"Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project is an organization whose name is based on a Brookings Institute study: “One-Fifth of America: A Comprehensive Guide to America’s First Suburbs.”

First suburbs are communities that grew prior to sprawl and, perhaps, represent what was the best of hometowns — business districts, local schools and housing that brought people together.

However, the study looked at the reality of these communities and stated, “First suburbs across the country face common challenges: high taxes, crumbling infrastructure, declining schools, changing demographics and inadequate aging housing stock.”

Leaders of the First Suburbs Project recognize their communities cannot address these challenges on their own and that substantial changes are beyond what local government can legislate or accomplish.

Municipal, civic, education and community leaders in Delaware County have joined with their cohorts in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties believing there is strength in numbers and power in a united effort. More than 200 individuals, representing more than five dozen organizations Delaware and Southern Chester counties, gathered in Media’s Community Center to frame the goals of the SEPA First Suburbs Project." 

For the complete Delaware County Daily Times article, please click here.