Chamber showcases the best of the borough
TriCounty Area Chamber event showcases all the borough has to offer
LOWER POTTSGROVE » It was all about Pottstown Wednesday, as the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Pottstown Progress Luncheon.
The event was designed to present chamber members with a look at the progress taking place within the Pottstown community, and gave attendees an overview of redevelopment, investment opportunities and community collaborations.
Presented by Pottstown Area Industrial Development (PAID Inc.), the event featured an expo showcasing 35 Pottstown organizations representing tourism; non-profits; special events and businesses. Chamber President Eileen Dautrich said each expo participant had to have a Pottstown zip code.
Dautrich said the chamber decided on the format because “there are a lot of people talking about how they feel that things are happening in Pottstown.
“We wanted to share the story and have people hear about what’s happening first hand. We also want to help counter the people who still want to say things aren’t happening. Maybe they’re not hearing from the right outlet,” she said.
About 200 people were in attendance Wednesday for the luncheon, which featured remarks from Pottstown Borough Manager Mark Flanders; PAID Inc. Interim Director Peggy Lee-Clark; Zach Brown, Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board; and Montgomery County Commissioners Joe
“I prefer to describe it as the facilitator to ensure the connections are made to support economic development. We are here as a liaison, we are here to service you — for individuals and companies interested in moving to Pottstown,”
— Peggy Lee-Clark, interim director, Pottstown Area Industrial Development Inc.
Gale and Ken Lawrence.
“The people here today are either passionate about Pottstown and wanted to come out to support the program; or they are part of a group saying, ‘what am I missing,’” Dautrich added.
“There are hundreds of things going on in Pottstown, hundreds of things I could say for ‘Why Pottstown.’ It’s an exciting time,” Flanders said in his remarks. “Some of you have shared the thought that there’s change in the air, and Pottstown is on the move — there’s momentum. I’m here to tell you I believe we’re on the verge of something very big.”
Flanders touched on several projects and initiatives in which the borough is involved, including Walk Bike Pottstown, 8-miles of bicycle routes throughout Pottstown that will create what he calls a “walkable, bikeable connection throughout the borough,” and that includes all the schools.
He shared that the Hanover Square Commercial project at South Hanover Street and Industrial Highway is moving closer to construction. The project had stalled, he said, but when complete will bring mixed use development to Pottstown.
Flanders also spoke about the importance of tourism and Pottstown’s tourism and recreation district.
“With financial commitment from the county commissioners, the district is
beginning to attract visitors,” he said. “It consists of the Carousel at Pottstown, the Colebrookdale Railroad, Pottstown Mini Golf, Pottsgrove Manor, connection to Schuylkill River Trail and Memorial Park.
“We just applied to the county for a grant to build a pedestrian safe crossing from our park to the amenities in the T-Rec district,” Flanders added to applause from the audience.
Flanders also discussed perception, and the need to work to change negative perceptions.
“We all know that everyone’s perception is their reality. If we want to keep moving forward, we need to work to change those negative perceptions. We need to tell a better story — tell the real story,” he said.
He addressed crime, saying that Part 1 crimes (rape, murder, burglary) decreased 14 percent in 2016. On the issue of the perception that the borough’s codes department may be difficult to deal with, “Not true. We have streamlined our permit process,” he said.
Peggy Lee-Clark explained that PAID is the agency responsible for economic development in Pottstown.
“I prefer to describe it as the facilitator to ensure the connections are made to support economic development. We are here as a liaison, we are here to service you — for individuals and companies interested in moving to Pottstown,” she said.
She explained that the agency works with borough, county and state government, community leaders and investors. Lee-Clark shared an example of one such effort.
“We are working in tandem with PDIDA (Pottstown Downtown Improvement District authority) and Hobarts Run, who also have a commitment to making a difference in Pottstown,” she said. “We are working together to get property owners, realtors and investors networking on how to increase responsible, highly practical development in the borough.”
She invited business owners, real estate brokers and individuals with an interest in investing in Pottstown to a meeting April 11, at 8:30 a.m. at Connections on High — to “come out and have a conversation.”
Brown said his agency has the responsibility of promoting Montgomery County as a destination.
“Pottstown is a vital part of the story we tell,” he said. “Why Pottstown? It isn’t a destination on the rise — Pottstown IS a destination.”