Environmental Tank & Container Earns Manufacturer of the Year

Congratulations to Environmental Tank & Container (ETC), a division of JWF Industries, on being named Manufacturer of the Year at the sixth annual Northeast Oil & Gas Awards.

The Oil & Gas Awards are a platform for the industry to recognize advances made in environmental stewardship, efficiency, innovation, corporate social responsibility, health and safety. The Manufacturer of the Year award recognizes outstanding contributions a manufacturer has made to the industry in the region.

Voting Open for Explore the New Manufacturing Student Video Contest

Catalyst Connection has been providing opportunities for our manufacturing companies to build their talent pipeline by engaging with local schools. Our Explore the New Manufacturing Student Video Contest enables students to learn about – and promote – manufacturing careers to their peers through some amazing videos!

The 8 Pittsburgh-East regional student teams have recently submitted their final drafts of their videos – it is now time for you to vote for the People’s Choice Award! The voting period for these videos is now open through Friday, March 16th.

Click here to cast your vote for your favorite videos! The winning videos will be announced at the Video Contest Ceremony.

DON’T MISS OUT – Join us for the Cambria/Indiana/Somerset Counties Manufacturing Reception and Video Contest Ceremony next Thursday, March 22nd at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown.

Cambria County Resident Competing in Ben Franklin TechCelerator@Altoona

Jobe Matula, a resident of Cambria County, will be competing in the Ben Franklin TechCelerator@Altoona on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Matula, with The LiveFirst Company, has developed the cleanest, safest way to protect new pets from accidental poisoning.

An important component of the recent Startup Alleghenies initiative, the TechCelerator@Altoona offers the area’s entrepreneurs, students, faculty members, and emerging tech-startups a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurial training!

Six local entrepreneurs will compete for a cash prize of up to $10,000. Presenters will have the opportunity to share with the audience their intended target market, the pain point their product or service alleviates for their customers, and how their idea will make money for them and future investors. A team of judges from the community will make the decision on the winning presentation followed by a networking reception.

Event Info
Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: Catalyst Space – 1331 12th Avenue – Altoona, PA 16601
Register Now

Here’s A Quick Look At The Other Presenters:

  • Mark Kasterko, with M&T Arms, has developed a device for securing an officer’s weapon during an incident where he/she needs to restrain a perpetrator.
  • Benjamin Hutchinson, with Your Reptile Company, has created a way to protect a pet reptile through proper caging techniques.
  • Daniel Bowers, with Advanced Diabetes Technologies, is developing an app that allows for the safe and easy monitoring of blood glucose.
  • Joey DiGangi, with AssureTech, is developing a technology that helps people with food allergies keep their medication easily on-hand.
  • Tony Biddle, with Site Rite, has developed a clip-on rear site for hand guns that dramatically improves accuracy.

Microloan Client Offering On-Site Fittings to Police and Military

JARI is pleased to announce that Brenda Sprow, BK Alterations Owner and JARI Microloan client, is expanding her efforts in the Hollidaysburg area. BK Alterations will be offering on-site fittings, pick up and delivery to Military Bases, Reserve Centers and Police Barracks. Sprow is hoping to reach out to new clients in order to provide a simple and hassle free way to have uniform fittings and alterations done.

For more information regarding the JARI Microloan Program, contact Michele Clapper at (814) 262-8368.

Area Contractors Attend BUILDing Connections Workshop

Area construction contractors attending our BUILDing Connections workshop last Thursday learned about the PTAC program as well as doing business with the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) and PennDOT.

Provided as an introduction to government contracting, attendees heard from Paula Murphy, Construction Liaison with the PA DGS Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities; Sheldon Murray, Operations Manager with PennDOT’s Bureau of Equal Opportunity; Matthew Reis, Transportation Facilities Administrator 3 with PennDOT’s Bureau of Office Services; and Matthew Weaver, P.E., Contractor Evaluations Engineer with PennDOT’s Bureau of Project Delivery.

Our biennial event, CONNECT!, will serve as a follow-up to this workshop. CONNECT!, scheduled for this fall, will include additional presentations as well as the opportunity to network with fellow construction contractors.  Details for this event are in the planning stages and will be publicized as confirmed.

In the meantime, please contact us for any of your government contracting assistance needs at (814) 254-4022 or (814) 254-4023 or via email at .

JARI PTAC Announces Supplier Briefing

Join us on Thursday, May 31, 2018 for a special presentation by BAE Systems to learn about their current supplier needs and how to do business with them. BAE Systems, a global defence, aerospace and security company, sells a wide range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology, and support services. BAE requires a strong supply chain that includes almost 27,000 suppliers worldwide. See the event flyer for additional information.

Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Click here to register by May 25, 2018. If you have questions, please contact Lenora Leasure, JARI PTAC Program Manager, at  or (814) 254-4022.