A vibrant downtown is the cornerstone of a healthy local economy. Keeping the downtown attractive and welcoming not only for visitors, but also local residents, requires a renewed focus on the key elements that make a downtown thriving: easy navigation, dynamic retail and a strong sense of place.

Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI), a Philadelphia-based economic consulting firm, helped the borough develop an Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan. The plan provides Borough Council with a menu of economic development initiatives and investments that will help propel Media as a unique regional destination to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

In 2000 the borough of Media was in a different place than it is today. The once vibrant downtown area of State Street was not the bustling hub of activity that it is today. Shops were closing as people went to the 2 malls that flank the borough on Baltimore Pike. It was at this time that the borough hired a consultant to offer guidance to help boost activity in the downtown area. A streetscape project was started with additions of brick accents, lighting and wrought iron features along State Street. An ordinance was passed that prohibited office space on the ground levels of buildings along State Street. This encouraged restaurant and retail owners to come into Media and open for business.

During the past 10 years the Borough Council had become concerned over the proliferation of restaurants and a lack of retail shops within the State Street corridor. They decided to update the original plan from the early 2000’s to try to find out what the demand for both restaurants and retail is within the borough. The new Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan answers those questions and offers a plan to help integrate a healthy balance of retail and restaurants within the borough based on their findings.

The Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan was funded by the borough and by a generous grant from the Transportation and Community Development Initiative of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

Click Here to view the Economic Development Strategy and Implementation Plan