About The Opportunity Park
A Hub for Aviation and Business
Created as a center for business and commerce across the mid-Atlantic region, The Opportunity Park brings about new potential not only for aviation interests, but also a region of more than 42 million people who seek multimodal opportunities to meet their needs from a community with a growing economy, talented workforce, low cost of living, a quality public school system and a variety of colleges, universities and trade schools.
Connections Creating Opportunity
Located adjacent to a state highway connecting to multiple distribution routes and just 5 miles from downtown Johnstown and its railroads, The Opportunity Park is being developed by Cambrian Hills Development Group in partnership with the Cambria County Airport Authority. The development encompasses nearly 130 acres and will house a brand-new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility.
65
nautical miles from
Pittsburgh
121
nautical miles from
Washington D.C.
168
nautical miles from
Philadelphia
183
nautical miles from
Richmond
232
nautical miles from
New York
423
nautical miles from
Chicago
65
nautical miles from
Pittsburgh
121
nautical miles from
Washington D.C.
168
nautical miles from
Philadelphia
183
nautical miles from
Richmond
232
nautical miles from
New York
423
nautical miles from
Chicago
Anchored by an Aviation Magnet
Anchoring The Opportunity Park will be a state-of-the-art, 100,000-square-foot Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility capable of accommodating narrow-body airline and corporate aircraft. All of the necessary elements for a new MRO and other aviation-related business to thrive can already be found at neighboring John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport (JST), from its 7,000-foot runways to its FAA-operated air-traffic control tower and approach control radar, which already serves an adjacent Army National Guard base.
JST’s de-ice capability, fueling services, and fire and emergency services on the field also provide additional resources that are vital when considering an MRO facility.
An aerial overview of JST airport, where the blue zones illustrate land designated for KOZ development and incentives.
Typical MRO Hangar
& Office Space
JST is serviced by a Cambrian Hills Development Group-affiliated Fixed Base Operator that also operates charter services and a university-sponsored pilot training program on-site. Cambrian Hills Development Group is invested in building opportunities for the aviation industry in Pennsylvania and is developing a new aviation program in conjunction with the Cambria County Airport Authority, as well as a new training program and facility at Johnstown Airport with St. Francis University and SkyWest. Pennsylvania is also home to numerous aviation mechanic training institutions, such as Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics and Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) Integration
At the forefront of the future of aviation transportation and services, the Mid-Atlantic Opportunity Park is pioneering new ways to integrate Advanced Aerial Mobility (AAM) services into its already robust aviation infrastructure.
AAM supports enhanced aviation safety through total awareness and integrated operations between conventional aviation, drones and next-generation aircraft, and the Opportunity Park further extends aviation capabilities by offering complementary features to existing Federal Aviation Administration services. The result is a fully AAM-enabled ecosystem.
Cambria County and the Opportunity Park are perfectly positioned to lead this initiative. With JST’s towered commercial airport set amidst rural, uncontrolled airspace, the Opportunity Park offers a unique blend of urban infrastructure and a skilled workforce that make the region a true hub for innovation and collaboration, allowing the Opportunity Park to lead the charge in this innovative new approach to aviation.
In collaboration with institutions like the University of Alaska, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Penn State and others, the ultimate goal is to seamlessly integrate AAM drone systems with traditional aircraft, offering new public safety, delivery, agricultural and national defense services. This initiative creates job opportunities in agricultural surveying, public safety logistics, emergency medical deliveries, research and development, and much more.
AAM is not only an important part of the future of transportation, but stands to benefit local and regional industries in previously unimagined ways. These enhancements are a true testament to the rich legacy of aviation in the Laurel Highlands region, and reflect the tremendous public and private support of the Mid-Atlantic Opportunity Park.
Examples of industries that AAM will enhance or make more efficient include:
– Agricultural Surveying and Spraying
– More Efficient Public Safety Response and Logistics
– Emergency Medical Deliveries
– Research and Development Opportunities
While advancements in American agriculture, medicine and consumer services have dramatically improved over the last century, new technologies like AAM stand to advance these industries and more, further improving the quality of life in Cambria County and surrounding areas. Drone flights can be a vital tool in ensuring that these individuals have access to life-saving medication and services, and the Mid-Atlantic Opportunity Park’s expansion and implementation of AAM will be an incredible asset moving forward to ensure the safety, prosperity and growth of Cambria County, and surrounding regions for decades to come.
