Mostly Positive Results From Survey Of Businesses In Chester County
By Jim Melwert
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) -- The results are out from a survey of businesses in Chester County, part of a 10-year economic development plan called Vista 2025, which tasked with balancing progress and economic expansion with preservation.
More than 400 businesses responded to the survey, representing all parts of the county, says Mike Grigalonis with the Chester County Economic development council.
"I don't think there were any surprises, but it was really encouraging to validate a lot of things we think we knew about the county."
For example, how important "quality of place" is to business leaders, including factors like community safety and recreational activities.
Grigalonis says this is the first of what will be an annual survey, setting a baseline for future results.
"What are the trends, are we still positive in some of the areas that we are today or are we slipping in some areas and we need to pay a little more attention?"
Positives from the survey: 94-percent of Chester County businesses expect to maintain or grow revenues over the next 12 months, 90-percent believe the business climate in the county is stable or improving.
Some challenges, businesses say, a lack of public transit and traffic congestion.
