6A — January 31 - February 13, 2020 — Economic Development — M id A tlantic Real Estate Journal
www.marej.com
G reater R eading , PA By Pamela J. Shupp, AICP, CEcD, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance The Year is 2020, but do we have 2020 Vision?
F
or the past several years, I have been pro- jecting what I expect
attract and retain talent for our existing companies while accommodating new business
local communities to be places where employees want to work and where people want to be. 2. Ready to go Sites – We Have Them. After years of turning away prospects who wanted to locate in our community because we just didn’t have a ready-to-go site, Greater Reading is ready! The pipeline for industrial land de- velopment in Berks County is substantial. There is 7 million + SF in industrial, commercial and logistics inventory coming on-line or already prepared in Greater Reading. The foot- prints of many of these sites
and buildings are flexible and will accommodate existing Berks County business expan- sions and new companies look- ing for that affordable East Coast location with access to workforce and infrastructure. 3. New Housing and Life- style Choices are Para- mount. Housing availability and opportunities have quickly become top of mind and part of our economic development con- versation and strategy. In or- der for people to choose Greater Reading, we are committed to identifying housing opportuni- ties and developments where people want to live, filled with the amenities they are seeking and layouts that are conducive to their lifestyle preferences. (Who hasn’t heard of open concept floor plan?) 4. Location, Workforce, Talent, Quality of Place, Diversity – it’s not just one thing, but you can find help at One Place. Location, loca- tion, location – this real estate mantra drove many company location decisions. It gave way in recent years to workforce, workforce, workforce. And now, it has given way again. It’s about Location, Available Talent, Quality of Place and Diversity. To effectively focus on this market basket of com- pany wants, Greater Reading is positioned to proactively and aggressively address these wants. At the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), we are an economic development powerhouse that combines public and private financial resources and more than 100 years of economic, business, and workforce expertise. We are hitting our stride in po- sitioning Greater Reading as THE best place to locate a busi- ness in 2020. With a commitment to down- town revitalization and place- making, we are creating the places where people want to work, live and spend leisure time. We are committed to growing and supporting our Latino entrepreneur and small business community who are becoming one of the most criti- cal growth components of the fabric of our business com- munity. Yes, 2020 is our year. Join GRCA to Be Something Greater. Pamela J. Shupp, AICP, CEcD is executive vice president &COOof Great- er Reading Chamber Alli- ance.
1. Talent Attraction can trump Physical Locations. Talent attraction and talent
to see in the coming year. Wh a t n a - tional and re- gional trends wi l l a f f ec t us? How will it affect our business at- traction and
At the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, we are an economic development powerhouse that combines public and private financial resources and more than 100 years of economic, business, and workforce expertise.
growth. Through strategic partnerships, and our Meet Greater RDG platform, we will be helping companies to attract new skilled talent and retain their current talent by enhancing and spotlighting our
retention are an integral com- ponent of Greater Reading’s economic and community development strategy. With several Greater Reading com- panies looking to expand, we will be focused on how we
Pamela J. Shupp
growth strategies? What will we see locally? Well, here are my projections for what you are going to see in Greater Reading in 2020.
Shovel-ready sites AVAILABLE!
FOR SALE BY OWNER
8 Acres Light Industrial Zoning In Street Utilities BERN TWP. TRACT PA Rt. 222 & 183
PA Rt. 61 & 73 ONTELAUNEE TWP. TRACT
56 Acres Light Industrial/Commercial Zoning In Street Utilities
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact: Landon Bernheiser Director of Real Estate & Special Projects LBernheiser@GreaterReading.org 484.336.6299
PENNSYLVANIA
Berks County
Bern Twp. Tract Ontelaunee Twp. Tract
BROKERS PROTECTED
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