Photo: Picture of Downtown Johnstown, Kaison Wills, Nov. 24, 2024
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a city once booming with steel industry prosperity, now sits in the shadow of its former self. For decades, the city’s economy has declined, and its streets have felt the effects of job loss, disinvestment, and young people seeking opportunities elsewhere. But despite these challenges, Johnstown is not beyond saving. The key to its revival lies with the youth –those who still call this city home and those who may one day return. If the younger generation of Johnstown wants to live in a thriving community rather than a struggling one, they must be willing to roll up their sleeves and get involved.
Many young people in Johnstown express frustration with the lack of things to do and the limited opportunities the city offers. They often point to the absence of jobs, parks, and recreational spaces as reasons for wanting to leave. And who can blame them? With the city’s population shrinking, Johnstown’s economic base crumbling, and retail businesses closing, it’s hard to envision a future here. But here’s the thing: Johnstown won’t improve unless the next generation steps up and works together to make it a better place. The youth have the power to create change –they are the ones who can breathe new life into this town.
The importance of youth involvement in revitalization efforts isn’t just a theoretical idea; it’s a proven model in communities across the country. Take Berea, Kentucky, for example, a small town with fewer than 16,000 residents. Berea, much like Johnstown, was a struggling community for many years. But it transformed itself by embracing its unique heritage in the arts. Young people in Berea saw the potential of the town’s history and culture, and through their efforts, they turned it into a hub for artisans, tourists, and creatives. Today, Berea is a thriving arts community with its own college that draws visitors from all over the country, thanks in large part to the younger generation who saw the town’s potential and made it their own.
Johnstown, like Berea, has untapped potential. It is home to beautiful landscapes, a rich history, and a community that, despite its challenges, still carries a sense of pride. The city may not be able to compete with larger metropolitan areas, but it doesn’t have to. If young people in Johnstown embraced their heritage, invested in local businesses, and advocated for improvements, they could start a movement that would revitalize the city in ways people wouldn’t expect. This could be the place where a new creative economy is born- a place for artists, entrepreneurs, and tech innovators to call home. The youth of Johnstown could be the driving force behind such a transformation.
But if young people continue to leave Johnstown in search of better opportunities elsewhere, the city will continue its slow decline. I know this firsthand –I left Johnstown to attend Penn and haven’t looked back. The opportunities I found in Philadelphia are undeniable. But not everyone needs to leave to find success, and it’s worth considering how things could change if more young people decided to stay and rebuild.
Some may argue that Johnstown is already in the process of rebuilding itself, and that the involvement of young people isn’t as critical as I make it out to be. While it’s true that the city is experiencing some growth through infrastructure projects and small business development, these efforts are not enough to reverse decades of decline. The reality is that Johnstown is still viewed as a struggling community by outsiders, and the economic future of the city remains uncertain. Without the energy, innovation, and passion of young people, Johnstown’s revitalization will remain slow and incomplete.
Not everyone will get involved in this effort, and that’s okay. But for those who do, the rewards will be profound. There’s something uniquely fulfilling about being part of a movement that shapes the future of a place. By stepping up and contributing in whatever way they can, young people in Johnstown have the power to turn their city into a thriving, vibrant community once again.
