Potter County Today

A window of opportunity has opened in Potter County to get help from a national program to address needs such as affordable housing, public health and safety, infrastructure improvements and others. Aidan Bobik, representing AmeriCorps, spoke at the Oct. 31 Potter County Commissioners’ meeting about services that are available from now through September 2025.

Bobik, who is headquartered in Ridgway, noted that community and economic development and housing are his top priorities as the AmeriCorps regional coordinator. AmeriCorps can provide organizations with funding, resources, and people power to help address community needs. These can take the form of:

• grants to support the placement of AmeriCorps members and volunteers to deliver services.
• assistance to identify and address community needs in areas such as education, health, housing, public safety, infrastructure improvements, expanded access to broadband and community/economic development.
• support to implement strategies to address those needs.
• assistance to strengthen volunteer management and recruitment.

AmeriCorps has recently expanded its support of economic development and employment. Members often work with local organizations on job training programs to help people acquire the skills needed to secure stable employment. They also support local government economic revitalization efforts. AmeriCorps VISTA members specifically focus on alleviating poverty by working to strengthen organizations that serve low-income individuals.

More details are available from Bobik at 814-773-3162, ext. 3016.