/ 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 / Entrepreneurship • Financing & incentives • Media Releases • New business/ 0 Comments

JARI Funds Blair County Business

JARI is pleased to announce the Microloan and USDA funded business, Open Season Outdoors. Open Season Outdoors, owned and operated by Chris Fedora, is an authorized Prime, Hoyt, Bowtech and Elite archery dealer. They are also the only Mathews dealer in Blair County.

Chris Fedora started in the archery industry in 1989. He is on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania State Archery Association and is the president of Flood City Bowmen in Johnstown, PA. He is also a USA Archery Level 2 instructor and a member of the NFAA and USA Archery. “Opening my own shop has always been adream. That dream became a reality in November of 2018 when I opened the doors of Open Season Outdoors, LLC,” said Chris.

Open Season Outdoors recently launched their new website. For more information about their business visit www.openseasonoutdoors.net.

If you would like more information on the JARI Microloan Program, please contact Michele Clapper at (814) 262-8368 or via email at .


/ By Jocelyn Hartman / Financing & incentives • News/ • / 0 Comments

Over $5 Million Awarded in Tax Credits!

Joette Watson, Chief Financial Officer

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.
/ By Lauren Thompson / Event • Financing & incentives/ 0 Comments

Video in Marketing

Video has far more uses in marketing than the traditional 30-second TV ad! On Thursday, December 6th, Brian Law, President of Prime Design Solutions and Innovative Tomato, will talk about the expanded role of video in marketing today, including:

  • Innovative uses of video to promote your business
  • How video can support your content marketing strategy
  • Creative ways of distributing video, including through social media

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 December 4th. No shows on the day of the event will be billed.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Financing & incentives/ 0 Comments

Establishing Compensation Structures

On Thursday, September 6th, Brooke Contacos, PHR, Consultant for HR Consultants, Inc, will present Establishing Compensation Structures. There are far more factors that contribute to compensation than job title or geographical location. Attendees will learn to properly structure and administer a compensation program that will help attract top talent, retain core employees and encourage longevity. They will also be able to establish and maintain an effective compensation administration program that requires three major steps: job analysis, job evaluation and market pricing.

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided. Click here to register by September 4th. No shows on the day of the event will be billed.

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

QuickBooks Online

On Tuesday, May 22nd, Lynn Rovan, Barnes Saly & Company, will present QuickBooks Online. Attendees will receive a general overview of QuickBooks while learning to select company and user preferences and the setup of chart of accounts. Attendees will also learn about invoicing and payments, billing and paying bills, bank reconciliation and reporting.

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided. Please click here to register by May 21st. No shows on the day of the event will be billed.

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

Managing Your Stress in Your Small Business

On Thursday, April 19th, regional experts from a variety of fields will discuss the definitions, triggers, physiological effects, varying intensities, and progressive stages of stress and its impact on us. Attendees will learn how to balance the demands of their career, family and personal life as well as rethinking priorities each day to be in control, keeping high energy levels and become a more productive business owner by reducing stress levels. Attendees will also be able to walk away with the knowledge to effectively manage stress.

The following professionals will serve on the panel: Peter Kosanovich, Penn Highlands Community College; Amy Nielsen, Croyle-Nielsen Therapeutic Associates, Inc.; and Michael Stohon, In-Shore Technologies.

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided. Click here to register by April 17th.

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

Leading With Your Heart, Managing With Your Mind

Tuesday, April 17th, Corey Christman, Vethos LLC, will present “Leading With Your Heart – Managing With Your Mind.” Attendees will have an introspective review of who they are and what they stand for, while also exploring the Stimulus Response Theory. They will also learn the power of vulnerability and how to embrace empathic communications to be able to relate to one another in the workplace.

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12 PM to 1:15 PM. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided. Click here to register by April 16th.

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

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.

/ 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 .