The Keystone Research Center was created to broaden public discussion on strategies to achieve a more prosperous and equitable Pennsylvania economy.

As a research and policy development institute, the Keystone Research Center conducts original research, produces reports, and promotes public dialog that addresses important economic and civic problems, and proposes new policies to help resolve those problems.

Established in 1996, the KRC operates through the collaborative efforts of Pennsylvania citizens drawn from academia, labor, religious and business organizations. Rather than simply outlining Pennsylvania's problems, the Keystone Research Center is dedicated to using research and collaboration to propose workable policy alternatives.

Over the last six years the Keystone Research Center has become a leading source of independent analysis of Pennsylvania's economy and public policy.

The KRC Approach

While some research organizations focus on building abstract models divorced from socioeconomic reality, Keystone grounds its work in the knowledge and experience of managers, workers and others who are active participants in the economy. Careful case studies combined with quantitative analysis lead to practical recommendations for creating a better Pennsylvania.

One example is Keystone's 1997 report on the elder care industry, "Promoting Quality Care and Quality Jobs." This ground-breaking report recommended the creation of an industry coalition to spread new care delivery approaches, the promise of which KRC research documented.

In the wake of the report release and two stakeholder forums Keystone helped organize, the Pennsylvania Culture Change Coalition was formed in January 2000. The coalition is already becoming a national model for how elder care stakeholders can work together to achieve better jobs and better care for the elderly.

More recently, at the request of former governor Mark Schweiker, KRC undertook a systematic review of Pennsylvania workforce development system. The study, A Workforce Development Agenda for the Next Governor, is being used to inform the development of workforce policy in the Rendell administration.

In conjunction with the Brookings Institution's "Back to Prosperity" project in Pennsylvania, KRC also recently completed an overview of the impact of Pennsylvania's economic development policies on sprawl. Economic Development Policies in Pennsylvania: Do They Fuel Sprawl? is the first systematic study of its kind conducted in Pennsylvania.

Support the Keystone Research Center

The work of the Keystone Research Center is funded by grants from charitable foundations and other organizations, research contracts and contributions from individuals like you.

Your contribution will help KRC continue to provide up-to-date independent analysis of Pennsylvania's economy and public policy. The Keystone Research Center is a 501 (c) (3) organization. Contributions to KRC may be deducted for federal income tax purposes.

To learn how to make a contribution to KRC see our contributions page.