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

PA Small Business Week Takes Place Next Week

The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) in conjunction with the National Small Business Week has announced the second annual Pennsylvania Small Business Week that takes place next week (April 30 – May 6).

Pennsylvania will showcase the role small businesses play in our state and how they support both strong entrepreneurship and vibrant communities.

The DCED will be hosting five free webinars that will be presented by experienced experts:

If you’re interested in attending one of the listed webinars, click the corresponding links for more information.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Event • News • Vision 2025/ 0 Comments

Starbucks Day of Service Scheduled For This Saturday

As part of the Starbucks Global Month of Service, staff members from Johnstown’s Starbucks have organized a clean-up and enhancement of the city’s community gardens for Saturday, April 29. Starbucks will be providing lunch for all volunteers. Managers and staff from Starbucks locations across Western Pennsylvania are travelling to Johnstown to participate in this event.

The itinerary is as follows:

9:30-10:00 AM: Registration with light refreshments
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Shuttle Service to multiple community gardens
2:00 PM: Lunch at Sandyvale Conservancy

Volunteers are to meet at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy, 80 Hickory St, Johnstown. Some tools and equipment will be provided, but if possible volunteers are encouraged to bring their own marked equipment. Pre-registration is requested to be sent to .

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

Commonwealth Tax Credits

On Thursday, April 27th, Lindsey Bennett, KIZ Resources, LLC, will share her expertise on the variety of tax credit programs that may be available to area small businesses. Attendees will learn about the Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ), Research and Development (R&D), Neighborhood Assistance-Enterprise Zone (NAP-EZ), PA Historic Preservation Credits (HPTC), Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) and Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC).

This Lunch & Learn will be held at the JARI Center (160 JARI Drive) on Thursday, April 27. The cost to register is $5 per person and lunch will be provided.

Registration is required. If you are interested in attending, please complete the registration form and e-mail it to Lauren Brewer at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Event • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Workforce Development Session Has Successful Turnout

On Wednesday, April 12 the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce hosted an “Eggs & Issues:Workforce Development Benefits,” session at the Somerset Country Club

Representatives from seven workforce related agencies highlighted the many resources and benefits available to businesses in the Southern Alleghenies region. Industry experts also discussed employee recruitment options, training resources and funding options for workforce development.

For more information on Workforce Development, contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or via email at .

/ By Lauren Thompson / Media Releases • News • Somerset County/ 0 Comments

UFC Finds Partners in Mexico City, Philippines and Japan

SAP&DC Newsletter

Universal Forensics Corp. (UFC) is a full service genetics DNA testing laboratory located in Somerset, Pennsylvania. UFC’s principal services are relationship testing, infidelity, immigration testing and forensics for identification of disaster victims.

UFC’s Larry Marsh, Director of Strategic Alliances attended the BTW2PA (Bringing the World to Pennsylvania) event that was coordinated by SAP&DC. After meeting with Pennsylvania’s ATR for Mexico at the BTW2PA event, UFC was able to successfully negotiate a representation agreement for Mexico City.

UFC also worked with the Pennsylvania office in Singapore to successfully sign contractual agreements with a company in the Philippines as well as the parent company located in Tokyo, Japan.

For more information about UFC, visit their website. Also, look for the full articles in the SAP&DC April 2017 newsletter on their website.

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

UPJ Holds Grand Opening for John P. Murtha Center

The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown held the ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony of the John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness on April 6.

Students and community groups will gather here to discuss important issues, gain an understanding of how government works and learn about the importance of community service, all while honoring the legacy of Mr. Murtha, the longest-serving congressman in Pennsylvania history.

To read the full Tribune Democrat article, click here.

/ 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 • Event • News • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Education Job Expo

On Thursday, April 13, there will be an Education Job Expo at the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center for anyone looking for a career in the education field. This expo will give employers the opportunity to meet prospective employees in our region and a chance to share information about their organization and available jobs.

The deadline to register is April 7th. If you are interested, RSVP to Kayla Cobaugh at (814) 262-0732 ext. 236 or via email at .