It’s All About People

As a county, we’re experiencing demographic changes that present unique challenges to economic and community development. While overall county demographic figures foretell an aging and declining workforce, figures at the Planning District level may differ. In the Central Planning District (CPD), the numbers are similar to the county, with the overall population change being characterized by decline. First, the district experienced a modest 0.6% increase in population between 2000 and 2010, but then a noticeable decline of 3.4% from 2010 to 2017.

​We recognize that these regional changes are broad in their impact, and what affects one municipality may easily affect others. School districts cross municipal borders. Employers seek employees across municipal borders. Residents may live in one community, but need to shop in another. With fewer employees, there are fewer paychecks to support restaurants and retail stores, schools, and infrastructure in every community. How can we better prepare for impacts and address the trend of decline?
 
The Planning Districts approach recognizes:

1. Local government is best suited to understand local wants and needs and to carry out recommendations from the comprehensive plan;
2. County government and regional partners are best suited to deliver planning and technical assistance; and
3. Collaboration and partnership between the two is a formula for implementation.

Join us and other local officials from the 15 municipalities of the Central Planning District on January 27, 2022 at 6:30 PM at the Westmoreland County Courthouse, 2 N Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601 as we kickoff the Planning District process. All municipal officials are invited to attend, please RSVP here.