Allen J. DeWalle, president and CEO of AAA Mid-Atlantic, called the move "both economical and practical." Among the reasons he cited for picking the Delaware location were "a more competitive tax structure and favorable incentives."

Rendell asked the members of the Chamber's CEO Council to organize a task force to track companies here whose leases are due to expire and may be contemplating relocation. He noted that surrounding areas have launched intense efforts to lure employees from southeastern Pennsylvania and added, "we're really not doing enough to keep companies."

Mark Schweiker, former Pennsylvania governor and now president and CEO of the chamber here, welcomed the opportunity to work with Rendell to retain companies in the region. "We have reminded the governor that we believe there must be a discussion among our region's chief executives to curtail recruitment which can only serve to destabilize the regional marketplace and create a bidding war which will ultimately harm the economic development efforts in each state." He also asserts that the Chamber's CEO Council's outreach efforts were viewed as helpful in securing Aramark's decision to renew here.

Last December, the council urged Rendell to strategize with New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey on ways Greater Philadelphia and New Jersey could work together to bring in businesses for the benefit of both states, "rather than experience the zero sum gain of businesses relocating to other parts of the Greater Philadelphia region."