The West Chester Business Improvement District (BID) was established in 2000 and renewed in 2005 (for a five year period) to fund and implement programs that reflect three general goals:
- increase customer traffic and sales;
- retain, expand and recruit viable businesses;
- to advocate the interests of downtown to government agencies;
Funding is generated by an annual assessment equitably shared by all commercial properties in the district. The assessment rate is calculated as .00275 of assessed value of the commercial portion of the property. 100% of the funds collected go toward programs of the West Chester BID. The BID is governed by a 15 member Board of Directors made up of downtown business and property owners. The Board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 8am at the BID office, 119 N High St.
The mission of the Downtown West Chester BID is to create a partnership among
the business and property owners to achieve long-term economic growth for business in
Downtown West Chester.
The West Chester BID currently has the following committees and programs in place. All meeting occur at the BID office, 119 N High, at 8am.
Advocacy Committee
Meets 4th Friday of the month; 8:00 am, except Nov 27 moved to Nov 20; Dec 25 moved to Dec 18.
Activities: Borough Liaison; downtown clean-up & beautification program.
Customer Attraction Committee
Meets 3rd Thursday of the month; 8:00 am.
Activities: Destination Downtown Campaign; Downtown directories; downtown informational kiosks; downtown positioning brochure; advertising in the area's visitor guides; website design/development; public relations; FAM tours; attracting bus tours.
Business Attraction Committee
Meets 1st Monday of the month; 8:00 am, except July 6 moved to July 13 and Sept 7 moved to Sept 14.
Activities: Retail Enhancement & Expansion Program; website property listing program; Urban Revitalization Plan; Hotels attraction; small business information service; property directory; prospect directory.
Design Committee
Meets 1st Friday after the first Thursday of the month; 8:00 am.
Activities: Facade Improvement Program (when funded); downtown design guidelines; historic preservation advocacy.
2009 Board of Directors
Jacqueline Van Grofski, Chair; Arthur Hall Insurance Group
H. Paul Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chair; Community Liaison
Richard May; Secretary; RKM Advisors Inc
Roy Smith, Treasurer; Community Liaison
Fred Gusz, Past Chair; First Mortgage Brokers
Carol Aichele; Chester County Commissioner
Christopher P. Blakely; RKM Advisors
Patrick Comerford; Jane Chalfant
Frank Herron; Barnaby's of West Chester
Ernie B. McNeely; Borough of West Chester
Lance Nelson, MacElree Harvey, Ltd.
Ray H. Ott, Jr.; Ray Ott & Associates
Cyndi Meadows, Penwick Design
William J. Scott, Jr; Law Office
Katie Walker; Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester
Malcolm Johnstone; Executive Director
Elizabeth McGuire; Administrator
Minutes of the BID Board of Directors 2008
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