/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Top Story Johnstown/ 0 Comments

Top Story Johnstown – February 2022

Cambria County Bond Rating Upgraded (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Influx of Dollars to Bolster Downtown Johnstown  (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Esports Tournament Coming to Johnstown will bring visitors and Millions of Dollars (WJAC-TV)

Expanding Passenger Rail Service in the Works (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

New Boutique Opens in Downtown Johnstown (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

New Learning Center in Donwtown Johnstown (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Johnstown is a Job seekers Market (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Stimulus Funds Help Area Schools (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Johnstown Call Center Grand Reopening – Looks to Hire 400 (WJAC-TV)

Upgrades and New Programs at Post-Secondary Schools (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Mount Aloysius Receives Cyber Certification (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Penn Highlands Offers Real-World Training for Police Officers (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Partnership between UPJ and Flood City Youth Fitness Academy to Bolster Student Success (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Women Taking Leadership Roles and Making More (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Classic Vinyl Concert Series Rocks the State Theater (WJAC-TV)

Church Will Reopen as Theater for Dramatic Arts (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Creator Square Gets a Reboot (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

New Business Model Helping Small Enterprises During Pandemic (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Johnstown’s Rich Music Heritage Stretches Across Generations (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Local Arts And Entertainment Moving Forward After Pandemic (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Local Colleges Work to match Curriculum to Area Job Needs (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Top Story Johnstown/ 0 Comments

Top Story Johnstown – December 2021 & January 2022

Touropia Names Johnstown # 2 on List of Best Small Towns In Pennsylvania (Touropia.com)

Local Defense Company Awarded $69-million Contract with US Army (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Johnstown Selects New City manager (WJAC-TV)

New City Manager Sees Momentum (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Vision Together Working Together to Move Johnstown in a Positive Direction (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Sheetz and Penn Highlands team up to Help Employees with Tuition (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Arts Center Dedicates New Local Museum (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Great Progress Continues on Removing Blighted Properties (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Johnstown Atmosphere Draws Family to Move from Illinois (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Clara Barton House Nears Completion on First Phase of Renovations (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Nanty Glo Fire Department Cuts Ribbon on $650k Expansion (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Local Gym Opens 4th Location (WJAC-TV)

New Telehealth Facility To Open in Early 2022 (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Steel Sculptures Add to Johnstown’s Industrial Corridor (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Taxes Decreased in Cambria County (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Hundreds Hit the Slopes (WJAC-TV)

Major Grants to Provide Upgrades for Arena and Telehealth facility (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

New Restaurant Opens in Downtown Johnstown (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Outdoor Projects Receive Funding (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

New Cross Country Ski Rental Program Now Available on the Ghost Town Trail (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Area Veterans Honored for their Service (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

Chamber Celebrates First Year of Jet Service at Cambria County Airport (Johnstown Tribune Democrat)

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County/ 0 Comments

Visit Johnstown Creates Cambria County Destination Recovery Marketing Program

Visit Johnstown has recently secured a grant from the Community Initiatives Fund of the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies to help tourism businesses and organizations recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19.

As a result Visit Johnstown has created the Cambria County Destination Recovery Marketing Program. The purpose of the program is to provide marketing funds to:

  • influence participation in the area’s outdoor recreation and tourism activities,
  • generate visitor spending in our communities, and
  • foster collaboration between tourism attractions and related businesses (dining, lodging, retail, entertainment, services)

Click here for details about the program and the required application information. Applications will be accepted between December 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021.

/ By Jenn Seese / Cambria County/ 0 Comments

Creator Square launches national call for makers

The Daily American

Creator Square, a makerspace set in the heart of historic Johnstown, is seeking its first cohort of artists, makers and small batch manufacturers. Construction at the Creator Square makerspace and gallery space is on track for completion in spring 2020, and application requirements and details are available at the Creator Square website, creatorsquarejohnstown.com.

