Home - Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development

Established by the Rural Development Act of 1972, the nation’s four Regional Rural Development Centers work in partnership with the Land-Grant University system to address crucial needs in our nation’s rural communities. The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development (NERCRD) at Penn State serves the 12-state region from Maine to West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Our Work

Economic Development, Resilience, and Innovation

NERCRD is pursuing several lines of inquiry related to economic resilience and innovation, with a current emphasis on identifying pathways for rural recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourism and Outdoor Recreation

Recognizing that tourism, including agritourism, is an important economic development strategy for rural communities, NERCRD’s research and outreach in this area are aimed at helping communities identify and leverage their tourism and outdoor recreation assets.

Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Agriculture

NERCRD’s work in this area helps communities understand the impacts of local and regional food systems and how to best capitalize on their potential benefits.

Capacity Building and Facilitation

NERCRD serves as a regional hub for our Land-Grant University (LGU) partners, linking research and Extension faculty across state lines. By facilitating collaborative networks and partnerships, we enhance the capacity of the LGU system, so that its people can work more effectively to foster regional prosperity and rural development.

Recent News

Upcoming Event

Registration is open for the Northeast Housing Summit

Taking place September 22, 2026, the Northeast Housing Summit will provide an opportunity for participants across the Northeast region to learn from one another and expand capacity for housing programming in the Northeast.

Aerial view of mixed-use land, including farmland, dense development, and a water way.

Upcoming Event

Penn State Fall 2026 Land-Use Webinar Series announced

On September 2, 2026, the five-part Penn State Extension Land-Use Webinar Series will kick off with a session on “Geospatial Analysis Tools and Methods for Community Planning.”

Energy price shocks slow state economies; spur energy efficiency investments

July 17, 2026

Rising energy prices in the U.S. reduce the economic output of states, but they also set in motion investments in more efficient equipment and technologies that partially offset those output losses over time, according to a new study by NERCRD researchers.

More News »

Linking research and outreach in support of rural vitality