At a recent workshop for municipal officials
about economic development, the afternoon
speaker made a very good point. Economies are
cyclical. We are on the downward slope but
it will swing back upward. The best
thing we can do is to prepare now for that
upward swing.
She talked about how municipalities should be
actively pursuing historic districts and
other revitalization tools; updating the
zoning and other ordinances; doing long-term
planning.
In Souderton,
work is being done on updating the zoning,
establishing a national historic district,
setting up economic development zones,
planning for streetscape improvements and
applying for any and all funding that will
enable the bricks and mortar projects to move
forward.
In Telford,
work has been ongoing for infrastructure
improvements, the zoning is being updated and
the Marketplace at Telford Station has been
completed. They have also done a good bit of
work on the parks with more improvements
planned.
Both boroughs will once again be doing a
seven-year revitalization plan for Montgomery
County in the new year. This plan will
outline the goals, objectives and projects
that we want to accomplish over the next
seven years.
Souderton-Telford Main Streets has created a
five-year plan to guide their
activities and
we will be working with the boroughs to
incorporate those ideas into the seven-year
plan.
What kind of planning are YOU
doing for your business?
Now is the time to prepare for the long-term
for your business. When business is
flourishing and growing, who has time to plan
for healthy growth?
