Dr. Christopher Ali, The Pennsylvania State University
Through a series of focus groups in 10 rural counties, this project strives to better understand the digital connectivity needs, challenges, and experiences of first responders (police, fire, EMS, and 911) working in rural Pennsylvania. Understanding the connectivity needs of first responders in rural Pennsylvania and the gaps therein is crucial because it will improve public safety by ensuring that 911 calls can come through and that first responders working in the field can respond, and because it will improve the safety of our first responders themselves, ensuring that they are always “connected,” especially in times of emergency.

Dr. Simon Condliffe, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Many rural Pennsylvania counties face dwindling population and labor force, potentially undermining economic growth. Justice-involved adults reentering the labor force and finding gainful employment could mitigate labor shortages. A newly available data set describes the outcomes of justice-involved adults in Pennsylvania's rural counties. Outcome measures include economic (e.g., employment, earnings), health, and recidivism. These data offer an opportunity to understand the experiences of justice-involved adults in rural communities and how their experiences differ by characteristics such as race/ethnicity, gender, and criminal record. The research will offer direction for policies that improve the outcomes of these individuals and thereby strengthen rural economies.

Dr. Edward Fuller, The Pennsylvania State University
This project will examine teacher supply and demand issues in Pennsylvania, focusing on the qualifications and shortages of teachers using data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It will address supply issues such as enrollment in teacher preparation programs (TPPs), the number of newly certified educators by TPP, and the return of teachers to the workforce. Demand issues will include changes in student enrollment and characteristics, teacher turnover, and teacher attrition. The qualifications, diversity, and shortages of teachers by role will be estimated. A primary focus will be on rural schools, districts, and counties. Finally, I will analyze whether rural characteristics—such as enrollment size, distance from a preparation program, distance from an urban center, and relative salary—affect shortages and qualifications within rural areas.

Dr. Jongwoong Kim, West Chester University of Pennsylvania
This project aims to assess the vulnerability of Manufactured Home Communities (MHCs) in Pennsylvania, focusing on economic pressures, susceptibility to natural disasters, and the lack of regulatory protections, particularly in rural areas. Manufactured homes are generally regarded as affordable housing options due to their lower purchase costs, efficient construction methods, and smaller size. However, they face significant challenges that may threaten their affordability. Differential valuation due to faster depreciation, property tax issues such as higher assessed value per square foot, zoning restrictions, and additional fees, such as rent increases for leased land, can impact affordability and increase displacement risk for residents. Moreover, MHCs face a growing risk of closure and redevelopment due to aging infrastructure, rising market pressures, and ownership shifts from local operators to multinational corporations. The results will inform a set of strategic policy considerations related to the sustainability of these types of affordable housing options in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Femi Oloye, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
The research will assess the levels of trace metals (TMs) and the physicochemical properties of rivers and fish populations in the Bradford, Pennsylvania region. Trace metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic are toxic and persistent pollutants that can contaminate local water systems, posing health risks to human populations through ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation. Monitoring these metals is essential to understand the scale of contamination and its potential impact on public health and the environment. The study will involve sampling water and fish from local rivers in McKean County, analyzing the concentration of trace metals, and assessing water quality parameters like pH, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen. Using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) health risk model, the research will evaluate the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to humans from exposure to these contaminants. Key outcomes will include a detailed dataset on trace metal concentrations, an analysis of water quality, a health risk assessment, and policy recommendations for local, county, and state agencies, including the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and public health organizations.

Dr. Philip Sirinides, The Pennsylvania State University
The researcher, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania State Data Center, will add to the recent population projections completed for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania to the year 2050 by incorporating data on race and ethnicity. Sensitivity analyses will be completed to assess the accuracy of the population projection model already estimated at the state and county levels for Pennsylvania. Following a review of recent literature, research, data sources, and methodologies used in the creation of projections, the researcher will assess the Cohort Component Method of Population Projection and outline any alternative method(s) available, particularly for county-level forecasts. Experimental projections, including scenario-based projections, will be conducted and shared. In addition, analyses will further investigate the influence of migration patterns and group quarters at the county level in order to determine what adjustments might be used consistently across the state.

Jon Stover & Associates, LLC
This project will result in a revised and significantly updated version of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania's Community Planning Handbook (currently in its Fourth Edition). The Fifth Edition will incorporate new community planning materials consistent with best practices, informed by the scholarly and/or community development literature and the practical experiences of the authors and partners. It will serve as a practical and comprehensive guide designed to empower Pennsylvania's rural communities as they navigate demographic and socioeconomic changes. The Fifth Edition will introduce updated tools and strategies tailored to the unique needs of rural stakeholders. Each section will provide reader-friendly guidance to help communities develop forward-looking visions, implement effective planning, and address ongoing population shifts. Designed with flexibility in mind, the Handbook will offer adaptable tools and strategies to accommodate each rural community's unique and evolving needs. The Handbook will be designed to equip municipal leaders, local organizations, and residents with the resources to address ongoing population shifts and drive sustainable growth and resilience through data-driven insights and community-led best practices.

