By SHAWN PIATEK
Organizers behind the 2020 Regional Vision study said this week that response to a survey at the core of the effort has been strong.
About 1,800 current and former residents had filled out the online questionnaire through Monday. The survey is being conducted by Next Generation Consulting as a way to gather opinions and shape a plan for making the Greater Johnstown area more appealing to young professionals.
The study is being sponsored the Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals of the Alleghenies (YPA).
“Our goal is to exceed 5,000 responses,” said Mike Hruska, co-chairman of YPA’s business committee.
“The record response indicated by Next Generation was 4,155 respondents,” Hruska said. If you look at this in terms of weeks, we need 800 respondents per week over six weeks to reach that record. So far we’re exceeding that pace.”
According to preliminary results, most of those responding to the survey live in the Greater Johnstown area.
The 15905 and 15904 ZIP codes – the city’s suburban West and East hills, respectively – are home to nearly 43 percent of respondents.
About 25 percent of respondents live outside of the Cambria-Somerset region or outside the state entirely, Hruska said.
Hruska said the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete. He is urging all current and former residents to take the time and share their opinions about the region.
“This is an opportunity for residents and former residents of the area to define a new target for what they perceive Johnstown and the surrounding region to be,” Hruska said.
“It is important that everyone share this information at this point so that what plans are developed are a sum of the collective view of our minds in this area.”
