Perhaps Pittsburgh is the city of dreams
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The right person with the right dream could win $100,000 if he or she is willing to pick up and move to Pittsburgh. It's part of a new contest that has the support of the city and the county, which wouldn't mind inspiring some inspired adults 45 and older to move in.
But the question must be asked: Is the notion that a contest, with a single winner, might bring masses of new people to Pittsburgh a pipe dream in itself?
"The real hope is that it starts to get people interested in looking at Pittsburgh as a destination whether they win the contest or not," said Shawn Bannon, spokesperson for Experienced Dreamers LLC.
The Experienced Dreamers Contest -- an initiative managed by Leadership Pittsburgh in conjunction with the city of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and several leaders of the local foundation community -- was created to inspire adults 45 and older to consider Western Pennsylvania as a potential site for relocation.
The contest, said Mr. Bannon, is only a single part of the initiative to get the word out about the region's benefits.
But it is an interesting part. Qualifying adults are invited to submit the stories of their dreams at www.experienceddreamers.org until Dec. 16 to be judged by Pittsburgh residents.
The winning contestant will receive $100,000 -- $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in the form of a charitable trust -- if they are willing to relocate to Pittsburgh and start the process toward achieving their dream before the end of 2012 to claim the prize. The contest winner will be announced in April.
Buhl Foundation President Frederick Thieman said the organization took part in developing the initiative because of a 2009 report by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation that found the region could see an economic impact of more than $2.5 billion by attracting 1,250 new residents 45 and older in the next 20 years.
First Published October 21, 2011 12:21 am
