The document summarizes a presentation given by the Greater Reading Economic Partnership (GREP) to the Commercial Industrial Council. GREP works to support economic development in Berks County, Pennsylvania by providing connections to financing, training, innovation experts, best practices, new markets, and more for local companies. In 2013, GREP helped facilitate the expansion or relocation of 17 companies in Berks County. GREP also maintains a website called GreaterReadingSites.com to market available commercial and industrial properties to attract new businesses and help real estate professionals generate qualified leads.
4. GREP: Committed to Berks County
Companies – providing connections to:
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Financing
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Entrepreneur Training
Innovation experts
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•
Best manufacturing processes &
practices
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•
New market expansions
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•
Business to business introductions
& referrals
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•
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Exporting
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Succession Planning
Workforce training
Municipal, township, borough &
state officials
Governor’s Action Team
Local utility providers
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5. GREP: 2013 Highlights
17 new and expanding companies!
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City of Reading
– Bills Khakis
– Einstein Analytics
– Isolator Fitness
– Metals Your Way
– Prizer Painter (BlueStar)
Exeter Township
– Birdsboro Kosher Farms
– Visionary Insurance Partners
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Wyomissing
– SG America
– Longhorn Steakhouse
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•
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Maxatawny Township
– Saucony Creek Brewing
Cumru Township
– Reitnouer, Inc.
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Maidencreek Township
– Excelsior Blower
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Muhlenberg Township
– EthoSource
– Fidelity Technologies
– Great Grow
– National Brokers of America
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8. Fish where the fish are.
Site selectors and businesses will go straight to
GreaterReadingSites.com.
Brokers can profit from:
• Free marketing
• Increased traffic
• Direct, qualified leads
• Expanded lead generation
10. Most important features for economic
development websites
Land/sites and buildings inventory
91%
91%
90%
86%
85%
83%
83%
81%
80%
77%
74%
73%
70%
67%
67%
60%
60%
55%
53%
51%
48%
Demographic reports
Maps
Staff directory and contact information (phone, fax,…
Major employers
Business assistance services/how to start a business
Employment training programs
Hyperlinks to other organizations
Social media integration
Business list
Transactions (business licenses, permit applications, etc.)
33%
User-generated content (blogs, forums)
24%
Source: National Survey of Economic Developers and Site Selection Professionals by Ubalde & Simundza. 2011.
17. All pros, no cons
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Simple and fast to add listings
Substantially increase traffic
Free marketing
Access to informed, motivated prospects
Qualified leads
Strengthen rapport with your community
18. How We Can Work Together
• Assistance with prospect and company visits
– GREP rolls out the red carpet to Berks County
• Customized demographics and workforce reports
• Connectivity to ED resources and community leaders
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19. Contact us, we are here to help!
Pamela Shupp, AICP, CEcD
Vice President
Pamela@GreaterReading.com
(610) 376.4237
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21. Thank you.
Let’s continue working together to
be something greater.
Pamela Shupp, AICP, CEcD, Vice President
201 Penn St. Suite 502, Reading, PA 19601
Pamela@GreaterReading.com
(610) 376.4237