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

JARI Funds Entrepreneur in Downtown Johnstown

JARI is pleased to announce Microloan funding for a business in downtown Johnstown. Rocco’s Sub Shop, a sub and pizza restaurant located at 345 Main Street, is now owned and operated by Jordan Schroll.

Rocco’s originally opened in 2013 and quickly became a popular destination in Johnstown. When it was time to turn the business over to a new owner, Schroll decided he was ready to own and operate his own shop. “I’m very excited to be my own boss and take on this new challenge with the assistance of JARI,” noted Schroll. Linda Thomson, JARI President, commented “JARI is excited to be working with another small business in the City of Johnstown providing an excellent restaurant option to the downtown community. ”

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 .

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

Over 4 Million Awarded in Tax Credits!

JARI is pleased to announce that $4,934,707 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 2017, $118,190 in tax credits were awarded to five 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 and the tax credits are available. 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.

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

Preparing Your Personal Financial Statement

Patti Hudson, CPA of Wessel & Company and Jeff Cramer of 1st Summit Bank, will present Preparing Your Personal Financial Statement on Tuesday, January 23rd. Attendees will learn how to complete a personal financial statement, understand what the bank is looking for when submitting a loan application and how to meet the bank’s individual reporting compliance requirements. The financial statement would include the proper reporting of assets, liabilities, income and expenses.

The workshop 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 form and email it to Lauren Brewer at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Financing & incentives/ 0 Comments

JARI Funds Second Bedford County Business

JARI and the Bedford County Development Association (BCDA) are pleased to announce funding for a second Microloan business in Bedford County. Manor Meadows Farm, a Land of Lakes approved dairy farm, is owned and operated by Kenneth Stanton.

Manor Meadows Farm began approximately five years ago when Stanton was deeded a piece of his parent’s property. He is purchasing an additional herd of dairy cows in order to increase his production. “I’m very excited that I will be able to grow my business with the assistance of JARI,” noted Stanton. Linda Thomson, JARI President, commented “JARI is very excited to be working with an agricultural business in Bedford County that has an opportunity to grow production. This is great for our region.”

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 • Event • Financing & incentives • Media Releases • New business • News • Somerset County/ 0 Comments

Big Idea Contest Winner to be Chosen November 16th!

The ten finalists in Ben Franklin’s 2017 BIG IDEA Contest will be making presentations to a panel of area judges beginning at 1:35 PM on Thursday, November 16, 2017.

If you know any of the finalists listed below, or if you are just excited about the Startup Alleghenies initiative in general, please stop by the Bottle Works, located at 411 Third Avenue in Johnstown, to hear the presentations:

  • Joseph DiGangi with AssureTech
  • Justin Capouellez with Boomerang Beacon
  • Heather Moyer with Crossroads Consulting
  • Mark Kasterko with MT Arms
  • Adam Stokes with muonSoft
  • Donald Nixon with Nixon’s Technical Service
  • Hunter Swisher with Phospholutions
  • Ryan Kieta with Real Design
  • James Wang with SimplrTechnologies
  • Anthony Biddle with Siterite

The finalists’ presentations will conclude at 5:00 PM, and a catered reception will immediately follow.  While the judges deliberate, you are invited to enjoy the refreshments and network with the finalists.  This will allow you to learn more about all of them in preparation for casting your vote for the People’s Choice Award which will close at 6:15 PM.  All of the winners will be announced at 6:30 PM.

This year’s cash prizes will be awarded to four winners:
First Place: $25,000; Second Place: $15,000; Third Place: $7,500; and a People’s Choice Award: $2,500.

In addition to the $25,000, the first place winner will also receive:

/ By Lauren Thompson / Financing & incentives/ 0 Comments

Email Marketing for Small Businesses

On Thursday, November 2, Brian Law of Prime Design Solutions, will present Email Marketing for Small Businesses. Law will discuss email marketing and the pros and cons from various email marketing providers. Attendees will learn how to get started with email marketing, how it supports content marketing and social media strategies, creative ways to build an email list and what the SPAM laws mean.

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.

If you are interested in attending, please fill out the registration form. Registrations are due by October 31. No shows on the day of the event will be billed.

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

First JARI Microloan Client Funded in Bedford County

JARI and the Bedford County Development Association (BCDA) are pleased to announce the first Microloan funded business in Bedford County. I.D. Graphics, a professional graphic design firm owned and operated by Corey and Monica Meckes, offers innovative design ideas and an affordable printing solution for any promotional need.

Bette Slayton, BCDA President, has been working with JARI to provide Microloan funding to the Bedford County business. “We’re excited to have this flexible new loan program now available in Bedford County. It’s an excellent program that will fill an important niche. Businesses will now be able to access microloans up to $50,000 and have experienced business coaching throughout the term of the loan. We look forward to marketing it across the county,” said Slayton. According to Linda Thomson, President, JARI, “JARI is very excited to be working with a home-grown small business in Bedford County and is hoping to assist more businesses over time.”

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

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

Facebook for Business: Taking a Closer Look

Thursday, October 5th, Shelley Johansson, Prime Design Solutions, will present an in-depth seminar on Facebook for small businesses. Attendees will learn what and when to post, ways to boost engagement and reach a larger audience, how to effectively advertise on Facebook, the power of Facebook events and much more.

This Lunch & Learn will be held at JARI Center (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown, PA) from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM. The registration is required at $5 per person and lunch will be provided.  Please register by October 3rd. No shows on the day of the event will be billed.

For more information and to register, click here.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Financing & incentives • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Use Your Tax Dollars to Invest in Your Community

JARI is proposing to utilize tax credits to provide training programs in Welding and Industrial Maintenance for individuals residing in neighborhoods located in the City of Johnstown. Companies with state tax liability can make a donation to the JARI Workforce Program and receive 55% in tax credits through the state Neighborhood Assistance (NAP) Program. Upon completion of the programs, participants will acquire the skills needed to obtain employment in the energy, manufacturing, distribution and construction industries.

Over the past 3 years, JARI has used tax credit donations to fund short term training programs that placed 24 unemployed workers into full time employment offering family sustaining wages with benefit packages.  Please help keep the momentum going by considering a donation to the program in exchange for tax credits. Click here for program details. Any business willing to contribute would need to provide JARI with a commitment letter by September 5, 2017.

If you are interested in helping JARI provide educational opportunities for people in our community, please contact Joette Watson, CFO at 814.262.8372 or via email .

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

Microloan Client Expands Catering

JARI is pleased to announce that Melissa Kreutzberger, Firehouse Subs Franchisee and JARI Microloan client, is expanding her catering efforts in the Johnstown area. Firehouse Subs offers a catering menu for a variety of different platters such as subs, salads, snacks and desserts for any occasion. Kreutzberger is hoping to reach out to new and existing customers in order to provide a simple and hassle free option for those planning their next event.

If you are interested in a Firehouse Subs catering coupon or would like to see their catering menu click the corresponding links. For more information regarding the JARI Microloan Program, contact Michele Clapper at (814) 262-8368.