Homeowners increasingly staying put, and building out
American homeowners, reluctant to give up low mortgage rates from the early 2020s, are increasingly remodeling and expanding their homes rather than moving — often by shrinking their backyards. With new construction and resale prices high, many are tapping home equity to finance additions, and the trend has accelerated sharply: 4% of homeowners who did work in 2025 expanded their home's footprint, double the prior year. This reflects broader shifts — sluggish housing inventory, rising home values and changing cultural habits that favor indoor space over outdoor — leaving Americans with bigger houses and smaller yards than ever before.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/15/2026

PA outdoor economy ranks sixth in the nation
Pennsylvania's outdoor recreation economy grew by $1.5 billion in 2024 to reach $20.4 billion in total economic impact, ranking the state sixth in the nation for outdoor employment with 177,000 workers and $9.5 billion in sector wages. The industry accounts for 2% of the state's GDP and grew faster than the national average at 2.7%. Nearly all outdoor activities saw gains, with bicycling nearly doubling in value and hunting/shooting/trapping jumping significantly, while RVing was the only sector to see a slight decline.
Source: PhillyBurbs; 3/16/2026

Homeowners in PA pay among the highest property taxes in U.S.
Pennsylvania ranked 13th on the list of highest property taxes in the nation, with an average effective property tax rate of 1.137%, according to a recent study. Typically calculated as a percentage of a home’s assessed value, property taxes remain a growing burden even as the market cools. Because tax assessments often lag behind real-time market data, many homeowners are still seeing their bills climb as local governments play catch-up to the massive value spikes of the early 2020s. Read more at Chester County Press.
Source: Chester County Press; 3/11/2026 

NAR working toward solutions in HOA master insurance delays
To sell properties in homeowners’ association communities, mortgage lenders often require documentation showing adequate insurance coverage for common areas. When lenders encounter delays in obtaining the information, real estate professionals are frequently asked to step in. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is working with state and local Realtor associations and industry partners to better understand where breakdowns occur and what solutions may be most effective. Several states already have laws addressing access to master insurance information, but those requirements vary widely, and there is no consistent, nationwide approach. NAR’s focus is on understanding what works, where gaps remain and whether greater consistency could help address the problem.
Source: NAR; 3/16/2026

USPS could run out of cash in 2027, postmaster says
The U.S. Postal Service is on track to run out of cash for paying its workers and vendors in about a year and may have to stop deliveries, Postmaster General David Steiner told lawmakers at a recent hearing. The warning is the latest development in longstanding money troubles at USPS — a unique federal government agency that relies on stamps and service fees, not tax dollars, to deliver mail and packages six days a week to every address in the country. Steiner said the Postal Service could run out of money as soon as October if it keeps paying retirement and other obligations at current levels — or it could be February 2027 if it defaults on more payments. USPS ended fiscal year 2025 with a net loss of $9 billion. USPS can take on no more debt under federal law, which has capped the agency's borrowing at $15 billion.
Source: NPR; 3/17/2026 

Pennridge School District faces rising expenses
Pennridge School District is facing a serious budget crunch for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with chief operating officer Sean Daubert projecting a $7 million deficit based on $162.6 million in anticipated revenue against $169.6 million in expenditures. The district is already struggling mid-year, running $1.4 million short on revenue and $1.1 million over budget due to lower-than-expected tax receipts, reduced interest earnings, rising special education costs, and elevated utility and snow removal expenses. State funding has provided little relief — Gov. Josh Shapiro's proposed budget would give Pennridge just a 1.2% increase, as the bulk of new state education funding is being directed to lower-income districts following a court ruling that Pennsylvania's school funding system is unconstitutional. Even applying the maximum allowable 3.5% tax increase would only generate $3.2 million, leaving a projected $3.8 million gap that may require tapping the fund balance or cutting capital transfers. The district, which raised taxes for the first time in eight years last year, will present updated projections next month ahead of a June budget adoption.
Source: The Reporter; 3/15/2026

Fire ravages Mill Race Inn in Northampton
The historic Mill Race Inn at 183 Buck Road in Northampton Township, a gristmill dating to 1787, was severely damaged by a suspected arson fire on the morning of March 15. The building had long been considered a blight and fire hazard by the township — as noted in a 2013 official report — having suffered repeated setbacks, including Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and a dam break in 2001. The fire comes at a critical moment: the township had approved a redevelopment plan in February by MJ Costigan Builders LLC to transform the long-blighted property into 33 age-restricted condominiums and office space. The developer plans to expedite removal of additions to the original structure and secure the property as the redevelopment agreement awaits one final outside agency approval before being finalized.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 3/16/2026 & Bucks County Courier Times; 3/17/2026

Bristol Borough announces town meeting on March 24
Bristol Borough residents are invited to a special town meeting on Tuesday, March 24, at 7 p.m. in Borough Hall to preview the borough’s plans for 2026 and beyond. Borough officials will present upcoming projects, community improvements, and the vision for the future of the historic riverfront town. See more here.
Source: Bristol Borough; 3/2026

