Pottstown Business Improvement District

History

Economic revitalization requires an on-going commitment of time & financial investment that is solution driven.”

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania encourages communities to develop Improvement Districts to promote and enhance commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use neighborhoods.

With a commitment to re-imagining an economic hub in Western Montgomery County, the Borough of Pottstown’s progress has taken place through the “power of belief, investment, and hard work“, and it has also taken “thoughtful planning while remaining open to adaptation“.

As we look to the future for the Borough of Pottstown, we must implement projects and events that will create an atmosphere of safety, placemaking improvements, and visitor activity in the Downtown. A Business Improvement District (BID) addresses these topics by creating a cleaner, safer and more attractive Business District, while building the potential to increase property values, improve sales and decrease the number of vacant properties.

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On June 9, 2025, The Pottstown Business Improvement District (BID) was established by Ordinance 2239.  The Pottstown Business Improvement District (BID) is managed by the Pottstown Business Improvement District Management Association (PBIDMA) and governed by a Board of Directors who represent areas within the District.

“An Ordinance (2239) of the Burgess and Town Council of the Borough of Pottstown creating and establishing a Business Improvement District (BID) as Permitted by the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Improvement District Act.”

“Whereas the Burgess and Town Council of the Borough of Pottstown is authorized by the Neighborhood Improvement District Act of December 20, 2000, P.L. 949 No. 130 (“the Act”) to establish by ordinance, neighborhood improvement districts and to designate certain entities to administer programs and services within such districts in order to… promote and enhance more attractive and safer commercial, office and mixed-use neighborhoods; economic growth, increased employment opportunities, and improved commercial, industrial, business districts and business climates.”

Pottstown Business Improvement District (BID) Map Boundaries 

The boundaries of the Pottstown Business Improvement District include all of the properties of East High Street from the Manatawny Street through to the end of the 500 block at Warren Street, encompassing King Street from Manatawny Street to Charlotte Street, North and South Charlotte Street from Chestnut Street to Queen Street, 170 South Street and North and South Hanover Street from King Street to Industrial Highway.

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PBIDMA Board of Directors In accordance with the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Improvement District Act of 2000, the board shall consist of seven (7) members to include property owners, representatives of Pottstown Borough, PAED and institutions that exist within the boundaries of the District. The Pottstown 2025/2026 BIDMA Board shall be comprised of:

One (1) Permanent Member – Pottstown Borough 2025/2026 – Andrew Monastra
One (1) Permanent Member – PAED Board 2025/2026 – John Jones
One (1) At-large or Exempt Parcel Owner Member – 2025/2026 – Amy Auwaerter
One (1) property owner from 0-199 East High Street, North York between High & King and South Hanover
Street between High & Industrial Highway and 170 South Street. – 2025/2026 – Tom Dunn
One (1) property owner from 200-299 East High Street, North Penn Street between High & King, North
Hanover Street between High & King, Charlotte Street between Chestnut & Queen. 2025/2026 – Keith Costello
One (1) property owner from 0-299 East King Street – 2025/2026 – OPEN
One (1) property owner from 300-599 East High Street – Art Miller

Questions regarding the Pottstown Business Improvement District can be directed to info@paedinc.org.

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Why Create a Business Improvement (BID) Plan?  Create a cleaner, safer, more attractive business district; Create a steady and reliable source of funding for supplemental services and programs; Be able to respond quickly to changing needs of the business community; Build potential to increase property values, improve sales, and decrease the number of vacant properties.

Did You Know? A sample of local PA BID’s with proven success include West Chester, King of Prussia, Lancaster City, Wilkes Barre, and Allentown. There are nearly 1000 BIDs in the United States. Philadelphia has more than a dozen BIDs, beginning in the 1990s.

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In 2024, Pottstown Area Economic Development (PAED) invested in memberships of two Downtown organizations – PA Downtown Center and Main Street America, and began the process of seeking National Accreditation with Main Street America, as well as a Main Street Designation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  From engaging with Downtowns across Pennsylvania and the U.S., to access to funding opportunities and resources such as knowledge centers, training for small businesses, and more… these efforts are an investment in the continued revitalization of the Borough of Pottstown.