County Launches New Community Resource

is launching an interactive resource to provide information on the overall county, its 73 municipalities and 12 public school districts.

Community Profiles is available free of charge through the county’s website, www.chesco.org and the County’s Landscapes2 internet site, www.landscapes2.org. Community Profiles provides current information about the things that make Chester County a community — its people, housing, open space and development, transportation, economic development, government, and community facilities.

Launch of the resource follows a presentation made by Ronald T. Bailey, Executive Director of the Chester County Planning Commission earlier this week, to the Chester County Board of Commissioners. “This is a phenomenally powerful tool for municipalities, businesses and community groups, as well as all Chester County citizens,” Bailey said.

Community Profiles was researched, designed and developed by staff within the Chester County Planning Commission at no additional cost to taxpayers.

Chester County Commissioners Chair Terence Farrell commented: “The launch of this resource marks another “first” by Chester County, as no other county in the region offers such a comprehensive, interactive program like this. I have no doubt that this program will become a model that other counties throughout the state and the nation will wish to emulate.”

“There is a lot of great information found in this software program that will be helpful to so many people and organizations – not just those living in Chester County, but also those who are looking to find out more about the specifics of all the communities that make up Chester County. It has tremendous economic benefits, as the ease of use will appeal to businesses looking to make Chester County their home,” said Commissioner Kathi Cozzone.

Commissioner Ryan Costello added: “Even at first glance, it is obvious that this new on-line service is a tremendous source of information, with current data and statistics that government entities often lack. The challenge now is to publicize its real potential. Recognition must go to the Planning Commission staff members who have demonstrated real ingenuity and effort in creating this program. To be able to develop a program like this ‘in-house’ is another example of the caliber of employees we have within Chester County.”

Searches can be made according to the whole county, municipalities or school districts. Data can be displayed in the form of tables, graphs or maps. Additional information can be obtained by sorting data categories. Selections in the additional features section show locations of facilities and services.