The Point Rocks | radioNovo News for Johnstown: April 24, 2026

RNN JOHNSTOWN 04/24/26           PLANS FOR A NEW REGIONAL JET “INNOVATION CENTER” AT THE JOHN MURTHA JOHNSTOWN-CAMBRIA COUNTY AIRPORT ARE MOVING FORWARD. OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE A LOW BID FOR INITIAL SITE AND UTILITY WORK, WHICH FELL WELL WITHIN THEIR BUDGET. BUT THE AIRPORT BOARD IS WAITING FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION BIDS IN MAY BEFORE BREAKING GROUND. THE PLANNED FACILITY WILL EVENTUALLY EXPAND TO 63-THOUSAND SQUARE FEET, PROVIDING SPACE FOR AVIATION BUSINESSES AND MAINTENANCE FOR COMMERCIAL JETS.          THE CHILD CARE CRISIS IS COSTING PENNSYLVANIA OVER SIX BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY IN LOST INCOME AND TAX REVENUE.           LOCAL ADVOCATES MET THURSDAY TO HIGHLIGHT A STAGGERING GAP IN SERVICES, NOTING THAT NEARLY NINETY PERCENT OF CHILDREN UNDER FIVE IN CAMBRIA AND SOMERSET COUNTIES REMAIN UNSERVED. TO TACKLE THE SHORTAGE, THE UNITED WAY IS LAUNCHING A NEW PARTNERSHIP TO OFFER HOME-BASED CHILD CARE EDUCATION CLASSES. EXPERTS SAY THE SOLUTION LIES IN BUSINESS INVESTMENT, NOTING THAT EMPLOYERS WHO PROVIDE CHILD CARE BENEFITS SEE A RETURN ON INVESTMENT OF UP TO 400-PERCENT.