The planning commissions from six counties received an award from the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association for their role in the Alleghenies Ahead multicounty plan.
The plan highlights demographic and economic changes that have hindered revitalization in the Southern Alleghenies. The area faces dilapidation following steel and coal companies leaving the area.
Each county lists five priorities in the plan.
“This is the very first time 18 county commissioners, six county planning commissions and one regional economic development agency have joined forces to complete such an initiative,” Katie Kinka, senior planner for the Cambria County Planning Commission, said. “When you remove the arbitrary boundaries that exist between our counties, you quickly realize how similar our collective assets and challenges really are. And you also realize the greater opportunities and advantages of working together to implement projects of regional scale and impact. We’ve certainly set a precedent by collaborating, and plan to continue to work productively as a region moving forward.”
The counties have populations between 15,000 to 135,000 and have had more people move away than move back to the area. Births also have decreased as fewer people stay in the area after finishing school.