Western Chester County:

Future Focus Study

Public Meeting Western Chester County Regional Planning Committee

June 20, 2011Coatesville Area Library

Future Focus Study Goals

Evaluate the options for regional economic growth which expand possibilities and preserve the integrity and quality of life

Insure that the Study reflects the regional constituency and can build a regional brand

Align with the growing development of the Coatesville School District

Create a collaborative process for participation among the municipalities

Western Chester County: Future Focus Study

Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce & Partners

Funding Agencies DVRPC Chester County Commissioners The Consortium of Municipalities of

Western Chester County Coatesville Area Partners for Progress PECO

Progress to date Kick off meeting (Sept 2010) of municipal

officials to define critical concerns Community Survey to also define critical

issues Stakeholder and public meetings (March-April

2011). Business, institutional, municipal reps and community members developed an inventory of initiatives to support regional growth

Monthly Regional Planning Committee meetings

Results to date

Almost 50 concepts or project initiatives have been suggested to enhance the economy of the region.

Goals for this meeting

To ask questions and provide comments on the study effort to date

To provide you with the opportunity to help set the priority initiatives that will continue to expand our region’s economic growth and preserve the aspects of our lifestyle we value.

The Region Today The Study Area includes the nine municipalities of the Coatesville School District

Demographic Characteristics

The population of the region grew from 51,421 residents in 2000 to 64,976 persons, according to the 2010 U.S. Census.

That represents a growth rate of just over 25%

A rate much faster than Chester County as a whole

Population Growth

WCC

Reg

ion

Ches

ter C

ount

y

0

5

10

15

20

25

30%

Demographic Characteristics

Caln, Valley, East Fallowfield and West Caln Townships and the City of Coatesville added the largest numbers of new residents, with East Fallowfield registering the largest percentage gain at 44.4%.

Median Household Incomes also rose significantly from $51,640 in 2000 to $67,621 in 2010.

Two municipalities – Valley Township and South Coatesville – saw household incomes increase at a faster estimated pace than those of the County.

Demographic Characteristics

Caln Township has a higher median household income than Chester County at $87,564.

Household Incomes range from the high in Caln Township to median household income in Coatesville at just under $40,000.

Over one quarter of households in the region earned more than $100,000 annually

Economic Characteristics

The mix of jobs in the region reflects very closely the job mix of Chester County

County Region

Construction 4% 4%

Manufacturing 14% 14%

Retail 19% 21%

Services 36% 39%

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate 10% 4%

Other 17% 18%

Economic Analysis Growth in Employment 1998-2008

Economic Characteristics

More than 60% of the region’s workforce is engaged in white collar employment. The agricultural industry remains a significant part of the regional landscape.

The region generates an estimated 15,000 jobs with many employers having 100 or more employees.

EconomicAnalysis

The Region’s Top Employers

(over 100 employees)

Source: Reference U.S.A. Database, Reference calls.

Employer # Employees

Coatesville VA/Med. Center 1,300

Coatesville Area School Dist. 1,000

Sikorsky Global Helicopter 900

Arcelor Mittal 850

Communications Test Design 700

Brandywine Hospital 675

Freedom Village 300

Coatesville YMCA 300

Coatesville Savings Bank 280

Child & Career Dev. Center 200

St. Martha’s Manor 200

Giant Foods 200

Acme Markets 200

Keystone Foods 150

Kohl’s Department Store 145

Kmart 100

LNP Engineering Plastics 100

Bethel AME Church 100

Chester Co. Board of Assist. 100

Coatesville Country Club 100

Penna. Clinical School 100

Location of Top Employers

Map also includes major retail/ service concentrations

Labor Force CharacteristicsLabor Force Comparisons: Employed Population in the Western Chester County and theThirty Minute Labor Shed, 16 Years of Age and Older, 2010

Labor Force Characteristics

The Regional Labor Force and the Reverse Commute, 30 Minute Labor Market

Commuter Patterns Of the People who Live in the Western Chester

County Region, only 16% work here. Other Places of Employment include:

46.5% work elsewhere in Chester County 6.2% work in Montgomery County 4.7% work in Delaware County 4.0% work in Philadelphia 2.5% work in the State of Delaware 1.8% work in Lancaster County 0.6% work in Berks County 0.4% work in Bucks County 17.3% work elsewhere

Economic Characteristics

The increase in the median value of homes in the region was 76% from 2000 to 2010, which was just shy of the County rate of 78%.

