Development in Focus is GRCA’s monthly recap of key economic development activities, advocacy initiatives and upcoming opportunities shaping Greater Reading. Each edition highlights efforts to drive growth, foster collaboration and support businesses, reinforcing our commitment to a thriving and connected Greater Reading business community.
Coming up:
Building Berks Awards & Trade Expo
2025 GRCA Building Berks Awards nominations are open through July 9. The fifth Building Berks Awards & Expo returns on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the iconic GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading, Pa. This high-energy evening celebrates construction, design, development and investment projects across Greater Reading.
Countdown to Tariffs: Live U.S. Trade Update
Join business leaders from across South-Central Pennsylvania for a timely virtual discussion on tariffs and the potential economic impacts of upcoming trade decisions. With a critical July 8 deadline approaching for reciprocal trade negotiations, this regional webinar will provide essential insights for businesses navigating shifting international trade policies.
We are pleased to welcome Isabelle Icso, Executive Director of International Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as our featured speaker. Isabelle will offer an off-the-record briefing on current tariff dynamics, potential policy outcomes, and what these developments could mean for our regional economy. The presentation will be followed by a moderated Q&A session.
This event is co-hosted by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, York County Economic Alliance, Lancaster Chamber, Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC to help business leaders, manufacturers, trade professionals and government affairs representatives from Berks, York, Lancaster, Lebanon and Dauphin counties better understand the current and future landscape of U.S. tariffs and international trade policy.
Looking back:
Local family receives a $310,000 PIDA loan to purchase Shoemakersville farm
The Greater Berks Development Fund (GBDF), an affiliate of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), is pleased to announce that it has helped secure a $310,000 Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) loan for Jeremy and Joanna Martin and their sons Jeremiah and Shane. Read more>
If you need resources for a project, please contact Kayla Hayick at khayick@greaterreading.org to see if GRCA can be of assistance.
2024 State of the Economy Released
GRCA released the 2024 Berks County State of the Economy report. The report provides a comprehensive snapshot of key trends shaping the local economy, from employment and wages to housing, demographics and more. Highlights include:
- Manufacturing remains the cornerstone of the local economy, leading all sectors in both GDP contribution and employment. Average wages in the sector exceed the countywide average by more than $10,000 per year.
- Berks County recorded its fourth consecutive year of employment growth, with an average of 211,200 people employed throughout 2024.
Despite these strengths, the region faces several ongoing challenges:
- The population is aging, reducing the share of residents in the prime working-age category (25–54). From 2013 to 2023, this group shrank by 2.3% or 9,700 workers.
Healthcare IP Meeting
The Greater Reading Healthcare Connections Industry Partnership held its second meeting of the year at GRCA’s Center for Business Excellence. There were 18 people in attendance from local healthcare, education, and partner organizations. Topics included an overview of a new Healthcare Pre-Apprenticeship program through PA AHEC, information about a new Healthcare Dream Team, being created by the BCIU to introduce students to healthcare career opportunities, PA budget updates related to healthcare and education, and education partner updates on programs and enrollments. Learn more about the Healthcare IP>