From October 3rd to October 5th, I had the incredible opportunity to explore all that Fayette County has to offer through my participation in the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative (ACRI).

The journey began on Thursday, October 3rd, when we set off around midday, arriving at our temporary home at the Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, PA, by 5 PM. Touchstone is a beautiful facility offering multi-day courses in glassblowing, painting, and other crafts. After settling into our rooms, we headed out to dinner at the historic Summit Inn, a stunning hotel overlooking the vast landscape of Farmington. It was a culinary adventure for me as I tried goat cheese for the first time—an experience I was grateful for, but one I probably won’t be repeating!

The evening concluded with a debriefing session around a campfire, complete with s’mores. We shared our thoughts and expectations for the next day and discussed our early observations of the community.

Day Two: A Deep Dive into Fayette County’s Initiatives

The next day began with breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 AM, setting the stage for our busiest day. Each cohort split up to conduct their interviews and explore specific areas of interest. My cohort, focused on business, started by visiting downtown Connellsville, where we saw the newly developed hotel and events center, as well as the historic oak tree planted by American Olympian John Woodruff. Following this, we met with a local business manager to gain insight into the resources available to entrepreneurs and the challenges they face.

As part of our outreach efforts, we also distributed flyers asking community members for input on which initiatives they’d like to see in Fayette County. This grassroots approach gave us valuable insights as we traveled through different areas.

Next, we attended a luncheon at the Connellsville Canteen, a museum-restaurant previously highlighted in a blog. This luncheon provided an opportunity to meet community leaders and learn more about the impactful initiatives spearheaded by the Fayette County Cultural Trust (FCCT).

After lunch, we visited Fallingwater, one of the region’s most iconic attractions. This stunning piece of architecture, harmonizing nature with human ingenuity, is a major draw for tourists. Walking through the property was a profound reminder of the area’s natural beauty and its potential for growth in tourism.

Our day ended with dinner at a local restaurant and another fireside debrief at Touchstone. As we reflected on the day’s activities, we realized that the scope of our project was more complex than we initially thought, and that many of us would need to pivot our approaches.

Day Three: Exploring Brownsville and Planning for the Future

On Saturday, our final day, we shifted our focus to Brownsville, a community we hope to engage more deeply in the future. We spent the morning exploring the town, walking through its downtown area, and having lunch at a local restaurant. The trip concluded with a brainstorming session on the ride home, where we discussed what worked, what didn’t, and how we could build on the new information we had gathered.

Observations and Insights from Fayette County

As part of the business cohort, our mission was to assess Fayette County’s growing business infrastructure and the initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and education.

The county boasts a wealth of assets, and the community is making impressive strides toward economic and cultural growth. A key partner in these efforts is the Fayette County Cultural Trust (FCCT). FCCT has been instrumental in driving development, and its partnership with the University of Pittsburgh has allowed them to make significant progress. For example, last year they shared plans to build a black box theater. Within just one year, they secured funding, applied for grants, and completed 50% of the construction—a testament to their ability to turn vision into reality.

In addition to their partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, FCCT collaborates with Salem University and Seton Hill University, positioning them as a vital force in connecting educational institutions with the community.

Our exploration also highlighted Connellsville’s growing business sector, including new hotels and event spaces. Connellsville had long been considered a “black hole” along the Great Allegheny Passage, with few places for travelers to stop and rest. Local entrepreneurs have addressed this by developing accommodations such as hotels, event centers, breweries, and Airbnbs, making Connellsville a more welcoming stop for tourists.

Tourism remains a cornerstone of Fayette County’s economy. Two of its most popular attractions are Fallingwater, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its groundbreaking architecture, and Ohiopyle State Park, a 20,500-acre expanse of rugged beauty that serves as a gateway to the Laurel Highlands.

Engaging with Community Leaders

One of the highlights of the trip was our luncheon at The Canteen, where we spoke with county commissioners and local leaders. This was an eye-opening experience for me, as I gained a deeper understanding of the role county commissioners play in shaping the future of the region.

