At GRCA, we often say our work adds up, and 2025 is a clear example of what sustained collaboration, strategic focus and shared investment can achieve. This annual Impact Report reflects a full year of progress across GRCA’s chamber, economic development, workforce and advocacy efforts, all working together to support business growth and long-term community prosperity in Greater Reading.
Throughout 2025, our team partnered closely with employers, members, investors and public-sector leaders to reduce barriers to growth, strengthen talent pipelines, convene the business community and advocate for policies that support a competitive regional economy. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, its impact is tangible: businesses expanding, jobs retained, capital deployed, connections made and confidence growing in Greater Reading’s future.
We are grateful to our members, partners, board, investors and public funders whose continued support makes this work possible. Together, these results tell the story of how one organization with many tools can deliver meaningful outcomes for our region.
Warm Regards,
Aaron Gantz
Vice President of Economic Development & Strategy
Advance
GRCA focuses on reducing barriers to business growth by connecting companies to capital, talent, data and decision-makers, helping employers expand, retain jobs and invest with confidence in Berks County.
- Worked directly with 74 Berks-based companies to remove barriers to growth, address operational challenges and connect employers with tools and partners needed to expand and retain jobs. These companies represent over 11,600 local jobs across Berks County. Ready to grow? Let’s talk!>
- This direct company engagement translated into $1,667,500 in loans approved in 2025 through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and PA Catalyst Loan Fund. Learn more about business financing options>
- Through advocacy, grant coordination and letters of support, GRCA helped secure more than $5.2 million in direct business and project support for Berks County, while advancing $2.4 million in competitive grant applications.
- In partnership with regional coalitions, GRCA also supported efforts that increased state funding for workforce development, childcare and tourism by over $108 million for FY 2025–2026. Advocacy programs engaged 767 participants, serving an average of 128 unique businesses per quarter and connecting more than 300 businesses per quarter with elected officials. Learn more about our advocacy work>
- Delivered 67 tailored training and professional development programs to 693 participants from 104 organizations, strengthening leadership pipelines, improving technical skills and supporting talent retention and internal advancement for local employers. Learn more about Training & Professional Development opportunities>
- Strengthened workforce pipelines and employer readiness through the Manufacturing Summit, Healthcare Industry Partnership meetings and EHS Roundtables, alongside educator immersion experiences and wage and policy insights that help employers align talent strategy, retention and long-term workforce planning
- Released the Q3 2025 Economic Intelligence Report, providing employers, policymakers and community leaders with a data-driven snapshot of employment, wages, housing and demographic trends to support informed business and investment decisions.
Connect
GRCA is the region’s business hub, building relationships, retaining members and strengthening long-term engagement across industries to ensure businesses are connected, informed and supported as they grow.
- Onboarded 146 New Members
- Celebrated 38 ribbon cuttings across a diverse range of businesses in Greater Reading.
- Honored 60 member anniversaries of 5+ years (17 of those 60 have been members for 25+ years), highlighting strong retention and long-term engagement.
- Welcomed new and returning Economic Development Investors in support of regional business retention, expansion and attraction efforts. Greater Starts Here>
Engage
GRCA brings the business community together to create meaningful connections, share practical knowledge and build trust across the business community, whether large signature events or smaller targeted programs.
- Hosted 63 events with 5,000+ attendees in 2025, including:
- Signature events like the Annual Dinner with Penn Jillette and the Annual Picnic with the Home Run Derby and 3rd Annual Cornament. The bi-annual Building Berks awards shattered records with close to 200 attendees and 34 nominated projects. And Go Taste Berks went digital, showcasing close to 50 small businesses across Greater Reading.
- Monthly networking events including a Regional Networking event in March and two Power Networking events in July and December. Every other month featured a different member business. Highlights include: a luau, s’mores and a gourmet food truck, a starlit hayride, decorating contests and raffle prizes.
- Small Business topics including networking, active shooter incidents, AI, advocacy, marketing, employee handbooks and stress first aid.
- Our Family Business Alliance focused on succession planning but also held an event where small businesses volunteered at Helping Harvest, toured construction space with Dolan and networked at GoggleWorks.
- Women2Women sold out its 14th annual Conference & Expo with 400+ attendees. We also hosted a Regional Women’s Mixer at the Reading Public Museum, networked with students and learned about AI, philanthropy, mom life and how golf can benefit your career. De Mujer a Mujer had three events held in Spanish (with interpretation from Our Konnection) on transferable skills, championing yourself and mental health.
- Breakfast4Success, the signature event which introduces new members and celebrates long-standing members, featured a panel of powerhouse women in construction and two luminaries in our community sharing their wisdom to packed houses.
Champion
GRCA amplifies the Greater Reading business community by promoting member successes, sharing timely resources and strengthening the region’s visibility, supporting recruitment, sales and investment for local companies.
- Highlighted an average of 187 members per month in 2025 through GRCA marketing channels, including social media, e-newsletters and Commerce Quarterly, increasing visibility for local businesses and reinforcing the organization’s role as the connector and amplifier of the Greater Reading business community.
- Digital engagement remained strong across platforms (like, follow, subscribe!):
- GRCA accounts averaged 15% engagement, and its following grew 10%
- Meet Greater Reading accounts averaged 24.5% engagement, and its following grew 37%
- Sent over 235 emails to members and community stakeholders to share resources, events and business success stories, achieving a 32.9% open rate and 3.35% click rate, both well above industry averages.
- GRCA continued its partnership with Bell Media Group and Lauren Little Photography to showcase the stories of Greater Reading businesses and organizations reaching over 20,000 people via social media and 50,000+ through print. Check out more inspiring stories>
2025 featured:
Together, these results demonstrate how GRCA advances business growth, strengthens the workforce and elevates Greater Reading’s competitiveness through collaboration, data, advocacy and connection. Thanks to the GRCA team – Mark Dolinski, Leah Fassnacht, Aaron Gantz, Melissa Hassler, Kayla Hayick, Katie Johnsen, Steph Koch, Audrey Krupiak, Anna Lisa, Brian Miller, Deb Millman, Alex Roché, Keith Stamm, Lucine Sihelnik, Sally Stewart, Jackie Stiles, Denise Vaquero, Dallan Yoh and interns Julian Collazo and Lane Lannan. Meet the team>