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.

Dr. Sara Grove, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
The research team will conduct a comprehensive assessment of current services for individuals with dementia or a related disorder to project demand for services in rural areas of the Commonwealth through 2034. Through the analysis of population and demographic data, as well as interviews with agency staff and caregivers, the researchers will identify potential gaps in service provision, workforce demands, and funding streams. The team will also examine innovative programs and their funding sources employed by other states and nonprofit organizations for their applicability in the Commonwealth.

Dr. Kristina Brant, The Pennsylvania State University
The research team will examine Pennsylvania's capacity to address food insecurity using a multi-methods approach. The team will first conduct a survey and interview with the state's 22 food banks, and will then select four to serve as case studies, which will include conducting site visits and interviewing local partners and clients. The team will identify gaps in food banks' supply and distribution chains, explore challenges reaching vulnerable populations, and trace similarities and differences across urban and rural areas.

Professor Hannah Wiseman, The Pennsylvania State University
The research team will explore the economic, social, and land impacts of existing utility-scale solar projects and potential future solar projects on Pennsylvania farmland. The research will employ four case studies highlighting diverse features of solar development. The research team will also explore solar projects in rural New York—a faster growing solar market—to highlight concerns and potential solutions as solar deployment expands in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Claire Jantz, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
The research team will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping to assess solar development in Pennsylvania and the potential for solar expansion.

Dr. Xiaofeng Li, Pennsylvania Western University Clarion
The research team will investigate the importance of libraries as partners in supporting small business development and workforce growth in rural Pennsylvania. The first phase of the study will use online surveys among librarians, and the second phase will include in-depth focus group interviews with key community stakeholders. The findings could impact future policymaking and contribute to the scholarly and professional conversation on small and rural libraries.

Dr. Emily Strohacker, The Pennsylvania State University
The research team will examine the barriers that prevent or dissuade victims/survivors of domestic violence from reporting their victimization to police. The researchers will also examine the reporting differences, if any, among rural and urban Pennsylvanians. Specifically, the study aims to fill the gaps in the literature by examining the barriers among underrepresented and marginalized groups living in rural Pennsylvania, such as women of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.