Reading Eagle 4/9/2010

The Gateway Building at 201 Penn St. has become the county's gateway to business resources now that the relocation of several key economic development organizations has been completed.

The Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry, formerly at 601 Penn St.; and Berks Economic Partnership and Greater Berks Development Fund, both formerly at 19 N. Sixth St., now are housed on the fifth floor of the Gateway, which is owned by the development fund.

"If people are thinking of starting a business, they'll know where to go," said Ellen T. Horan, Chamber president and chief executive. "We're going to work on building that brand as a business resource center."

Edward J. Swoyer Jr., the fund's president and chief executive, said the move resulted in some synergies, such as the ability to access each other's scheduling and the sharing of electronics such as copy machines and telephone systems.

"And the fact that we will be able to meet more frequently and easily should be of assistance," Swoyer said. "So I think over time we'll leverage each other's resources, and the efficiencies probably will build over time."

Jon C. Scott, president and chief executive of BEP, said the organizations are very optimistic about their ability to provide seamless services, and said that with some vacancies remaining in the building, more economic development entities would be welcome.

"This has opened people's eyes to a willingness to take a look at that possibility," Scott said. "There are numerous organizations that would have a good fit with the three groups that are already here. And that door is open."

Some other organizations that shared space at the Chamber's offices also have relocated, including Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, SCORE and the Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce. The Reading office of Kutztown University's Small Business Development Center, which had been in the Langan Center, 145 N. Sixth St., also is now in the Gateway.