Jefferson and Berkeley counties are included as part of the Washington Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Thousands of area residents commute daily by car or MARC train to the nearby urban areas. Unemployment in the Eastern Panhandle averages about 3 percent, compared to a state average of around 6 percent. The population and economy of the region have grown significantly over the past two decades, and it is likely that this growth will continue for the indefinite future. The populations of Berkeley and Jefferson counties grew by 14 percent and 10.6 percent, respectively, during the period of 1990 through 1996, compared to a statewide average of only 1.9 percent.
Life is good.
But growth brings change, and change presents challenges. One of the challenges is to identify and meet the burgeoning educational needs of a growing region. It has been suggested that we invite several colleges and universities into our region and help them establish centers from which they can offer their courses and programs. While this model does provide the possibility of a quick fix, it does not address the long-term issues, nor does it solve the fundamental problem of developing the expanded and cohesive educational infrastructure that is necessary for a growing population. A multi-institutional model is best suited for densely populated urban areas or rural areas of low or negative population growth.