PA Chamber members, lawmakers, and local business community advocates gathered at the headquarters of Michael Baker International in western Allegheny County for a wide-ranging discussion on the business climate and opportunities for employers in the region.

Serving on the bipartisan panel of legislators was State Senator Devlin Robinson, State Rep. Arvind Venkat, and State Rep. Valerie Gaydos.  The lawmakers outlined their priorities relevant to employers and strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy.

Also offering opening remarks were Chris Heck, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, and Ben Bush, Vice President of Public Affairs with the Allegheny Conference on Economic Development.

Employers participating in the roundtable represented a range of industries from engineering, construction and infrastructure, to education, energy and manufacturing.  Participants described opportunities for growth, challenges they’re experiencing and what state government can do to improve their ability to compete.

This roundtable meeting is part of a series the PA Chamber launched last year to bring together the voices of the business community with policymakers in a small-group, solution-focused setting to encourage dialogue that informs better policy decisions, builds mutual understanding, and strengthens relationships at every level.