The Congressional delegation of the Greater Philadelphia region joined the CEO Council for Growth (CEO Council) at Drexel University in West Philadelphia on March 6, 2017 for its annual meeting to discuss policy issues related to infrastructure, talent and innovation. Over 70 business, civic and higher education leaders from the Greater Philadelphia region convened with Members of Congress in order to strengthen the region’s voice in Washington, D.C. Among those in attendance were:

  • Senator Thomas R. Carper (D–DE),
  • Senator Chris Coons (D–DE),
  • Senator Patrick J. Toomey (R–PA),
  • Congressman Ryan Costello (R–PA),
  • Congressman Charlie Dent (R–PA),
  • Congressman Dwight Evans (D–PA),
  • Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R–PA),
  • Congressman Patrick Meehan (R–PA),
  • Congressman Donald Norcross (D–NJ),
  • Congressman Bill Shuster (R–PA), and
  • Congressman Lloyd K. Smucker (R–PA).

Monday’s gathering ensured advocacy between leaders in Greater Philadelphia and Congressional Members for the federal support necessary to provide the region with a strong competitive advantage, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the economic strength of the tristate area.

Much of the meeting provided a shared dialogue between business leadership and Members of Congress on key reforms currently considered on Capitol Hill which include taxes and regulations, health care, higher education and infrastructure.

“There has never been a more important time for business and our elected representatives at the federal, state and local level to work together on a shared agenda,” said Drexel University President and CEO Council member John Fry. “We are working to ensure that everything we do revolves around the priorities of growth, innovation and inclusion.”

The meeting expanded on the CEO Council’s regional mobility priorities, which focus on the need for critical infrastructure investment. These investments would expand use of the region’s multimodal nodes, highways, bridges, transit, ports, inter-city passenger rail, and international airport necessary to accommodate and accelerate the region’s outstanding development.

Successful regions articulate a strategic portfolio of interconnecting transportation projects with an aligned leadership voice in order to secure investments that transform their future. With this in mind, the CEO Council has developed a working draft of a clear and succinct investment portfolio that supports and accelerates the growth of Greater Philadelphia’s knowledge and innovation economy, strengthens and expands the flow of goods and cargo and increasingly connects the region to the globe.

“It is important that we work together with our congressional delegation in order to maximize the region’s federal role in innovation, mobility and talent,” said CEO Council Chair Rob Wonderling. “We must focus on accelerating the growth of energy and manufacturing sectors, as well as improving regional infrastructure, which will ultimately serve to improve the economic vitality of Greater Philadelphia.”

The draft portfolio applies accepted regional principles to a benefit analysis in order to identify key infrastructure investments within four project portfolio areas. Using this strategic package, the CEO Council will advocate for funding and implementation of projects that will achieve Greater Philadelphia’s vision of becoming a truly global region.

Learn more about the Chamber’s CEO Council for Growth >

On March 29, hear from policymakers and infrastructure, real estate, and transportation industry experts as they discuss current and future projects in Greater Philadelphia. Learn more and register »