By Aaron Gantz, Senior Director, Economic Development
Top Economic Stories in 2022
Companies Expand & Open
- Kimberton Whole Foods opened its 7th location in Wyomissing. Read More>
- Berks Nature expanded its facility to include “The Rookery” a rooftop patio and indoor meeting area. Read More>
- ByHeart opened a state-of-the-art formula facility in Greater Reading. Read More>
- Chatty Monks Brewing Company opened a new taproom. Read More>
- FastBridge Fiber established its headquarters in Greater Reading. Read More>
- F.M. Brown’s Sons, Inc. expanded its production line with a new equipment purchase. Read More>
- Folino Estate Winery opened a boutique hotel. Read More>
- G&T Industries celebrated the completion and opening of its building in Bern Township. Read More>
- Plum Creek Farm initiated an expansion for a pretzel manufacturing facility. Read More>
- Rodale Institute announced plans to open a state-of-the-art science center to advance regenerative organic agriculture. Read More>
- Shuman Development Group added new apartments to a redeveloped historic Downtown Reading building. Read More>
- Visions Federal Credit Union opened a Contact Center in Downtown Reading. Read More>
- ASB Real Estate Investments and Radnor-based Endurance Real Estate Group, LLC acquired just short of one million square feet in industrial property Berks County. – Read More>
- Berks County Commissioners formally adopted the Strategic Economic Development Action Plan for the County, known as IMAGINE Berks. – Read More>
Funding Supports Growth of Companies & Anchor Institutions
- Ten projects received over $1.82 million in tax credits through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP).
- Seven projects received over $20.5 million through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project (RACP).
- Six loans totaling $2.7 million on behalf of Berks County companies were submitted by the Greater Berks Development Fund (GBDF), an affiliate of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), and approved by Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA).
Numerous Rankings
Top GRCA Economic Development Accomplishments of 2022
- GRCA worked with over 149 companies interested in locating in Berks County, existing Berks companies considering expansion as well helping with resource identification such as financing options, and sourcing market data. Ninety-five of the companies are based in Berks, and 39% of these companies were in the advanced manufacturing industry.
- Supported the growth and expansion of Berks businesses with over $2.7 million in funding through Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) for projects totaling over $8.4 million in total project costs.
- Award of $2,877,000 is Statewide Small Business Credit Initiative funding for Berks County
- Approval of expansion of the Keystone Innovation Zone to include Alvernia University’s CollegeTowne and Albright College’s Total Experience Learning
- Approval of $500K in Enterprise Zone Tax Credits to assist in the Super Natural Produce project at 4th and Elm Streets
- Reached over one million people with our award-winning “Grow Together” campaign focused on local agriculture producers and makers
