By Brian E. Bassett

When talking with the citizens of Cambria County, it’s impossible to overlook their powerful sense of pride. They’re proud of their landscapes that blend the best of urban and rural life – and the low crime statistics, diversified economic base, and dedicated workforce that grace their community. These attributes ensure a good standard of living and a high quality of life. The area was recently ranked by Money Magazine as the number one most-livable area in Pennsylvania and number four in the Northeast.

“The employment situation in the Johnstown/Cambria County area has been going well for the last couple years,” said Robert Layo, president of the Cambria County Chamber of Commerce.
“ We have a good workforce, a great locale, and a great quality of life in this area. The challenge is to get the word out, bring people here and let them experience it!”

Layo went on to explain how growth in the area “tends to come with and in small, local businesses – not the monster companies – so the chamber’s job is to help train and support those businesses. We’re more of a community-based organization that engages local agencies and businesses to keep them local and maximize their financial health to ensure future economic growth.”

Another source of pride comes from a feature article in Forbes Magazine where Johnstown was described as “Open for Business.” Visit the chamber Web site at chamber@johnstownchamber.com to read this article.

“A major challenge to ensure the continued advancement of the area’s economic health is transportation,” Layo explained. “A number of projects were scrapped in past years, so area leaders are working hard to get those corridors moving again – corridors like Route 22 from Altoona to Pittsburgh. Route 22 cuts across Cambria County west to east, and is scheduled to be completed as a four-lane connector; Route 56 East out of Johnstown to I99 in Bedford; 219 South in Somerset to I68 in Maryland; and the addition of a four-lane from the terminus of Route 219.”

Layo mentioned that the Hi-Tech Park, a “regional technology complex,” is going in on the old Sani-Dairy site. This is a $20-million project with phase one being the creation of a 100,000-square-foot facility. When the project is completed, in five to 10 years’ time, two more buildings will provide an additional 200,000 square feet that will house approximately 15 tenants in the healthcare and information technology fields.

The Johnstown community successfully provides a wide range of promotions that bring people to the area, including:
• Triple ABA tournament – for approximately the past 63 years
• Convention & Visitors Bureau – “Thunder in the Valley” motorcycle event
• Showcase for Commerce – Johnstown Area Regional Industries’ (JARI) premiere event that has brought in more than $2 billion since the 1990s – visit www.showcaseforcommerce.com.
One function of this showcase is to match up large companies with local area contractors – to help them build their facilities.

JARI is instrumental in providing businesses with what they need in:
• Business planning and advising
• Debt financing, equity investment and grants
• Government procurement
• Government relations
• Professional networking
• Site location and real estate
• Site selector information
• Workforce development in manufacturing, safety, health care and hospitality
Much “moving ahead” is taking place in Cambria County. Following are some loans/grants contributing to the economic welfare of the community.

Rep. Gary Haluska (D-Cambria) announced that two infrastructure improvement projects in Cambria County will receive awards from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. The Spangler Municipal Authority will receive a grant for $585,467 and a low-interest loan for $2.7 million to construct a new sand water filter plant able to treat 300,000 gallons per day – and to replace 12,000 feet of deteriorated water lines; and Loretto will receive a $375,000 loan to replace 3,500 feet of sanitary sewers and 11 manholes.

“With the state’s support our communities have been able to improve their local economies by building new roadways, protecting our waterways and bringing new customers and employees to businesses throughout the state,” said Gov. Ed Rendell. “These investments mean real results for the citizens of Pennsylvania.

Rep. Edward Wojnaroski, Sr. (D-Cambria) announced that $175,000 in grant funding has been awarded to refurbish the former Bethlehem Steel Franklin Mills site in Johnstown. The grant will be used to evaluate the infrastructure and existing buildings of the 90-acre site along Route 271 and the Little Conemaugh River, and develop a preliminary site subdivision plan to attract industrial and commercial businesses.

“Redeveloping this site could open up new opportunities for the area, since it is anticipated that as many as 500 jobs could be created when this property is reused,” said Wojnaroski. ~PBC