WATCH: Montco Commissioners Deliver 'State Of The County' Address

NORRISTOWN, PA — The Montgomery County Commissioners were optimistic about the future in their 2017 "State of the County" address Thursday.

Chairwoman Val Arkoosh gave an overview on many of the largest policy issues facing the county. Specifically, she touched on the county's improved financial status, detailing how the county has grown since being in debt in 2012 and improving in its recent fiscal outlook grades by Moody's Investors Service.

She also discussed the importance of "data driven" government, the opioid crisis, the growth of trails and outdoor recreation recreations, and homelessness.

"We measure our success in the vibrancy of our economy, the health of our communities and the thoroughness with which we meet the needs of the people we serve. By these measures, and many more, the state of Montgomery County is strong," Arkoosh said.

Commissioner Ken Lawrence Jr. discussed transportation and infrastructure, specifically noting the ongoing project to renovate the Courthouse and government complex in Norristown. He also expressed his support for the King of Prussia Rail project, which recently took an important step forward when SEPTA's board voted to approve a preliminary route plan just last month.

The Board's lone Republican, Commissioner Joe Gale, did not strike an adversarial tone to his Democratic colleagues, but did have a slightly shifted focus. He dialed in on the county's economic growth, and projects currently underway. He cited growth in what he called the four largest industries in the county: healthcare, retail, technical services, and manufacturing.

Gale concluded by sharing the stories of three individual county residents that found success thanks to county programs.

Some positive statistics shared by the commissioners during their presentation:

• Montgomery has the third largest number of healthcare jobs in the state (77,795 employees at 3,660 businesses), trailing only Philadelphia and Allegheny counties
• In 2012 62 bridges were declared structurally deficient; 17 have since been fixed, and 33 are being repaired
• Community Connections Navicates helped 10,000 county residents access services in 2017
• The county received two grants, totaling $313,800, to help fight against the opioid epidemic
• All 50 police departments in the county now carry Naloxone
• In 2017, there were 358 overdose reversals, a 97 percent success rate
• 2,000 trained individuals have downloaded PulsePoint
• Parks and trails brought in 2.4 million visitors in 2017, a 21 percent increase from 2015
• 1,500 individuals participated in the 2017 Montco Trail Challenge

Watch the full presentation below.

Image via Scott Anderson, Patch