Published: March 27, 2008 10:17 am            

Hatching a better future | Economic teams boost outlook for region

Which came first: The chicken or the egg?

Who knows? But that’s the same kind of reasoning that might be applied to what is happening with our region’s economy and at the same time with our economic-development organizations.

One example: Is Johnstown Area Regional Industries Inc. experiencing success because of an improving area economy, or is the economy growing because of JARI’s efforts?

We believe that it goes hand in hand. We rely on JARI and other developers to bring business, industry – and jobs – here.

It’s no easy task. CEOs don’t just line up at our doorstep. They’ve got to be convinced that we are the right fit for their companies.

In any case, JARI’s progress report luncheon this week took on the air of a celebration, including several one-liners from keynote speaker U.S. Rep. John Murtha.

There were plenty of smiles, too, when JARI’s chief officer discussed the group’s accomplishments in 2007.

According to President Linda Thomson, JARI created 1,144 jobs and helped retain an additional 4,000 last year.

That’s certainly welcome news.

She added: “I think people are going to be shocked. But we now have a significant number of companies here that can’t find workers.

“We’re going to be working very hard to bring folks back or find new people who we can bring in. If you had told me five years ago that we were going to need workers here, I never would have believed it.”

Truly amazing.

Other major accomplishments noted by Thomson were the $1.1 million raised during the Partners for Progress Fund Drive, the completion of Phase II of the Johnstown Business Park and the purchase of land for an eventual Phase III expansion of that park.

Our hats are off to JARI officials for having achieved a bright 2007. But the reality is that the act will be a tough one to follow in 2008 in a nation showing growing signs of an economic slowdown or even a recession.

It will be a battle, no question, but we have faith that our seasoned, hardworking economic teams give our region an advantage over others in facing the challenges.

        

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