Steve Wildemann

Steve Wildemann – owner of Advanced Staging Productions, a national event technology management company based in West Chester – has been named the 2017 Small Business Person of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia.

“I am thrilled to be named the Chamber’s Small Business Person of 2017 as I see it as a recognition of more than just myself; it’s a reflection of the team of expert professionals that I have the honor to lead,” said Wildemann. “Advanced Staging Productions is driven by people with a passion for our craft and for our community, and we’re proud to be a part of a Chamber which shares these values.”

Wildemann’s passion and expertise is evident in the culture at Advanced. With more than 30 years of experience in the event technology business, he has used his organizational and customer service skills to create a mindset of excellence.

Chester County Sheriff’s Office

The Sheriff’s Office wants to facilitate the dogged pursuit of that perfect holiday gift with the debut of its K-9 calendar. Each month features a different dog and biographical information on the handler.

Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh is particularly proud of the fact that the K-9 Unit operates almost exclusively through donated services and funds. Rather than relying on taxpayer money, the office holds a couple of major fundraisers throughout the year to support it. The calendar adds another option for residents who want to express their gratitude to the K-9 Unit for its public service, Welsh said.

Calendars will be available for sale in the Chester County Sheriff’s Office or through any of the K-9 handlers. The cost is $10. Anyone interested in ordering large quantities to distribute or sell should e-mail hmckinney@chesco.org or call 610-344-4314.

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Chester County Fund for Women and Girls

The CCFWG, a nonprofit that leads and unites the community through philanthropy and advocacy to ensure that women and girls have resources and opportunities to thrive, will host an open house on Thursday, Nov. 16 at its new office, located at 113 East Evans Street, Suite A, in West Chester.

The open house will run from 11 AM-6PM, and will feature light refreshments. RSVPs are required, and can be e-mailed to mkelly@ccfwg.org.

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

Chester County’s Decade to Doorways – the community-wide plan to prevent and end homelessness in the county – will host four free community events in West Chester, Coatesville, Kennett Square, and Phoenixville from Nov. 13-16 as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

The events include free screenings of popular movies with a central theme of poverty and homelessness. Representatives from Decade to Doorways and the homeless shelters and supportive agencies within the county will be available at the events to provide information on their work to end homelessness within the community.

“By educating the community about the homelessness that occurs right here in Chester County, we hope to inspire compassion for our neighbors who might be experiencing homelessness, as well as spark an interest in volunteering at or donating to the charitable organizations that are working hard to assist those living in poverty,” said Lauren Campbell, Administrator of Decade to Doorways.

Click here for more information on the free movie nights or to reserve tickets.

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Mental Health First Aiders

More than 2,500 Mental Health First Aiders have been trained in Chester County since the program launched in July 2014. The Brandywine Health Foundation will celebrate this accomplishment at two upcoming gatherings in November, where certified Mental Health First Aiders will have the opportunity to share how they have used their skills to assist others.

The first gathering will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 7:30-9 AM and is hosted by Freedom Village Brandywine. The second gathering will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 8-9:30 AM at the West Goshen Township Building.

First Aiders at the gathering will share stories of how they have applied their skills to help someone experiencing a mental health or substance use disorder. If you are interested in learning more about Mental Health First Aid, to sign up for an upcoming training, or to register for one of these gatherings, contact Beth Quinn at Beth.Quinn@holcombbhs.org or Linda Hershey at Linda.Hershey@holcombbhs.org.

To-Jo Mushrooms

To-Jo Mushrooms in Avondale wrapped up its “Save the Ta-Ta’s” campaign, and presented The PA Breast Cancer Coalition with a check for $1,650. The proceeds were raised throughout the months of September and October through various employee fundraising efforts, facilitated by To-Jo’s team of Wellness Ambassadors.

Fundraising efforts support the coalition’s mission to “represent, support, and serve breast cancer survivors and their families here in Pennsylvania, through educational programming, legislative advocacy, and breast cancer research grants.”

“Bringing awareness to important health issues is a core part of our employee wellness program,” said Tony D’Amico, President of To-Jo Mushrooms. “This year’s ‘Save the Ta-Ta’s’ campaign gave us a platform to not only educate our employees on breast cancer, but also help provide education and awareness to our surrounding communities.”

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SteelTown Village

Construction on SteelTown Village, an affordable housing rental development in Phoenixville, is set to begin, writes Donna Rovins for The Phoenix Reporter & Item.

Petra Community Housing is the developer of the nearly $13 million project, which was proposed in response to the need for more housing options for lower-income residents in Phoenixville. SteelTown Village is being developed at Mason and Wheatland streets, and will house a diverse population of the elderly, military veterans, persons with disabilities, and workforce families.

Equine Industry

The equine industry spends $546 million annually on goods, services, wages, and salaries in southeastern Pennsylvania, according to a new study conducted by Delaware Valley University.

The impact of this spending generates $670 million to the regional gross domestic product, supports more than 6,550 jobs, provides almost $160 million in annual payroll, and generates $58 million in tax revenue.

“It’s been said that ‘the horse made Chester County,’ and this study confirms what so many of us have long known,” said Sen. Andrew Dinniman. “The horse not only made Chester County what it is in terms of open space; it continues to make Chester County money, it results in jobs, it brings visitors and tourists, and it continues to shape our very landscape. The equine industry is not only part of our heritage, it is an engine for growth in our region’s economy.”

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