Planning for the Future: The IMAGINE Berks Strategic Economic Development Action Plan

By Pamela Shupp Menet, Director of Community and Economic Development, and Derek Harris, Economic Development Coordinator

The Vision

Berks County is a welcoming community that supports an exceptional quality of life, including robust business and industry, rich cultural heritage, and a resilient economy. The county’s unique mix of rural and urban spaces is enhanced by the people who join together to foster and share the community’s assets. The county population is growing in size and diversity, creating momentum and a basis for a successful economic future.

The Berks County Comprehensive Plan 2030 Update, adopted in January 2020, identified a need for an economic development strategy for the County. And not just any strategy. It would need to be actionable, inclusive, and accountable. So, in the Spring of 2021, a Project Team was assembled, led by the Department of Community and Economic Development with the Berks County Planning Commission (BCPC), Berks County Industrial Development Authority (BerksIDA) and Berks County Redevelopment Authority (BCRA).

The team spent more than a year gathering data, conducting focus groups, touring communities, and listening to Berks County residents, businesses, and community leaders. The results of that work came to fruition when the Berks County Board of Commissioners adopted Berks County’s first Strategic Economic Development Action Plan, known as IMAGINE Berks, in August 2022.

This County-led planning process intentionally brought together people, voices, and topics that have not been part of traditional strategic planning. The outcome is a plan that provides a guide for thoughtful decision-making about resources and policies affecting Berks County’s economic future and sustainability, bolstered with three years of actionable goals and strategies.

Implementing the Plan

There are 6 Focus Areas identified within the plan:

• Business & Industry Growth

• Small Business & Entrepreneurship

• Infrastructure & Land Use

• Talent & Economic Mobility

• Housing

• Placemaking

Each of these focus areas has specific goals and action steps that will guide our resource allocation, engage community partners, and result in a coordinated and collaborative approach. Teams made up of residents, business and community leaders, and County partners are meeting regularly to better define roles and resources and exchange information that increases our knowledge, strengthens our strategies, and creates connections to get the best possible outcomes.

In the short six months since its adoption, the Project Team has recognized significant success in aligning staff time and financial resources with the goals and strategies identified in the plan. At this time, more than $20 million, enabled by the County’s American Rescue Plan funds, has been allocated for projects and activities identified in IMAGINE Berks’ goals and strategies. These projects are spread throughout the County and represent everything from trail connections and recreation projects to investment in our boroughs, support for high-priority jobs, increased capacity for youth and senior activities, and small business lending.

Other key programs and projects include:

• Designating $5 million to establish a Berks County Infrastructure Fund that will allow municipalities to access funds for improvements on sites in their community to help attract new investment.

• Allocating $6.3 million for broadband development and education.

The chart below shows the funds that have been allocated thus far for each Focus Area of IMAGINE Berks.

$2,578,000

$3,160,000

$20.7M $6,630,000

What’s Next

The commitments and accomplishments to date have been significant and are building the foundation for a cooperative, collaborative, and effective approach to economic and community development for Berks County. Special acknowledgement is given to the County Commissioners who are committed to strategic planning and guiding legacy decisions and investments that benefit all residents.

An annual report for the community will be available in August 2023, so that the strategies and action steps are accountable and measurable against the outcomes and process metrics identified in the plan.

Thank you to all the partners, stakeholders, and cheerleaders who have helped thus far to IMAGINE Berks.

The County of Berks’ priority continues to be communicating the IMAGINE Berks plan to the community. To learn more and get the latest information about IMAGINE Berks, check out www.IMAGINEBerks.org.

$8,220,000

$150,000

If you are interested in having someone speak to your group about IMAGINE Berks, please email Derek Harris at dharris@countyofberks.com.