Pennsylvania Launches Rural Revitalization Commission

A new Pennsylvania state commission seeks to address population loss and aging in rural communities. According to an article by Will Wright in Daily Yonder, “Several counties are expected to lose more than 10% of their population by 2050, according to a report from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. Statewide, the Center reported that rural counties face a 5.8% decline over the next 25 years.”

The issue raises concerns, as rural residents over 65 could soon outnumber people under 20, leading to a strain on social resources and infrastructure. “The implications range from workforce shortages to declining property tax revenue, complications in caring for aging residents and more.”

The new Rural Population Revitalization Commission will create a toolkit to help communities address the issues brought on by population loss and bring in new residents. “Part of what the commission can help with is teaching rural places how to market themselves and show young people why they should consider moving there,” according to Kyle Kopko, the executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.