2010 News

January 21, 2010

Commissioners Unanimously Adopt EDAB Report
Next Phase to Focus on Implementation Plans                         

During the Jan. 20 county commissioners’ meeting, members of the county’s Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) presented the Board of Commissioners with findings and recommendations following a focused year-long effort to determine where the county stands today in terms of economic development, the direction the county would like to take in the future, and how we get there.   

Lynn Bush presents findings from the EDAB report.The county’s EDAB co-chairs, Commissioner Jim Cawley and US Congressman Patrick Murphy, are two of a cross-section of 19 government, industry, banking, health care, biotechnology and business leaders who have worked deliberately since February 2009 with an eye toward improving the way economic development functions in Bucks County. Both co-chairs touted the spirit of the members who gave thousands of hours of time to the complex task.  Lynn Bush, Planning Commission executive director and acting chief clerk, served as the staff liaison and “best utility player we have,” according to Commissioner Cawley.  Planning Commission staffer Margie McKevitt was also singled out as a key contributor to the group’s success.

The first phase of the board’s work was devoted to listening – intensive research was conducted to develop a comprehensive picture of the county’s current situation. A large part of that research included a survey that went out to nearly 30,000 businesses, with close to 3,000 returns.  Additionally, experts from the region provided insights into their organization’s approach to this important issue. Several themes became clear:

  • Bucks County is defined more by its economic past than present. 
  • Bucks County has many assets including quality of life.
  • Bucks County’s approach to economic development is fragmented and fails to convey a consistent message or single point of contact.
  • Local governments are integral partners in our future plans.
  • Our efforts should reflect the character of Bucks, capacity of infrastructure, and available trained workforce.

In response to these findings, EDAB recommended six actions steps:

  • Centralize the economic development function.
  • Adopt guiding principles of economic development: target areas, capitalize on green jobs, biotech, and knowledge industry clusters; and focus on quality of life.
  • Make better use of our existing economic development organizations and resources.
  • Help existing businesses we have in order to retain and help them grow.
  • Engage municipal partners.
  • Support workforce development that supports our economic development goals.

Commissioners sign off on EDAB recommendations.The commissioners unanimously endorsed the EDAB report, and asked that the group continue its efforts for the next 60 days to determine in detail the necessary steps to achieve their stated goals.

Pointing to meetings that were initially held monthly, then bi-weekly and finally weekly, Cawley lauded members and staff for completing the report by his stated deadline, at the end of 2009. 

To view the Economic Development Advisory Board Report, please visit www.BucksCounty.org.

Members of the Bucks County Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB):

  • Co-Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq., Vice Chairman, Board of Bucks County Commissioners
  • Co-Chairman Patrick Murphy, U.S. Congressman, 8th District (PA)
  • Dr. Joseph Brosnan, President, Delaware Valley College
  • Roger Collins, Executive Director, Bucks County Opportunity Council
  • Clifford C. David, Jr., President, Heritage Conservancy
  • Peter Dominick, Executive Vice President, Bucks County Bank
  • Dr. Vail Garvin, Executive Director, Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce (CBCC)
  • Elizabeth “Betty” Graver, Executive Director, Pennridge Chamber of Commerce
  • Jim Greenwood, former U.S. Congressman, 8th District (PA), President and CEO, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the world’s largest biotechnology organization.
  • James Horan, Chief Operating Officer, PA Biotechnology Center
  • Tom Jennings, Esq., Partner, Saul Ewing LLC
  • Tara King, Executive Director, Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce
  • Kevin Kruse, President, Kruse Research
  • Dr. James J. Linksz, President, Bucks County Community College
  • William D. Rickett, Executive Director, TMA Bucks
  • Michael Scobey, Publisher, Calkins Media
  • Clark Shuster, President, Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce (LBCCC)
  • Andy Warren, former Bucks County Commissioner, Executive Director, PENJERDEL Council
  • David West, Marketing Director, Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau
  • Lynn Bush, Staff Liaison, Executive Director, Bucks County Planning Commission and Acting Chief Clerk