While Lebanon County, Pennsylvania is primed for growth, its regional leaders understand the need to preserve the abundance of beautiful farmland that gives the county its character. To nurture dialogue between neighboring municipalities about their rural planning processes, the local REALTOR® association convened an in-depth roundtable meeting of municipal managers. A Rural Outreach Grant from the REALTOR® Party supported the event – which was so successful, participants requested an annual repeat.
As the county seeks to manage the effects of past growth and strengthen guidance for community development and resource protection moving forward, Chuck Liedike, Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®’ Director of Field Operations and Grassroots, saw an opportunity to involve REALTORS® in the process. “As local land use plans and ordinances are reviewed and updated, REALTORS® bring a valuable perspective with their deep understanding of market trends, local data needs, and the priorities of both current and future property owners. They are well-positioned to serve as valuable partners in this process.”
He assisted the Lebanon County Association of REALTORS® in securing a Rural Outreach Grant to open the door to the involvement they sought. Bringing together the managers of the county’s top nine growing municipalities, as well as the association’s Board of Directors, Legislative Committee, and a few top brokers for a breakfast meeting was a fairly simple effort that brought about the desired connections. “We wanted to focus on policy, rather than politics, which is why we invited the municipal managers rather than elected officials,” explains Liedike. “They’re in a unique position to share what they’re hearing from the community at the tables where decisions are being shaped. They can offer input with a sense of neutrality and balance.”
They purposefully kept the results-driven program small, with about 25 participants engaging in discussions about affordable housing; infrastructure planning and development; historic and natural-space preservation; streamlining the development approval process; clearer zoning law and development regulation guidelines; and community engagement, including how REALTORS® can help gather information from residents and businesses.
The Rural Outreach Grant covered the event’s invitation mailers and breakfast, as well as printed copies of a hyper-specific REALTOR® Property Resource report given to each municipal manager. “They were so happy to receive these, and the REALTORS® right there in the room were able to provide context. It’s a fantastic resource,” says Liedike.
Part of his goal has been to get REALTORS® involved in local government, too. He notes that he would like to see more REALTORS® applying for appointments to planning commissions or zoning boards – “Any board that impacts REALTOR® communities at the local level would benefit from REALTOR® advocacy and expertise.” This event allowed for more REALTORS® to be considered for appointment to various boards and commissions.
At the end of the program, Liedike presented a brief pitch about the REALTOR® Party’s grant programs. The Placemaking Grant, in particular, generated a lot of interest, and one managerial team pulled him aside afterwards, wanting to partner with the Lebanon County Association on a park project. “The association applied for the grant in June, and the project was completed by the Fall!” he reports.
“I love this Rural Outreach Grant,” he continues: “The funding level may not seem significant, but for what it enabled us to accomplish, it was game-changer. These municipal decision-makers are seeing REALTORS® up close as more than people who want to buy and sell houses. They see us as valuable partners, and as a source of real expertise as they pursue their goals for responsible growth.” Before the meeting concluded, all present agreed that they should continue to meet on an annual basis, and their second meeting is coming up in June 2025. The Lebanon County model, says Liedike, could easily be replicated in rural regions anywhere.
To learn more about how the Lebanon County Association of REALTORS® is working to promote specific planning for growth in rural areas, contact Chuck Liedike, Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®’ Director of Field Operations and Grassroots, at cliedike@parealtors.org or 484.889.1222.
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