The Chamber Salutes Mayor-Elect Michael Nutter

Four hundred civic and business leaders gathered at the Bellevue the morning after the election to greet Michael Nutter and hear his first public address as mayor-elect of Philadelphia at The Next Mayor Speaks.

The event, hosted by the Committee of Seventy and emceed by its president & CEO Zachary Stalberg, was co-sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber president & CEO Mark S. Schweiker recognized Mr. Nutter on behalf of the business community. “Philadelphia is the face of the region,” Mr. Schweiker said, “and we look forward to working together to create new opportunities for economic growth to benefit our regional community.”

Joseph A. Frick, president & CEO at Independence Blue Cross and Chamber board chair, spoke about Mr. Nutter’s “passion and commitment, his belief in the city and the people, his understanding of the power of partnerships, and his sense of urgency.”

Republican Mayoral candidate Al Taubenberger received a warm welcome at the Committee of Seventy’s traditional post-election breakfast and spoke about “achieving his goal of running a good, issues-oriented campaign.”

The keynote speaker was Mayor-elect Nutter. He spoke of his eagerness to engage the citizenry and foster change, saying “I’ve told the city what I plan to do, and now I present a challenge to the people. We can’t do everything ourselves. But, together, we have an opportunity to write a new chapter. We are a great city. We are Philadelphia.”

The Mayor-elect commended the work of the Chamber, especially its investment in workforce development. He noted the Chamber’s success in doubling the number of employer-paid internships offered to Philadelphia youth last summer and its support of the Philadelphia Re-entry Employment Program (PREP), an initiative that encourages employers to hire ex-offenders. In referring to PREP Nutter said, “It’s cheaper to give a company a $10,000 tax incentive to teach and train potential employees, than to risk having ex-offenders repeat mistakes at a cost of $32,000 to keep them in jail. We’re talking about not only saving money, but saving lives and saving souls.”

Nutter outlined the region’s tremendous number of assets, among them its location between the government and financial capitals of the world, transportation infrastructure, diverse neighborhoods and developing waterfront. He recognized his unique position as ambassador for not only the city but also Greater Philadelphia, and his eagerness to develop partnerships with the business community. “This is a powerful region,” Nutter said, “if the mayor participates in the region you won’t believe what we can accomplish.”

In closing, the Mayor-elect issued a call for public service, asking those in the room to “send us your best and your brightest. Encourage them to come into public service, to join this government in its journey to greatness. There is no better way to help the people in Philadelphia and to make our city the greatest in America.”

Howard L. Meyers, Esq., of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, a Chamber board member and chair of the Committee of Seventy, wrapped up the morning program by pledging support on behalf of the business community.

Click here here to view event photos.