Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Why Economic Development Matters in Greater Reading

By Aaron Gantz, Vice President of Economic Development & Strategy

What is economic development, really?

Economic development is not a single project or event; it is long-term, relationship-driven work that helps businesses of all sizes grow, stay competitive and invest with confidence.

At GRCA, we see economic development as a collaborative puzzle. Our role is to connect businesses with the partners, data, capital and decision-makers they need to solve challenges and move opportunities forward.

Some projects take months. Others take years. Success often looks like a company staying put, keeping a major customer or finally expanding when the timing is right.

Why does economic development matter to business & community leaders?

Economic development is about reducing uncertainty for businesses. It shapes the environment that businesses operate, from permitting navigation, access to talent, to policies and investments that influence long-term growth.

When a manufacturer solves a regulatory issue and keeps a major customer, jobs are retained. When a company expands or reinvests locally, it strengthens supply chains and the tax base. When regions invest in infrastructure like road improvements or the return of passenger rail, they improve workforce access and position themselves for future competitiveness.

GRCA works with many partners to align efforts to help businesses grow with fewer barriers and greater confidence, both now and for the long term.

How does this work look in practice for GRCA’s Economic Development Team?

Much of the team’s work happens through direct relationships with companies and partners.

Our team meets one-on-one with Berks County employers for confidential, company-specific conversations to understand what is holding them back or helping them move forward, whether related to workforce challenges, site needs, access to capital, regulatory hurdles or growth planning. From there, we help connect the dots.

In 2025, this included:

  • Helping companies navigate complex challenges that could have impacted customers and jobs
  • Connecting businesses to financing for expansions, real estate acquisition, equipment purchases and redevelopment
  • Providing data and market insights to support informed decision-making
  • Facilitating conversations between businesses and elected officials
  • Supporting long-term planning tied to infrastructure and redevelopment

Economic development is often about persistence, making the right calls, finding the right contacts and staying engaged until solutions are in place.

Can you share a real example of this work?

One local manufacturer needed a specific state certification to continue working with a major international customer. Without it, the company risked losing that customer and the jobs tied to it.

The challenge? No one initially knew how to obtain the certification.

GRCA worked behind the scenes to find the right agency contacts and help move the process forward. The company secured the certification, kept the customer and protected its workforce.

That kind of outcome does not always make headlines, but it is at the heart of GRCA’s business retention work.

How does GRCA support business growth & investment?

Supporting growth means helping companies turn ideas into reality.

In 2025, GRCA helped businesses access low-interest financing for expansion, equipment investment and real estate acquisition. These loans equated to $3.9 million in financing, supporting more than $16.4 million in total project costs for companies across Greater Reading.

GRCA also works closely with municipalities and Main Street organizations to strengthen the places where businesses operate. This includes providing technical assistance and coordination for Local Share Account (LSA) funding applications, helping communities advance projects that support downtown revitalization, small business growth and community infrastructure. By helping local partners navigate complex state funding processes, GRCA increases the region’s ability to compete for investment and deliver projects that directly benefit businesses and residents.

What about broader priorities like workforce, advocacy & large-scale projects?

GRCA convenes industry leaders, educators, workforce partners and public officials to address shared challenges. In 2025, this included:

  • Hosting the Manufacturing Summit, focused on workforce pipelines, innovation and industry collaboration
  • Convening regular Business & Community Advocacy Council meetings to align business priorities with public policy
  • Supporting passenger rail advocacy alongside the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority
  • Completing a Transit-Oriented Development planning process with the City of Reading
  • Hosting a community-based roundtable to explore what the return of passenger rail could mean for Greater Reading

A competitive business environment depends on a strong and sustainable talent pipeline. Through Meet Greater Reading, GRCA leads regional talent attraction and retention efforts that support employers’ ability to recruit and retain workers. By telling a cohesive story about career opportunities, quality of life and community assets, this work helps position Greater Reading as a place where people choose to build careers and lives, supporting long-term workforce stability for local businesses.

Who is involved in this work?

Economic development is a team effort.

GRCA works alongside business leaders, the County of Berks, authorities, municipalities, state agencies, workforce boards, educational institutions and lenders. Our role is to convene, connect and keep momentum moving forward, especially when projects span multiple partners and timelines.

Curious about how to learn more or get involved?

If you are interested in how Greater Reading is growing and evolving:

Economic development is not about quick wins; it is about steady progress, strong relationships and a shared commitment to the region’s future.

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