Vol. 26, No. 3/4, Fall/Winter 1988 - "Southwestern Pennsylvania: An Economy in Transition"
A POPULATION PROFILE OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 1940 - 1985
(pp. 1 – 10)
John E. Benhart
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Abstract
The population trends in Southwestern Pennsylvania reflect economic opportunity. In the nineteenth century when agriculture, mining and manufacturing were rapidly expanding activities population growth was rapid. Gradually in the twentieth century as the dynamic thrusts of the nineteenth century economy slackened, diverse trends have occurred in the region.
EVOLUTION OF AGRICULTURE IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
(pp. 11 – 18)
E. Willard Miller
The Pennsylvania State University
State College, Pennsylvania
Abstract
The agriculture of Southwestern Pennsylvania began to provide food for the early settlers of the region. Corn was the leading grain. It was not only an animal feed but provided the basis for a whiskey industry which brought a flow of cash to the farm family for the few necessities needed from the local store. In the nineteenth century, as much of the land was cleared, general farming developed. The excess farm products found a market in the growing local urban population. Early in the twentieth century, however, the Southwestern Pennsylvania farmer could not compete with the low-cost farm products from the Midwest. In order to survive, the farmers abandoned general farming and began to produce farm products in which they had a competitive cost advantage. Of these, the development of the dairy industry was most significant. Milk is a heavy, bulky, perishable product that found a ready market in the urbanized areas of the southwest.
SPATIAL CHANGES IN BITUMINOUS COAL MINING IN PENNSYLVANIA 1947-1986
(pp. 19 – 26)
E. Willard Miller
The Pennsylvania State University
State College, Pennsylvania
Abstract
The bituminous coal industry of Pennsylvania is an integral part of the world energy system. Production is influenced by local, regional, national and international events. As a consequence, production trends experience rapid changes reflecting volatile events in the energy world. This paper analyzes the production and structural changes between 1947 and 1986 experienced by the western Pennsylvania coal industry and how these changes have altered spatial patterns.
MANUFACTURAL CHANGES IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 1848 - 1985
(pp. 27 – 35)
John E. Benhart
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Abstract
In the nineteenth century one of the largest heavy industry regions of the world evolved in the river valleys of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Iron and steel production provided the raw material for a massive industrial economy. In the twentieth century that heavy industrial economy has been plagued by many problems. The region is now in a state of transition with modern twentieth century industries gradually developing in the area.
TERTIARY INDUSTRIES: CATALYSTS FOR GROWTH
(pp. 36 – 42)
E. Willard Miller
The Pennsylvania State University
State College, Pennsylvania
Abstract
The tertiary activities today dominate the economy of Southwestern Pennsylvania. They not only have the largest employment, but are the great growth sectors of the economy. As primary and secondary activities have declined in employment potential, the tertiary activities now provide job opportunities for the unemployed. The 19 counties now have about 1,150,000 employment in the tertiary activities. The five major categories of tertiary activities, with their respective shares of total employment, are services (60 percent); retail trade (21 percent); finance insurance and real estate (7 percent), transportation and public utilities (6 percent) and wholesale trade (6 percent). The growth in the tertiary activities reflects a change in the pattern of spending. As incomes rise patterns of consumer spending shift away from purchases of material goods to services. In addition, the numbers employed in service activities have increased rapidly because of the relatively low productivity of many service activities. This contrasts sharply with the traditional increases in productivity in the secondary and primary activities. As employment becomes increasingly concentrated in service industries, the regions that are able to increase productivity in service functions will maintain this dynamic growth of the tertiary activities.