Here is a link to the 2020 Regional Vision report developed by Rebecca Ryan and Next Generation Consulting.
Cool Communities Reception and Presentation
Join us on Monday, April 27th for a reception celebrating the 2020 Regional Vision project and hear Rebecca Ryan discuss the results and recommendations. The event will be held at the Pasquerilla Conference Center, Downtown Johnstown at 7:00 p.m., and is free but registration is required.
Agenda:
6:30 Doors Open
7:00 Rebecca Ryan Presentation
8:30 Reception with light appetizers and cash bar
To register, send an email to:
info@2020regionalvision.com
Donation of non-perishable food for Saturday’s Kitchen are welcome.
Join The Discussion!!!!!
Thanks to everyone who took the survey and made the first phase of this important project such a success! We’re asking for your help with a second and equally critical step—the Next Cities Cafés.
FORMAT:
The cafés will focus on why young professionals choose to reside in the Cambria/Somerset region, what they value the most about life in the region, and what does or what will make this region a great place for the next generation.
Participants will brainstorm to identify the assets, challenges and opportunities our regions possesses within these indices: vitality, earning, learning, after hours, around town, social capital and cost of lifestyle. There will be several tables discussing each index, and participants can choose up to three indices to discuss throughout the evening. Each roundtable will last about 25 minutes. This information will be compiled and analyzed to create the strategic plan for our region’s efforts to attract and retain young professionals and entrepreneurs.
Here’s what we’ll be talking about:
VITALITY How “well” is the community? This index accounts for local commitment to the physical space – air and water quality, green space – while tallying up the factors that lead to sustainability - long-term personal and environmental health.
EARNING Young talent want a deep bench of occupational options and support for entrepreneurial ventures. This index measures the depth and breadth of employment options.
LEARNING Young talent want educational access points. This index identifies the key indicators that define education, continuing education, and re-education opportunities.
SOCIAL CAPITAL It takes many voices to create the chorus we call a Cool Community. This index tallies a community’s commitment to diversity and participation. Jane Jacobs coined this phrase in The Death and Life of Great American Cities
COST OF LIFESTYLE Young talent are normally in the early years of their earning potential, so affordability is key. This index includes all the variables in the national cost of living index, which includes a roof over the head, food on the table and a ride to work, plus a few others.
AFTER HOURS There’s more to life than work. This is the index that identifies the key indicators of cool “stuff” to do, because young talent want options: places to go, things to do. They are participants. They need to be active and engaged. It’s about food and friends; it’s about third spaces. It’s about recharging the battery.
AROUND TOWN This cluster identifies the key indicators of accessibility, the physical connectedness of a community - How easy is it to get to where you want to go?
We will be holding the following community discussion forum:
Johnstown:
Wednesday, February 11 The Holiday Inn-Downtown, Crown Ballroom
To register just send an email to info@2020regionalvision.com and let us know who will be attending.
We also have set up an online discussion forum for those who cannot attend on February 11th. Follow this link to join the online discusion on the same topics that will discussed at the community forum:
Let’s Get Started!
2020 Regional Vision is an exciting new project to attract and retain young talent to our region. A collaboration between the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals of the Alleghenies, this six month study of our region will give us the tools we need to create a community that will be a destination for the Next Generation.
This project will be completed by Rebecca Ryan and her company Next Generation Consulting. Their unique Community Handprint will measure our region in seven critical areas that are needed to attract and retain young professionals. At the conclusion of the study we’ll have an action list of items we can accomplish to become a vibrant community.
This project is funded by the generous support of the Cambria County Alliance for Business and Industry, Greater Johnstown Regional Partnership, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce, Johnstown Area Regional Industries, and the Richland Township Supervisors.