Accomplishments

WBCOG Accomplishments
History of WBCOG

WBCOG Accomplishments

The Western Berks Council of Governments was ratified by the state of Pennsylvania on December 13, 2000. Since then, the municipal representatives of the six member municipalities have focused their efforts on the fundamental requirements needed to establish an organization. Their accomplishments include:

• Adopting Ordinances to Establish Membership
  Six municipalities adopted ordinances to become members of the Western Berks Council of Governments. These six charter member municipalities are: Bernville Borough, Heidelberg Township, Mount Penn Borough, Robesonia Borough, Sinking Spring Borough, and West Lawn Borough.
• Obtaining Funds for Operating Expenses
  Western Berks Council of Governments received a Shared Municipal Services Grant from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development in the amount of $21,000.00 to hire a part-time Administrator and to establish an office.
• Establishing an Office
  The office of the Western Berks Council of Governments is located in the West Lawn Borough Hall. The office space is provided as an in-kind service contribution by the Borough of West Lawn. Our office numbers are: Phone (610) 685-4929 Fax (610) 685-4930 Email wbcog@countyofberks.com
• Creating a Website
  Working in cooperation with Penn State/Berks.Net, WBCOG established an official website.
• Designing a Logo
  The WBCOG logo can be seen on the home page of this website. The logo's colorful interior resembles a hex sign. This design lends strong regional identity to the organization because WBCOG is located in southeastern PA-home to the Pennsylvania Dutch and their decorative hex signs. Rachel Moorman, a Conrad Weiser High School student, designed the logo during her Junior year to fulfill her high school community service project requirement.

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History of WBCOG

The Western Berks Council of Governments grew out of the combined efforts of ten municipalities along Route 422 in western Berks County to promote tourism, improve safety, and increase community visibility along this highway. In the late 1990s, with funds from several sources--Berks County, the state of Pennsylvania, and the PA State Association of Boroughs--the municipalities were able to achieve their objectives. They erected gateway signs, community banners, stop signs, street signs, and an informational kiosk highlighting Berks County outlets, restaurants, etc. They also produced a video to show what can be done when communities work together.

The successful results of the Route 422 Corridor Project prompted several municipalities to embrace the concept of a Council of Governments. Participation in a Council of Governments would enable each member municipality to continue to pool their resources and expand their opportunities to better serve their residents.

In 2000, several of the boroughs and one township that participated in the Route 422 Corridor Project formed the Western Berks Council of Governments. The WBCOG was officially ratified by the state of Pennsylvania on December 13, 2000. The newly-formed organization received a Shared Municipal Services Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; this enabled the Council of Governments to hire a part-time administrator in 2001.

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