Redefining Metropolitan

Public Hearing on OMB's Proposed Change to Metropolitan
Definition and Funding Implications for Pennsylvania

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  • For Immediate Release
  • March 31, 2021

On July 13, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced that its 2020 Standards for Delineating Core Based Statistical Areas will maintain the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) threshold of 50,000. OMB will work with the Standards Review Committee to conduct research and stakeholder outreach to inform the 2030 standards update. The announcement is available on this White House briefing fact sheet.

HARRISBURG - The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, chaired by Sen. Gene Yaw, will hold a virtual public hearing on Wednesday, April 7, beginning at 10 a.m., to learn more about the possible funding implications for Pennsylvania if the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) changes its definition of metropolitan areas.

"Over the past few months, the Center for Rural Pennsylvania has been meeting with federal, state, and local government and nonprofit representatives to learn more about the potential implications of OMB's proposed definition change," Sen. Yaw said. "While the comment period for the proposed definition change has closed, we wanted to continue the conversation so that we'll have a better understanding of how a new definition may affect our communities if OMB proceeds with it plans.

"This hearing will also give others an opportunity to provide information about how federal funds and resources to state and local governments and other entities may be affected in the future if other definitions are proposed," Sen. Yaw said.

Presenters scheduled for the public hearing are: Anthony Pipa, Brookings Senior Fellow, Global Economy and Development; Kim E. Wheeler, Executive Director of SEDA-Council of Governments; and Ronald Grutza, Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Assistant Director of Government Affairs, Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.

In addition to Sen. Yaw, Center Board members are: Board Vice Chairman Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski; Board Secretary Dr. Nancy Falvo, Clarion University of Pennsylvania; Board Treasurer Stephen Brame, Governor's representative; Sen. Katie Muth; Rep. Dan Moul; Dr. Timothy Kelsey, Pennsylvania State University; Dr. Catherine Koverola, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford; Shannon Munro, Pennsylvania College of Technology; Dr. Joseph Nairn, Northern Pennsylvania Regional College; Dr. Charles Patterson, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania; and Darrin Youker, Governor's representative.

The public hearing will be held via Zoom Webinar.