The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance announced the sale of 14.4 acres to McGrew Enterprises LLC, doing business as Crownstone Equipment, for the future home of Bobcat of Berks County.

COVID-19 continues to take an economic toll as cases and deaths surge across America, causing the outlook for the current quarter and first quarter of 2021 to be downgraded.

At a time when local economies are sagging under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic, Reading may be seeing hints of a downtown revival thanks, apparently, to Alvernia University’s CollegeTowne project.

Pamela Shupp Menet, who currently serves as vice president of external affairs for the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, is taking over the newly created dual role of economic development director and deputy chief administration officer for Berks County.

“When you can sustain jobs and grow jobs, good things happen,” Gerlach said. “You grow and expand the economy, and then those businesses can connect back into the community as corporate citizens.”

The new Rebuild Berks campaign, a joint program between commissioners and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance in Wyomissing, aims to create a sustainable, regional network for consumers and businesses to source goods and services to boost the local economy.

The plan, which was accomplished with input from GRAC’s nearly 1,000 members, key community business leaders and other community stakeholders, is laid out in three main sections.

Trucking, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, health care and agribusiness are long-standing contributors to Berks County’s strong economic landscape – even during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.

A Berks County boat parts manufacturer plans to expand in the county and move its out-of-state headquarters there as well, committing more than $11 million for the project and creating nearly 100 jobs.

A new industrial park will soon be built in Ontelaunee Township. Two loans, provided by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, will fund the purchase and development of land for an industrial park at the southeast intersection of Routes 61 and 73.