Community Profile

Situated in Crawford County in northwestern Pennsylvania, Meadville is a small city with a population of approximately 13,000 (U.S. Census Bureau 2020). Predominantly White, with a median household income of around $40,000 and about 20% of residents living below the poverty line, Meadville also boasts a significant historical Black community that emerged during the Great Migration in search of jobs. This community has contributed substantially to Meadville's working-class identity over the years, enriching the cultural and economic fabric of the city. Approximately 20% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the unemployment rate is around 6%. The local economy is primarily driven by manufacturing, healthcare, and education sectors, with a median gross rent of about $700, making Meadville relatively affordable compared to larger cities (U.S. Census Bureau 2020). 

Background and History

Meadville's rich economic history is rooted in manufacturing. Known as the home of the zipper, it earned the nickname "Tool City, USA" due to its robust tool and die industry. Despite a decline in heavy industry in the 1980s, Meadville has remained a leader in tooling, precision machining, and advanced manufacturing, employing 14.8% of its residents in this sector. Major employers include Allegheny College, Meadville Medical Center, local government, and Channellock Tools. The largest employment sector is education, healthcare, and social services, which employs 39.1% of residents.

Despite these economic strengths, Meadville faces material challenges such as an overreliance on property taxes (common among municipalities in Pennsylvania) paid by a dwindling number of taxable property owners, aging housing stock, increased renter rates, business buyouts and subsequent relocations, and  a shrinking population. With an economy strongly supported by manufacturing, the offshoring of those opportunities in the 1980s caused significant impact, serving as the culprit for this "silent decline. Though there is still a big manufacturing sector, this  has resulted in a reduced tax base and higher taxes to maintain basic services, fostering resistance to change and a resigned attitude among residents, summarized by the sentiment, "that's how things have always been done."

In recent years, efforts to reinvigorate hope and change through action have created a ripple effect in this small town. Central to this transformation was the election of Mayor Jaimie Kinder and several council members, including Autumn Vogel, who campaigned on a platform of reform. They adopted a Community Wealth Building (CWB) framework and engaged The Democracy Collaborative (TDC) in their work. These initiatives are heavily supported by local organizations like Common Roots and Crawford County United (CCU). The combined efforts of these groups and the newly elected officials have been pivotal in re-energizing Meadville, reflecting a community-led yet government-supported model essential for sustainable progress.

There is a keen desire among local leadership to engage to uplift a more vibrant and inclusive Meaville, aiming not only to retain residents but also to foster conversations that could lead to population growth. CWB is a backdrop for doing so, providing successful strategies that can be tailored to a community recognizing the urgency of such work. This story of community-driven action and government support is central to understanding Meadville’s path to revitalization.

Overview of CWB in Meadville, PA

Beginning in 2015, city government embarked on a multi-year community listening initiative, My Meadville, with support from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council. My Meadville engaged the Community Heart & Soul model pioneered by the Orton Family Foundation  to forge a new direction for the town's future and its governance. The goal was to develop a comprehensive plan to build local wealth and empower residents through the ownership and control of community assets. Through this project,, the community identified its needs, shared values, and plan for action. . Community leaders later came to find that much of what emerged from My Meadville’s resident-driven process maps  to the pillars we identify as just use of land and property and locally rooted finance. 

Just Use of Land and Property

To address housing affordability and land stewardship, Meadville invested in a shared-equity housing cooperative and community land trust (CLT). 

The "Year of Meadville" inspired the founding of Common Roots, initially envisioned as a Community Development Corporation (CDC) and now a nonprofit community land trust focusing on cooperative housing through a rental cooperative and shared equity homeownership which operates as a land trust. Common Roots develops housing that will remain permanently affordable and under community control. This initiative has successfully developed several affordable housing units now occupied by low-income families. 

Inclusive and Democratic Enterprises 

In February 2024, Common Roots launched Sturdy Boots Construction, a public benefit, community-based construction company and general contractor. This initiative significantly promotes attainable housing by creating local jobs, particularly in trades, and strengthening the ecosystem surrounding the construction and restoration of housing. By doing so, it positively impacts bottom-line pricing, making housing more affordable and accessible for the community.

