2012 State of Delaware County Address

MEDIA–Economic opportunity was the theme of the 2012 State of the County Address, presented by County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle at a luncheon hosted by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce on March 20.

The entire State of Delaware County address can be seen on Comcast Community channel 190 at 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, airing March 26 through April 27.

Chairman McGarrigle was joined by all members of County Council at a Chamber luncheon at the Towne House restaurant in Media. McGarrigle cited several areas of county government where services have been strengthened, including a new Veterans Affairs liaison, Workforce Development efforts to address the impact of the refinery closures, and programs that assist elderly residents and people who are vulnerable.

He stressed that the economic success of Delaware County is a key priority for Council. “You always hear the phrase ‘Location, location, location!’ We know Delaware County is a great location. We are a beautiful suburb located near an airport, rail services, a deep channel river, and interstate highways,” said McGarrigle. “Hollywood even loves Delaware County. Last year, Bob DeNiro and Bradley Cooper shot a film in Ridley and Upper Darby. And right now, Will Smith and his son, Jaden, are making a movie at the Sun Center Studio in Chester Township.”

In addition, McGarrigle highlighted the 2012 Curling Nationals at IceWorks in Aston. According to the county, there were about 10,000 spectators watching curlers throw the stone and sweep the ice, including two local Marple Newtown High School twin sisters who kicked off the curling competition by throwing the first stone.

But a trained workforce is more important than location, and Delaware County has “an amazing breadth of workers who are resilient, hard-working and committed,” he said. “In Delaware County, we are a resilient group. We’ve all had a rough economic ride the past couple of years, but there are opportunities on the horizon, and we are going to make sure Delaware County is poised to take advantage of those opportunities. We intend to keep our residents in
jobs, and if jobs change, we will retrain our workers to fill new jobs. We will focus on reemployment, not unemployment.”

McGarrigle, along with Councilwoman Colleen Morrone, detailed plans to create
a Local Economic Development (LED) strategy that will serve as an economic blueprint for future development. A steering committee is being formed to seek input from key stakeholders throughout the community.

He highlighted key accomplishments in county government, which include expanded communication through an e-newsletter for residents, enhanced emergency services and continued programs that help elderly and vulnerable residents.

The council detailed efforts to determine the best possible use of the idled Sunoco refinery site in Marcus Hook and services to help laid-off refinery workers find employment.

Economic success stories include the relocation of EMD Chemicals to Tinicum Township, expansion at Crozer Chester Medical Center and Riddle Hospital, Boeing contracts, the fifth anniversary of Harrah’s Chester Casino, new jobs at SAP in Newtown Square, the Philadelphia YMCA building a state-of-the-art facility at the old bubble gum factory in Haverford Township, the U.S. Open coming to Merion Golf Club in June 2013, and a major motion picture being filmed at Sun Center Studios.

“Truth be told, there isn’t enough time today to list all of the economic success stories we have. Every individual success benefits us all. When a local business succeeds, that translates to an investment in our schools, our families and our quality of life here,” McGarrigle said.

Other highlighted, and well over $100 million in scope, economic developments, moving forward in the county included: Franklin Mint Project in Middletown, the Rivertown Project in Chester and the Ellis Preserve in Newtown Square.

For more information about the 2012 State of Delaware County address, watch the address on Comcast Community channel 190 or visit the County website at www.co.delaware.pa.us. This press release was provided by the Delaware County Council.