This EDA investment will empower the city of chester to build momentum, develop critical needed capacity, and identify granular targets for implementation in chester, pennsylvania

The Economic Development Administration awarded the City of Chester $400,000 on November 1, 2025, under the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (CFDA 11.040) to build economic development capacity, increase per capita wages, and close the prime-age employment gap in Chester, Pennsylvania.

The award funds onboarding of a consultant or organization to convene partners and oversee contracted work products including a workforce assessment study, an assessment of Chester government processes for businesses, and a Chester government capacity assessment study. The project will support job seekers with career development services to connect them with regional employment opportunities and provide small business resources to enable hiring and growth. The initiative builds on coordinated planning efforts led by the Chester Economic Development Authority.

Performance period runs through December 31, 2026. Work is performed in Chester, Pennsylvania.

The city of chester is addressing the local and regional need to increase per capita wages and close the prime-age employment GAP by building upon chester and delaware county?s recent coordinated planning efforts in an ongoing effort to connect chester residents with good jobs and promising career paths. The economic impact will increase the economic development capacity in chester, provide job seekers with career development support to match with regional jobs, and support small businesses with resources to grow their businesses and hire new workers. The key focuses of this award are to: onboard a consultant/organization to convene partners and oversee execution of contracted work products that include a work assessment study, assessment of chester government processes for businesses, the chester government capacity assessment study. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the chester economic development authority.