Debi Balog, JARI’s Workforce Development Director, will be recognized on Friday as a recipient of the Ed Cernic, Sr. Community Support Recognition Award through the Veteran’s Community Initiative. The award recognizes individuals who support and assist our veterans and their family members.
The partial Government shutdown is beginning to be felt by area contractors, subcontractors and Federal employees alike. Many organizations are doing what they can to help. If you or someone you know is affected by the shutdown, be sure to check into any and all assistance to help you and your company through this difficult time.
The United Way of Pennsylvania is maintaining a website of resources for furloughed federal employees, to view these Shutdown Resources click here. If you are looking for contractor/subcontractor resources, please feel free to contact the JARI PTAC at (814) 254-4022 or (814) 254-4023 or via email at .
Last Wednesday, on January 9th, nearly 400 individuals came together to celebrate one of Johnstown’s most recognizable businessmen and raise money for Vision2025.
The Roast of Mark Pasquerilla saw over $50,000 raised to support Vision2025, while poking fun in a lighthearted manner at Pasquerilla. Local business and community leaders including Bill Polacek, Johnstown Councilwoman Marie Mock, and Dr. Richard Kastelic told jokes and reminisced about Pasquerilla’s contributions to the region.
JARI is offering a 240-hour Commercial Driver training program at no cost to eligible individuals residing in the Woodvale, Old Conemaugh Borough, Prospect, and Kernville Neighborhoods of Johnstown.
The program will be conducted by the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center (GJC&TC) and will offer the option to earn industry based credentials that will enable participants to seek employment in Transportation, Distribution, Construction and related industries. Classes are scheduled to begin spring 2019. The deadline for inquiries is Friday, January 31.
Seating is limited. Individuals who meet the requirements will be enrolled in the course on a first come basis. An information session is scheduled for 10:00am, Wednesday, February 6 at the GJCTC. If you are interested in learning more about the program and registering for the information session, please contact Debi Balog, Workforce Development Director via e-mail at or by calling (814) 262-8366.
Please plan to join us at Showcase for Commerce 2019 — May 29 through May 31. Registration is now open.
Showcase brings local, regional, national and international businesses together to expand business opportunities. Join us to learn the latest news from acquisition, legislative and business leadership.
As always, there will be great opportunities for networking, education and training and to learn about the capabilities of other businesses.
Stay tuned for updates regarding the agenda and speakers.
Contractors are certainly concerned about what the government shutdown means to them. Georgia Tech, a fellow Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), has put together a brief article with resources you may find helpful. You can view this article at gtpac.org.
If you need any assistance or have additional questions, please contact us at (814) 254-4022 or (814) 254-4023 or via email at .
José Otero, Entrepreneurial & Procurement Specialist
Happy New Year! In 2018 the collaboration between various agencies within the entrepreneurial ecosystem grew stronger and deeper. On December 18, 2018 ETAL Transfer Authority, Bridge to Pittsburgh and Startup Alleghenies participated with Pitt Tech Council on TECHVibe Radio.
Right around minute 30 is where you can hear our section, but if you want more information and resources, the entire podcast will be a true delight.
Our local economy is growing due to the rising interest of entrepreneurship and the resources available to those that are seeking them. Let’s continue the momentum of collaboration to continue to build our economy into a prosperous new year.
JARI is pleased to announce that $5,243,851 in tax credits have been awarded to local companies through the Greater Johnstown Keystone Innovation Zone (GJKIZ) since the inception of the program in 2005. In 2018, $118,190 in tax credits were awarded to four companies. The Commonwealth has a total annual pool of up to $15 million available to eligible companies.
KIZs are designed to foster innovation and create entrepreneurial opportunities. To qualify for the GJKIZ program, a company must be a for-profit located within the territory of the GJKIZ, be fewer than eight years old, and have its primary business within one or more of the following industry sectors:
Advanced Manufacturing
Environmental/Renewable Energy Technology
Information Systems Technology
Life Sciences
A KIZ company must have an innovative process or have patents, licensing agreements, trademarks and/or copyrights on products or processes created in-house. A company may receive up to $100,000 in tax credits annually if they meet the criteria. If there is no tax liability for the company, the credits may be sold for cash.
For more information or to obtain a KIZ application, contact Joette Watson at or (814) 262-8372.