Meadville is home to several Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), including recent conversions of tool companies like Acutec Precision Machining and C&J Industries. ESOPs are a powerful tool for inclusive and democratic enterprise, as they give employees ownership stakes and a voice in company decisions. This model helps distribute wealth more equitably, fosters a sense of shared responsibility, and enhances job security.

Both Sturdy Boots Construction and the prevalence of ESOPs in Meadville are integral to community wealth building. They illustrate how inclusive and democratic business models can create sustainable economic growth and resilience. By ensuring that more wealth and decision-making power remain within the community, reducing the risk of external control and economic leakage, these initiatives help address economic disparities and promote wealth distribution among local residents. Inclusive enterprises like Sturdy Boots Construction actively involve community members in development projects, ensuring that the outcomes align with local needs and aspirations. Additionally, ESOPs and community-based enterprises contribute to a more resilient economy by fostering long-term investment in the local workforce and infrastructure.

Cooperatively owned businesses are on the rise in Meadville, too. In 2022, Common Roots was the recipient of a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to support the implementation of recommendations from The Democracy Collaborative. This effort, dubbed Cooperation Meadville, engages Keystone Development Center to provide technical assistance to Meadville-based cooperatively owned businesses. French Creek Arts Collective, a cooperatively owned art studio, gallery, and teaching space, will incorporate in summer of 2024. 

Through these efforts, Meadville is building a robust framework for community wealth building, demonstrating how inclusive and democratic enterprises can drive sustainable and equitable economic development.

Locally Rooted Finance

Community input and continuous problem-solving led to the creation of the Northwest Pennsylvania Investment Co-op (NWPIC), supporting local businesses and promoting better landlord practices. This co-op allows community members—including individuals, businesses, non-profits, and other groups—to invest in local economic development and build sustainable community wealth. With the co-op model, each member-owner gets one vote to ensure they have a voice. In November 2021, the NWPICcompleted its first property acquisition. By June 2022, 847 Market Street welcomed Blissful Meads LLC, which operates as a meadery, production site, and tasting room. The transformation of this long-vacant former law firm into a vibrant locally owned business was made possible by this new cooperative model for raising community capital and deploying it to take commercial properties off of the speculative market.

Challenges & Opportunities

As Meadville continues to advance its CWB efforts, several challenges and opportunities have emerged. A significant challenge is securing sustainable, long-term funding. While initial grants and contributions have been instrumental, ongoing investment is needed to maintain and expand CWB projects. Exploring additional funding sources, such as social impact bonds and partnerships with private investors, could provide the necessary financial stability. Another challenge is building widespread community engagement and trust. Ensuring that all residents have a voice in the CWB process requires ongoing outreach and transparent communication. Initiatives like community advisory councils and public forums can help bridge this gap.

The political landscape in Meadville presents a unique challenge as well. With the city administration’s agenda of inclusion and progressive reforms, there has been significant pushback from traditional power structures and those who held influential positions previously. Navigating this resistance, especially in a smaller town where power dynamics are deeply entrenched, requires strategic negotiation and coalition-building.

Despite these challenges, there are numerous opportunities for growth. The success of initial projects emerging from Common Roots and NWPIC has sparked significant interest and momentum, attracting new partners and investors. Furthermore, the engagement of Allegheny College and Meadville Medical Center as anchor institutions offers avenues to link local procurement with local enterprise development and to advance research, innovation, and the creation of new CWB models tailored to Meadville's unique needs. This expanding support network can help surmount political hurdles and nurture a more inclusive and sustainable CWB process. Meadville exemplifies the power of community wealth building, illustrating how even in small towns, these efforts can drive meaningful change and serve as a beacon for similar endeavors in cities nationwide.

Community Stakeholders:  

• Autumn Vogel, Councilmember; Cooperative Developer, Keystone Development Center; & President, Northwest Pennsylvania Co-op, LinkedIn

• Renna Wrubleski, Community Development Director, Meadville Redevelopment Authority, (814) 724-6000 x. 333

• Julie Wilson, Executive Director, Common Roots, julie@commonrootspa.org