/ By Lauren Thompson / Entrepreneurship • Financing & incentives • News/ 0 Comments

PIDA Offers 2% Interest Rate Through End of 2017

Effective now through December 31, 2017, the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) is offering qualifying businesses loans at a 2% interest rate, fixed for the full term of the loan.

Uses of this program includes land and building acquisitions, construction and renovation costs, machinery and equipment purchases, working capital and accounts receivable lines of credit, multi-tenant facility projects and industrial park projects.

For more information about the PIDA program, contact Michele Clapper at (814) 262-8368 or via email at .

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

Preparing Your Personal Financial Statement

Tuesday, July 18th, Patti Hudson, CPA of Wessel & Company and Jeff Cramer of 1st Summit Bank, will present Preparing Your Personal Financial Statement. Attendees will be able to learn how to complete a personal financial statement, understand what the bank is looking for to get a loan and how to meet their bank’s individual reporting compliance requirements. This financial statement would include the proper reporting of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

The event will be held from 12 PM to 1:15 PM at JARI Center for Business Development. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided.

If you are interested in attended, please fill out the registration formand email it to Lauren Brewer at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Annual Luncheon • Cambria County • Entrepreneurship • Financing & incentives • Media Releases • New business • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

JARI Releases 2016 Annual Report

The 2016 JARI Annual Report “Building Economic Momentum: Creating a Strong Foundation for Growth” is now available for review on the JARI website.  The report documents improved economic activity over the past year, with more jobs created and retained, more financing secured, and less displaced workers served. Eleven new businesses were started with JARI’s assistance, while 725 people received training to enhance job opportunities. Highlights include the creation of the JARI Growth Fund, assistance to companies locating or growing in the region, and diversification strategies for small defense firms.

The support that is received from our partners, financial contributors, directors and committee members is paramount to the collaboration that ultimately assists our regional employers and our communities

Please contact me at  if you have questions or would like additional information about this report.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Entrepreneurship • Media Releases/ 0 Comments

JARI and SAPDC Partner to Assist Local Entrepreneurs

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded a $1,213,868 grant to the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) to develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem. The grant, along with $1,233,213 of partner matching funds, will help the partner organizations develop places and resources aimed at addressing the needs of the region’s current and future entrepreneurs.

The program’s objective is to build a robust entrepreneurial pipeline so people from across the region can access the resources and support needed to be successful.

JARI is pleased to announce Jose Luis Otero as the Cambria County Coach. Rich Lasek and Dan Parisi will be the Coaches for Blair County and Somerset County respectably.

For more information and to read the full press release, click here.

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

Upcoming Lunch & Learns

 

Protecting Your Intellectual Property 

On Tuesday, June 27th, Attorney John Haschak of Leventry, Haschak and Rodkey, LLC, will be discussing what it takes to protect your intellectual property. Attendees will receive an introduction to patents, trademarks and copyrights and an overview of licensing. They will also learn about protecting trade secrets and employee considerations. Attorney George Gvozdich will serve as the moderator.

Basic Accounting for Small Business

On Thursday, June 29th, Patti Hudson, CPA and Shareholder of Wessel & Company, will present Basic Accounting for Small Business. Attendees will learn about the importance of the chart of accounts, bookkeeping principles and understanding financial reports. The presentation will also cover information on reconciling bank accounts and record retention practices.

These Lunch & Learn events will be held at the JARI Center (160 JARI Drive) from 12 to 1:15 PM. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided.

If you are interested in attending, please fill out the registration forms above and e-mail them to Lauren Brewer at .

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

JARI Welcomes Bill & Mark’s Auto Repair, Inc.

JARI would like to congratulate Bill & Mark’s Auto Repair on their new business venture. The company located in Lilly, PA, is owned by Bill Slone and Mark Gummo. With a combined 25 years experience, they are a full service auto repair shop offering all major and minor repairs at a reasonable price.

The owners stated, “We are excited to have our own auto business and provide service to the community. This would not have been possible without the assistance and support of JARI and the St. Francis Small Business Development Center.”

“We are proud to support small business growth in our region,” said Linda Thomson, JARI President, “We wish Bill and Mark all the best.”

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

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Entrepreneurship • Media Releases • News/ 0 Comments

Entrepreneurial Coach Openings

Michele Clapper
VP, Economic Development

JARI, along with Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission and other economic development partners are searching for three Entrepreneurial Coaches.

The successful candidates will be independent self-starters with excellent interpersonal skills and an in-depth understanding of finance/financial management, business planning, capital formation, marketing, workforce development, and other elements essential to growing a successful business across a variety of industries. A passion for recognizing, encouraging and guiding entrepreneurs to create new businesses, expand existing businesses that will ultimately generate new jobs and investments in the Alleghenies Region is a must.

Coaches will be associated with one of three economic development agencies in Blair, Cambria and Somerset Counties in PA. Interested candidates should contact "> to receive the position descriptions and information for applying.

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

Arotin’s Hummingbird Estate Holds Grand Opening Ceremony

Michele Clapper
VP, Economic Development

Left to right: Linda Thomson, JARI; Cambria County Commissioner Tom Chernisky, Jim Vasilko, Johnstown Construction; Carolyn Arotin, Arotin’s Hummingbird Estate; Donna Dunegan, Patton Borough Secretary; Representative Frank Burns; Dave Pompa, Patton Borough Councilman; Annette Chunko, St. Francis SBDC

Arotin’s Hummingbird Estate held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, March 10. The event drew approximately 65 people, including elected officials who spoke of the new facility and offered their best wishes to Carolyn in her business venture.

Carolyn Arotin, Owner/Administrator of Arotin’s Hummingbird Estate, has always dreamed of owning her own Personal Care Home. She has worked for almost 20 years in this industry. “It took a long time, we didn’t give up and here we are…It’s a very safe, beautiful, loving place and I don’t want anyone to be afraid to bring their loved ones here”, says Carolyn.

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