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Feature Article
Area Cashing in on Good Rating
Money Magazine's high ranking of life in Cambria and Somerset counties could produce a big bang for the buck.
Being designated the best small metropolitan area to live in Pennsylvania and the fourth best in the East will be a profitable tool in luring people and businesses to the region, economic development leaders say. "I think it's about time the Johnstown area, including Somerset County, is noticed," Hank Parke, executive director of the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce, said in a telephone interview Thursday from his office.
The magazine's 12th annual ranking differed from previous years in that geographical areas were ranked by section of the country, then by size. The two-county Johnstown region fell within the small-city division, competing with other areas whose population is between 100,000 and 249,999. Most importantly, the ranking comes from an outside source, said Ronald F. Budash, executive director of Cambria County Industrial Development Corp.
Positive news about the area such as the Money ranking is included in packets sent out to people interested in relocating to Somerset County, Parke said. He said a chamber is the first place people turn when wanting information about the area. He said ranking also can be promoted on the organization's web site. Parke said the site is being looked at about 100 times a day.
By visiting Money's web site people can find statistics pertaining to Cambria and Somerset counties. Robert Layo, president of the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce, said statistics from the ranking can be a valuable promotional tool. Budash said economic groups such as Johnstown Area Regional Industries also have web sites.
Companies looking to open a new office or relocate their operation consider a number of factors in making their decision. Quality-of-life issues and crime rate are things they examine in addition to transportation and cost of living. Those considering moving to an area then want to know about education, health-care facilities, recreation and quality of life, Budash said.
Parke and Budash point to educational institutions such as Cambria County Area Community College, Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center in Richland Township and Hidden Valley and Seven Springs resorts in Somerset County in talking about what the two counties have to offer. "The area is a sleeping giant," Budash said, pointing to the falling unemployment rate and the increase in jobs. The region has an unemployment rate of 6.2 percent, down from 8 percent in the first quarter of the year.
By Jeff McCready, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat Business Writer June 1998
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