The Center for Rural Pennsylvania brought its statewide spotlight to northwestern Pennsylvania last month, holding its May Board of Directors meeting at the Corry Higher Education Council. The visit served as an opportunity for board members to hear directly from rural stakeholders, explore local successes, and better understand the challenges facing communities like Corry.
Dr. Kyle Kopko, Executive Director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, says the organization’s mission is to support bipartisan, data-driven policymaking that strengthens rural areas across the Commonwealth.
“We’re a legislative agency that serves both the House and Senate in a neutral, bipartisan way,” said Kopko. “Our focus is on rural policy research, demographic trends, and workforce development—anything that helps state lawmakers make informed decisions about Pennsylvania’s rural communities.”
Corry was chosen as the host site for the Center’s quarterly board meeting in part due to its strong local leadership and innovative approach to community development. “We try to get out of Harrisburg for these meetings and into the communities we serve,” Kopko added. “And Corry is doing a lot right—from downtown revitalization to youth workforce initiatives. We want to highlight those efforts and help connect the dots between successful strategies and other rural communities.”
During their visit, board members toured key sites in Erie County, including Welch’s and Penn State’s agricultural extension facility in North East, gaining insight into local manufacturing and ag innovation. They also held a roundtable at Corry Hi-Ed, where local leaders shared ideas on workforce training, broadband expansion, and rural healthcare needs.
“The Corry Higher Education Council is a strong example of how local collaboration can expand educational access in rural areas,” said Senator Gene Yaw, chairman of the Center’s board. “We saw firsthand how their efforts are helping residents gain skills, find opportunity, and build stronger communities.”
Founded in 1991, Corry Hi-Ed has become a vital regional hub for career training, adult education, and post-secondary pathways. Its Executive Director, Matt Platz, said hosting the board meeting was an honor.
“Community leaders here had a chance to talk directly with state officials about what’s working and where we need help,” Platz said. “It was a productive conversation that puts Corry on the radar in a good way.”
Kopko echoed that sentiment, noting that communities like Corry are essential to shaping the Center’s research priorities. “We’re paying close attention to population loss in rural areas, senior care, workforce sustainability—all of it,” he said. “But what’s encouraging in Corry is the effort being made to retain young people and provide real post-high school options, whether that’s college, a skilled trade, or local employment. More communities need to take that approach.”
Corry’s example will now be shared across the state, as the Center continues its mission of highlighting rural success stories and helping communities navigate shared challenges.
For more on the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, visit http://www.rural.pa.gov.
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