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<p>Could just one word change your life?</p><p>Jon Gordon, author of the bestselling book &#8220;One Word That Will Change Your Life&#8221; thinks so. He found that when people simply focused on one word for the year instead of creating endless lists and resolutions, they could become their best and live a life of impact.</p><p>Could just one word also have an impact on the future of Northeastern Pennsylvania? We asked several regional leaders to choose their one word for 2020 and the responses were all unique, insightful, positive and powerful.</p><p>&#8220;&#8217;Regionalism&#8217; comes to mind as I look ahead at 2020,&#8221; said John Augustine, president/CEO of Penn&#8217;s Northeast. &#8220;Leaders in our region are doing a much better job of working together as a group. Multiple economic development organizations, chambers, and elected officials are cooperating and working to promote the region&#8217;s assets. Coming together with one voice is creating opportunity and is the only way we will be successful going forward.&#8221;</p><p>Bob Durkin, president of the Scranton Chamber, seconds that motion. &#8220;I like the word &#8216;evolution&#8217; for 2020. The relationships between leaders in community and economic development have continued to evolve and we are working together now more than ever and forming strong partnerships. There is more group think and the collaboration is helping us meet our goals to move things in the right direction for our region.&#8221;</p><p>With downtown Pittston experiencing its own renaissance, it is no wonder Michelle Mikitish, executive vice president of the Greater Pittston Chamber, chose that word. &#8220;I believe our whole region is experiencing a renaissance &#8211; people have a renewed interest, passion and pride. It took time and hard work for Pittston to get to where it is today and other towns are doing the same thing. We still have work to do, but things are definitely moving forward in big ways. It is an exciting time for Northeastern Pennsylvania.&#8221;</p><p>Hazleton&#8217;s incredible development has Kevin O&#8217;Donnell, president of CAN DO, embracing &#8220;transition&#8221; for the new year. &#8220;After 60 years of organizations like ours building industrial parks to bring businesses to the region, there has been a transition to private developers recognizing the advantages of the area and investing here.&#8221;</p><p>O&#8217;Donnell will be making a transition of his own at the end of 2020 and retiring after serving at CAN DO for 47 years.</p><p>If you can&#8217;t choose just one, you choose three, like Wico Van Genderen, president and CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber. &#8220;Our key strategic words are Innovate, Connect and Elevate. Our vision is to jump the curve and transform the region by connecting the community, building economic innovation and elevating the quality of life in the region.&#8221;</p><p>Luzerne County Manager C. David Pedri, believes in being &#8220;engaged&#8221; in 2020. &#8220;It is important that we as elected officials are engaged with the community and with the process of growth. We want to make sure we are bringing new jobs to the region, supporting existing jobs, and helping those who need help. Engaged people helped bring last summer&#8217;s Rockin&#8217; the River concert series to life and we will have more community events like that in the future. With people engaged, there is no end to what we can accomplish.&#8221;</p><p>And the research team at The Institute chose the word &#8220;equity&#8221; for 2020. Teri Ooms, executive director, would like to see more equal access to opportunity for all residents in our region. &#8220;In our work at The Institute, we see the big picture from a research perspective &#8211; the good and the bad. There are many people who are working very hard but just can&#8217;t overcome certain challenges. If we can develop a more comprehensive strategic approach to address the barriers to upward mobility, it will impact the region as a whole very positively.&#8221;</p><p>One word alone may not be enough to affect the future of our region. But each of these words backed with action and commitment can be a driving force for a successful 2020 for Northeastern Pennsylvania, which is why my word is &#8220;hope.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Susan Magnotta</p><p>Institute Insights</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Susan Magnotta is Director of Community Outreach at The Institute. Her column appears every other Monday. Institute Insights appears every other Monday.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Institute Insights: What one word will change your life in 2020?