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Introduction
Recently, I attended one of the Imagine Berks public meetings in Robesonia.
The room included elected officials, planners, zoning representatives, engineers, and community leaders from across western Berks County. While the discussion covered a variety of topics, most of the conversation revolved around four major issues:
- Housing affordability
- Agriculture
- Transportation
- Economic growth
At first glance, those topics may sound unrelated.
But after listening to the discussion, it became clear that they’re all connected by one important question:
What kind of Berks County are we building for the next generation?
As a REALTOR® who regularly attends planning and development meetings, I thought it would be helpful to explain what was discussed, why it matters, and how these conversations could affect residents throughout Berks County.
What Is Imagine Berks?
Imagine Berks began as Berks County’s strategic economic development action plan and has since expanded into a broader effort focused on housing, infrastructure, agriculture, workforce development, placemaking, and long-term growth planning. The initiative is intended to guide future decision-making and encourage collaboration between municipalities, businesses, residents, and local organizations.
One of the most important ideas behind Imagine Berks is that many challenges facing Berks County are connected.
Housing affects workforce development.
Transportation affects economic growth.
Land use affects agriculture.
Economic development affects quality of life.
The goal is to address those issues together rather than independently.
Agriculture Remains Critical to the Berks County Economy
One of the most important topics discussed was agriculture.
Berks County is one of Pennsylvania’s leading agricultural counties, with more than 1,800 farms and agribusinesses contributing over $1 billion in annual direct and indirect economic activity. Poultry, eggs, dairy, mushrooms, and other agricultural products continue to play a major role in the local economy.
Several attendees discussed the importance of creating incentives that allow future generations to keep farms in operation.
A common concern is what happens when farmland is inherited.
If younger generations cannot generate sufficient income from agricultural operations alone, they may be more likely to sell farmland for development.
Some participants discussed whether zoning ordinances should allow additional flexibility for:
- Accessory apartments
- In-law quarters
- Agritourism operations
- Small businesses
- Additional income-producing uses
The idea is not to eliminate agriculture but to make it easier for families to continue farming while creating additional revenue streams.
Why Are So Many People Struggling to Afford Housing?
One of the biggest topics discussed was housing affordability.
Today, many working professionals—including teachers, nurses, first responders, and other essential workers—are finding it increasingly difficult to purchase a home.
Recent housing discussions within Berks County have highlighted a growing gap between local incomes and housing prices. Home values have risen significantly while wages have struggled to keep pace.
During the meeting, there was considerable discussion about what this means for everyday residents.
For many young adults, buying a first home takes longer than it did for previous generations.
Many people are delaying:
- Homeownership
- Marriage
- Children
- Family formation
Not necessarily because they want to—but because affordability makes those decisions more difficult.
Why This Matters to Residents
Even if you’re not planning to buy a house today, housing affordability affects everyone.
For example:
- Parents may wonder why their adult children can’t afford to move out.
- Grandparents may wonder why their children and grandchildren can’t live nearby.
- Employers may struggle to attract workers if housing is too expensive.
- Retirees may find there are fewer downsizing options available.
These challenges directly impact neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and communities throughout Berks County.
Are We Building the Right Types of Housing?
Another important discussion centered around the types of housing being built.
Traditionally, many zoning ordinances were designed around larger single-family homes.
But today’s population trends look very different.
Communities across Pennsylvania are seeing:
- Smaller household sizes
- An aging population
- More single-person households
- Increased demand for smaller living spaces
Many participants discussed whether communities may need more:
- One-bedroom apartments
- In-law quarters
- Accessory dwelling units
- Smaller homes
- Mixed-use development
The question isn’t whether families matter.
The question is whether our housing supply reflects the reality of how people live today.
Why This Matters to Residents
Think about your own family.
Many families want to live close to one another. Adult children may want to remain near their parents. Older parents may eventually want to live near their children. Grandparents may want to stay close to grandchildren.
Yet many communities lack sufficient housing types to support those goals.
This is one reason people continue discussing accessory apartments and in-law quarters.
Housing flexibility can help families remain connected without requiring everyone to move away.
Agriculture Is Still One of Berks County’s Biggest Economic Engines
Another major topic was agriculture.
Many people don’t realize just how important farming remains to Berks County.
Agriculture contributes more than $1 billion annually in direct and indirect economic activity and supports thousands of jobs throughout the county. Poultry, eggs, dairy, mushrooms, and related agribusinesses remain critically important to the local economy.
