Start Local Podcast

?? NEW EPISODE FRIDAY! ?? Located in southern Chester County, Oxford, Pennsylvania, is a charming small town that is rich in history and poised for revitalization and growth. We sit down with Pauline Garcia Allen, the Borough Manager of Oxford, to explore what makes this town so special. From its diverse community to its evolving downtown and economic development efforts, Pauline shares how she and other local leaders are working to support residents, attract businesses, and navigate a complexity of challenges, including the expansion of the Route 1 corridor. Tune in for an inside look at Borough Of Oxford’s transformation and why now is the time to keep an eye on this up-and-coming gem. ?? LISTEN NOW: https://lnkd.in/eR4DRsNg Thanks to our partner, Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, for working together with us to support and promote businesses and nonprofits from across #ChesterCountyPa.

This past week at the Nuclear Industry Conference in DC, we saw firsthand just how far the Start Local Podcast, reaches – well beyond Southern Chester County! A young engineer from Duke University, interning at a nuclear plant in Florida, stopped Ron DiSabatino from Constellation Energy, a SCCCC member, after recognizing him from his episode on Start Local Podcast. She wanted to see what career advice DiSabatino had for someone just coming into the industry. It’s amazing to see how our local voices are making an impact on the next generation of professionals, no matter where they’re located. This is what happens when the Chamber encourages member to member collaboration - connecting our community with the world – knowledge, mentorship, and opportunities extending far beyond Chester County. Check out the Start Local Podcast "Producing Green Energy with Ron DiSabatino": https://lnkd.in/eJ3u_zJp

Today I was grateful to attend the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Smart Energy Tech Training program – a program through the Chester County OIC (CCOIC). It was moving to see such a positive outcome from an impressive project geared to enable its graduates to secure sustainable employment and financial independence. Thanks to Javonna Wylie and Max Hopton for extending me an invite.

Who knew that there is ‘bird-friendly’ coffee?! Listen and learn !

?? It's another ?? NEW EPISODE Friday! While Chester County is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and open spaces, preserving that natural beauty – and the wildlife that thrives within it – requires constant effort. We speak with Kate Etherington, President and Executive Director of Willistown Conservation Trust, about the dedication and strategy behind this vital work. This local land trust leads initiatives in land protection, bird conservation, watershed stewardship, habitat restoration, and sustainable farming. In our conversation, Kate shares insights into these efforts and how people of all ages can get involved, learn, and contribute to the Trust’s mission. ?? LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/e-iNgkkZ We are always grateful for the ongoing partnership and support from Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. Working with Cheryl B. Kuhn, IOM and Erica Carosella to support and promote local businesses and nonprofits across #ChesterCountyPa is such a privilege.

The Stroud Water Research Center has been coordinating a large study of #WinterRoadSalt to understand how it affects local fresh water rivers and streams. Last week, John Jackson of the Stroud Center delivered a presentation of some of the early findings in the collected data. Our own Liam Dempsey went along to learn more. You can watch John's presentation online: https://lnkd.in/eWKr737B You can also listen to our conversation with John when he sat for an interview with our show: https://lnkd.in/ethSmNPz Thanks to Jennifer Zelenke Merrill, MBA, PhD for snapping the photo. #ChesterCountyPa #StopTheSalt

?? NEW EPISODE FRIDAY! ?? There’s something special about the glow of a historic theater marquee, the scent of fresh popcorn, and the magic of a film flickering on the screen in a century-old venue. But keeping The Colonial Theatre thriving takes more than nostalgia – it demands passion, strategy, and dedication. Executive Director Jennifer L. Carlson takes us behind the scenes of running this iconic venue. Whether you’re a film buff, a live music fan, or just love a good comeback story, this episode shines a spotlight on the power of community, creativity, and a really great theater. ??? https://lnkd.in/e_jCQiHM As always, thanks to our friends and colleagues at Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. As a community, we are all working to support and promote businesses and nonprofits across #ChesterCountyPa.

Hey friends! Did you know that our podcast episodes are published on YouTube? You can subscribe to our channel and catch all of our content there. YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/eicxZ2q7 And to be clear, our podcast episodes are also available wherever discerning podcasts can be found.

As a member of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, we enjoyed reconnecting with a number of our podcast guests at this morning's Annual Meeting Breakfast. We extend our congratulations to Bob Cox of Build High Performing Human Capital for his election to the Chamber's Board of Directors. And we congratulate Ron DiSabatino and his colleagues at Constellation for winning the Community Impact Award for 2024. Well deserved! You can catch our interviews with Bob and Ron wherever you listen to podcasts. Or you can hear them on our website. ?? Bob Cox: https://lnkd.in/enbyqtfV ?? Ron DiSabatino: https://lnkd.in/eJ3u_zJp

Celebrating Black History in Chester County! Dr. Whittier C. Atkinson made history as the first Black physician in Coatesville and the founder of Clement Atkinson Memorial Hospital. In 1936, he established the hospital with the vision of providing Black individuals a place where they could receive care with dignity and respect. For over 40 years, this full-service hospital served as a cornerstone for the community, offering vital medical care to underserved Black and low-income populations. Dr. Atkinson's commitment to his patients was unwavering—even when they couldn’t afford to pay, he accepted payment in the form of eggs and vegetables. Dr. Atkinson's commitment to strengthening his community is an inspiration to us all.