Leaders from more than 40 local businesses, schools and non-profit organizations recently announced they plan to work together on a 10-year initiative called VISTA 2025 to guide economic development in Chester County.

The effort is being led by the Chester County Board of Commissioners, who call VISTA 2025 a unique public-private sector partnership. The group aims to maintain balance between progress and preservation to ensure continued economic prosperity while protecting the county’s natural resources.

Among the more than 40 partners who are funding VISTA 2025 are the Vanguard Group, the Hankin Group, DNB First, West Chester University, the Chester County Intermediate Unit, Chester County Industrial Development Authority, Delaware County Community College and the Chester County Economic Development Council.

An executive alliance of the group’s key stakeholders will serve as a steering committee.

“VISTA 2025 will enable us to put in place a coordinated strategy to maintain a strong county economy now and in the future, while ensuring we preserve the natural resources that make Chester County such an attractive location to live, work, and operate a business,” said Ryan Costello, chairman of the Chester County Board of Commissioners and co-chairman of the VISTA 2025 initiative.

“Chester County is ranked as the number one county in Pennsylvania in a number of areas, including the health of our residents, percentage of residents with bachelor’s and graduate degrees, median household income and wages,” he said.

“Our goal is to take advantage of the opportunity to build on our competitive strengths, identify emerging economic trends and renew our focus on workforce development efforts in key sectors to enhance continued economic growth in Chester County.”