Charting the county’s economic future | Inquirer Chester County
Plus, the best spots to go leaf peeping this fall.
Hi, Chester County!
A new head of the county’s economic engine recently took over and he’s focused on balancing development with conservation. We get to know him and his goals. Also this week, a deal to preserve part of Willistown Township’s Rock Hill Farm looks tenuous, the first day of fall is on the horizon and we’ve rounded up the best local spots to view peak foliage, plus People’s Light has scored over a dozen Barrymore Award nominations.
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Earlier this summer, Mike Grigalonis took over as CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council. It’s an organization the Upper Uwchlan Township resident is well acquainted with — he interned there 27 years ago and went on to serve as its chief operating officer and executive vice president before being named to the top role.
As he looks to the county’s future, he wants to balance growth with land conservation, while keeping an eye on changes in office development and farming, as well data centers and Superfund sites.
In a wide-ranging interview, he shares what’s changed and what lies ahead.
📍 Countywide News
Tuesday is the first day of fall and there’s good news for leaf peepers — summer’s heavy downpours could mean a spectacular foliage season. The Inquirer rounded up a dozen great spots to see the changing leaves, including French Creek State Park in Elverson. Looking to go apple picking? Check out our guide to local orchards, including Highland Orchards in West Chester.
Chester County History Center has named Kim Collison its next president. She has over 20 years of museum and nonprofit experience, including at nearby Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library.
More roadwork projects are getting underway this week, including a two-week closure on part of Paoli Pike. Here’s what to know.
💡 Community News
The future of a deal to preserve a swath of Rock Hill Farm while allowing homes on a portion of it looks much less certain after a Monday meeting during which Willistown officials tabled a vote and the developer’s attorney threatened that the “deal is off.” The Inquirer’s Brooke Schultz has the latest.
People’s Light in Malvern received 19 Barrymore Award nominations for its 2025-26 season, including for outstanding overall production of a musical and outstanding ensemble in a play. Here’s a look at its full slate of nominations.
One member of the cast of hit HBO show Task, which was created by Berwyn native Brad Ingelsby, took home an Emmy Award Monday night. Tom Pelphrey, who played Robbie Prendergrast, won in the supporting actor in a drama series category. Task is returning for a second season, though a release date hasn’t been announced yet.
The Inquirer recently released its “25 Under 25” list of the best local athletes under 25, including several from Chester County: West Chester’s Reese D’Ariano; brothers Colton Hiller and Maxwell Hiller from Coatesville; and Jordyn Palmer, a Westtown School athlete. See why they made the list.
A sample of West Nile-positive mosquitoes was reported last week at Greentree Park in Malvern.
East Vincent Township will continue discussions tonight at 6:30 p.m. for AQ Dev’s conditional use application to develop the Ruth Farm property into 53 single-family homes.
North Coventry Township is continuing discussions about its draft data center ordinance tonight at 7 p.m.
Willistown Township has acquired the 12-acre Nike Site, formerly a command and radar control area during the Cold War, with plans to make it open space.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration recently dedicated the new 5,300-square-foot, $7.5 million visitor center at Downingtown’s Marsh Creek State Park.
A new IV therapy spot, IV Nutrition, is now open at 1506 Paoli Pike in West Chester.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Some districts are closed Monday, which is Yom Kippur.
A number of schools are pulling back on screen time amid backlash from parents. Tredyffrin/Easttown School District stopped assigning iPads to kindergartners, and elementary students won’t take home tablets. In the Phoenixville Area School District, a one-to-one device program for kindergarten through third graders has ended. The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna explains the changes and why they came about.
Coatesville Area School District is breaking ground on its North Brandywine Middle School project this afternoon. The 144,000-square-foot addition and 21,000-square-foot renovation is expected to be completed for the 2029-30 school year.
The tracks at Downingtown High Schools East and West will remain closed a while longer as they undergo renovations. East’s track is expected to be closed through the end of this month and West’s track through the end of October.
Registration is now open for Octorara Area High School’s Room-2-Bloom early learning program for 3- to 5-year olds. The two-day program starts Sept. 29.
🍽️ On our Plate
Nottingham-based Herr’s has released a new product — and it was a big hit with Inquirer food reporter Kiki Aranita. The four cheese mac ‘n cheese curls have “achieved what no other puffed cheese curl has,” she said. Here’s why.
🎳 Things to Do
🎞️ Phoenixville Film Festival: Catch some independent films during this four-day festival. ⏰ Thursday, Sept. 17-Sunday, Sept. 20, times vary 💵 Prices vary 📍 Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville
🏇 Plantation Field International: See horses and riders compete in this annual event. ⏰ Thursday, Sept. 17-Sunday, Sept. 20, times vary 💵 $25 per car 📍 Plantation Field, Coatesville
🌃 Craft & Mercantile: Browse local artisan goods, listen to music, and grab a bite to eat at this evening market. ⏰ Friday, Sept. 18, 5-8:30 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Burke Park, Malvern
🍻 Moo and Brew and Grapes Too: Sip local brews from Victory Brewing, Saucony Creek Brewing, and Suburban Brewing, plus grab a bite to eat and listen to live music — all benefiting Brandywine Valley Active Aging. ⏰ Saturday, Sept. 19, 5-9 p.m. 💵 $70 📍 Historic Buck Run Farm, Coatesville
🍽️ West Chester Restaurant and Food Truck Festival: Now in its 45th year, the festival features entertainment, artisans, a beer garden, and plenty of food from area eateries. ⏰ Sunday, Sept. 20, noon-5:30 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Downtown West Chester
🏡 On the Market
Located in the Bradford Pointe Estates neighborhood, this six-bedroom Downingtown home has ample space to spread out. The first floor has living and dining rooms, an office, an eat-in kitchen, and a family room, while the lower level features a gym, a family room with a wet bar, and a theater room complete with seats and a projection screen. There’s a bedroom and bathroom downstairs, while five other bedrooms, including the primary suite with a soaking tub, are on the second floor. There are open houses Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $1.275M | Size: 7,250 SF | Acreage: 0.49
🗞️ What other Chester County residents are reading this week:
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