Western Chester County Economic Development

Study

Communications Working Group Western Chester County Regional Planning Committee

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Agenda for Today’s Meeting Introductions Overview of the study Communications charge Current materials Communications committee member –

feedback and input

Overview of the study Assignment Members of the team Key Issues Key Opportunities

Opportunities for Growth Agricultural and Food Products Equine/Veterinary Related Pharma. and

Research Medical Devices and Healthcare Services Construction Materials Helicopter/Aviation Repair and Services Electronics Financial Services Warehousing and Distribution Support

Implications Great Opportunity for Growth and Development

Current and Future Projects (eg. Velodrome, Industrial Park Expansion, Redevelopment)

Must be Targeted to Conserve the Region’s Landscapes Addressing Perceptions/Marketing

Perceptions/Reality Branding

Transportation Needs must focus also on reverse commute issues

Redevelopment is Critical Takes pressure off open lands Directs growth toward existing infrastructure

Perceptions and RealityPerceptionCrime and Drugs are a problem

RealityCrime Rates vary by type of crime. Trend data need to be compiled for the Region.

PerceptionSchools are bad

RealityAll schools in the Coatesville School District exceeded the Commonwealth Targets for Math and Reading – many by significant margins.

PerceptionBusiness has migrated out of the area

RealityNew business parks have been developed; new companies are locating in the area; and there are ample locations for new development and redevelopment.

Perceptions and Reality Perception: The Quality of the Workforce is poor. Reality: WCC is comparable in many ways to other regions.

Labor Force Trends, by Job TypeSource: ESRI

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Chester County Caln Township

South Coatesvil le Modena Borough

Coatesvil le Valley Township

West Brandywine Twp Sadsbury Twp

West Caln Twp East Fallowfied Twp

Study Area Reading MSA

Lancaster MSA Phila, Camden,

White Collar Jobs Service Jobs Blue Collar Jobs

Perceptions and Reality Perception: Residents are not well educated Reality: Educational attainment exceeds other jurisdictions in many

categories – and appears to be improving significantly.

JurisdictionLess

than H.SH.S.

DiplomaCollegeDegree

Adv.Degree

Western ChesCo. Region

17.3% 41.3% 13.4% 7.0%

Reading MSA 22.0% 39.4% 12.0% 6.5%

Lancaster MSA 22.7% 38.8% 13.8% 6.7%

Philadelphia MSA 17.6% 31.5% 17.2% 10.5%

The “Wow” Factors Characteristics that make the Western Chester

County Region stand apart from other areas: Landscape

History/Culture Natural Features

Exceptional Access to Quality Labor Locally Regionally with Reverse Commute Potential

Location: “The Affordable” Chester County” Transportation: Highway, Rail, Airport Economic Opportunity Regional Cooperation and Coordination

Study name

Western Chester County: Future Focus Study

Choosing Wisely for Tomorrow

Communications charge Public relations Public input Positioning and branding – The WOW! factors

Communications Committee Feedback, information and marketing

counsel Source of information about the

“good news” of Western Chester County

Support for outreach to community and media

Communications Web Site launch

Links Municipal information Update of good news

Public Outreach Generate interest in survey Request for participation in focus groups

Communications Media Outreach

Initiate meetings with press for overview Perception/reality

Contact information Miki Young 610-716-5600 myoung@marketshift.net