Last weekend, I joined my cohort on a site visit to Fayette County, PA as part of our project with the Appalachian Collegiate Research Imitative (ACRI) and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). As Fayette County is the key focus of our research, this visit provided us with insights into the state of the community, economic development efforts, and avenues for growth we had not seen before. We had the opportunity to tour various parts of Connellsville and Uniontown while interacting with Fayette County residents and learning so much about how the resources there can be harnessed to spur growth in the region. 

Our first stop on the site visit was the Coal and Coke Heritage Center, which is situated inside Penn State’s Fayette’s library. In touring the Center, we learned about the history of coal mining in Fayette County. It was interesting to see how the coal mining industry was influenced by immigration, labor unionization efforts, and traditional gender roles. Because Penn State’s Fayette campus is closing within the next year, the Coal and Coke Heritage Center is also at risk and currently does not have a permanent home. Protecting the Center is important to the preservation of Fayette County’s rich history and culture, and the jobs of those who work to keep the Center alive. The museum’s archivist, Abby, has poured a lot into the space and continues to carry with her the memories of those who worked in the coal mines in her knowledge of their homes, families, belongings, and organizational efforts. Learning about the mining industry and her great ideas to protect the Center gave me hope for the future of Fayette County and careers in the liberal arts. This inspiring experience was one of my favorite parts of the trip. 

After learning about Fayette County history, we headed to the Connellsville Canteen to meet the Fayette County Cultural Trust (FCCT) to enjoy lunch with community members and hear about the FCCT’s initiatives to preserve this history, uplift small businesses, and improve quality of life in the county. We first viewed an impressive model train set which allowed me to visualize the Appalachian region and emphasized to me the importance of effective transportation systems, both in large cities and rural areas. Mike and Dan, leaders of the FCCT, expanded on the need for this kind of infrastructure in the county. We also had the pleasure of meeting small business owners and board members of the FCCT. I was particularly excited to learn about the Wesley Health Center in Connellsville, which is the only free clinic in Southwestern PA. Drawing on the lunch presentation and conversations with community members, I began to recognize some of the many assets within the county that can be harnessed to strengthen its economy and connect its population. 

Immediately, I noticed the time, effort, and resources that the FCCT pours into its community. From implementing programming initiatives and funding to support small businesses, to uplifting the arts and preserving natural resources, the FCCT is Fayette County’s strongest asset. Its unique natural resources also present opportunities for growth. Following lunch at the canteen, we visited Youghiogheny Glass, one of the only stained-glass manufacturers left in the United States. This was another one of my favorites from the trip; we had the opportunity to tour the facility, see how stained glass is made, and even take some glass home with us! Just a few feet away were the Youghiogheny River and the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail, which connects Connellsville to DC and brings tourism to the region. 

Attending this site visit and taking the opportunity to immerse myself in Fayette County allowed me to feel an affinity for the community and its members. I was able to engage with the local businesses and political systems that act as a foundation for development and growth, especially in Connellsville. Carpini and Keeter (2000) expand on this idea in “What Should Be Learned through Service Learning?” – highlighting the connection between service learning and political engagement. They note that service learning experiences such as this one create a connection between the subject of a service learning project and the student’s “immediate circumstances and behaviors.” These kinds of experiences thereby allow students to engage in politics, especially in the processes and issues that are “relevant to their activities.” In stepping outside the classroom, interacting with Fayette County residents, and learning about the FCCT’s programs, I feel more inclined to participate in initiatives that support its development. One such initiative is the STEPP Forward program, which I am excited to support through secondary research and assistance in growing the Remember Your Heart Foundation (RYHF). 

Though our trip to Fayette County was only three days, we were presented with many potential opportunities to boost its economy. The county is surrounded by so many natural resources, which provide it with a unique advantage that a lot of other small-town areas do not have. The GAP Trail brings thousands of cyclists to Connellsville every year. In passing the Youghiogheny Glass factory, they stop to observe beautiful pieces of stained glass scattered all over the factory’s backyard or left in the dumpster. Some even go dumpster diving and end up going home with the leftover shards. These cyclists have demonstrated demand for Youghiogheny Glass’s scrap pieces. Rather than throwing away the unusable glass, the factory – and the county – could benefit from selling these pieces at a low cost while still maintaining its production and exports to large churches and international companies. I am also hopeful about the redevelopment authority’s plans to take advantage of the vacant buildings in Connellsville and support both local business and government through consumer and rent profits. 

Learning about these vacancies also provided me with insight into how I can help my own client, RYHF, who aspires to open a pop-up in Connellsville and sell local artisans’ crafts and creations, ideally within a community center. During our lunch at the canteen, I was able to briefly speak with Mike and Dan about potential spaces for RYHF to open her storefront. With many empty buildings throughout the county, I aim to learn about which areas would be most strategic and profitable for my client. This will serve as the key scope of my research and hopefully present ideas for growth that benefit both RYHF’s business and Fayette County’s economic stability.