Chester County commissioners proclaim Black History Month, hear workforce update and approve multiple contracts and grants

The Chester County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 19 proclaimed February 2025 as Black History Month, received a briefing on workforce programs, and approved multiple contracts and grant awards covering housing rehabilitation, behavioral health supports, public-health services, bridge reconstruction and trails design.

The proclamation was accepted by Teresa Thornton, president of Black White Projects, a Phoenixville nonprofit that documents local African American history. “Black history is American history, and its richness enhances our collective narrative,” Thornton said as she accepted the proclamation on behalf of local organizations.

The board then heard a departmental spotlight from staff in the county’s Workforce Development office, who described services for job seekers and employers and several grant-funded programs that connect residents with training, apprenticeships and paid work experiences. “We are primarily, and actually fully at this time, grant funded,” the workforce presenter said, describing individual training accounts, on-the-job wage reimbursement and youth programs offered through the county’s PA CareerLink site in Exton.

After the presentations the commissioners approved the meeting’s consent agenda and a series of contracts and grant awards. Several items were approved with no extended discussion.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, authorizations to bid, several resolutions and…