Economic Development in Berks County &

Why is it Important to my Community?

Berks County Outlook 2016• Increased Role of Municipalities

• Growth in Manufacturing and Logistics/Distribution Industries

• Workforce Availability Focus

• Increase in International Leads

• Filling the Site and Infrastructure Pipeline is Critical

1980 1990 2000 2010300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

500,000

Berks County Population1980-2010

County Population

Berks County has had a 7-10% increase in popu-lation each decade.

Source: BCPC, U.S. Census Bureau

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

360,000

370,000

380,000

390,000

400,000

410,000

420,000

Berks County Population Since 2000

County Population

Beginning in 2007, that growth slows. Since 2010, there has been little population growth.

Source: BCPC, U.S. Census Bureau

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

-1,000

-500

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

Why is Population Growth Slowing Down?

Natural IncreaseNet MigrationTotal Population Increase

Since 2011, our population has been steadied by "natural in-crease" or chil-dren being born in the County.

This is offsetting negative net mi-gration. More people are mov-ing out of Berks County than mov-ing in.

Source: BCPC, U.S. Census Bureau

Employment Recap• County employment increased 4.1%

between 2009 and 2014

• 8,893 total jobs added (Full & Part time)

• 88% of jobs are private sector, 11% are public sector, 1% farms

Source: BCPC, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis

Top Industry Sectors by Number of Jobs Lost/Gain

2009-2014

-1,555Finance

+2,529Healthcare

-785Retail

-1,285Local Government +3,021

Office/Clerical

+2,827Manufacturing

Source: BCPC, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis

Source: BCPC, Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Board Market Value Reports: 2008-2014

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Central Region CommunitiesTax Bases 2008-2014

2008 Tax Base Inf. Adj.2014 Tax Base

Source: BCPC, Pennsylvania State Tax Equalization Board Market Value Reports: 2008-2014

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Central Region CommunitiesTax Base Growth

2008-2014

Percent Increase

The Berks County tax base grew 2.1% in the same time period.

Central Region CommunitiesWhat’s generating your tax base?

Source: BCPC

Most tax bases in the region relies heavily on residential development.

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AgriculturalCommercialIndustrialResidential

Millage Amount by Taxing Body - 2016

Source: BCPC

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Municipal Tax Mills

School District Tax Mills

County Millage

Antietam School District has the highest school district millage in the region.

The City of Reading has the highest municipal millage in the region.

Southern Region CommunitiesTotal 2016 Tax Bill Based on the Same $100,000 House

Source: BCPC

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Total Tax BillCounty Median Tax Bill on the House

20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 200%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%PSERS Employer Contribution Rates to

2039-2040

Actual

Projected

State Retirement Reimbursement

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

$0

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$1,000,000,000

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Tools and Solutions

Berks County Sites and Infrastructure Tool

Berks CountySites and Infrastructure Strategy

Goal:

To determine the most suitable areas in Berks County for commercial and industrial uses based on prioritized factors.

Source: BCPC, RTP Sites and Infrastructure Committee

Factors:1. Land Free of Environmental / Land Use

Constraints2. Interchanges3. Major Roads (Interstate, U.S. Route, State

Route)4. Public Sewer Service Areas (existing and

proposed)5. Public Water Service Areas (existing and

proposed)

Berks CountySites and Infrastructure Strategy

Source: BCPC, RTP Sites and Infrastructure Committee

Source: BCPC

Sites and InfrastructureWeb Map Tool

Ride To ProsperitySites and Infrastructure Committee

Web Map Tool

Source: BCPC

Ride To ProsperitySites and Infrastructure Committee

Web Map Tool

Source: BCPC

Ride To ProsperitySites and Infrastructure Committee

Web Map Tool

Source: BCPC

Ride To ProsperitySites and Infrastructure Committee

Web Map Tool

Source: BCPC

Ride To ProsperitySites and Infrastructure Committee

Web Map Tool

Source: BCPC

Transportation andFuture Land Use Maps

What Do We Do WithAll The Data?

• Need to ID additional commercial & industrial zoned land

• Update zoning to accommodate current market needs

• No inventory + no developable sites = no new companies locating in Berks County or in your community & existing companies cannot expand

@GreaterReading

Zoning

Incentives…

“Incentives can make a good location great, but not a bad location good”

• The permitting process is difficult to navigate – even on a good day.

• Why is it important?• Added cost• Uncertainty• Time• Ability to get financing

Permitting

• Why is it an important tool?

• What does it mean to our bottom line? • Abating taxes on the new assessment

• You continue to receive taxes on the current assessed value

LERTA

If you are interested in:• Attracting new business to your

community

• Helping existing businesses to expand in your community

• Identifying land for business development in your community

• Providing job opportunities for your residents in your community

• Stabilizing the tax base in your community

How We Can Work Together

Download the presentation + more information visit:

bit.ly/BerksMuni

Pamela Shupp, GREP 610.376.4237

Pamela@GreaterReading.com