On Friday, March 22, 2024, the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry held their Annual State of the County discussion at Penn Oaks Golf Club with Chester County Commissioners, Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe. This renowned event, presented by Aqua America and Lamb McErlane PC, also honored Bobby Kagel with the prestigious J. Larry Boling Excellence in Local Government Award.  

The morning began with an introduction from CCCBI Board Chairman, Caitlin Ganley, who thanked the two presenting sponsors, Aqua America and Lamb McErlane PC. Mike Fili, Vice President of Capital Planning, Design & Construction at Aqua, offered highlighted their recent initiatives to strengthen their impact, including their recent installment of more than 17,000 feet of water mains in Chester County.  

Former Chester County Commissioner and current Of Counsel at Lamb McErlane PC, Michelle Kichline, then took the stage to introduce J. Larry Boling Award winner, Bobby Kagel.  

Residents of Chester County and neighbors throughout the region joined CCCBI to recognize the efforts of Kagel’s 22 years of public service. Ganley and Kichline presented Kagel with the award, which was established by the chamber in cooperation with former State Senator Earl M. Baker to honor the legacy of Larry Boling, a person who typified the meaning of a dedicated public servant who excelled in his accomplishments on behalf of the public.  

With the J. Larry Boling Award, Kagel received citations from Senator Carolyn Comitta and Chester County Commissioners for his excellence in local government.  

After the awards ceremony and breakfast, Charles Boruchowitz, Government Affairs Manager at Bentley Systems and current Government Affairs Committee Chair for CCCBI, introduced the chamber’s new Legislative Agenda and policy goals including competitiveness, investment and workforce.  

Ganley then introduced the three commissioners to begin an open forum with the over 200 attendees. Commissioner Chair Josh Maxwell opened the discussion by addressing the high-profile prison escape from last fall with several new measures that have been taken to improve security and response time should a similar situation ever reoccur. By recommendation of CCCBI’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC), Ganley asked how they plan to work alongside municipalities and the state government to address both housing and access to transportation.

Commissioners Moskowitz and Roe stressed the importance of working alongside entities like SEPTA and ChescoBus to maintain reliable transportation and funding necessities. It was also clear that to maintain the vibrant Chester County business community, government officials must find the balance between open space preservation and necessary development to both attract and retain residents.  

Audience questions ranged from America 250, housing for the next generations of Chester County workers and residents, open space, hospital updates and healthcare, including resources and programs for first responders, all of which were fielded by the commissioners and their staff members.  

CCCBI was thrilled to once again host this dynamic discussion for its Membership and Chester County’s business community.