The Center for Rural Pennsylvania

07/08/2026

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania's Board of Directors is continuing its examination of data center development in Pennsylvania.

On Wednesday, July 29, the Board will convene a second public hearing featuring testimony from local government leaders, researchers, legal scholars, and representatives from Pennsylvania's agricultural community.

Testimony will focus on:
• Local government capacity
• Economic development and community planning
• Energy law and policy
• Agricultural land preservation
📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
🕙 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
📍 Commonwealth University Bloomsburg Campus
Learn more about the hearing, agenda, and speakers: https://bit.ly/4eT2hde

07/06/2026

Who answers the call when an emergency happens in rural Pennsylvania? Volunteer emergency medical services (EMS) providers do.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania's statewide survey found that 43% of rural EMS agencies rely primarily on volunteers, compared with 14% of urban agencies. These rural agencies also recruit providers through local relationships and training opportunities like those at Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, & Pennsylvania College of Technology. However, low compensation, demanding schedules, and limited benefits continue to make recruitment and retention difficult.

Strong emergency medical services are essential to healthy rural communities. Understanding the challenges EMS agencies face can help inform conversations about how Pennsylvania's support evolves for the people who answer the call.

Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4gXdeeT

07/02/2026

As Independence Day weekend begins, all of us at the Center for Rural Pennsylvania wish you and your family a safe and happy Fourth of July!

This holiday is a time to celebrate the communities that make our Commonwealth strong including the rural communities that contribute so much to Pennsylvania's economy, heritage, and future.

We're proud to support Pennsylvania's General Assembly and policymakers through nonpartisan research that helps strengthen rural communities and informs the decisions that shape our Commonwealth.

Thank you to everyone who serves our communities, and to those working throughout the holiday weekend to keep us safe.

Have a wonderful Independence Day weekend! ❤️ 🤍 💙

06/28/2026

Rural Pennsylvania is more than a place on the map—it is an essential part of the Commonwealth's future.

From agriculture and manufacturing to health care, energy, entrepreneurship, and natural resources, rural communities contribute to Pennsylvania's economic strength and quality of life.

Our mission is to provide independent, nonpartisan research that helps policymakers and communities better understand the issues shaping rural Pennsylvania. Through research, collaboration, and data-informed analysis, we work to support thoughtful decisions that strengthen communities across the Commonwealth.

View the comments to learn more about who we are and why our work matters.

06/26/2026

What might Pennsylvania's future workforce look like?

Our 2023 report, Pennsylvania Population Projections for the Next 30 Years (2020–2050), provides a long-term look at how demographic trends may shape the Commonwealth. One key finding: Pennsylvania's youth population (ages 0–19) is projected to decline by 6.8% by 2050, although the pace of change varies considerably across counties.

Population projections don't predict the future; they provide a foundation for planning. They help inform decisions about education, workforce development, housing, transportation, and other public services that support Pennsylvania's communities.

Review the findings in the comments, then explore the executive summary or full report to learn more: https://bit.ly/441VsQb

06/25/2026

It's a good time to revisit one of the Center's earlier reports on rural housing with housing at the forefront of policy discussions in Pennsylvania.

Published in 2022, the report examines housing quality, access to financing, and local housing policies affecting rural communities. Many of these issues remain part of today's conversation.

Swipe through for a few highlights and read the executive summary or full report at https://bit.ly/4uRY9Pn.

06/16/2026

What do aging septic systems mean for rural Pennsylvania homeowners?

Our latest report explores homeowner experiences, maintenance practices, and policy considerations related to on-lot septic systems in rural communities.

Check out the comments key findings and policy considerations, and read the full report: https://bit.ly/4oxfueQ

06/10/2026

𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘀𝘆𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮'𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀

🔎 A new report from the Center examines what's driving caseworker turnover and vacancies across Pennsylvania's public and private child welfare agencies.

📊 Key findings reveal differences between rural and urban caseworkers: urban workers reported higher average caseloads, while rural workers reported greater flexibility and higher satisfaction with court responsibilities.

💡 The report also identifies factors influencing job satisfaction and performance, insights that can help agencies and policymakers address workforce challenges statewide.

📖 Read the full report: http://bit.ly/4onAeWi.

06/05/2026

🏡🌾 Rural communities are essential to Pennsylvania’s future.

📊 The Center for Rural Pennsylvania provides research and data analysis that help inform legislators, community leaders, and state partners as they address the unique challenges and opportunities across rural regions of the Commonwealth.

✅ This video highlights the Center’s impact and shares how its work supports informed decision-making and stronger outcomes for all Pennsylvanians.

🎥 Watch the video: https://vimeo.com/1192283462/510c28f3f1?share=copy.
🔗 Learn more: https://www.rural.pa.gov.

This is "Center for Rural Pennsylvania Impact Video - Short Form" by PA Senate GOP on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

06/05/2026

𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗻-𝗟𝗼𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻𝘀𝘆𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮

📊 A new report from the Center explores septic system maintenance practices and challenges facing homeowners across the Commonwealth.

⚠️ Key findings show that 65% of surveyed septic systems are more than 20 years old, while only about 30% of homeowners reported keeping up with routine inspections.

💧 The report also highlights concerns about water quality and identifies maintenance costs and system repairs as major barriers to proper upkeep.

📄 Learn how these findings can help inform policies and outreach efforts to protect Pennsylvania's water resources.

🔗 http://bit.ly/43URUio