Fayette County Site Visit
Visiting Fayette County from October 1-3 gave me a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing communities in southwestern Pennsylvania. Throughout our trip we visited Uniontown, Connellsville, and other locations throughout the county. We also spoke with local business owners and learned more about the regions history. Before this experience, I understood that Fayette County faced economic challenges, but seeing these issues firsthand gave me a different perspective. I left the trip recognizing the potential for economic development in the county, while also understanding why many residents might look toward Pittsburgh for greater career opportunities.
One of the most important community assets I noticed was the potential for tourism and small business development. In Connellsville, we saw a bike trail with nearby restaurants and a hotel development. Although the trail was not directly connected to downtown, it was close enough to create opportunities for local businesses to attract visitors. I thought this was particularly interesting because the restaurants appeared to serve both local residents and tourists. The new Comfort Inn also seemed like a positive investment because it could encourage visitors to go stay overnight rather than simply pass through the area. These developments show how Fayette County could use its existing recreational assets to generate additional economic activity.
Another asset I noticed was the presence of local entrepreneurs who are committed to developing their businesses. During our visit, we had the opportunity to speak with small business owners participating in the regions entrepreneurial community. Hearing directly from these individuals helped me understand the importance of supporting businesses already operating in Fayette County. However, I also recognize that our short visit only provided a limited view of the county’s resources. To identify additional county wide assets, our team should review the existing Fayette County Assets Map, speaking with more residents and business owners, and examine opportunities beyond Uniontown and Connellsville.
One of the most surprising parts of the visit was learning about the closure of Penn State Fayette. During our visit to the Coal and Coke Heritage Center on their campus, our tour guide discussed the possibility of losing her job. She mentioned that if this happened, she would have to find employment at other companies not relevant to what she wants to do with her life or relevant to her college degree. That comment stood out to me because it reflected the employment challenges facing some residents. While Walmart provides jobs, I found it concerning that someone working at an education institution with a Masters Degree appeared to have limited alternate employment options in the area. It made me think about how the loss of an institution affects more than its employees. A college shutting down also has implications for educational opportunities, nearby businesses, and the overall economic environment.
Another observation that surprised me was the limited pedestrian activity in Uniontown and Connellsville. Both communities seemed relatively quiet, especially as the workday ended around 5 PM. I expected to see more people walking downtown, visiting restaurants, or shopping at local businesses. Instead, the street appeared to become less active as people left work. Although this was only my observation during a brief visit, it raised questions about how local businesses attract customers outside traditional working hours. I also began thinking about how downtown areas could become more active destinations for both residents and visitors.
Our experiences connected to the course reading, Civic Engagement as Democratic Learning; Supporting Ethical Community Engagement, Student Learning, and Long Term Partnerships. One of the readings central ideas is that meaningful civic engagement requires students and universities to develop relationships with communities rather than approach them as outsiders who already have the answers. I saw the importance of this during our conversations with local entrepreneurs. As business students conducting research, we might develop recommendations based on economic data and industry trends. However, those recommendations need to reflect the experiences and priorities of the people who will use them.
The reading also emphasizes reciprocity and long term community partnerships. I think this connects directly to our ACRI project because the University of Pittsburgh has maintained multiyear relationships with Fayette County. Our work should provide useful information to local businesses while giving us experience applying classroom concepts. This connection helped me realize that successful community engagement involves listening, building trust, and providing research that responds to actual community needs. It also reinforced the importance of asset based community development, which focuses on identifying and strengthening existing community resources instead of concentrating exclusively on problems.
Based on what I observed, I believe Fayette County should prioritize supporting small businesses and attracting additional employers. One opportunity involves helping local businesses improve their marketing and visibility. The bike trail and nearby restaurants already provide a foundation for tourism, but businesses might benefit from stronger connections between recreational attractions and downtown commercial areas. For example, coordinated marketing efforts could encourage visitors using the trail to explore additional restaurants, shops, and attraction throughout the county. Local businesses could also work together on promotional campaign or events that encourage visitors to spend more time in the community.
Attracting employers should be another priority. The situation involving Penn State Fayette made me recognize how important employment opportunities are to the county’s long term economic stability. My biggest takeaway from the trip was gaining a better understanding of why residents might choose to leave Fayette County for cities like Pittsburgh. From my perspective, Pittsburgh offers a wider range of professional opportunities, which might make it difficult for smaller communities to retain residents. Supporting existing entrepreneurs and attracting employers in different industries could help create more opportunities for people who want to remain in Fayette County.
Moving forward, I believe our team needs to focus on turning our observations into research based recommendations. Our ACRI project involves conducting secondary business planning research for entrepreneurs participating in the STEPP FORWARD program. This includes analyzing economic conditions, identifying competitors, researching target markets, and evaluating whether business ideas are feasible. These deliverables are important because they will provide entrepreneurs with information to make more informed decisions about their businesses.
Personally, one of my next steps is to remain in contact with my assigned business, Cathies Enterprises. I want to understand whether any new developments have occurred that might influence our research or recommendations. Staying connected wit the business throughout the project will help ensure our work remains relevant to its needs. Our team should also use resources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and industry research databases to support our findings with reliable information.
Overall, the Fayette County visit helped me connect economic development concepts to the experiences of an actual community. I saw encouraging signs of investment, tourism, and entrepreneurship, but I also noticed challenges involving employment opportunities and downtowns activity. Most importantly, I learned that effective economic development requires understanding the people and businesses within a community before recommending solutions. As our ACRI project continues, I hope our research provides practical value to local entrepreneurs and contributes to the broader effort to strengthen Fayette County’s economy.