COATESVILLE, PA — Housing affordability, transportation improvements, data-center development and workforce opportunities will take center stage in Coatesville as municipal officials, business leaders and regional organizations gather to discuss the economic decisions shaping Chester County’s only city.
The fourth annual Coatesville-area Economic (ACE) Forum will bring together developers, investors, educators and government representatives on Wednesday, Nov. 18, for a half-day discussion of the challenges and opportunities influencing Coatesville and surrounding communities.
Hosted by the City of Coatesville, the free forum runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus, 137 Modena Road.
The event offers residents, business owners and community stakeholders an opportunity to hear directly from organizations involved in housing development, public transportation, education, employment services and regional investment.
Among the central topics is attainable housing, an issue affecting workers and families throughout Chester County. Kevin Ressler, president and CEO of The Alliance for Health Equity, will join Neal Fisher, vice president of development at Hankin Group, and Coatesville City Manager James Logan for a discussion of housing needs and development.
Transportation will receive attention from representatives of three organizations involved in regional mobility and infrastructure.
Pamela Sarne McCormick, director of legislative and community affairs at SEPTA, will participate alongside P. Timothy Phelps, executive director of the Transportation Management Association of Chester County (TMACC), and Tim Stevenson of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Their discussion will bring together perspectives from public transit, transportation planning and state infrastructure.
Data-center development, another issue drawing attention across Chester County, will be addressed in a fireside chat featuring attorney Joseph Clement of Wisler Pearlstine LLP.
Education and workforce preparation will also be prominent parts of the program.
Bill Shaw, director of Quiet Revolution, and Brian Chenger, principal of Coatesville Area Senior High School, will participate in the education discussion, connecting the forum’s economic development focus with local educational institutions.
The workforce development panel will feature Javonna L. Wylie, president and CEO of Chester County OIC, and Juan Valencia, business services representative for PA CareerLink Chester County.
Their participation will bring employment training and workforce services into a broader conversation about the skills and opportunities needed to support regional businesses.
The forum will also examine investment in Coatesville through a discussion featuring Michael Grigalonis, president and CEO of the Chester County Economic Development Council; Steve Figgatt, CEO of Sycamore; and City Manager James Logan.
Together, the sessions will address issues that extend beyond municipal boundaries, including how housing, transportation, education and private investment intersect in the region’s economic development.
Event Details
- What: Fourth Annual Coatesville-area Economic (ACE) Forum, featuring discussions on attainable housing, transportation, data centers, education, workforce development and investment.
- When: Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Where: Chester County Public Safety Training Campus, 137 Modena Road, Coatesville, PA 19320.
- Cost/Tickets: Free admission; advance registration is required. Seating is limited, and the registration listing indicates the event is almost full.
- More Info: Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4th-annual-coatesville-economic-area-ace-forum-tickets-2003678459209 or visit https://www.coatesville.org/ace-forum-november-18-2026-register/.
The ACE Forum is intended to encourage conversations and connections among the public officials, organizations and businesses involved in Coatesville’s development.
For residents, the discussions offer insight into the people and institutions influencing decisions about local housing, transportation access, educational opportunities and future investment.
For business owners and community organizations, the event provides an opportunity to connect with regional leaders and learn about emerging economic opportunities.
The City of Coatesville is encouraging interested participants to register early because of limited seating. With representatives from major regional institutions participating, the forum will bring several of Chester County’s most significant growth issues into one discussion focused on the city’s future.
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