Officials And Business Leaders In Chester Co. Team Up On 10-Year Economic Development Plan

By Jim Melwert

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Chester County business leaders joined with government officials this week, to unveil their 10-year-economic development plan, known as VISTA 2025.

VISTA 2025 co-chair and chairman of the Chester county board of commissioners, Ryan Costello, says it's about striking a balance between economic growth and quality of life.

"Including environmental protection, workforce development training, infrastructure and business attraction and retention efforts."

For example, one priority is to promote agriculture and farmland preservation, with what they call an urban area economic strategy in places like Phoenixville, Malvern or West Chester.

"You trying to pinpoint where the best places for econ growth are, and in doing so you're protecting your farmland and you're also protecting the agriculture soils that once they're gone their gone."

The plan is the result of about a year and a half of work. See the entire report here.

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In:
• Chester County
• Economy
• Agriculture