In this op-ed published by TribLive, Dwight Boddorf outlines a clear-eyed look at the challenges facing small towns like Tarentum and the path forward.
Once a thriving industrial community of over 11,000 residents, Tarentum has experienced decades of population and economic decline, a reality shared by many small towns across the country.
Rather than accepting that trajectory, the piece highlights a different approach: rebuilding through disciplined leadership, regional cooperation, and modernized systems. From infrastructure investment and financial stabilization to shared services like police and EMS, the focus is on practical, actionable steps that small governments can take right now, without waiting on state or federal solutions.
At its core, the article argues that small towns are not defined by their past decline, but by their ability to adapt, collaborate, and lead with purpose.
Read the full article here:
https://triblive.com/opinion/dwight-boddorf-reinventing-tarentum-a-small-town-with-a-big-vision/