COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on the nation’s economy. In This Together Cambria, The Tribune-Democrat, and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown are presenting another free forum, COVID Questions: Economic Impact, to take a closer look at the challenges various sectors in the local economy have faced since the pandemic hit a year ago – as well as avenues for relief, opportunities in the crisis, and innovative tactics businesses have used to survive.
Panelists for the event are:
- Joshua Boland, executive director of the Somerset County Economic Development Council
- Amy Bradley, president and CEO of the Cambria Regional Chamber
- Bob Heffelfinger, Richland Township supervisor
- Mayor Frank Janakovic, City of Johnstown
- Linda Thomson, president and CEO of JARI
The virtual town hall will be held Tues., Mar. 23 at 7:00 pm over Zoom, and will be moderated by Chip Minemyer, editor of The Tribune-Democrat. The forum can be accessed over Zoom at https://pitt.zoom.us/j/96156145654 , and will also be livestreamed over In This Together Cambria’s Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/inthistogethercambria.
“The pandemic has been financially difficult on everyone, from families and businesses to the county on the whole,” said Ashlee Kiel of In This Together Cambria. “As more people get vaccinated, recovery is in sight, and we are eager to discuss plans to boost the regional economy in 2021 and beyond.”
Additional forums have been scheduled as follows:
- April 6: K-12 Education
- April 13: Vaccine Update
- May 4: Higher Education
In addition, One Year Later: Celebrating Our Resilience is set for Mar. 30, and an event discussing the 1918 flu pandemic and its parallels with the current pandemic is set for Apr. 30.
In This Together Cambria is a volunteer group engaged in advocacy, storytelling, and sharing of information to combat the pandemic. So far, the group has presented nine virtual forums on COVID in partnership with The Tribune-Democrat and the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, and a virtual Words of Comfort worship service. The Lights of Remembrance was a luminary tribute to the Cambria County victims of the pandemic. Recordings of these forums, COVID resources, and much more can be found at www.inthistogethercambria.com.