By Mason Fish
SPC
1/30/2026
On the surface, long range planning can often be perceived as distant or overly technical. However, current decisions regarding jobs, transportation, and infrastructure have a direct impact on daily life in Southwestern Pennsylvania. These choices influence residents’ access to employment, business growth, and the long-term desirability of communities.
At its core, the Long Range Plan is a guide that helps the region prepare for change and serves as a strategic roadmap for making smart future investments.
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is recognized as both the region’s Economic Development District by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Local Development District for the Appalachian Regional Commission. These roles let SPC bring together counties, towns, employers, educators, and residents to set priorities and coordinate resources across the region.
In 2019, SPC combined the Long Range Transportation Plan and the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy into a single comprehensive plan. This approach recognizes the close link between economic development and transportation access and aims to deliver better results for the entirety of the region.
Why Does It Matter?
The Long Range Plan is designed to address a central question: What does Southwestern Pennsylvania require to remain as a strong, competitive, and livable region over the coming decades?
The economic development side of the plan, called the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), is mandated by the federal government and helps the region qualify for funding. However, CEDS is also very strategy-driven in its aim to make the economy stronger and more resilient. It brings together public agencies, businesses, schools, and community groups to find the best ways to support the region’s economy.
The transportation portion of the plan examines how people and goods move throughout the region. It covers roads, bridges, public transit, freight, and emerging transportation technologies. It also acknowledges a reality faced by every region: there will never be enough funding to do everything at once. Long range planning helps ensure that limited dollars are prioritized and spent where they can have the greatest impact.
Together, these parts create a plan for regional growth, better infrastructure, and more opportunity.
Understanding Both Sides
Like many regions, Southwestern Pennsylvania is constantly undergoing demographic and economic changes. Since 2010, the region has experienced population decline, and several counties now have more residents over age 65 than youth. Nearly one-quarter of the population is past retirement age, resulting in workforce shortages across multiple industries.
At the same time, the region produces tens of thousands of college graduates annually, yet a large percentage relocates elsewhere. Employers report challenges in filling open positions, even as sectors such as energy, healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing continue to evolve.
The CEDS part of the Long Range Plan addresses these issues by building capacity. This means improving things like affordable housing, utilities, broadband, and redevelopment sites, as well as workforce training, partnerships, and leadership skills.
This process helps communities and partners work together to find the best investments for economic growth and long-term stability. The strategy is updated every five years to keep up with changes and stay eligible for federal programs.
Moreover, strong transportation systems are essential for economic development. People need safe and reliable ways to get to work, businesses need efficient routes to move goods, and seniors need access to services that help them stay independent and connected.
The transportation system in the SPC region is diverse and complex, serving urban, suburban, and rural communities. Maintaining this infrastructure presents ongoing challenges, especially as assets age and funding remains constrained.
Additionally, remote and hybrid work are changing how people travel, with less traditional commuting and a greater need for broadband and flexible transportation. The Long Range Transportation Plan helps SPC and its partners focus on safety, system upkeep, and keeping everyone connected. Even though road deaths have gone down, the goal still remains zero. Every investment is made with the belief that any loss of life is unacceptable.
At the same time, the rise of electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and data centers is driving higher demand for power, land, and infrastructure. Long range planning helps the region prepare for these changes proactively, instead of reacting after they happen.
What This Means for Residents
All in all, even though the Long Range Plan spans multiple decades, its impact is felt every single day. It influences how projects are prioritized, how funding decisions are made, and how communities prepare for the future.
For residents, the plan influences several key aspects including but not limited to:
- Access to jobs and training opportunities
- Safe and reliable transportation options
- Community redevelopment and infrastructure investment
- Long term economic stability for the region
By integrating economic development and transportation planning, SPC wants to help ensure that investments work together rather than in isolation. The result is a more coordinated approach to growth that reflects shared regional goals.
Overall, long range planning is about more than just forecasts and data. It focuses on working together and getting ready for what’s to come. By keeping the public involved and building partnerships, SPC’s Long Range Plan helps the region stay connected and ready for whatever comes next.