The award was presented during the PACP Chamber Professionals & Leadership Conference, held this week at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania.
Each year, PACP recognizes chambers that demonstrate outstanding organizational excellence and meaningful community impact. Award criteria include membership growth, programming, long-term planning, and financial stability. Chambers are also evaluated on significant achievements within the past 18 months—initiatives that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and measurable positive outcomes.
The Schuylkill Chamber’s recognition comes largely from its high-impact advocacy campaign addressing Pennsylvania’s ongoing childcare workforce crisis. The effort has focused on supporting employers, working families, early childhood educators, and childcare providers struggling with staffing shortages and retention issues.
Through coordinated advocacy, coalition building, and civic engagement, the Schuylkill Chamber has helped elevate the issue to statewide priority status. As of August 1, 2025, the Chamber reports that 72 chambers and economic development organizations have signed a coalition letter supporting improved recruitment and retention of early childhood teachers.