Pottstown: The Most 'Business Friendly' Town In PA ...

The Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee held a public meeting for local residents on Thursday to aid in a market assessment and fiscal impact study for Montgomery County.

Led by Howard Koch, the meeting, held at Pottstown High School, encouraged residents to provide ideas and insights on job creation strategies, ways to stimulate the regional economy and create quality of life through economic activity.

“Our idea is to come out with some goals and objectives for the economy in the area in the foreseeable future,” said Koch.

The discussion was broken into four categories: basic industries, commercial revitalization/enhancement, tourism and infrastructure.

Basic Industries:

Several residents expressed the need to embrace new industries and saw Pottstown’s day as an industrial giant as long since past. Along these lines, many expressed the need to reuse abandoned factories in the area. 

“We need to look at alternative ways to utilize the buildings we have,” said Andrew Monastra.

The need for employment and more job opportunities in was also discussed.

“The primary issue here is jobs,” said Evan Brandt, a reporter for The Mercury -- a newspaper in Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pa. “If that’s not the primary focus here, you’re just blowing smoke.”

Commercial Revitalization/Enhancement:

Several residents were concerned with the advancement of fine arts in the region. Others said Pottstown needs to encourage and educate business owners to improve their services and attitude.

“We need to promote the change,” said Brad Hurlock. “We need to sell the mindset to the store owners.”

Tourism:

Many residents agreed Pottstown doesn’t provide enough advertising for its many events. While locals typically know about happenings in the area, few visitors do.

“It comes down to marketing,” said Hurlock.

Others were concerned the borough doesn’t offer enough activity and entertainment for younger generations.

“There has to be marketing to the 25 to 30 year old crowd,” said Monastra.

Infrastructure:

Residents were primarily concerned about transportation issues and said Pottstown is simply too hard to access and lacks sufficient parking for out-of-town visitors. Many folks hope these issues would improve with the additions of Heritage Action Plan from the Schuylkill River Trail and the potential new rail system from Reading to Philadelphia.

At the end of the discussion, Koch asked the audience members where they’d like to see Pottstown in 10 years. Like many others, Pottstown School District Supt. Reed Lindley remained optimistic about the future.

“I want Pottstown to be known as the most small town business friendly town in Pennsylvania,” he said.

The PMRPC hopes to have a second meeting to utilize these suggestions in the near future.