Dr. Brandon Vick, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
The project will expand on and update a 2022 Center for Rural Pennsylvania report on murder and abuse trends in two ways: 1) By adding more years of data (2013 to 2024), we can explore whether systemic shocks, such as population and economic transitions and the COVID-19 pandemic, precipitated abrupt changes in crime trends; and 2) by analyzing and reporting on a broader range of offenses (i.e., robbery, assault, theft, human trafficking, DUI, and drugs), we can differentiate trends and shifts across a number of categories. Rural-urban time trends will be compared across different categories of crimes to better see where state differences are emerging. Specific county/year-level crime rates (per 100,000) and growth rates will be calculated to identify which crime categories are especially prevalent and/or problematic in rural areas, as well as specific rural counties. Multivariate and other data analyses will be performed to statistically test for factors associated with various crimes, as well as test for unmeasured rural/urban differences.

Dr. Thuy Bui, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
This mini grant funded research project provides a comprehensive analysis of supply and demand for senior (55+) housing in rural Pennsylvania. It aims to paint a complete picture of the housing circumstances of the elderly in rural PA by analyzing the demographic characteristics, population projections, current housing situations, and financial conditions. Furthermore, this project will assess the current availability of several housing options and various senior housing segments, along with a future trend analysis. It will also examine the affordability of senior housing with a breakdown of different household income levels. Finally, the study will include important implications and recommendations for policymakers and local governments.

Dr. Yoon Mi Kim, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
The goals of this mini grant funded project are to examine job satisfaction and intent to leave among child welfare caseworkers in rural and urban areas in Pennsylvania and to investigate potential disparities between the rural and urban workforce segments. Partnering with the Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators Association, Inc. (for public agencies) and the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth, and Family Services, Inc. (for private agencies), the researchers will administer a comprehensive statewide survey to collect data from both public and private child welfare caseworkers across all 67 counties.

Dr. Kristina Brant, The Pennsylvania State University
Slowing the overdose crisis requires expanding access to evidence-based treatment and life-saving harm reduction tools. This project examines access to MOUD (medications for opioid use disorder) and harm reduction services in rural Pennsylvania by triangulating the perspectives of county agencies, service providers, and people with lived experience. The researchers will collect information from the 47 Single County Authorities in Pennsylvania, conduct interviews with 30 rural service providers and 20 residents who use(d) drugs, and visit up to 10 harm reduction programs. Data analysis will identify disparities in MOUD and harm reduction access across PA, explore challenges faced by providers serving rural areas, and explore challenges faced by rural residents utilizing these services.

Dr. Alison E. Feeney, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
The project will conduct an in-depth inventory of Short=Term Rentals (STRs) in Pennsylvania, using AirDNA data from 2014-2023, and will map STR locations in a Geographic Information System (GIS), followed by cluster analysis to identify patterns and statewide trends. Also, 20 municipalities, both urban and rural, will be analyzed to inventory the types and characteristics of STRs and their potential impact on the local economy and housing availability. Interviews with zoning and planning directors of the sampled municipalities will gain insights into the types of existing regulations, along with the successes and challenges faced in their enforcement and will support policy recommendations for the management of STRs in the state.

Dr. Jennifer Haney, Commonwealth University (Bloomsburg) of Pennsylvania
Losses from natural disasters in the United States are increasing and require a coordinated effort among state and local governments to reduce or eliminate future risks to life and property. Rural counties in Pennsylvania face unique challenges in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters. This project aims to better understand the geographic patterns of natural hazards and losses and the quality of hazard mitigation plans in rural Pennsylvania.

Dr. Faith Kibuye, The Pennsylvania State University
Rural communities not connected to centralized sewer or water supply often rely on private on-lot wastewater and water supply systems. To characterize the motivators and barriers towards homeowner care, operation, and maintenance practices for these private wastewater and water infrastructures, the proposed study will conduct a qualitative survey of rural populations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who are private septic and water supply owners and users. Additionally, well water quality testing will be conducted to assess the links between septic maintenance practices and water quality in private water supplies. Findings will be used to develop Penn State Extension education materials on the maintenance of septic systems and private wells.

Dr. Yunfeng Shi, The Pennsylvania State University
This project will conduct empirical analysis to examine and quantify the key factors contributing to rural hospital sustainability, along with the impact of healthcare market consolidations (i.e., mergers and acquisitions) on rural hospitals in Pennsylvania. The study team will use a mixed methods approach and focus on four sets of outcomes: 1) financial solvency; 2) employee recruitment, retention, and staffing; 3) healthcare access; and 4) health outcomes. The findings will provide key insights for policymakers and hospital administrators who are challenged with finding strategies to make rural hospitals in Pennsylvania sustainable.

Dr. Moira A. Conway, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has emerged as a center of warehousing. These developments have provided economic benefits but present challenges. Using GIS analysis and media/public record analysis, this project will evaluate the growth of warehouses in the state and use five case study counties to explore employment trends, traffic impacts, and other community changes, such as land use and population, over the last ten years. These results will help inform land use, transportation, and economic development policies at local and state levels.