Regional unemployment in 2010 was estimated at 8.9%, much less than the mid-year national average of 9.6% and lower than the State average of 9.2%. Regi

on

PA Nati

on

8.4

8.6

8.8

9

9.2

9.4

9.6

%

Unemployment Rate

Analysis of Transportation Issues

Key Issues Regional Transportation Capacity

and Access Condition of Existing

Transportation Infrastructure Secondary Issues

Bridges Safety Travel Demand Management

Key Opportunities Opportunities for

Expansion/Revitalization Recreational/Trail Linkages

Transportation Capacity/Access

Highway Capacity Improvements in pipeline for Eastern Segments

of Route 202 Corridor/Route 30. PA Turnpike Widening may diminish pressure for

residential development in Western ChesCo. Opportunities for Reverse Commute to jobs in Western

ChesCo. From Montgomery County and areas served by Schuylkill Expressway/U.S. Route 422.

U.S. Route 30 Interchange at Airport Road is inadequate and significant redesign/improvement needed.

Improvements at U.S. Business 30 and 1st Avenue Intersection are key to future of Coatesville Business District and planned projects (eg. Velodrome, Rail Station).

Other local intersection improvements may be needed and are being identified.

Transportation Capacity/Access

Rail Freight Amtrak/Keystone/SEPTA

Main Line diminishes

potential for significant

rail freight traffic East Penn (Octoraro, Wilmington & Northern)

Rail Freight Service Brandywine Valley Rail Service at

Arcelor Mittal Interchange potential with both

Norfolk Southern and CSX a plus

Transportation Capacity/Access

Public TransitRail Transit

Recent Station Development at Thorndale Significant Public Commitment to Station Development at

Coatesville Current Amtrak Service Limited Extension of SEPTA Service to Coatesville – Will be tied to

Ridership Development

Bus Transit Beeline Service A Line Service Coatesville Link Service Other Paratransit

Key Transportation Opportunities Coatesville Rail Station Expansion of Rail Service Route 30 and Airport Road Interchange Local Road/Highway Improvements

Land Use Issues Land Use Challenges

Balance in Development and Preservation – Retaining Agriculture and Landscape

Economic Development should focus on ratable base, not necessarily employment base

Creating an environment where redevelopment is a desirable option and viable alternative to “green field” development

Land Use Issues Infrastructure

Existing Infrastructure Areas where Public Infrastructure

Improvements are Needed

Business and Industry Opportunities

Advanced Materials Manufacturing and Design Helicopter/Aviation Supplies, Repair, Service Medical Instruments and Devices Metallurgy Energy Food Processing Biopharmaceuticals

Local Health Care Services Regional Warehousing & Distribution Specialized/Niche Retail

Velodrome/Recreation Transit-oriented and other new businesses along Business Route 30

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

Perceptions and Reality

Stated Perception RealityWCC is an isolated region where there is not much happening.

Population growth exceeded the rate of the County. Business growth also expanded.

Business has left this economically distressed area. The region has added jobs over the past 10 years: Sikorsky, Keystone Foods, others.

Educational attainment is poor and is compounded by a bad school system.

The population has a higher educational attainment than surrounding areas and school district report cards meet or exceed State standards in math, reading and other areas.

Crime and drugs are a problem in the region. These are national issues. While Coatesville has a higher crime rate than its adjacent communities, when examined as a whole, WCC has a comparable or lower crime rate than Lancaster or Reading.

The quality of the workforce is poor. The regional workforce is very comparable to that of the County. The potential for pulling from the Reverse Commute Labor Shed is strong.

There are many polluted areas in the region, including the Brandywine Creek.

Of the 20 largest emitters of industrial contaminants in Chester County, only 2 are in WCC. Only 3 of the County’s 18 Superfund sites are located here.

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 and agriculture Directs growth toward existing infrastructure

Questions/Comments Questions about the Region Comments about Issues/Concerns Other

Help us Prioritize Concepts Handouts outline 40+ Concepts Choose the five – and only five – concepts

that you believe are most important to the future development of Western Chester County

Summary Discussion Examining your issues and project

priorities Why are they important? How can we realize your vision for the

future of the region? Next Steps

Your impact, beyond today Encourage others to take the survey online

and in hard copy www.WesternChesterCountyFutureFocus.com Stay informed. Check the website, attend

upcoming public meeting in the Fall.

Western Chester County: Future Focus Study

Choosing Wisely for Tomorrow.

WesternChesterCountyFutureFocus.com

Thank you! We greatly appreciate your participation. If you

have any ongoing questions or comments, please contact Steve Kehs at Triad Associates:skehs@triadincorporated.com(856) 690-9590