GJKIZ has joined the 2020 Regional Vision project to foster and promote change and innovation in the Greater Johnstown region.

 

Ready > Set > Innovate

The Greater Johnstown Keystone Innovation Zone (GJKIZ) is a series of distinct geographic locations in Cambria and Somerset Counties designed to create "knowledge neighborhoods" -- areas that house the confluence of technical innovation and business. The GJKIZ utilizes the resources of local colleges and universities and a variety of other partners to form a cohesive, virtual organization that fosters collaboration and the sharing of resources for the purposes of stimulating technology commercialization and other entrepreneurship opportunities.

The GJKIZ Program is focused on accomplishing the following general objectives:

  • Fostering and promoting a business and educational climate that encourages undergraduate technology research and development and subsequent technology entrepreneurship to encourage graduates to start businesses in the area.
  • Providing assistance to start-up, emerging, and established technology businesses in the GJKIZ to encourage and assist new technology commercialization and to help them achieve and/or increase their competitive viability in their respective marketplaces.
  • Identifying and attracting non-local technology businesses, entrepreneurs with intellectual property for new technology businesses, and technology that can be licensed from outside the region to establish new or expanded business operations in the GJKIZ.
  • Revitalizing distressed or rural downtown areas in the GJKIZ with new start-up companies.

What is a Keystone Innovation Zone?

A Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) is a designated area or areas that may be established in communities that host institutions of higher education - colleges, universities, junior colleges and technical schools. These zones are designed to foster innovation and create entrepreneurial opportunities. They do this by gathering and aligning the combined resources of educational institutions, private businesses, business support organizations, commercial lending institutions, venture capital networks (including angel investors) and foundations.

What is a GJKIZ Company?

A GJKIZ Company is any for-profit company located within the territory of the GJKIZ that is fewer than eight (8) years old and does its primary business within one or more of the following industry sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Environmental/Renewable Energy Technology, Information Systems and Technology, and Life Sciences. A company to be eligible for KIZ status must be innovative in nature; working to obtain patents, licensing agreements, trademarks, and/or copyrights on products or processes created in-house (owning their own intellectual property).

What are the benefits to a company located in the GJKIZ?

Incubator, multi-tenant facility, research & development, workforce education, and design center projects are eligible for special priority financing from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) with up to 75% of the project cost financed (traditionally only up to 40%) at a low interest rate. GJKIZ Companies and developers are also able to take advantage of the State's land acquisition and site preparation programs such as the Business in Our Sites program to ensure space needs are met.

The Keystone Innovation Zone Tax Credit was offered beginning in the 2006 tax year, making $25 million per year in tax credits available for KIZ Companies throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Companies without a tax liability will have the ability to sell their tax credits.

What are the GJKIZ boundaries?

The GJKIZ boundaries are outlined on the following maps:

How do colleges and universities benefit by being in the GJKIZ?

Colleges and universities in the GJKIZ benefit from the creation of curriculum-enhancing programs, access to the Commonwealth's Keystone innovation grants and starter kits to assist with creating or enhancing technology transfer capabilities, and improvement of economic conditions around campuses.

Who Are the GJKIZ Partners?

Where can I get more information or ask additional questions about the GJKIZ?

For more information about the GJKIZ, contact JARI at 814.535.8675 or info@jari.com.

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GJKIZ Companies

1st Team

Applied Computational Technologies

Building Energy Savings Technology

Conxx Pennsylvania, Inc.

Fiberblade

Folx Systems

Ilumina Business Associates

Ilumina Clinical Associates

In-Shore Technologies

ITSI Bioscience

J-Air/CFM Air

Pitt Bull Secure Technologies

Pivotal Technology Group

Precision Business Systems

Problem Solutions

Rytek