According to the CCEDC (Chester County Economic Development Council) a new CCEDC-led taskforce has been created to facilitate new business along the US1 corridor from Kennett Square and traveling Southbound to the Maryland line. This is our backyard folks. We are excited and anticipating the opportunities this poses for the Southern Chester County business community, not to mention the Commercial Real Estate biz in our local region.
Representatives from a dozen municipalities have come together to brainstorm and create a “draw” to this specific area of the Greater Delaware Valley. Within the next ten years, they estimate 3 million sf of commercial real estate to be in the project development stages.
The foremost hurdle they must bound is targeting the issues that hinder new growth and interest. Pinpointing those ball-and-chains is paramount before moving forward with new marketing and splash about Chester County. Key infrastructure challenges include public transportation, sewer and water utilities, affordable housing, land planning and the overall approval process. Without a coordinated effort by all key parties, we lose countless opportunities to other states. Jobs and revenue cast away for naught. Agencies working together, efficiencies in executing new utility extensions honed and innovative implementations by the local leadership would all be integral portions of this new “plan” as I see it.
We do have positive attributes going for us. Large thriving companies have made their home here. They include:
- Herrs Corporation
- Dansko Corporation
- Everfast
- Dole Mushroom
- Flowers Foods/Tasty Baking Oxford
- Genesis Health Care
- W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
- Neuchatel Chocolates dba Confiseurs, Inc.
- Leading Edge Composites, Inc.
- Pollert Plastic Systems
- Endo Pharmaceuticals
We look forward to new possibilities, challenges and successes for the Southern Chester County corridor and are very proud to be a part of the transformation of a new portal of flourishing business and industry.