Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 6. Issues and Concerns
Communities and Culture
The communities in the area are small and the culture is bad. The culture has decreased over the past
ten years in relation to the lack of recreational and culture-related activities as well as the issue of
unemployment. The communities haven’t changed much in terms of size, but the population has
decreased due to the poor local job market.
Presiding Industry and Local Economy
The return of the gas and oil industries in the area has helped to alleviate the problem of
unemployment in the recent years, but overall the condition of the presiding industry and local economy
is poor. Many businesses have closed and there have been numerous layoffs – with local hospitals and the
bankruptcy of Adelphia. This has led to an outflow of the local population in search of jobs elsewhere.
2. How do the following meet the needs of the community?
Transportation
There is no mass transit available in the area. For the most part, transportation is lacking in general.
The only source of transportation that is a positive aspect is a senior citizen bus service for older residents
which can transport them to grocery stores, local businesses, and churches. The highways are in decent
condition, but there is concern that heavy truck traffic relating to the gas and oil drilling industries will
cause problems with the health of local roads and highways. Other comments relate to the needed
improvement of mass transit availability, such as regular bussing, as well as the improvement of Route 6.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure of the area is improving in certain areas. There have been improvements made to
cell phone service, although there are still some remaining “dead” areas. Currently, there are projects
being undertaken to increase the availability of broadband internet to the local communities as well.
Water and sewer lines are also being improved, although there are still a high number of residents that
rely on well water as their source. Even though a large number of the residents use well water, many of
those living in the larger communities have access to water lines.
Employment Opportunities
Almost all of the respondents mentioned high unemployment rates and the lack of a solid local job
market. Some of the interviewees mentioned several layoffs and business closings in relation to the
problem of unemployment. Many people in the area have left in search of better job opportunities. Some
suggest that the local work force needs improved training that relates to available jobs in the area. Along
with this, there is a need for better job training in general; not just for local jobs.
Educational Opportunities
The major problem addressed by those interviewed is the lack of trade schools and colleges in the
area. The only college in the area is University of Pittsburgh – Bradford. There is also a lack of specific
job training from trade schools in this area. There is a feeling that there are jobs available in the region,
but there is insufficient training to help fill these jobs.
The respondents pointed to the lack of state funding leading to teacher layoffs at local high schools
as well. One bright spot is the presence of the Challenger Learning Center, which offers different
programs to aid with the education in the area. The education council was pointed to as bright spot
because it brings in education and programs to meet the area’s needs. Overall, the respondents feel that
there is a definite lack of secondary education and that local high schools are suffering due to teacher
layoffs.
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