Agriculture
Despite accelerated growth, Chester County maintains its rural feel with 1,918 farms on 168,165 acres of farmland, according to the 2002 U.S. Census of Agriculture. The county's western portion is home to some of the state's richest farmland. The Chester County Economic Development Council works regularly with farmers on loan programs and land use issues. Mushrooms, grown chiefly in the southern portion of the county, are the region's chief agricultural product. Other important products include tobacco, corn, grain, dairy products, orchard crops, poultry and livestock. The area also boasts a flourishing nursery and greenhouse industry. These products all contribute to Chester County's significant agricultural revenue of $333 million annually.

Manufacturing
Chester County's largest industry, manufacturing jobs represent 23.1 percent of the workforce. Herr's popular snack foods are manufactured in Nottingham. Many other manufacturers are located throughout the region as well, including Dopaco, Inc., Sunoco, Reynolds Metals and Graco Children's Products. Other noteworthy companies in the area include SCT, Wyeth, Johnson-Mathey and CertainTeed. The county continues to be a big steel producer. One of North America's largest manufacturers of steel plates, International Steel Group, is located here with 2,000 employees. Other steel companies in the region include Worthington Steel and Lenape Forge.

Retail Trade
The influx of people to Chester County has produced a corresponding demand for retail shopping. The retail trade is the major employer in the county making up 13.8 percent of the county's total employment or 28,726 jobs. The county ranks 14th nationally in disposable income. As a result, the region offers proximity to more than 50 major malls as well as a wealth of alternative shopping experiences. If you seek "Main Street" shopping districts, towns like West Chester and Kennett Square are for you. If you prefer spacious shopping centers and malls, Chester County has them too. Exton Square Mall, Coventry Mall and the new Main Street at Exton, offer acres of shopping pleasure. The King of Prussia corporate and commercial center on the county's northern edge houses the nation's largest complex of retail stores. With the addition of open-air malls such as Whiteland Towne Center, Fairfield Place, Festival Mall and the nearby Brandywine and Ashbridge Squares in East Caln, Chester County has become a major shopping destination. The world-famous QVC headquarters, located in West Goshen Township, offers a virtual mall experience for around-the-clock shopping. From the finest in antiques and elegant home décor to car parts and electronics, Chester County offers a wealth of retail shopping adventures for any taste.

Technology/Service/Biotech
While Vanguard remains its most prominent company, word has gotten out that the region offers outstanding advantages to businesses. The northeast portion of Chester County is home to a booming corridor of high tech pharmaceutical companies. Companies like Daimler- Chrysler, General Motors, Microsoft and Exelon have found the resources and accessibility of the area make it an ideal place in which to conduct business. The county has become a hotbed for biotechnology companies like Advaxis, Inc. and Progenra, Inc., which both received Small Business Innovation Research Awards last month. Other biotech companies, such as ViroPharma, Cephalon, Centocor, CB Technologies and Environmental Compliance Services, have also realized the outstanding advantages the county offers.

Tourism
It's not just a great place to live - it's a great place to visit. Millions of tourists flock to Chester County every year to take advantage of its vast collection of museums, parks and historic attractions and scenery. Most of the county still retains its "horse country" feel. Last year, the Conference & Visitor Center hosted over 17,000 guests. The county's active tourism industry is reflected in the number of its available hotel rooms, which has risen to 4,000. The average occupancy rate in 2001 was 68.7% and the average room cost was $95 per night. The southern part of the county is home to popular attractions like the lush and expansive Longwood Gardens, which drew 924,000 visitors last year. This volume is not surprising when one considers its world-class reputation as a horticultural center. Nearby is Nottingham, home of the Herr's Foods factory, where almost 100,000 tourists a year learn how they make their popular snack foods. History buffs can learn of the important role Chester County played in our nation's development when they visit the Brandywine Battlefield, Chester County Historical Society and Valley Forge National Parks. Those interested in more current affairs can visit the popular QVC Studio in West Chester, where they can get a unique behindthe- scenes peek at the highly successful television retail operation.

MAJOR EMPLOYERS OF CHESTER COUNTY

COMPANY	INDUSTRY SECTOR
The Vanguard Group Inc.	Financial and Insurance
United States Government	Public Administration
QVC Inc.	Retail Trade
Siemens Medical Solutions	Professional and Technical Services
Chester County	Public Administration
Centocor Inc.	Manufacturing
The Chester County Hospital	Health Care and Social Assistance
West Chester University	Educational Services
Lasko Metal Products	Manufacturing
Acme Markets Inc.	Retail Trade
Downingtown Area School District	Educational Services

Source: Center for Workforce Information and Analysis, 3d Quarter 2004, Initial Data