Bensalem Golf Club Hosts Chamber Economic Development Awards

The Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce will present its Economic Development Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 26 – registration, networking & light refreshments start at 4 p.m., program at 5 p.m. at the

This year’s theme is “An Evening with Dr. William Dunkelberg.” Sponsoring companies will be exhibiting their products and services during the networking period. William C. Dunkelberg, Professor of Economics at the School of Management & Business, Temple University will be the evening’s speaker.

Sponsored by Verizon, the Economic Development Awards will also be presented at the event. This is the 13th year that these awards have been presented by the Chamber. The awards recognize outstanding efforts of businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations in improving the business and economic environments in Lower Bucks County.

A summary of their accomplishments follows:

• Parx Casino - Through the renovation of the old Philadelphia Park grandstand and the construction of a new casino building, hundreds of construction jobs were supported/generated by Parx Casino. Since that time, the casino has been a significant generator of new business for local suppliers and vendors. Parx has kept gambling dollars that used to travel out of state here in PA, and has brought people to the area who have shopped, dined and stayed in Bucks County. Parx has committed over $8 million to over 200 organizations both nationally and in the local community.
• The Salvation Army of Lower Bucks County – The Salvation Army provides services that directly impact the community by reducing homelessness, increasing employability through specific skills training and social assistance and helping to improve impoverished areas and individuals. Once service is given, these same individuals and families can then move through hardships and either become or return to the community as productive and contributing residents. Specifically during the recent economic condition, the need for the Salvation Army’s services has grown. Over the past year, approximately 50 percent of those served have been new clients.  The Salvation Army helps by giving physical assistance, emotional support and friendship, by giving food or money to pay a heating bill or presents to a child who would have gone without. The Salvation Army continues to give as long as there is a human need.
• SEPTA - Passenger service is the mission of SEPTA – the primary provider of public transportation in the region with a service area of 2200 square miles and 144 bus routes. On an annual basis SEPTA accommodates almost 334 million passenger trips. To support this, SEPTA invests well over 300 million in capital dollars for infrastructure and vehicles. In 2009-10, SEPTA procured $40.3 million in goods and services from Bucks County businesses. SEPTA works with the United Way and Philabundance with employee contributions and food collection sites. Last year, Philabundance collected 17.8 tons of food for distribution in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.