The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will receive $15 million federal grant to modernize infrastructure and improve passenger access at its 30th Street Market-Frankford Station. The grant, which the CEO Council for Growth enthusiastically supported, will be made through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program. The grant will fund approximately 39 percent of the $38 million project, and will leverage more than $23 million in additional state, local and private funds, including a $2 million commitment from Brandywine Realty Trust.

Served by the Market-Frankford Line and five Trolley Lines, SEPTA’s 30th […]

American Airlines, which controls nearly 70% of the air traffic at PHL, announced its plan to expand its services beginning in 2019 with daily service from Philadelphia to: Berlin, Germany; Bologna, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Philadelphia International Airport will be the only North American airport to provide direct flights to Bologna and Dubrovnik. These new additions strengthen Philadelphia’s connection to fellow UNESCO World Heritage cities, and will only help to continue visitation growth.

According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, American Airlines officials are excited for the future of PHL. The airline “reiterated PHL is a key trans-Atlantic gateway for […]

On the morning of April 11, 2018, John Fry, Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, testified the importance of investing in the Northeast Corridor to the US House Committee on Appropriations. This testimony coincides with one of the Chamber’s CEO Council for Growth’s Foundational Priorities of Regional Mobility. The CEO Council’s agenda includes advocating for sustained or increased funding for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and intercity passenger rail and includes a focus on projects that reduce trip times, enhance on time performance, and increase capacity whether in the surface transportation reauthorization legislation or as a stand-alone bill.

The CEO Council for Growth (CEO Council) leads our region forward by envisioning a stronger, more competitive community, convening decision-makers, taking action, and advocating for policies and practices that strengthen our regional economy. The CEO Council is committed to enhancing economic growth and prosperity in our region through regional and national policy. This update summarizes recent congressional activity as it relates to the identified priorities of the CEO Council.

Continuing Resolution

On January 22, 2018, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government funded through February 8, 2018 and end a three-day government shutdown.  The CR […]

This article was originally published in CNNMoney.

Deep underneath the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey lies a century-old rail tunnel, heavily damaged during Superstorm Sandy, that still carries 200,000 riders per day.

Engineers say the tunnel should be replaced as soon as possible, at a cost of $12.7 billion. In 2015, the Obama administration agreed to supply half the funding for it, and designs are nearly complete. But in December, President Trump’s Federal Transit Administration sent a letter to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey declaring the deal […]

The CEO Council for Growth is pleased to provide a federal legislative update on policy issues important to the region’s business community.

Infrastructure

Greater Philadelphia is a thriving metropolitan area that offers unparalleled global access, a well-placed geographic location, an outstanding talent pool, a huge market of customers, and an incredible quality of life.  In our history, we placed a high importance on infrastructure as a strategic economic asset and have implemented projects that were truly transformational. Still, our region is changing so quickly that new investments are critical to accommodate and accelerate such outstanding development.  The future of our region rests […]

This article was originally published by Technical.ly Philly.

Safeguard Scientifics, Ben Franklin Technology Partners and Independence Blue Cross are backing the fund, with the hope of turning the region into a health IT powerhouse.

Early-stage health IT startups in Philly are getting one more door to knock on for seed capital: a new $6 million investment fund focused exclusively on local startups, backed by public-private venture firm Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Independence Health Group (the parent company of Independence Blue Cross) and venture firm Safeguard Scientifics.

The official announcement will happen this afternoon during

This article was originally published by the Philly.com.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Independence Health Group, and Safeguard Scientifics announced plans Thursday to spend a total of $6 million over the next for years funding early-stage digital health-care startups.

Each of the partners has pledged $2 million. Ben Franklin will manage the effort, which is open to companies in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Investments will range from $50,000 up to $1 million per company.

Separately, the partners are involved in the Health Innovation Collaborative, started in 2015 by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Council for Growth.

Source

Local leaders call for immigration reform in National Day of Action with events across all 50 states

Philadelphia region business, civic, and community leaders came together for a Day of Action to showcase new research on immigrant contributions in Pennsylvania and to highlight the critical need for immigration reform. The event marked the launch of the Reason for Reform campaign, a national effort taking place in all 50 states today, sponsored by the Partnership for a New American Economy (NAE).

“The Chamber strongly believes that immigrants serve as an important source for entrepreneurial activity and skilled workforce,” said Rob Wonderling, President & […]