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

Welcoming Dr. Daniel Centuriao to NERCRD!

June 3, 2026

The NERCRD team is pleased to welcome Dr. Daniel Centuriao, who joined the Center as a postdoctoral scholar after receiving his doctoral degree in economics from West Virginia University in May. Daniel Daniel will contribute his expertise to several NERCRD research efforts, including agricultural policy, local conditions and farm survival, determinants of local development, innovation and resilience, and the connections among agricultural production, nutrition, and population health.

Call for Presentation Proposals for the Northeast Housing Summit

Northeast Housing Summit Call for Presentation Proposals

June 2, 2026

The NERCRD and Land-Grant partners are pleased to announce a call for proposals for presentations on the topic of housing for inclusion in the upcoming Northeast Region Housing Summit, which will take place virtually on September 15 or 22, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET. Proposals are due July 6th.

Aerial view of AI hub and Data center amid agricultural fields.

Upcoming Event

June 23rd summit to focus on data center development and digital infrastructure

June 1, 2026

NERCRD’s Stephen Alessi collaborated with colleagues at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and the Center for Rural Pennsylvania on an upcoming Rural Economic Development Summit focused on data center development and digital infrastructure. The June 23rd event will take place in Harrisburg, PA, but a remote option will be available.

More News »

Linking research and outreach in support of rural vitality