The program is designed to connect world-class and emerging makers with small-batch manufacturing tools and regional entrepreneurial support. It also builds upon the region’s manufacturing heritage and its role in a national “metalsmith revival” and the city’s diverse arts scene.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

/ By Jenn Seese / Cambria County • Event/ 0 Comments

Accounting for Non-Accountants

On Thursday, June 20th, Tiffany Wetzel-Sturtz and Erin Dumm of Barnes, Saly & Company P.C. will discuss accounting basics for non-accountants. Attendees will learn the following:

• Defining that confusing accounting jargon
• The accounting equation
• Understanding bookkeeping basics
• Reading and analyzing basic financial statements
• Helpful financial ratios
• Tips for preventing and detecting fraud
• And other important topics beginners need to know

This Lunch & Learn will be held at the JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. Click here to register by June 18th. No shows on the day of the event will be billed.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Entrepreneurship • Event • Financing & incentives • New business/ 0 Comments

Flood City Flooring Hosting Ribbon Cutting Event


Flood City Flooring LLC will host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, March 8, at 2 PM for their grand opening at 225 Washington Street, Johnstown, PA. Please plan to join us in celebrating this new business!

Justin and Christina Schrengost are the owners and operators of Flood City Flooring LLC. Justin has worked for almost 20 years in the flooring industry. “Christina and I are very excited to have our own new business! It would not have been possible without the help of JARI, the City of Johnstown and the support of friends and family”, said Justin. Linda Thomson, President, JARI, stated “JARI is pleased to welcome another home-grown small business into our local economy. Flood City Flooring will be a great addition to the downtown business community.”

Flood City Flooring LLC now has their showroom open to the public at 225 Washington Street, Johnstown. Justin and Christina are proud to create local jobs to help the community prosper and provide customers with excellent service at an affordable price.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Somerset County/ 0 Comments

Kitron Expands Presence in Pennsylvania

Monday, February 18th, international electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company Kitron started operations at its newly acquired site in Windber, Pennsylvania. The new location complements its existing facility in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and significantly strengthens Kitron’s presence in the area. Kitron acquired the Windber facility from API Technologies Inc., adding 115 employees to its US staff.

“The transaction significantly strengthens our position in the US market, particularly within the defense market sector. We can now support customers who have wanted us to expand our presence in the United States. We see great opportunities from the business combination, and we look forward to further increasing our presence in the local community”, said Jason Galiote, Managing Director, Kitron.

Click here to read the full press release.

/ By Jocelyn Hartman / Cambria County • Event • Vision 2025/ 0 Comments

Second Workshop Scheduled for Historical Buildings’ Reuse

Two Vision2025 capture teams have announced plans for a “cafeteria style” public workshop, designed to assist historical building owners with the challenges and opportunities of reusing their buildings.

“Historical Building Reuse Workshop #2” will take place from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, at the Johnstown Heritage Discovery Center at Broad Street and Sixth Avenue in Cambria City.

“This will be an excellent opportunity for historical-building developers to meet with code experts and public officials,” said Rick Truscello, who chairs the Historical Buildings and Codes Capture Team. “The workshop is designed to provide developers and owners with one-on-one contact with these experts.”
Stations will be organized to provide guidance on:
  • Building Code Overview
  • Zoning Overview
  • Floodplain Regulations Overview
Workshop participants will be able to pick and choose among the stations and spend as much time as needed at those stations, addressing their individual questions and concerns.
Two other workshops will be scheduled in the near future:
  • Workshop #3 will look at a specific building as a case study in how multiple uses can be included within a single historical building.
  • Workshop #4 will present opportunities to potential developers and investors.
To learn more about the event, visit Johnstown Area Heritage Association’s website, today!

Funding to underwrite the costs of the workshops has been provided through a PITTchFEST ’18 award and grants through Vision2025.

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

PA CareerLink Cambria County Holding Grand Opening

The PA CareerLink – Cambria County will be holding a grand opening event of their new location on Thursday, October 25th at 11:00 AM. The new location is in the Cambria County Library located at 248 Main Street in downtown Johnstown. Attendees will be able to take a tour of the new location.

Click here to view flyer details. If you’re interested in attending please RSVP to Karen Reynolds at  or (814) 534-2500.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Event/ 0 Comments

Social Media in Marketing

Social media can play an important role in your digital marketing strategy. Tuesday, October 30th, Shelley Johansson, communications specialist for Prime Design Solutions, will give an overview of the most popular social media channels and how to choose which are best for your business. Topics will include:

•  Facebook: where friends talk to friends
•  Twitter: the social medium of news
•  LinkedIn: getting down to business
•  Instagram: the visual social medium
•  YouTube: promoting your business with video

•  Putting it all together: how to integrate social media with your website and marketing strategy

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. Click here to register by October 29th. No shows on the day of the event will be billed.