2012 Year in Review and the Forecast for 2013

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2012 was a very busy year for 625,000-plus residents of the County of Bucks. We saw steady construction progress on the county’s new Justice Center in Doylestown Borough, the establishment of the Bucks County Municipal Economic Development Initiative, the conduct of another large-turnout General (Presidential) Election, and emergency management of Hurricane Sandy and its devastating after effects. Perhaps most significantly, on December 19, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $390.44 million Fiscal Year 2013 operating budget that did not raise county property taxes for the sixth time in the last seven years, while also adding to the General Fund balance for the first time in five years. 

Progress in Bucks County 

The $84 million Justice Center project in Doylestown Borough broke ground on July 19, 2011 and at the end of 2012, the project was approximately 30 % complete. The project is slated for completion sometime during the year 2014. Neshaminy Manor is Warrington received the Excellence in Action award for the fifth consecutive year. The honor recognizes nursing homes that achieve the “highest levels of satisfaction excellence – as demonstrated by overall resident or employee satisfaction scores that fall within the top 10 percent of the My InnerView product database.” In a show of great civic responsibility, on Tuesday, November 6, nearly 75% of all registered voters in Bucks County casted a vote in the General Presidential election. 

Bucks County continues to make economic development one of its highest priorities. In 2009, 6 developmental goals were established by the Economic Development Advisory Board’s An Action Plan for Progress. One of these six goals – engaging our municipal partners – is the foundation of the new “Bucks County Municipal Economic Development Initiative.” All communities in Bucks County, from rural to industrial, are eligible to receive resources to foster the expansion of businesses and enterprises that create jobs, community character and the ability to provide community services for residents. Also, 2012 saw Bucks County continues its program to preserve 17,000 acres of farmland by the end of 2017. At the end of 2012, the program has set aside over 13,260 acres for preservation. 

Hardships in Bucks County

 

Bucks County also saw its share of difficulty in the year 2012. Most detrimental was the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in October. Sandy was the second storm of tropical origin to batter Bucks County in as many years. At the height of the storm, approximately 200,000 electric customers experienced a loss of power. The effects of the storm remain visible in many places, but the only saving grace is that the heaviest rains did not impact Bucks County. Our community has banded together over the last few months to rebuild and help our neighbors in need.

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To get more information on the developments of 2012, read BucksCounty.org’s entire article on “2012 Year in Review.” The real estate forecast for early-2013 is starting off positively. There is less inventory of homes, but the homes on the market are selling quickly if they are priced and marketed well. If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home, please call me at 215-990-3992 or visit our website at www.PADreamHomes.com. Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!