Participants discussed the challenge of keeping farms operational when ownership passes to the next generation.
Many farm families are facing difficult decisions about inheritance, profitability, and long-term sustainability.
Why This Matters to Residents
Agriculture does much more than produce food. It helps preserve open space. It supports local employment. It contributes to the character and identity of Berks County.
Many of the landscapes residents enjoy every day exist because local farms remain active.
When farm families no longer have viable ways to generate income, farmland may be sold for alternative uses.
That doesn’t mean growth is bad. But many local leaders believe growth should occur in a way that protects both economic opportunity and agricultural heritage.
Can Berks County Create More Economic Opportunity?
One phrase that came up repeatedly during the meeting was the idea of Berks County being a “bedroom community.” A bedroom community is a place where many people live but often leave for work, dining, entertainment, shopping, or other activities.
In simple terms:
People sleep here.
Then spend their money elsewhere.
Local leaders continue looking for ways to strengthen Berks County’s economy so more residents have opportunities closer to home.
That could mean:
- More jobs
- More small businesses
- More entertainment
- More restaurants
- More economic activity
The goal is not to prevent people from traveling elsewhere.
The goal is to ensure Berks County remains competitive and attractive for residents, employers, investors, and entrepreneurs.
Why This Matters to Residents
A stronger local economy benefits everyone. More local jobs mean shorter commutes for some workers. More businesses create additional services and amenities. More investment can improve neighborhoods and commercial districts.
And when more economic activity stays within Berks County, that investment has the potential to benefit communities throughout the region.
Preparing Berks County for Future Growth
Transportation was another major topic discussed during the meeting.
The Reading Area Transportation Study (RATS) is currently developing long-range transportation planning initiatives looking decades into the future. These plans evaluate roadway improvements, bridge projects, congestion concerns, bicycle infrastructure, transit needs, and future development patterns.
These discussions may not seem exciting, but transportation infrastructure often determines where growth occurs and how successful future development can be.
Why This Matters to Residents
Transportation affects daily life.
It affects:
- Commute times
- Business growth
- Traffic congestion
- Access to jobs
- Access to housing
The roads being planned today may shape how residents travel throughout Berks County for decades.
As communities grow, infrastructure must be prepared to support that growth.
My Thoughts
The biggest takeaway from the evening wasn’t a specific project or proposal. It was the recognition that many of Berks County’s biggest challenges are interconnected.
Housing affects workforce development. Workforce development affects economic growth. Economic growth affects transportation needs. Transportation affects future development. Agriculture affects land use.
Everything is connected.
The encouraging part is that local officials, planners, and community leaders are actively discussing these issues rather than waiting for them to become larger problems.
There are no easy solutions. But conversations like these help shape the decisions that will influence Berks County’s future for decades to come.
One reason I continue attending meetings like this is because they provide insight into conversations that eventually impact homebuyers, sellers, investors, developers, and residents.
The housing challenges facing Berks County did not appear overnight, and they will not be solved overnight.
However, one thing became very clear during the meeting:
The people involved in planning, zoning, economic development, transportation, and local government recognize these issues and are actively discussing potential solutions.
Whether those solutions come through zoning updates, infrastructure investments, housing initiatives, economic development programs, or a combination of all of them remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the future of Berks County will depend on finding ways to preserve what makes our communities special while simultaneously creating opportunities for future generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Imagine Berks?
Imagine Berks is Berks County’s strategic economic development and planning initiative focused on housing, workforce development, infrastructure, agriculture, economic growth, and community development.
Why is housing affordability a concern in Berks County?
Home prices have risen while many household incomes have struggled to keep pace, creating affordability challenges for many residents.
Why is agriculture important to Berks County?
Agriculture contributes more than $1 billion annually in direct and indirect economic activity and remains one of the county’s most important industries.
What is a bedroom community?
A bedroom community is an area where many residents live but frequently travel elsewhere for work, shopping, dining, or entertainment.
What is RATS?
The Reading Area Transportation Study (RATS) is the federally designated transportation planning organization responsible for long-range transportation planning in Berks County.
Thinking About Living in Berks County?
As a REALTOR® serving Berks County, I regularly attend planning meetings, development discussions, and community events to better understand the factors shaping our communities.
If you’re considering buying, selling, investing, or relocating within Berks County, I’d be happy to help you better understand the local market and the trends influencing its future.
Contact Ben Perfetto, REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty, to learn more about Berks County and the communities that call it home.
