The growth in Kennett Square is about to become the target for a high-powered economic boom, as three key community leadership groups have converged to define the crosshairs for strategic future development.

“The commitment to planning for the region’s future is a major step to preserving and improving our town center while retaining the natural and historic heritage of the region,” Historic Kennett Square Executive Director Mary Hutchins said in a recent Chester County Press report. “And we couldn’t be happier with the collaboration between Kennett Township and Kennett Borough. It just feels right to address some of the economic development in a cooperative manner.”

The coming economic development study will tap the expertise of consultants Todd Poole of 4ward Planning and Mark Keener of the RBA Group as well as the local input of task force representatives from Kennett Square Borough, Kennett Township, Historic Kennett Square, Longwood Gardens, the Chester County Planning Commission and the community at large.

The $60,000 study was funded by all representative groups and will specifically assess seven areas of great potential: “the State Street corridor, the Cypress Street corridor, Birch Street from Walnut to Broad streets, the former NVF site in the borough, the Ways Lane area in Kennett Township, the west side of Mill Road in the township, and the area known as Millers Hill on the eastern border between the borough and the township,” the article stated.

“The focus of the study — to provide technical data, community consensus and the vision needed to responsibly guide Kennett’s future development — will improve coordination between the municipalities, the public and the business community,” Commissioner Michelle Kichline said in the article. “It will set priorities for where and how the region grows, while protecting its heritage — all very important aspects of the county’s VISTA 2025 strategy.”

The study is expected to culminate in a December 2016 report.

Read more about the history and specifics of the economic development study in the Chester County Press here.