Wal-Mart's arrival delivers hope to Johnstown area

The plan to build the grocery supply center, bringing 400 new jobs to the economically struggling town, "is a wonderful, wonderful thing," said Jackie Jones, drug court coordinator for Catholic Charities of Fulton County. "Four hundred jobs is just tremendous."

On the diocesan level, Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, executive director of Catholic Charities, welcomes full-time, ongoing employment opportunities for Fulton and Montgomery County residents.

First step

Sister Maureen was pleased to note that the promised jobs are estimated to pay $8 to $9 per hour, something "that assists people in achieving a living wage more than minimum wage does." She hopes to see Wal-Mart offer health benefits to employees, as well.

Sister Maureen would also like Wal-Mart to reinvest in the community, which she calls "being a good neighbor."

Hope for town

"Fulton County, for years, has been one of the highest unemployment cities in the state," he told The Evangelist. "Four hundred jobs coming in will make a big difference. I hope it's going to mean an influx of people."

The plans have already made a difference in Father DiMaggio's parish, where, he said, "it's nice to see people thinking positively" about Johnstown's future.

If Wal-Mart's introduction is a boost to the town, Immaculate Conception parish may also see changes. For two decades, Father DiMaggio has watched young people grow up and move out of the area -- and the parish -- to find more job opportunities. "Maybe," he said, "this will keep some of our people who want to stay, here."

Rev. James Fitzmaurice, who just became pastor of St. Anthony of Padua and St. Patrick's parishes in Johnstown in July, is new to the area, but he said that the distribution center "is great for the community."

Ready to help

She added that locals should be realistic and acknowledge that there will be many more applicants than there are jobs available.

Sister Maureen hopes that Wal-Mart's opening will be one step toward a better economy in the community, and she would like to see other, local businesses shored up and expanded.

Father DiMaggio plans to see Wal-mart's proposal become reality. After 21 years in Johnstown, he noted, "I hope to stay here until death do us part -- or retirement."

(09-03-98) [[In-content Ad]]