Chamber Government Affairs: Our 2019 Legislative Priorities
Submitted by Committee Chair Harry Kunselman
The Government Affairs Committee of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce advocates accountable, responsive and efficient government at all levels – local, state and national – so that the businesses and communities of Beaver County will prosper. We are a nonpartisan committee comprised of various organizations and businesses of the Chamber’s diverse membership, that come together on a monthly basis to advocate for those issues most important to our communities and economic growth in Beaver County.
As such, the Government Affairs Committee has adopted the following policy priorities for 2019:
Enhancing Educational Pathways: A competent education system is necessary to produce and sustain a qualified workforce adapting to the current economy and labor market, with sufficient funding to efficiently and effectively improve student outcomes. Accordingly, the Chamber:
- Supports the study and analysis of our current K-12 system to ensure that all students have the opportunity to receive a quality education, including in underserved areas. This includes measures such as the feasibility study commissioned by the Quality Education Council of the Beaver County Partnership for Community and Economic Growth (the “Partnership”);
- Encourages further development of post-secondary opportunities to help retain Beaver County students beyond their high school years;
- Advocates for business-education partnerships that support and grow current infrastructure, such as the Energy and Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, Bridges and Pathways, Junior Achievement, the Quality Education Council, Team Consortium, and the Beaver Valley Innovation Hub; and
- Urges funding to increase awareness by students and families of the numerous career pathways that currently exist.
Maximizing Riverfront Potential: The rivers of Beaver County provide a unique opportunity to connect diverse communities, maximize economic development and enhance our quality of life. Accordingly, the Chamber:
- Advocates the convening of “river entrepreneurs” from the business community with an interest in creating water-related enterprise;
- Seeks to introduce local, state and federal legislation to protect Beaver County’s fragile and scenic Ohio River slopes; and
- Aims to identify achievable river-oriented elements of the current Beaver County Comprehensive Plan and facilitate their implementation.
Elevating Transportation Infrastructure: Efficient transportation systems and modalities are critical to economic prosperity and quality of life. Accordingly, the Chamber:
- Strongly supports public investment to advance projects that will maximize the movement of people and goods in the region;
- Will engage in the planning process for future projects through participation with the Southwest Pennsylvania Planning Commission, PennDOT and the County Planning Department;
- Seeks to identify projects that are important to our mission and advocate for their inclusion and funding;
- Advocates for projects that will allow downstream development anticipated from the Cracker Plant to readily move into Beaver County; and
- Will coordinate with local and regional transportation agencies to ensure that public transportation is available for the current and future workforce.