Group has ‘Vision for the Valley’

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March 18, 2010

By MIKE FAHER The Tribune-Democrat Thu Mar 18, 2010, 11:21 PM EDT

JOHNSTOWN — A new group has formed to boost small businesses in Johnstown.

Johnstown Small Business Group, working under the name “Vision for the Valley,” is designed to “ease the constraints and obstacles” owners face in the city, members said.

“Really, this is about getting everyone together and getting a dialogue going,” said Adia Dobbins, one of the organization’s founders.

The project grew out of this year’s John B. Gunter Community Leadership Initiative class.

Those getting the small-business group started are Dobbins, who works for Somerset Trust Co.; Ben Gallagher, who owns Village Street Cafe; Matthew Gyure of Gleason Financial Inc.; Matt McAneny of McAneny Brothers; and Heather Moreland of Conemaugh Health System.

In the early stages, they are taking a three-pronged approach: The first is a small-business survey that already has been released.

Anyone interested in receiving the survey via e-mail can contact the group at jsmallbizproject@ gmail.com or by calling Village Street Cafe at 539-9330.

The group also has launched a Facebook page titled Johnstown Small Business Project.

“It is up and running, and we’re seeing some good discussion on that,” Dobbins said.

And a meeting for small-business owners is planned from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 25 at downtown Johnstown’s Holiday Inn. New City Manager Kristen Denne is expected to attend, Dobbins said.

Issues for discussion include appraisals, codes, permits and taxation, she said.

Those who want to attend should RSVP by Wednesday by calling the Village Street Cafe or sending an e-mail to jsmallbizproject @gmail.com.

Dobbins said the group’s intent is to form a support network among small businesses and to provide a forum in which problems can be aired and, hopefully, solved.

“This is an independent group,” she said. “The point of it is to help move things forward and to create an environment where somebody who wants to start a small business has some support.”

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