A Message from GRCA CEO & President

from GRCA Commerce Quarterly Winter 2022

Main Street Programs

Embracing the change

By Jim Gerlach, President & CEO, GRCA

When I came onboard with GRCA, I was looking forward to the chance to continue to grow and strengthen an already great organization and better blend the Chamber and Economic Development entities. I was excited to be getting back to working with and on behalf of communities and businesses I had the pleasure of representing in public office and embracing emerging challenges. Little did I know the big challenge facing all of us that was waiting for me on day one. While I’m glad to be celebrating my two-year anniversary with GRCA on March 23, that date shares a dubious history as the same day Gov. Wolf locked down Pennsylvania’s businesses, schools and citizens in reaction to the spread of COVID-19. The original plan of “two weeks to stop the spread” has turned into two years, and we’re riding out another variant.

A lot has changed in those two years, both good and bad, and we all continue to learn a great deal about what it takes to operate our businesses under extreme pressures and dynamic shifts. The pandemic also reaffirmed how the Berks County community can come together in times of crisis. So, while 2020 was a mad scramble and 2021 was full of growing pains, in 2022, we’re embracing the change. Change in how we work, change in how we live and change in how we approach challenges.

In 2022, you will see some dynamic shifts from GRCA as we continue to focus on adding value to membership and addressing the needs of members with new resources for business operations, HR tools, peer learning and professional development opportunities. We are exploring additional partnerships with local and regional entities to enhance member benefits and expand connection within our regional economy.

Members will see increased advocacy and engagement on ways to improve Pennsylvania’s business climate and grow out of these economic pressures including reducing the corporate net income tax and using American Rescue Plan, infrastructure and existing funds to increase investment in local economic development. GRCA will help keep you up to date on the new legislative maps, conducting the “Candidate Questionnaires” and we will be looking to member businesses to increase efforts to encourage employee participation in elections.

GRCA will continue to be the local leader of economic development, focusing on the needs of our existing Berks County companies, as well as showcasing that Berks County is open for business for new opportunities. We are very fortunate that, despite the challenges of the past few years, many of our companies are experiencing unprecedented growth and activity. While this is welcome news, it has often come with challenges such as limited material supply, cost increases and labor shortages.

In 2022, we will work to ensure that our valued companies can continue to thrive and that their employees enjoy Berks County as a place to live, work, play and learn.