Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

GRCA’s Q2 Impact Report

GRCA’s Work Adds Up

As we move through 2024, I am excited to present GRCA’s Q2 Quarterly Impact Report, reflecting the ongoing progress and success our team has achieved since our last update. The strides we have made this quarter further solidify our organization’s commitment to advancing, connecting, engaging and championing our community’s economic ecosystem.

Our team’s dedication continues to yield remarkable results, reinforcing the value of our collective efforts. I extend my deepest gratitude to our members and stakeholders for your continued support and engagement. Your partnership is vital to our success and the positive impact we are making in Greater Reading.

Together, let’s build on this momentum and strive for even greater accomplishments in the months ahead.

Warm Regards,

Lucine Sihelnik
President and CEO

Advance

  • Worked with 4 local companies on loans to support their growth through Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) totaling $1,446,750, with total project costs of $5,603,490.
  • Submitted $400,000 for a local restaurant through the Pennsylvania Catalyst Fund (Small Business Credit Initiative).
  • Hosted a workforce development roundtable with the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and 16 local executives from business, education, and workforce partners to discuss local workforce needs, opportunities and successes.
  • A leading advocate in restoring passenger rail, coordinating efforts with key stakeholders through comprehensive transit-oriented planning and station location analysis.
  • Welcomed a new Director of Advocacy, Alex Roché and celebrated the promotions of two GRCA team members: Jackie Stiles, now Vice President of Development & Special Programs, and Aaron Gantz, now Vice President of Economic Development & Strategy.

Connect

  • Expanded GRCA’s Employer Network to include 18 Berks County employers, accessing 59 candidates in the pipeline, with leading industries in Sales & Marketing, Manufacturing, and Education. (Interested in joining? Sign up to receive the Talent Roster.)
  • Highlighted on average 184 members monthly through GRCA marketing channels, including social media, Commerce Quarterly magazine and e-newsletters.
  • Sent 60 emails to membership and community stakeholders, achieving an average open rate of 28.46% and click rate of 3.14%.
  • Ongoing efforts with Main Street communities across Greater Reading to bolster their growth and success as key destinations and placemaking entities.
  • GRCA staff made several trips to Harrisburg this quarter to engage with peers and legislators at the Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) Spring Legislative Conference and PA Chamber Day, strengthening our statewide connections and advocacy efforts on behalf of the Greater Reading business community.

Engage

  • Hosted over 300 people at the W2W Conference & Expo. Karen Norheim of American Crane was awarded the ATHENA Leadership Award; she is the 40th to receive this award from Women2Women.
  • The 5th De Mujer a Mujer awards honored:
    • Young Changemaker: Jennifer De La Cruz, Governor Mifflin High School
    • Small Business Owner: Zylkia Rivera, Zylkia Rivera Team, Keller Williams Platinum Realty
    • Community Impact: Brenda Rosado, East Penn Manufacturing
Pictured left Karen Norheim, American Crane, was awarded the ATHENA Leadership Award at the W2W Conference & Expo. Previous ATHENA recipient, Adelle Schade, Total Experience Learning at Albright College, and Lucine Sihelnik, GRCA, presented the the award.

Champion

  • Onboarded and welcomed 35 new members.
  • Celebrated 7 member anniversaries – many celebrating 40+ years of membership!
  • Celebrated 20 ribbon cuttings across industry diverse businesses throughout Greater Reading – including an open house and ribbon cutting to celebrate GRCA’s new office space at 606 Court St.!
  • Fielded 81 inquiries for buildings and/or land, representing over 13,000 jobs potentially new and retained in Berks County.
The GRCA Board of Directors hosted an Open House and ribbon cutting celebration for the newly remodeled GRCA headquarters in the heart of downtown Reading. The new office space features one of the only mezzanine open office spaces in the downtown.

These results and work are made possible by the entire GRCA Team – Landon Bernheiser, Mark Dolinski, Leah Fassnacht, Aaron Gantz, Melissa Hassler, Kayla Hayick, Katie Johnsen, Steph Koch, Audrey Krupiak, Anna Lisa, Deb Millman, Alex Roché, Keith Stamm, Lucine Sihelnik, Sally Stewart, Jackie Stiles and Denise Vaquero. Meet the team>

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