Today we visited the Town of Connellsville, about an hour and thirty minutes from Pittsburgh. It was really interesting to visit the town and see how it compares to both Pittsburgh and Carrigart. We began our tour at a stained-glass factory, and it is only 1 of 5 companies in the entire world that manufacture stained glass. Speaking with a representative there, it was fascinating to hear about their recent business activity and how major events have impacted them. Surprisingly, they mentioned that COVID actually propelled their business, especially because it gave a boost to the hobby industry as more people got into crafts. We also discussed market trends and upcoming projects for the stained-glass company and how they prepare for them. Additionally, the showing of the production process was also incredibly engaging and interesting.
After the factory, we explored more of Connellsville and got to see some of the newly built structures around town. The local representatives spoke about the importance of the bike trail that goes from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., and how it plays a major role in the town’s tourism. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of “welcoming” tourists and accommodating them. They’re actively working to attract more trail riders so that they explore Connellsville and interact with the businesses there. They also benefit from other nearby tourist attractions like Fallingwater and Ohio Pyle, which help bring additional visitors into the town.
To make Connellsville more welcoming to travelers, the town has taken several major steps. Renovating older buildings, installing charging stations for e-bikes, and creating more public art were some of the smaller projects they took on that also help attract tourists. They also used grant funding to establish cultural sites, including museums with Native American artifacts, detailed train models, and a developing theater project. Some of the prosperous local businesses included newly built restaurants and hotels, both of which were impressive. The town’s creative approach to renovation and development supports the businesses by increasing foot traffic and community engagement.
While Connellsville has a population of about 7,000 compared to Carrigart’s 300, many of the core ideas and principles they’re using can definitely be applied to Carrigart as well. Their strategy of building around their strengths, such as the bike trail, and focusing on a specific target audience was educational and practical. Being in charge of market segmentation for our project in Carrigart, I was especially fascinated by their knowledge of their target audience and realized the importance of knowing their market. Their focus on the bike trail is definitely vital to the town’s growth and something that can be applied to Carrigart, too.