By Julian Collazo, Marketing Communications & Development Intern, GRCA
The way Berks County grows over the next decade depends on the decisions and conversations taking place today. At the latest Business and Community Advocacy Council (BCAC) meeting, the Berks County Planning Commission (BCPC) presented their Imagine Berks Comprehensive Plan, which is currently in the planning and community feedback stage, helping to shape the vision and priorities for Berks County’s future growth and development.
The presentation outlined how data-driven tools such as PlacerAI, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mapping and community polls are helping planners understand how residents live, work and travel across Berks County. While workable ideas and action plans are still being discussed, BCPC encourages local input through its community survey, as community ownership is key to shaping an effective comprehensive plan.
Another major component of the plan is the corridor build-out analysis, which helps identify development and redevelopment opportunities along key routes like 422 and 222. This analysis, expected in early 2026, will help local leaders make data-informed decisions to support infill development near existing infrastructure to preserve agricultural and conservation land. Explore the details of the plan.
Beyond the goals outlined in the comprehensive plan, the discussion turned to current economic and community conditions. Housing affordability remains a top issue. Using Reading-Berks Association of Realtors (RBAR) data, the median home price in Berks County now sits around $300,000 compared to a median household income of $77,000. That creates an affordability gap of about $23,000, largely due to rising construction costs, regulatory requirements and limited supply.
Additionally, data from GRCA’s Q2 Economic Intelligence Report and the Berks County Workforce Development Board’s Labor Force Outlook provided an updated snapshot of the local economy. Unemployment remains steady at 4.2%, up just 0.1% due to fewer seasonal jobs. Average hourly wages dipped by 16 cents from June 2024 to June 2025, partly because higher-earning workers retired. Inflation rose 2.7% over the past year, driven mostly by housing and service costs. Despite these pressures, Pennsylvania’s GDP stayed positive in the first quarter, making it one of only ten states to see growth while the national economy slowed.
Lastly, the discussion turned to the impact of the federal government shutdown and Pennsylvania’s ongoing state budget impasse on local funding and services. While essential federal services such as Social Security and national defense continue, many non-essential operations are paused. Federal contractors and businesses that rely on government funding may experience delays in payments, approvals or regulatory actions and some programs, such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Small Business Administration (SBA), are currently on hold due to the shutdown. At the state level, Pennsylvania is now more than 100 days past the June 30 budget deadline. Key differences between House and Senate proposals, particularly around Medicaid and Medicare expansion, have slowed progress. School districts are also waiting on state aid allocations, though Berks County appears to be in a stronger financial position than many others due to healthy reserve funds. For more information, see these quick resource guides on both the federal shutdown and state budget impasse.
Overall, the Imagine Berks Comprehensive Plan will serve as the foundation for how the county grows and makes decisions over the next decade, shaping plans for housing, jobs, roads and other essential services. The BCPC aims to build a clear, data-driven plan that reflects both economic opportunity and community priorities. Residents and employers are encouraged to stay involved by following the plan’s progress and sharing input through the community survey. GRCA will continue to track the plan’s development and share how it connects to business priorities that drive Berks County forward.
About BCAC
The Business and Community Advocacy Council (BCAC), hosted by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), serves as a collaborative network for public and private business professionals to engage in impactful advocacy. BCAC focuses on educating members about the policy-making process, identifying emerging policy issues and fostering active participation in local and statewide advocacy efforts. By promoting pro-business advocacy statements, BCAC empowers members of all sizes to navigate and shape the legislative landscape effectively. We do this by utilizing GRCA’s Pro-Business Advocacy Statements to guide the collaboration and coalition building that leads our advocacy work.
To learn more or get involved, contact Alex Roche, Director of Advocacy, at aroche@greaterreading.org.
Published: 10/21/2025