Power of 32 begins idea exchanges

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July 27, 2010

Patrick Buchnowski pbuchnowski@tribdem.com The Tribune-Democrat Tue Jul 27, 2010, 11:12 PM EDT

SOMERSET — The Power of 32 muscled into Somerset County on Tuesday.

Power of 32 is a “regional visioning initiative” involving counties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia. The goal is to form a regional plan that includes strengthening the economy and creating jobs.

One of dozens of planned public meetings was held Tuesday at Somerset Church of the Brethren on Plank Road. About 35 people – including county commissioners, police officials, business leaders and others – turned out.

“The point is to share ideas so we can make our region grow, not just Somerset County,” said county Commissioner John Vatavuk, a Power of 32 steering committee member.

Representatives from 32 counties in four states are joining in the effort to improve the region.

The project began in May 2009 as a two-year process to form a regional agenda for the next 15 years, said Allen Kukovich of Westmoreland County, the regional chairman.

“Everywhere regional visioning has been tried there has been some success,” said Kukovich, a former state legislator.

“This is the largest ever in terms of area and population.”

The Power of 32 region takes in about 4.2 million people.

Some issues raised Tuesday included transportation improvements, job creation, and doing more for senior citizens and younger people, Vatavuk said.

Four meetings were held in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, three in West Virginia, two in Ohio and one in Maryland.

“This was the big push,” outreach coordinator Amy Bailey said. “We’re having as many conversations in as many places as we can.”

The next public meeting is from 9 to 11:30 a.m. today at the Somerset Trust Co. community room, 116 Market St., Johnstown.

Bailey said she is working with Shawn Piatek, vice president of 1st Team, a Johnstown marketing firm, to schedule meetings in northern Cambria and Somerset counties. Future meetings also could target seniors and youth, she said.

The initiative is searching for ideas from the public and private sectors to discuss everything from business, education and transportation to tourism and quality of life issues.

The initiative is being funded by local foundations.

How it works

Representatives from Power of 32 outlined how they expect to get things done:

• Community conversations: In this listening phase, which began this summer, people across the region will identify strengths, challenges and possibilities facing the region.

• Framing solutions: Beginning in the fall, policy options that build on assets and opportunities will be developed and examined to address the top challenges.

• Regional town meetings: In 2011, thousands in multiple locations – linked by webcast technology – will prioritize the policy options that best address the top regional challenges and take advantage of opportunities.

“The potential is tremendous,” Kukovich said. “There’s never been a regional vision to cut across so many boundaries.”

Job creation and economic investment have been identified so far as key issues.

“Some areas of the region are doing a little better economically,” Kukovich said. “There are pockets of higher unemployment in others. That seems to be the No. 1 challenge we face.”

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