/ By Lauren Thompson / Financing & incentives • New business • Somerset County/ 0 Comments

JARI Funds Somerset County Business

JARI is pleased to announce Microloan funding for a business in Somerset County. Knucklehead’s Saloon, a pub located at 1866 Penn Avenue, Jerome, is now owned and operated by Stacy McKool.

Knucklehead’s Saloon recently opened the end of December 2017. “I’m very excited to be running my own business with the assistance of JARI.” noted McKool. Linda Thomson, JARI President, commented “JARI is excited to be working with a small business located in Somerset County.”

If you would like assistance in starting or financing your business please contact Michele Clapper, VP of Economic Development, at (814) 262-8368 or via e-mail at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Media Releases • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

JARI Announces 2018 NAP Tax Credit Program

JARI leaders announced their Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program (NAP) for 2018. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the details were released during a press event at JARI Headquarters in Downtown Johnstown on Tuesday, January 30.

JARI will receive $67,000 to provide a 200-hour welding training program to 25 unemployed/underemployed individuals residing in 4 neighborhoods located in the City of Johnstown: Cambria City, Coopersdale, Morrellville and Oakhurst.

Manufacturing companies require workers who complete some type of post-secondary education that includes industry-specific credentials. Five manufacturing companies in Cambria and Somerset Counties currently have openings for more than 150 welders. One of those companies, J&J Truck Bodies, is currently seeking 40 welders according to Shawn Kaufman, Director of Human Resources. The program will enable participants to acquire the skills needed to obtain employment in jobs that pay a family-sustaining wage.

Contributors to the 2018 NAP program include: 1st Summit Bank, First National Bank, Northwest Bank and Somerset Trust.

For more information, contact Debi Balog at the JARI office 814-535-8675.

/ By Lauren Thompson / PTAC/ 0 Comments

Save the Date – BUILDing Connections Workshop

Please join us at a new workshop being offered by the JARI Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). Small to medium sized construction contractors considering Federal, State, or local government contracting or subcontracting will benefit from three great presentations by the PA Department of General Services, Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities, the PA Department of Transportation, Bureau of Office Services, and the JARI PTAC. There will be ample time for questions and networking. The workshop will be held at the JARI Center Conference Room (Richland), 160 JARI Drive, Johnstown, PA, on Thursday, March 1, 2018, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Pre-registration is required.

Please contact us with questions or for any of your government contracting assistance needs at (814) 254-4022 or (814) 254-4023 or via email at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Vision 2025/ 0 Comments

Vision2025 Celebration Recap

Vision2025 held its annual celebration on Tuesday, January 23rd at Ace’s in downtown Johnstown. Vision leaders had the opportunity to thank the Vision2025 capture teams and more than 1,000 volunteers who have led projects in our community over the past two years.

Community leaders made remarks on the progress that Vision2025 has made including Bill Polacek, Chair of Vision2025 Board, and Congressman Keith Rothfus. Ryan Kieta, a Vision2025 Coordinator, made an announcement regarding Capture Team funding. There are $2,500 and $5,000 in Capture Awards available to support on-going and new projects in the area. To access the Capture Team application, click here.

Keynote speaker, Bill Flanagan, Chief Corporate Relations Officer for the Allegheny Conference, compared Pittsburgh’s recovery efforts to those of Vision2025 in Johnstown. Flanagan was able to provide a perspective on the work that is needed to provide a change in the community to make it a vibrant place to live and work.

Click here for to read the full article. For more information on Vision2025 or how you can get involved, please visit the Vision2025 website at www.johnstown25.com.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Vision 2025/ 0 Comments

Vision2025 Announces Two New Capture Award Levels

The Capture Awards are an incentive program to assist our volunteer-based groups, known as capture teams, complete projects throughout the community. Capture Awards have funded everything from public art and trails to greenspace and entrepreneurial development. Since launching in 2016, over fifteen teams and nearly $15,000 in awards have been distributed.

For a limited time, two new levels of Capture Awards are available in the amounts of $2,500 and $5,000. These new levels will be the highest awards offered in the program’s lifetime. The Capture Awards are a partnership of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership and Vision2025.

The application period is open through February 28, 2018. Visit johnstown25.com/resources for the application. Capture teams may contact project coordinators Wally Burlack or Ryan Kieta at (814) 535-8675 for assistance.