Ellen T. Horan, President & CEO – GRCCI

We are looking forward to moving onward and upward in this New Year.  2009 certainly was fraught with many challenges that threatened profitably and job retention of virtually every business. 

Struggling global economic conditions coupled with depressed consumer confidence were not our only worries.  The regulatory, legislative and political environment were in upheaval as elected officials at the federal, state and local levels attempted to respond to their own precarious financial state as well as chart a new course for our country.

Significant and complex issues were on the agenda including Healthcare, Energy, Infrastructure Investment and Financial System Reforms.  All of these issues will be carried over into 2010 and we will need your continued support to maximize potential opportunities while minimizing potential threats.

Your membership in the Chamber is essential for us to advocate on behalf of business.  Our collective input is so much more powerful than our individual voices.  This past year members responded very positively in utilizing our new grassroots website, GreaterReadingVoice.com to communicate with elected officials at the push of a button. 

Together, we told our Congressmen that employer healthcare mandates and the Employee Free Choice Act were bad ideas.  We also told them that investment in infrastructure was essential and that in our region the completion of 222 North is our number one priority project and, that there is significant local support for the return of commuter rail service to Philadelphia.  We also reminded them that the well intended Cap and Trade bill puts states like Pennsylvania which are reliant on coal fired electricity at a disadvantage. 

These issues will carry over to 2010 as well.  We will also be faced with the phase out of the tax credits including the estate tax, and the phase out of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts by next January unless Congress acts to renew in 2010.  The State is expected to have an equally hard time passing a balanced budget next year, as they did this past year, which always makes the possibility of new taxes a real threat.

Your membership is invaluable in enabling the Chamber to stay on top of all these issues on your behalf.  We thank you for the opportunity to remind you of the value of our advocacy efforts in addition to the many Chamber services for networking and marketing your business, technical business assistance, and our employee development training programs.

Best wishes for a prosperous 2010.

By Ellen T. Horan, President & CEO – GRCCI

With the impending loss of rate cap protections for PPL customers this year and Met-Ed customers next year, our members are more interested than ever in energy trends. The good news is that there has been a drop in electricity prices in recent months because there has been a drop in fuel prices.

At a recent Chamber Forum about 100 members heard about the key drivers of electricity prices. The most important driver is the cost of fuel, particularly Coal and Natural Gas. Environmental regulation is also a key driver including Alternative Energy Portfolio standards and the pending Cap and Trade legislation. Another factor is our aging infrastructure for generation and distribution.

When energy prices were increasing and rather volatile over the past few years, companies got more focused on managing their demand to reduce consumption. Members are now focused on evaluating alternative energy options.

At the forum, we learned about some local initiatives to implement alternative energy strategies. The Reading Hospital and Medical Center is poised to break ground on a cogeneration facility. They described it like a jet engine that will generate steam that will be used to power the laundry and heat and cool the many facilities of the hospital. The $10 million price tag on the project is offset by needed upgrades that were avoided and allowed for a less that 2 year return on investment.

From Reading Electric Company we heard about the use of state and federal incentives to make the installation of solar panels cost effective. State Sunshine grants and renewable energy credits are covering 30 to 50% of the cost of their solar panel installation project while federal grants and 5 year accelerated depreciation allowances are covering an additional 50 to 60% of the project cost.

DEKA shared with us their new product development called unigy which is an energy storage unit that will be key for grid stability.

So what should you as a Chamber member be doing:

• If you haven’t focused on demand side management, you’re behind the curve.
• Investigate new energy efficiency technologies because the incentives are there at the state and federal level to try to make these projects viable.
• Take a look at the opportunity to pool your purchasing of electricity through the Chamber’s Power Pool. Right now we are shopping for PPL customers and will go out to bid in early 2010 for Met-Ed customers.
• Be vigilant on the legislative and political front. If you haven’t communicated your opposition to Cap and Trade legislation, please do so on GreaterReadingVoice.com Look for more details on the Energy forum presentations on the Chamber’s website and remember to contact your Congressmen on Cap and Trade.

Electric Rate Caps are expiring for PPL customers at the end of this year and for Met-Ed customers at the end of 2010. PPL says to expect rate increases, on average, of 18% for small businesses and 36% for mid-size businesses. 

 Consequently, the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry has announced the formation of an Electricity Power Pool, which is designed to leverage the purchasing power of members and create a viable alternative for local businesses to lock in fixed costs at a lower rate with an alternative supplier.

The Chamber has selected Berks County-based American PowerNet to manage the Chamber Power Pool. American PowerNet has managed numerous electricity procurement groups throughout the country.  

“I have had the pleasure of working with American PowerNet in the past,” says Chamber President & CEO, Ellen T. Horan. “Their expertise will be invaluable to members in securing the best price for electricity but also in educating members in a complicated and sometimes volatile industry,” 

Now is actually a great time to consider fixing your electricity costs for the upcoming year(s), says Horan. Electricity prices are relatively low due to depressed demand nationwide. Also, natural gas prices (which help set electricity prices) remain around a seven-year low and are helping to keep electricity prices down.  Fixing your electricity costs can provide both budget certainty and very competitive pricing.

For more information regarding the Chamber Power Pool, please post your comments  or contact Gail A. Landis, VP – Government & Community Relations at 610.376.6766 or glandis@GreaterReadingChamber.org.

My name is Ramon Melecio and I am the new Chairman of the Board for the Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce (BCLCC). We are continuing to grow thanks to the support of the businesses in Berks County. These businesses have supported the Latino Chamber in events such as the Three Kings Day celebration and the annual picnic, as well as thru workshops designed to educate Latino business owners in the Greater Reading area. This year I want to focus on personal outreach to the Latino owned small businesses to let them know who we are and how we can help them. My goal is to have our own office and staff within the next 2 to 3 years.

The Latino Chamber has a passion for Latino owned small businesses and we want to be part of their success. We understand the importance these businesses play in the economic development of the city. If they are successful, they help the city grow and be more vibrant. These small businesses also play an important role in providing products and services to the neighborhoods they are in. Many times these businesses are in neglected areas and they help in the growth and development of these neighborhoods.

To help be a part of their success, we partner with the Kutztown University Latino Business Resource Center, which offers a twelve week course on how to run a successful business. An educated business owner has a better chance at being successful. We also advocate for small businesses and help them get thru the ropes at city hall. We want to be a place where anyone who has or wants to start a business can come for assistance and guidance.

On behalf of the our board and its members, my sincere thanks to the staff and board of directors at the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GRCCI) for their continued support. In the first quarter of this year, our organization relocated its office and operations to the Greater Reading Chamber headquarters. With this relocation, the BCLCC has been able to partner with the GRCCI to support our mission in providing leadership and support around economic development efforts of the Latino business community of Greater Reading and Berks County. This partnership has positioned the BCLCC and the GRCCI to successfully serve the membership, establish new relationships, and provide additional services and products to all businesses in Berks County. Our partnership provides another resource for all Latino business owners and others who are interested in the fast growing Latino market.

For more information on the Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce please visit up at www.LatinoChamber.net. Let me know how we can best serve the business community by commenting on this article.