Community Tour: Johnstown

On October 15, leaders from across the community gathered at Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies in Johnstown, PA, for a roundtable discussion with Anna Paulson, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The conversation focused on the economy, local jobs, and how community partners are leveraging shared strategies for workforce development in the region. 

President Paulson visited Johnstown to speak with community leaders about local jobs and the economy.

Since joining the Philadelphia Fed in July, President Paulson has hosted several roundtables across the Third District to learn about the region and gather insights into local economic conditions. In Johnstown, she emphasized that community perspectives “provide important context to economic data and are essential for informed monetary policy discussions.” President Paulson is one of 12 Reserve Bank presidents who report on regional trends and participate in economic discussions on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).

At Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies, community partners joined a roundtable discussion to provide insights into the local economy and workforce development efforts.

During the discussion, President Paulson learned about Johnstown’s history as a steel town and the evolution of the local economy. Major employment sectors in the region now include healthcare, advanced manufacturing, technology, and logistics. As of July 2025, roughly 25 percent of jobs in the Johnstown area are in education and health services. This includes jobs as nurses, MRI technologists, and personal care aides. Transportation and utilities account for 19 percent of local jobs, with high demand for heavy truck and tractor trailer drivers. Both of these sectors have grown in the past year, with education and health services going up by almost 8 percent (through July 2025).

As is the case in many rural and post-industrial communities, a shrinking population and increasing community needs continue to constrain the Johnstown area’s economic potential. Nonprofit leaders discussed several challenges facing residents, including food insecurity, a growing skills gap, and limited options for quality childcare. Roundtable participants emphasized that successful workforce development programs require a holistic approach, noting that job training and employment success often hinge on comprehensive and accessible support services.

President Paulson also made a stop in Goodwill’s Moxham Food Pantry store to learn about how local organizations are working together to meet workers’ needs. Goodwill opened the pantry, located next to its main facility, in 2020 to supplement local food programs.

Partnerships are making an impact on the local economy, community leaders said. Organizations such as JARI, also known as Johnstown Area Regional Industries, and the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission are strategically aligning workforce training programs with the specific needs of local industries. The area’s higher education institutions, including Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, have expanded their programs in nursing, culinary arts, engineering, and technology, and they are partnering with local employers to ensure graduates are job ready. Community-based initiatives, such as Vision Together, are working to rejuvenate the downtown area by supporting small business development, restoring historic spaces, and enhancing parks and neighborhood resources.

President Paulson met with leaders representing a broad cross section of the community to hear their perspectives on local jobs, the economy, and how they are approaching workforce development in the region.

Technology is another tool that organizations are leveraging to address local employment gaps. During the discussion, Bradley Burger, president and CEO of Goodwill of the Southern Alleghenies, described a virtual agent that Goodwill employs to assist local businesses in enhancing productivity. By equipping small businesses with tools and processes to improve their operations, Goodwill’s goal is to optimize the available labor force so that in-demand jobs can be filled and local workers can avoid burnout.

Philadelphia Fed researcher Adam Scavette joined the conversation to discuss a recent study exploring artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on jobs in the Third District. In the Philadelphia Fed study, researchers found that occupations tending to require more education and paying higher wages are disproportionately exposed to AI, especially technical research, writing, and administrative roles. However, they noted that a high level of AI exposure does not necessarily decrease job opportunities. Instead, AI may lead to increased productivity and wages in certain industries.

Throughout the discussion, local leaders underscored the importance of working together and investing in people. They pointed to the ongoing need for strong partnerships between businesses, schools, and community groups to improve job training, create career opportunities, and support community growth and local industry development. One example offered by Bill Polacek, chief executive officer and chairman of JWF Industries, was the company's efforts to expose local students to the advanced technologies it uses, including robotics and lasers. He said that fostering interest in manufacturing careers early can help build a pipeline of young workers who see the opportunities the area has to offer.

The Johnstown community is incredibly resilient and committed to meeting the economic moment. Our economy is the most diverse it has been, with more small businesses and employers, and we plan to continue building it out in the future. We’re excited to share our economic story with President Paulson and to demonstrate our collective approach to strengthening and growing our workforce.

Jeffrey A. Stopko
President and CEO
AmeriServ Financial, Inc.

 

Making a Stop in Clearfield

President Paulson also visited Clearfield, PA, to meet with leaders of Clearly Ahead Development, the economic development corporation of Clearfield County. They discussed local initiatives and partnerships that are working to foster economic opportunities and help grow the local economy.

During the visit, President Paulson took in the view at the Riverwalk and park that run along the Susquehanna River in Clearfield.

The Johnstown roundtable demonstrated that while many communities face significant workforce challenges — from population decline to skills gaps to emerging technology disruptions — communities that work together, adapt their institutions, and innovate can build pathways forward for their residents and their economies.

President Paulson ended the discussion by highlighting the importance of hearing these perspectives firsthand: “When I speak for our region at the FOMC in Washington, I want to be thinking about how the decisions that we make in that room impact communities like Johnstown.”