women’s Leadership Symposium in October.
Community Prosperity:
This time of year is filled with planning. Our downtowns come alive in the spring and our member organizations are hard at work planning events. You’ll start to hear about them all soon so keep an eye out for news in the Spring Voice of the Valley.
Transportation:
Members of the Transportation Committee always look forward to the in depth briefing that they receive on the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway from PennDOT engineers, Ted Deptula and Matt Beck. Ted has shifted his focus from the now completed Northern Section and Susquehanna River Bridge to the construction of the Southern Section. Committee members were impressed with his report that this section is nearly 15% completed already. Matt provided a report on the final design features and bid projections for the Southern Section. Typically, his reports are supported by graphs, photos, and maps clarifying the points that he makes. The meeting was well covered by Justin Strawser, reporter for The Daily Item. Feel free to read this article, linked here: https://sports.yahoo.com/penndot-southern-section-csvt-15-181700303.html.