Bensalem superintendent to resign
Bensalem School District Superintendent Dr. Samuel Lee is set to resign effective April 1, ending a tenure that began in July 2015 and made him one of Bucks County's longest-serving superintendents. The school board is expected to name assistant superintendent Dr. Victoria Velazquez as interim superintendent, and authorize a search for a permanent replacement. Lee's departure comes just months into a new, four-year contract the board approved by a 5-4 vote in March 2025. Lee's decade-long tenure included a major high school renovation, expansion of STEM and dual enrollment programs, and a career pathways model for students, but the district is now facing a severe budget crisis driven by rising charter school and special education costs — with board members warning last month that even a maximum tax increase of 8.2% would still leave the district $6.5 million in the red.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 3/11/2026

Solebury offers online tax payments
Solebury Township tax collector Laura Kim has announced that residents can now pay their 2026 county and municipal real estate taxes online through a new MuniciPAY portal, accessible via the township website, the tax collector's site or by scanning the QR code on their tax bills. The system accepts credit and debit cards at a 2.65% fee (minimum $3) and electronic checks for a flat $1.50, with fees going to MuniciPAY rather than the township. Features include a shopping cart for owners of multiple properties, a guest checkout option or account creation for saved payment history, and instant email receipts. Residents who prefer traditional payment methods may still mail a check or deliver payment as directed on their bills.
Source: Solebury Township; 3/2026 

Pennhurst data center makes last-minute additions to plan in East Vincent
Severe weather caused a postponement of the conditional use hearing for a controversial proposal to build a 1.3-million-square-foot data center at the former Pennhurst state hospital in East Vincent Township. The township announced that the hearing will be rescheduled for Monday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. at East Vincent Elementary School, 340 Ridge Road, Spring City. The township had received new plans from the developers that significantly increase the scope of the project just one day before the originally scheduled hearing. The new submission “increases the data center square footage from 1.3 million square feet to 1.9 million and adds power generation,” activist Ginny Kerslake posted on the Prevent East Vincent Data Center Development Facebook page. A look at the new engineering plans submitted to the township shows at least 10 acres along the Schuylkill River set aside for “power generation.”
Source: Daily Local; 3/13/2026 and 3/18/2026

South Coatesville council might disband local police department
South Coatesville Borough Council will consider an ordinance that would disband the South Coatesville Police Department and transfer full responsibility for police protection to the Pennsylvania State Police, citing potential cost savings and increased efficiency. The proposed measure follows an existing cooperative arrangement between the borough and state police and reflects officials’ determination that statewide coverage could provide comprehensive service in a more cost-effective manner. If approved, the ordinance would dissolve the local department effective March 31 at 11:59 p.m., with the Pennsylvania State Police assuming full policing duties beginning April 1. A copy of the ordinance is available at Borough Hall. The council will consider the proposed ordinance at a public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, at 7 p.m.
Source: Daily Local; 3/14/2026

West Goshen home at the center of a preservation fight will be demolished
The deteriorating West Goshen house in “imminent threat of danger” that has been at the center of a preservation fight will be demolished, a Chester County judge has decided. Chester County Court Judge Anthony Verwey found that “rehabilitation of the buildings is not feasible” and approved the demolition of the property. The appointed conservator of 905 Westtown Road said demolition could occur within 30 days. It’s a blow to advocates in the community who have been rallying to save the privately owned home, which has fallen into disrepair.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/17/2026

Frustration mounts over toxic spill in Goose Creek
The cause of the industrial leak of a toxic substance into Goose Creek in West Chester remains unknown, state environmental officials said, as the investigation into the incident continues. The state Department of Environmental Protection said it is "involved with" the investigation being conducted by Atmos Technologies, where the leak occurred on Feb. 28. Local environmental groups say that the Toxic Substances Control Act means that companies do not need to make the full chemical makeup of their products available. In the case of the substance that spilled in Goose Creek, long duration foam AC-645, very limited information is available, according to Goose Creek Alliance chief scientist Megan Fork. Conservation groups, fishermen, activists and residents around the area say that there has not been nearly enough transparency from the state or Atmos.
Source: Malvern Patch; 3/17/2026

West Chester Borough launches newsletter
West Chester Borough is launching an e-newsletter, the Borough Bulletin. Interested residents and business owners can sign up to learn more about what is happening in the borough here.
Source: West Chester Borough; 3/2026

Chester County appoints new leaders for key roles
The Chester County Board of Commissioners appointed Erik Walschburger as the new chief clerk and county administrator. He assumes the county administrator position after serving four years as deputy county administrator and chief operating officer. He began his career with Chester County in the district attorney’s office in 2008, holding several key positions and earning recognition as Chester County Prosecutor of the Year in 2018. The commissioners named Howard Holland as the acting deputy county administrator for operations. In addition to Walschburger and Holland, Chester County’s senior management team includes Megan Moser, deputy county administrator for customer experience.
Source: Chester County Press; 3/11/2026