The Tri-County Area’s location—coupled with our progressive and energetic workforce—has helped create a healthy business climate, and our broad base of businesses and industries provide stability in the employment sector.

The economy in the Tri-County Area is healthy. Large and small businesses alike are profiting. Business opportunities continue to arise due to the strong work ethic of our workforce and competitive real estate prices. These opportunities, in turn, contribute to the area’s rapidly growing economic environment.

The completion of the Pottstown Expressway, Route 422, in the spring of 1985 led to a tremendous amount of residential and commercial growth in the region. The region is no longer dependent on two or three major employers. The expanded wastewater treatment plant in Pottstown enables continued growth in the Tri-County Area. Other municipalities have followed Pottstown’s lead by increasing their sewage capacities. This, in turn, creates diverse opportunities for development and new jobs.

More than 255 years have passed since Thomas Rutter built the first iron forge along the Manatawny Creek and the Pottstown Roller Mill ground its first flour. Pottstown serves as the hub of the region and has grown and prospered. Its industries and businesses have diversified to serve the ever-changing needs of our community.

Mr. Rutter and his­­­ associates would be amazed to find companies dealing in electronics, plastics, automotive products, die castings, commercial printing, television equipment, precision instruments, power tools, and many other products now manufactured in the Tri-County Area and exported world-wide.

Pottstown

The following is a summary of some of the more significant actions that impact economic development in the Borough of Pottstown:

-The Borough is working with Montgomery County Community College and the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area to complete the plan for the old PECO building at 140 College Drive. This building was purchased about five years ago by the Borough with open space funds. According to Open Space requirements, the ownership of the building had to remain with the Borough for five years. The intention was to move the Schuylkill River group into the building to provide an attraction to Pottstown. After extensive renovations, the Schuylkill River group moved from Wyomissing into their new facility in 2002. The next phase of the plan is to have the college acquire the building from the Borough. The college intends to renovate the other half of the building for class space and a small amount of faculty offices.  New Environmental Sciences courses will be offered in this building. Plans for renovations include using as much green building technology as possible.

-An 11 acre parcel is being developed in the Keystone Opportunity Zone. Initial plans for the Keystone Business Center call for condo flex space accommodating users from 5,000 sq. ft. to 100,000 sq. ft. for warehouse distribution/office.
 
-The former Fecera’s warehouse building on Beech Street was purchased by a Phoenixville company experienced in renovating older buildings. Initial conceptual plans call for a mixed use of residential and commercial/office.

-Former Mrs. Smith site – Ryan Homes has begun site work for the construction of 118 townhouses.
 
-First Historic Home Buyers Show – The Homeowners’ Initiative Program has developed a unique home buyers’ show that took place on June 16, 2007 at Montgomery County Community College. The show featured over 55 vendors that focus on historic Pottstown. Special presentations were made by companies and individuals that specialize in historic home repairs and renovations. It was sponsored by local banks, the Chamber, the college, and numerous other groups and individuals.

-2007 Strategic Plan – Preliminary work has started on the Borough’s strategic plan. This plan is required by Montgomery County in order for the Borough to apply for and receive $837,180 per year in revitalization grant funds. The plan will take approximately eight months to complete. After completion, it will provide the Borough with its economic development priorities and plans for the next seven years.

Meanwhile, Borough staff continues to work with several existing and potential new businesses for growth opportunities in Pottstown. For more information, contact Terri Lampe, Economic Development Director for the Borough of Pottstown at 610.970.6508.

Downtown Pottstown

The Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA), serves as an advocate to improve and strengthen both non-business and business aspects of Downtown Pottstown. To accomplish this goal, PDIDA focuses on enhancing a 5-block area, Downtown Pottstown’s image to businesses, consumers, and investors while supporting the rehabilitation of Downtown Pottstown’s unique historic district and main shopping venues.

The Pottstown Downtown Foundation (PDF) was organized to provide resources and coordinate leadership for PDIDA. The PDF focus is geographically larger than PDIDA, enabling a broader base of support and involvement for business development.

Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Inc. is an affiliate of the TriCounty Area Chamber whose mission is to promote commercial and industrial development in the Greater Pottstown Area. PAID, Inc. recently completed the sale of 32 lots at the Pottstown Airport Business Campus. In addition, they purchased 105 High Street, 107 High Street, 115 High Street, 152 High Street, and 245 High Street. These properties have been resold and new businesses have located in downtown Pottstown.

Downtown Boyertown

In 2002 Marianne Deery, the mayor of Boyertown, read an article about the Main Street Program, a five-year program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center designed to revitalize and rebuild community main streets. After proposing the idea to Building a Better Boyertown (BBB), a not-for-profit organization devoted to community improvement, and gaining input from community organizations, businesses, residents, and municipal officials, the BBB decided to apply to the PA Downtown Center in hopes of becoming a Main Street Community.

The process had only just begun. In order to apply to the program, the BBB needed to meet certain qualifications. Boyertown first had to meet the basic population requirement as well as the required amount of downtown businesses.

