Today we had the opportunity to visit Connellsville and learn about the work of the Fayette County Cultural Trust and its role in supporting economic development throughout the community. One of the key aspects of their approach is using local resources and attractions to draw visitors into the area while encouraging them to stay longer…
Taking Inspiration from the Connellsville Model for Ireland
Today we had the incredible opportunity to visit Connellsville and hear directly about the impressive work that the Fayette County Cultural Trust does toward economic development in that community. Learning about their initiatives has given me a much deeper appreciation for how small towns can revitalize their main streets by leaning into what makes them…
The Connellsville Community
Today we took a trip down to Fayette County, a little less than an hour and a half away from Pittsburgh. We spent our time in the town of Connellsville and heard about the work the Fayette County Cultural Trust does toward economic development in the community. Their most successful project has been building the…
Fayette County and Connellsville
Today, we on the Haller Global Fellowship Program actually had a taste of what we’d be doing if any of us went on the Appalachia Regional Resilience Program: we went to Connellsville! Connellsville is the second biggest city in Fayette County and where participants of the Appalachia program stay and work during their time. It…
Connellsville and Carrigart
While I have been looking forward to the Ireland/Carrigart consulting segment of the fellowship for quite some time, I have been slightly intimidated by the tall order that awaits us there. Today’s site visit to Connellsville PA (in Fayette County, about an hour south of Oakland) gave me a great idea of what to expect…
Connellsville: A Place of Rich History
Today, we got the opportunity to visit Connellsville in Fayette County, specifically the Connellsville Canteen that is a restaurant-museum hybrid, and is home to extremely rich history about World War II. We met with Daniel Cocks and Michael Edwards, the pair of community leaders we met with that are the main forces in driving economic…
Next Stop: Shadyside
Today, our objective was to research the main street of Shadyside to practice talking to individuals and local businesses. My group, the business development group, strolled through the town to discover what steps Shadyside had taken to maximize its development within its community and businesses. The easiest lens to spot was the businesses. Walking down…
Scavenging for Information in the Strip District
Today, (or yesterday, as I forgot to post the blog), we visited the Strip District. The area is home to one of the largest commercial enclaves, where it houses over 20 businesses in an Ocean City, boardwalk-esque style. Our mission today was to discover the different parts of the Strip District that make it unique,…
Missing My New Home
After eight weeks, my study abroad program has come to an end. During my last week in Ireland I could see the finish line and the homesickness finally hit me. I think before that point the trip didn’t seem to have an end, so I did not let myself imagine being back home. But now…
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