its 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. Similar to countywide demographic changes, the Mon-Yough District’s population change is characterized by decline. The district saw an initial 0.4% decline in population between 2010 and 2017 and continual decline between 2017 and 2021 with a 2.4% decrease in population.  ​

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 8 municipalities of the Mon-Yough Planning District on Wednesday, August 28th at 6:00 PM at the Rostraver Municipal Building located at 201 Municipal Drive, Rostraver Township, PA 15012 as we kickoff the Planning District process. All municipal officials are invited to attend, please RSVP here.