GRCA Commerce Quarterly Fall 2019 - 6

a message from our Executive Vice President and COO

When Companies
Come Knocking,

GRCA answers
In true David Letterman fashion,
a few years ago I shared the top
ten reasons why companies who
are considering locating to Berks
County should contact the Greater
Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA).
Recognizing that everything in the world is now even more
fast paced and attention spans are limited (and we only have
so many hours in the day), I've shortened it to the top five.
#5 LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: GRCA knows Berks County. We
provide access to all the local information that you can't get from
data tools or online. We know who just laid off skilled workers,
who closed, who expanded, who has training programs and dollars.
We usually even know some information that you can't get over
the water cooler. We provide customized data and information
packages on available buildings and sites, demographics, wages,
and employers. Better yet, we can tell you some of the best ways
to access our local and regional talent pool.
#4 INCENTIVES: Everyone wants them, but not everybody
knows how or where to access them. Whether it is workforce
training dollars, training programs, job creation tax credits, low
interest financing, infrastructure support, or brownfields assistance.
In many instances, GRCA is the conduit for federal, state and local
financial project support. NOTE: Right now the rate for PIDA
financing is as low as 2%!
#3 INTRODUCTIONS: GRCA offers facilitation and
introductions to local and state approving agencies, boards,
municipalities, potential supply chain and customers, elected

6 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2019

officials, and business leaders. We can also advocate for projects
that will have a high priority positive economic impact in the
community. Engaging with us early in the permitting process can
be beneficial - it will most likely be us that you call when a project
runs into permitting challenges.
#2 INTERPRETATION: Okay, I don't mean for foreign language
speakers. LERTA, TIF, KOEZ, KIZ, MTF, BIOS, RACP, PIDA,
CDBG, WEDNet, FTZ - in the world of community and
economic development, we love our alphabet soup of terminology.
So if you need help with these acronyms, call us. We know them
so you don't have to and will get you to the right program, the
right training, and the right place.
#1 RED CARPET TREATMENT: GRCA rolls out the red carpet
for business prospects. Companies want to locate in communities
that want them and exude a business-friendly environment.
GRCA readily sets the stage for deal-making conversations with
the top business leaders in the community. We fully understand
and embrace the importance of confidentiality and maintaining
the integrity of a company's expansion and site selection process.
We are committed to the highest standards of professionalism and
customer service.
The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) is home to
more than 130+ years of economic development, financing, training,
business attraction and retention experience. Importantly, we don't
just provide support for attracting companies, we are here to help
Berks County companies thrive and expand. So, when companies
come knocking....we are here to answer.
GRCA Commerce Quarterly Fall 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of GRCA Commerce Quarterly Fall 2019
