| For the last three decades, small business districts (downtowns) all across our country have experienced continued economic deterioration from downtown to outlying edge locations. Once the center for community and economic activity, downtowns have suffered the loss of retail and other business activities to sites in shopping centers and commercial strips. "Downtowns" continue to suffer economic hardship brought on by fierce retail competition from category killers, large discount stores, and regional shopping centers. Many small city downtowns face high vacancy rates and a poor mix of retail tenants. They typically lack the market research support available to the big retailers and shopping center developers. Subsequently, the chamber organization (formerly the Regional Business Alliance [RBA]) board of directors established a 501(c) (3) foundation to help support the important programs and initiatives conducive to fulfilling the foundation's mission. Increase needed comprehensive demographic data and regional organization support systems to foster economic development-related marketing, business expansion and relocation. RCA Foundation Board of Directors: Scott Biddle, Northwest Savings Bank; Robert Dittman, Allegheny Recovery Corporation; Howard Carpenter, Regional Chamber Alliance; Robert Macey, Century Heritage Federal Credit Union; Linda Zvolensky, Huntingdon Bank; Roger Tachoir, Tachoir Auto Body, Inc; and Cindi Rojohn, C.A. Rojohn & Associates. For information about the chamber and/or the foundation, please contact: Howard Carpenter, at (412) 678-2450 On-line donations(click here). Scroll to bottom of page... |


