Center for Economic and Community Development
Penn State's Center for Economic and Community Development is an applied research center dedicated to strengthening local and regional development in Pennsylvania and beyond. The Center works with communities to address the issues they face, such as economic and demographic change, government revenue and expenditure policy, community capacity building, and social and economic inequality. Our research outputs include timely short reports, economic impact analyses, and series projects, such as county-level demographic and economic profiles. The Center team includes faculty, staff, and students.
Latest News
October 23, 2024
Penn State hosting community engagement and applied research symposium Nov. 7–8
A symposium centering around community engagement and applied research will take place Nov. 7–8 at Penn State University Park. The event — titled “Community-University Partnerships for Radical Community Transformation: Co-Creating Agri-Food System Interventions” — is aimed at community organizations, researchers and extension professionals interested in building more collaborative and democratic relationships with one another.
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October 15, 2024
'Stories from the Field' returns with new sessions for fall 2024
Penn State’s CECD's “Stories from the Field” conversation series is returning this fall with two new sessions. Topics will include a youth development program that stemmed from a football field revitalization project and a health clinic that provides care in medically underserved areas.
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August 29, 2024
Quick guide aimed at educating public about Pennsylvania election process
With election day quickly approaching, Cristy Schmidt, CECD applied research educator, collaborated with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania to develop “Pennsylvania Election Process: A Quick Guide for Citizens,” a package of materials aimed at helping counties inform and engage the public about the election process.
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August 2, 2024
Extension team earns national award for work on active transportation plan
The CECD’s Cristy Schmidt was part of a team of Penn State Extension educators who won a 2024 Excellence in Teamwork award from the National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) for their project, “Partnering to Create PA Municipal Active Transportation Plans.” The team, whose members are John Turack, Neal Fogle, Peter Wulfhorst, Matt Spindler, Er Yu, and Cristy Halerz-Schmidt, was named a national runner-up and Northeast region winner.
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