The Blair County Chamber along with other chamber and economic development officials from across the Commonwealth joined with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and the Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP) in Harrisburg this month for the 2025 Chamber Day at the Capitol — an annual event focused on pro-business advocacy and legislative engagement.
The day’s agenda featured a series of high-level discussions at the Capitol and PA Chamber offices. The day opened with welcome remarks from PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein, House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia), and Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland).
“This is an important opportunity to carry our members’ voices and concerns to state policy leaders directly,” said Megan Rossman, Program Manager for the Blair County Chamber. “Not only is an opportunity to share those priorities, but we also learn best practices and gain insights into the 2026 budget process,” Rossman added.
Attendees heard directly from Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) and House Appropriations Committee Chair Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) on the current state budget process. Additional sessions covered key business issues, including energy policy, permitting and regulation, transportation infrastructure, and demographic trends impacting Pennsylvania’s workforce and economy.
Panels included representatives from the Marcellus Shale Coalition, Energy Association of Pennsylvania, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Vista Corp., S&B USA Construction, Associated Pennsylvania Constructors, SEPTA, the Independent Fiscal Office, and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.
“Chamber Day brings together the full force of Pennsylvania’s chamber network to ensure the voices of job creators are heard in the state Capitol,” said PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein. “Pennsylvania has the potential to lead the nation in economic growth — but that requires continued efforts to modernize permitting, improve our tax policy, and create a more competitive climate for attracting private-sector investment.”
Blair Chamber officials met with the Blair County state delegation on issues of local and statewide concerns. “We always appreciate the open lines of communication provided by Senator Judy Ward and Representative Scott Barger,” Rossman noted. “They are fully engaged with the Chamber and understand what the business community needs to remain competitive,” she added.
The event concluded with a joint policy forum hosted by the PA Chamber and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, underscoring shared federal and state priorities to strengthen the business environment.