While the growing number of Airbnbs has bolstered tourism, the commissioners revealed that this has contributed to a housing shortage for local residents. A recent housing survey showed that over 99% of rental properties in the county are currently occupied. This housing crisis poses a significant challenge as the county works to attract new residents and businesses.

Another pressing issue discussed was the labor shortage. Despite the visible need for workers, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, many residents have chosen not to reenter the workforce. The commissioners are seeking ways to address this, but it is a complicated problem.

One of the most compelling insights from the commissioners was their strategy to increase high-paying jobs in Fayette County. They recognized that their current approach—waiting for factories or businesses to submit bids for land—was reactive and limited their ability to shape the county’s future. To address this, they are shifting to a proactive strategy.

Instead of passively receiving bids, the county has set specific goals across key sectors: Energy, Healthcare, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Tourism, Housing, and Education. They are forming a dedicated team to analyze the county’s land and resources, identifying the best opportunities for development. This team will assess which companies and industries are the most aligned with the county’s long-term vision.

By actively reaching out to businesses in these sectors, Fayette County aims to foster growth in a way that maximizes local potential and creates sustainable, high-paying jobs for the community. This forward-thinking approach positions the county as a leader in economic development, rather than a passive recipient of external opportunities.

One of the key challenges that many economic development initiatives face is the “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) mindset prevalent among some community members. While there is widespread agreement on the need for economic growth and job creation, many residents hesitate when these developments directly impact their own neighborhoods.

In Fayette County, this mindset presents a unique hurdle. Many community members are enthusiastic about attracting new businesses, increasing tourism, and boosting the local economy, but they are often resistant to the accompanying changes—such as new infrastructure, industrial facilities, or even higher-density housing—that these initiatives bring to their own areas. For example, while there is general support for the expansion of the tourism industry, projects like new hotels, event centers, or Airbnb properties have sparked concerns about increased traffic, noise, and changes to the character of quiet, rural communities.

This resistance can slow down or even derail development projects, as local government and businesses must navigate public opposition while trying to bring in much-needed investments. Balancing the desire for economic progress with maintaining the rural and community-centric lifestyle that many residents cherish is a delicate task. As Fayette County looks to attract companies in sectors like manufacturing, energy, and housing, addressing these NIMBY concerns will be critical to ensuring smooth and sustainable growth.

Finding ways to engage the community early on in the planning process—through public forums, transparent communication, and opportunities for residents to voice their concerns—will be essential in overcoming this obstacle. By demonstrating the long-term benefits and ensuring that new developments align with the county’s values, there’s a better chance of easing local opposition and encouraging broader support for economic development in the area.

Moving Forward: Ideas for Economic Development

Despite the challenges, our cohort is excited to contribute ideas that can help drive economic development in Fayette County. Here are a few of the initiatives we are working on:

Fayette County Education and Entrepreneurship Center:

• Social Media Marketing and Brand Management Crash Course

• Professional Development Workshops (Resume building, Networking, Microsoft Office)

Long-Term Programs (initiated by our cohort and sustained by future teams)

• Bringing University of Pittsburgh speakers to the Black Box Theater

• Organizing a High School Job Fair

• Creating a local job board

• Establishing internships and fellowships for high school students

Our immediate next steps include contacting Seton Hill and Salem University to understand their involvement with the Education and Entrepreneurship Center, ensuring we do not duplicate efforts. We will also research existing resources available to Fayette County residents in areas such as social media, brand management, and professional development, with the aim of helping residents access these tools more effectively.

Additionally, we plan to assess the landscape of local job fairs, both at high schools and nearby colleges, and explore where the county advertises job opportunities. Based on this information, we will either create new resources or direct residents to existing ones.

This is just the beginning of many exciting initiatives coming to Fayette County, and I am thrilled to be a part of its economic growth. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this journey!