Center for Rural Pennsylvania Announces 2023 Research Grant Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania’s 2023 Research Grant Program. In December 2022, the Center’s Board of Directors awarded five research grants, two to faculty at The Pennsylvania State University and three to faculty at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities. Most of the research projects are set to begin on Feb. 1.

“The Center’s Board of Directors, independent reviewers and Center staff are always mindful of the many issues that affect rural Pennsylvania and need deeper examination,” said Senator Gene Yaw, Center board chairman. “As the final stage in the grant review process, the board approves projects that will expand the Center’s database and offer potential policy considerations. As always, the Center looks forward to sharing the results of this research with policymakers and our rural residents and communities.”

2023 Research Grant Projects

Caring for Pennsylvanians with Dementia and Related Disorders: An Analysis of Needs and Capacity in Rural Areas, 2024-2034, Dr. Sara Grove, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

The research team will conduct a comprehensive assessment of current services for individuals with dementia or a related disorder to project demand for services in rural areas of the Commonwealth through 2034. Through the analysis of population and demographic data, as well as interviews with agency staff and caregivers, the researchers will identify potential gaps in service provision, workforce demands, and funding streams. The team will also examine innovative programs and their funding sources employed by other states and nonprofit organizations for their applicability in the Commonwealth.

An Examination of Emergency Food Supply and Distribution in Rural Pennsylvania, Dr. Kristina Brant, The Pennsylvania State University

The research team will examine Pennsylvania’s capacity to address food insecurity using a multi-methods approach. The team will first conduct a survey and interview with the state’s 22 food banks, and will then select four to serve as case studies, which will include conducting site visits and interviewing local partners and clients. The team will identify gaps in food banks’ supply and distribution chains, explore challenges reaching vulnerable populations, and trace similarities and differences across urban and rural areas.

Understanding and Addressing the Impact of Solar Development on Pennsylvania Farmland, Professor Hannah Wiseman, The Pennsylvania State University

The research team will explore the economic, social, and land impacts of existing utility-scale solar projects and potential future solar projects on Pennsylvania farmland. The research will employ four case studies highlighting diverse features of solar development. The research team will also explore solar projects in rural New York—a faster growing solar market—to highlight concerns and potential solutions as solar deployment expands in Pennsylvania.

Baseline Assessment, Development Process, and Regulatory Context of Solar Power in Rural Pennsylvania Dr. Claire Jantz, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

The research team will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping to assess solar development in Pennsylvania and the potential for solar expansion.

Connecting the Dots: Rural Public Libraries as Partners for Small Business and Rural Workforce Growth, Dr. Xiaofeng Li, Pennsylvania Western University Clarion

The research team will investigate the importance of libraries as partners in supporting small business development and workforce growth in rural Pennsylvania. The first phase of the study will use online surveys among librarians, and the second phase will include in-depth focus group interviews with key community stakeholders. The findings could impact future policymaking and contribute to the scholarly and professional conversation on small and rural libraries.

For more information on the Center’s Research Grant Program, visit the Center’s website at http://www.rural.pa.gov.