Nov 14, 2016 By Suzanne Elliott for The 3 min read

Westmoreland County planners will be reaching out to residents early next year to get input on what they think should be included in the county’s next comprehensive plan, which is in the process of being developed.

“Work on the plan has been progressing steadily, but we have a lot more to accomplish,” said Chris Bova, deputy director of Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development.

“We are currently in the outreach portion of the planning process and have met with the county commissioners, county departments, municipal officials and have conducted a number of ‘key person’ interviews and group discussions.”

The plan, Reimagining Our Westmoreland, is expected to be completed late next year, or in early 2018 and will serve as a blueprint for future economic growth in the county.

It will replace the current county comprehensive plan, which was done in 2005.

In June, commissioners hired Chicago-based Houseal Lavigne Associates at a cost of $250,000 as outside consultants to give outside perspective on ongoing economic issues not only in Westmoreland County, but also southwestern Pennsylvania.

“We’ve also conducted extensive outreach to encourage residents and businesses to fill out surveys available on the Reimagining Our Westmoreland website,” Bova said.

County officials have also started holding community workshops. The next one is scheduled Nov. 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lamp Theatre in Irwin.

Bova said a workshop has also been scheduled for the West Newton area on Jan. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Regional Trail Corp., 111 Collinsburg Road.

Additional meetings are in the process of being scheduled in the Donegal and Scottdale areas, he said.

One item its consultants will look at is how to attract younger people to Westmoreland County, where the average age — as of 2015 — was 47, Bova said.

“The county currently experiences a natural population decline as deaths continue to grow as our younger population cohorts are stagnant or shrinking,” he said.

“As skilled workers throughout the county age out of the workforce, businesses oftentimes are struggling to fill those positions.

“In addition, sustained population loss can lead to several challenges such as reduced tax revenues, vacancy and blight, workforce reductions, etc.”

Bova said each of the county’s five colleges and universities have agreed to assist by providing information about the types of career opportunities that are available, as well as the kinds of community amenities younger people want.

Gina Cerilli, chairwoman of the county commission, said it’s important for residents to give their input on the comprehensive plan.

“With that information, we’ll be able to develop realistic strategies that will help guide physical and economic development in the county over the next 10 to 20 years,” she said.

“We are early in the outreach phase of the planning process. Outreach is still being conducted through surveys, and a number of public workshops are in the process of being scheduled throughout the county.”

“Once the workshops take place and as we continue to receive surveys and input from residents, businesses and students, we’ll have a clearer picture as to the issues that are important to Westmoreland County.”