Western Chester County Chamber connects businesses and organizations to resources, people and opportunity to strengthen and grow across our region.
2024 is shaping up to be an invigorating time for western Chester County Chamber of Commerce (WCCCC) as we roll out a few new initiatives. In the beginning of the year, WCCCC is celebrating the Small Business of the Year Award, presented to a local catering company, Doe Run Catering, for their dynamic growth and demonstration of the spirit of enterprise in ChescoWest. Our communities here set the bar in business with a can-do attitude of rolling up their sleeves and getting to work. To be able to recognize businesses instilling best practices with Chamber awards, is truly a special thing for us.
Alongside this award is a big announcement- the Chamber is introducing the Western Chester County Small Business Growth Grant Program, launched to generate economic activity in our region and facilitate growth for local businesses. Through this program, the Chamber will offer grants to local businesses for improvements that will enhance their economic vitality in our community.
Speaking of economic vitality, March 23rd brings the Chester County Home & Lifestyle Show to Octorara High School. Not only is this an opportunity for neighbors to meet local businesses that can transform their home and life, it’s an opportunity to see the expanse of skilled trade businesses operating and scaling up in our region. This is a driving force behind the Chamber’s Time for the Trades Initiative which facilitates relationships between trades businesses, career and technical education and workforce organizations to address training needs and educate our community on the successful career opportunities available in Chester County. On that note, in April and May, WCCCC encourages rising senior students to apply for the Chamber scholarships to further their journey onward; we issue Academic Scholarships and Skilled Trades Scholarships.
The Chamber serves businesses and organizations in 24 municipalities so we’ve got a lot going on! At the close of 2023 we welcomed over 250 guests to our annual Municipal Update which is an event that gives a bird’s eye view of everything moving forward in western Chester County. The engagement at this event is a testament that local business owners and community members are committed to being the framework of the future.
The Chamber focuses on various avenues including helping businesses grow, overall economic wellness, facilitation of regional partnerships, workforce issues and community development. We advocate for interests that our business community bring to us, to help them better operate here. It’s important to the Chamber to serve as a bridge to partnerships between businesses, public leadership and community groups to make sure we are all on the same page.
Chester County is projected to be the fastest growing county in South Eastern Pennsylvania. Areas along the Route 30 corridor in the west are identified as growth areas in the county. If you’re looking with a national lens, our County as a whole is strategically located in an ideal placement within the Northeast Megapolis. This means each of our communities should be very thoughtful with their planning to make sure we create the infrastructure suitable for the growth our communities want, and the conservation and preservation efforts in place to preserve the unique attributes that make us who we are.
What’s Happening Across the Region
Connecting us all, the 30-bypass expansion is in its design phases for Downingtown to the Reeceville Road exit. This will bring much-needed congestion relief to the corridor so be patient as the project moves forward as the end results will be a super upgrade.
Wallace Township is underway on a makeover of Wagensellor Park including a new pavilion, parking lot and updated basketball and pickleball courts. This will add to new amenities for the 3 developments also moving forward in their township bringing a total of 200 new single-family homes. Atglen Borough also continues their new park project behind their municipal building and directly across from their public library. In other recreation news, Atglen Borough is adding in 4 new pickleball courts.
Valley Township continues on the Valley Suburban Center build that has 90 townhomes with a new approval for 100 more. In addition to that, the township will see the Westwood Bridge Subdivision of 87 single family homes near the Valley Township and East Fallowfield Township lines. Also in Valley, the Hungry Pilot Restaurant has opened its doors at the Chester County Airport, stop in to experience their unique atmosphere and fare.
Honey Brook Township has four new farms slated to go to preservation in 2024 and have completed multiple stormwater improvements. They’re also expecting a new skatepark project to get underway in the end of year. West Sadsbury Township is working on new traffic studies and updating their Comprehensive Plan which is their vision for future growth and development in their Township. The City of Coatesville and Sadsbury Township are also gearing up to do new Comprehensive Plans. These plans address challenges, identify solutions and provide guidance on moving forward and are so important as they serve as a roadmap to a municipality’s success.
The Borough of Parkesburg has some rail movement as PennDot and Amtrak have committed to part one of the three-part series to update the station. The Grocery Outlet has also signed a lease in the Parkesburg Shopping Center. More space is available in that center for those seeking the opportunity. The Borough of Modena received grants for stormwater management and the reconstruction and remodeling of Woodlawn Avenue. In 2023 Modena also got a new recycling truck, Kabota, and loader / backhoe for their Public Works to keep the streets and public spaces tidy and safe.
Speaking of tidy and safe, Sadsbury Township completed beautifying the streetscapes along Lincoln highway with sidewalks and crosswalks, this comes in good time as their population doubled in the past two years. Sadsbury Square Apartment complex is nearing completion, Lafayette Square is putting finishing touches on a Community building CTDI is planning an expansion on their property.
West Brandywine Township continues design work on the Pratts Dam Road project and is working on protecting open space. Also in their township, the Reserve at Cross Creek by Judd Builders broke ground for 178 new townhomes, this residential growth adds to the 650 homes through Traditions of America,.
The City of Coatesville has two new downtown businesses, Toledo’Z Boutique is a stunning formal dress shop and ProSpace on Lincoln (in the former courthouse building) is home to 20 office suites available for rent for professionals and start-ups. The City has movement occurring in about 40 economic development projects, is tackling multiple stormwater irrigation problems and are underway in planning for park improvements across all of their City Parks.
Caln Township welcomed a new manager, Don Vymazal. They also welcomed a new daycare, farmers market and coffee shop to their community. Caln has started or completed a handful of residential projects: the Willows at Valley Run Apartments, My Place Apartments and Townhomes, the Hills at Thorndale Woods, and the Villages at Hill View. In addition, the township is working on a GIS mapping system to develop a plan for stormwater infrastructure.
The County Planning Commission is working with municipalities on the Starter Home Initiative to help with housing attainability in the county. They’re also under final review of their Watersheds 2045 plan to protect and enhance streams, lakes, and groundwater. The updated plan provides a framework that empowers communities to protect, sustain, enhance and enjoy the county’s shared water resources well into the future.
Stay connected across ChescoWest by engaging with the businesses and organizations listed in the back of this magazine. If you’d like to grow your business in our region, reach out to the Chamber and join us at an upcoming event at westernchestercounty.com !