Advocacy
Become a Recharge & Recover PHL advocate
Rallying around short-term actions critical to recovery requires a focused, cross-industry approach to advocating at the federal, state, and local levels for critical funding, tax credits, grants, and loans that enable businesses to remain viable in the near-term. Task Force members and the business community-at-large will be critical partners in voicing the need for government support in the policy areas below.
QUICK LINKS
Advocacy Achievements to Date
- Federal investments to accelerate underserved community recovery, including grants for businesses in low-income communities, funding for CDFIs, broadband and telehealth access for low-income families, hiring tax credits to support individuals that have consistently faced significant barriers to employment; rental housing and utility assistance; and expansion of enrollment and eligibility for Job Corps students.
- Sustained or increased FY21 appropriations, including funding for career and technical education, basic and translational research, student tuition assistance grants, and workforce development programs.
- Restored transatlantic service at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in September 2020, following five months of restrictions on processing inbound passengers from Europe.
- Funding for short-term training programs for high-demand needs that could translate to longer term high-demand jobs, including Wolf Administration support for career and education programs for students negatively impacted and rehiring dislocated workers to increase the Commonwealth’s contact tracing capacity and enhance the public health workforce.
Advocacy Priorities
HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS
- Provide supplemental federal and state funding for COVID-19 contact tracing and testing.
- Enact tax credits to manufacturers that construct, expand, and retrofit factories to meet PPE demand.
- Direct federal assistance to hospitals and health care providers.
- Create tax incentives to help offset business expenses for testing, protective personal equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, and capital improvements or workplace reconfiguration.
RESKILLING AND SKILLS-BASED HIRING
- Allocate federal funding for the workforce development system.
- Secure direct and flexible funding to county and city governments.
- Identify emergency relief funds for K-12 educational institutions and higher education.
- Identify government resources to expand access to hardware, digital literacy, and the internet.
- Increase AmeriCorps positions available to unemployed youth and others looking to assist their communities.
BUY SMALL, BLACK, BROWN, AND LOCAL
- Continue federal funding for loans and grants available to small and mid-sized businesses.
- Source additional funding for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that provide lending to small businesses and distressed communities.
- Advance grants and forgivable loans to small businesses damaged during the recent civil unrest.
- Fund tourism and business attraction marketing campaigns at the federal and state levels aimed at restoring confidence.
- Obtain state funding for low-income and small business utility assistance.
Contact Your Legislators
Building support at the federal, state, and local levels for the advocacy priorities outlined above requires individual commitments from business owners and leaders to have their voices heard by those who can influence policy. We encourage you to use the links below to contact your representatives and build a groundswell of support around these efforts.
Phase 1 Recommendations and Progress
Phase 1 Recommendations and Actions
Progress to Recovery
News & Perspectives
“Come for Philadelphia. Stay for Philly.” Wins Gold at 2026 IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards
In a joint press release, the Chamber and the Greater Philadelphia Growth Partnership celebrate the recognition of the “Come for Philadelphia. Stay for Philly.” campaign by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) with a Gold Award in the Paid Advertising Campaign category.
YPC Kicks Off the Year with a Networking Reception at Gather Food Hall
The Young Professionals Council brought together over 130 young professionals from across Greater Philadelphia last Wednesday for a networking reception at Gather Food Hall & Bar. It was the first YPC event of the fiscal year, and a first chance for members to meet incoming Chair Rachel Kurlander and […]
Statement from the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia on the 2026-27 Pennsylvania State Budget
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia (the Chamber) recognizes the effort lawmakers put in to reach consensus on Pennsylvania’s FY2026-27 Budget, which includes several provisions that matter for Pennsylvania's economic competitiveness and residents’ economic mobility.
