Who We Are

For many years a group of scholars and practitioners in the Beaver Valley have believed there was a great need to convene consequential conversations focused on the civic good and civic activism.  A spirit of inquiry that would convene, curate, and commission important projects and ideas.  These projects and ideas would be aimed at developing a culture for restoring post-industrial cities, towns, and communities.

Our Mission

The Mill Town Institute’s (MTI) mission is to develop a culture of understanding and renewal for post-industrial towns who have experienced the rapid decline associated with de-industrialization.  The MTI is a multidisciplinary institute seeking to promote education, research, service, and policy formation in these distressed communities.

The MTI is an independent institute affiliated with the Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation (CDC). It is financially independent and directed by its staff and advisory board.  Procedurally MTI would rather co-sponsor events, coming alongside of existing institutions to help them succeed in their tasks rather than centering activities on our own identity.