After meeting those requirements, the BBB moved on to establish a mission statement. Their mission reads: “to keep Boyertown a special kind of place by preserving its historical heritage, maintaining its link to the past as well as cultivating a vibrant present and prosperous future by providing opportunities for business, industry and the arts, while enhancing the quality of life for today and future generations.”

The PA Downtown Center also required that a certain number of vision meetings be held to create the vision statement. The community’s vision consists of keeping downtown Boyertown a prosperous business area that celebrates the arts as well as its Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Through preserving Victorian architecture along with tree-lined streets, Boyertown will remain an enjoyable setting. The BBB furthermore had to establish four objective committees: the organization committee, design committee, promotions committee and economic restructuring committee.

In addition to the committees, a full-time, paid Main Street Manager and assistant were hired to direct the four committees and 200 BBB members. This became a requirement after becoming a Main Street community.

To complete the Main Street application, two final qualifications remained. First, the BBB had to raise over $90,000 in commitments to be used to assist in the revitalization over the five-year period. Amazingly, the BBB has raised over $350,000 in commitments. Lastly, after completing all other qualifications, the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development had to conduct a walking-tour appraisal.

In 2005, the BBB was awarded the Organizational Excellence Townie Award. The BBB is entering their third year as a Main Street Community. They have accomplished much, but have many more goals to achieve in this process. They are currently working on obtaining funding so that they may move forward with streetscape plans. A market assessment was recently completed and they are moving into the second phase where they will begin recruiting new businesses to the area as well as develop strategies to support existing businesses. They continue to plan events to be enjoyed by people of all ages and interests. They appear to be building a better Boyertown, one block at a time.

Economic Development Organizations

Berks Economic Partnership (BEP) continues to work closely with several existing businesses that are considering expansion projects in southeastern Berks County. The strong business growth is directly related to the highly skilled workforce available in the area. Many companies want to stay in southeastern Berks County in order to stay close to a workforce that is talented, loyal, and reliable. One recent example is the expansion of S&W Metal Products, located outside of Boyertown. S&W Metals, a manufacturer of steel, aluminum, and stainless steel components for the construction, furniture, and transportation industries, recently added square footage and 27 new jobs to its growing operation. Ed Graefe, President of S&W Metal Products, said, “We are happy to keep these jobs in Pennsylvania. Our business continues to grow and we’re proud of our excellent record of on-time delivery and quality products.” BEP, the Greater Berks Development Fund, and the Manufacturers Resource Center supported S&W with their expansion plans through the Governor’s Action Team.

Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) is a private, non-profit economic development organization that has been nurturing economic growth in Chester County and the surrounding region for more than 40 years. The Council’s portfolio of business growth services includes: low-interest financing, small business lending, workforce training, retention and expansion, customized international business assistance, land and building site selection, brownfields consultation and remediation, urban redevelopment, and agricultural economic development. The Council also offers state-of-the-art conference and training facilities at its brand new facility in Eagleview.
Co-located at CCEDC’s facilities are over 15 economic development service providers. Services available through CCEDC’s building partners include: technology support services, small business consulting and education, customized workforce training, job matching and career transition assistance, and productivity improvement services for manufacturers.

The Montgomery County Department of Economic and Workforce Development oversees many local economic and workforce programs, including those that stimulate business in the county and aid residents who are seeking jobs.  The group manages the Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board, Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority, the Montgomery County Development Corporation, CareerLink, the Office of Career Development, the Youth Council and EARN, a welfare to work program.

Berks County Department of Community and Economic Development
633 Court Street, 14th Floor, Reading, PA 19601
610.478.6341 
www.co.berks.pa.us

Berks Economic Partnership
19 North 6th Street, PO Box 1457, Reading, PA 19603
610.376.4237 
www.gobep.com

Building a Better Boyertown
100 S. Washington Street, Boyertown, PA 19512
610.369.3054 
www.boyertownpa.org

Office of Community and Economic Development
City Hall, Suite 306
815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601
610.655.6211  
www.cityofreadingpa.com

Chester County Economic Development Council
737 Constitution Drive, Exton, PA 19341
610.458.5700 
www.cceconomicdevelopment.com

Limerick Economic Development Council
420 West Main Street, PO Box 546, Royersford, PA 19468
610.792.9311 
www.limerickedc.org

Montgomery County Economic and Workforce Development
Human Services Center
1430 Dekalb Street, 5th Floor, PO Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404-0311
610.278.5950 
www.montcoworks.com

Montgomery County Industrial Development Corporation
420 West Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA 19403
610.272.5000 
www.mcidc.com

Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Inc.
152 High Street, Suite 360, Pottstown, PA 19464
610.326.2900  
www.tricountyareachamber.com

Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority
212 High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
610.323.5400 
www.downtownpottstown.com

Redevelopment Authority of Montgomery County
104 W. Main St., Suite 2, Norristown, PA 19401
610.275.5300

TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce
152 High Street, Suite 360, Pottstown, PA 19464
610.326.2900 
www.tricountyareachamber.com

Please refer to the Government Section of this website for additional Commonwealth of Pennsylvania agencies.