Industry and Population Shifts | Deteriorating Infrastructure | Advancing Technology |
Land Development Limitations | Challenges for Agriculture | Workforce Development Issues |
Planning and Coordination
Deteriorating Infrastructure
Upgrades to the transportation system– including highways, bridges and transit – are critical to sustaining a strong and vibrant economy.
Businesses require a safe and efficient transportation system to serve both the customer/client base and the workforce. While the County’s transportation infrastructure is an incredible asset, critical maintenance needs are found throughout the County on all types of roads, from expressways to local roads. Also, as Chester County continues to develop at a relative low density it becomes increasingly difficult to provide public transit services. The cost of long bus routes with limited ridership becomes inefficient and expensive. According to Census 2000, only 1/3 of Chester County’s population lives within a ¼ mile of public transit.
The lack of sewer and water capacity in some parts of the County is a major limitation to the expansion of business and industry.
Moratoriums on older municipally-owned sewer systems can limit development and redevelopment opportunities. The boroughs of Avondale and Atglen both have recently experienced moratoriums on development due to sewer capacity limitations. The development or expansion of businesses in those areas has been limited. Residential development continues to occur in some rural areas, making rural centers and villages more attractive to locally-oriented retail and service establishments. In many areas, especially within the southwestern part of Chester County, the lack of sewer and/or water capacity prevents commercial or industrial development from occurring where residential growth has been significant.
There is a growing need to upgrade aging infrastructure but there is limited funding available for those upgrades.
The County’s infrastructure, including transportation, sewer and water, and storm water management facilities, has significant need for improvement. In order for business growth or expansion to occur, systems must be upgraded. In many cases, municipal budgets are strained and other public subsidies are limited. The County’s Community Revitalization Program (CRP) was created in 2001 to fund infrastructure improvements in the County’s urban centers to attract and retain businesses and residents. In 2008, the County Commissioners awarded approximately $3.9 million in CRP funding for infrastructure projects while the requests totaled $6.7 million. This funding is also limited to the urban centers, leaving even fewer options for outlying areas. Many infrastructure improvement needs are deferred until funding becomes available.
Industry and Population Shifts | Deteriorating Infrastructure | Advancing Technology |
Land Development Limitations | Challenges for Agriculture | Workforce Development Issues |
Planning and Coordination
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