/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Event • Somerset County • Vision 2025 • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Community Resource & Job Fair

Greater Johnstown United Neighborhoods and Vision2025 will host a Community Resource & Job Fair on Wednesday, November 8th from 5 to 7 PM at the Christ Centered Community Church (531 Somerset Street) in downtown Johnstown.

Approximately 140 available job openings will be featured at the fair. Representatives from various agencies will be able to provide information on a variety of topics such as education assistance, job seeker services and more.

For more information, click here. If you have any questions or would like to participate as an exhibitor, please contact Debi Balog by phone at (814) 262-8366 or by email at .

Hosted by:       

Coordinated by:      

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

Debi Balog Receives Workforce Education Star Award

Recipients of Somerset County Chamber of Commerce’s 2017 awards (front row from left): Michele Beener, Sarah Bittner and Bill Arnold. Second row: Dr. V. Krishnan Nair. Third row: Godfrey Mendes, JoAlyce Kopinski, Jason Kaplitz and Debi Balog. Fourth row: Susan Walker and George Walker.

The Somerset County Chamber of Commerce honored 13 recipients of its 2017 awards for service to the region on Thursday, October 19, at a reception held at the Somerset Country Club.

“In every award, there is a level of commitment, dedication, volunteerism and so many other things. More than simply words written on a piece of paper, it’s a commitment to our community and region,” said Ron Aldom, executive director of the chamber.

Debi Balog, JARI Director of Workforce Development, was honored with the Workforce Education Star. This first-time award is presented to an educator or business representative who has made a significant impact on connecting students to career opportunities while also making an impact on providing skilled workers to local businesses. The recipient is selected by the chamber’s Success in Somerset County Committee.

Others honored include: Michele Beener, Sarah Bittner, Bill Arnold, Dr. V. Krishnan Nair, Godfrey Mendes, JoAlyce Kopinski, Jason Kaplitz, Susan Walker and George Walker.

The award winners will be celebrated at the 77th annual Somerset County Chamber of Commerce Dinner on November 9 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort.

To read the full article, click here.

/ By Lauren Thompson / Cambria County • Entrepreneurship • Event • New business • Somerset County/ 0 Comments

JARI/SBA Host Power Hour Session: Starting a Business


JARI, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Saint Francis University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will host their first Power Hour session titled Starting a Business. If you have always wanted to open your own business now is your chance to learn the basics of small business ownership in just 60 minutes. This session will cover the various topics that a startup company or expanding business should know. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with our team.

This session will take place on Thursday, October 5, from 9 to 10 AM at the JARI Center for Business Development (160 Jari Drive, Johnstown). The cost to attend is free but registration is required. If you are interested in attending click here to register.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact us at (814) 254-4023.

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

From Defense to Offense – Sales Training

The SAP&DC, along with regional economic development partners and the support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, have received a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) grant to assist defense contractor’s transition into new markets. There will be a two part training series available to eligible businesses at no cost if company representatives successfully complete the training. Please note – there is a cost to purchase the materials. Part 1: Building the Sales Infrastructure will be held Wednesday, October 11, 2017 and Part 2: Hiring a Sales Superstar will be held Wednesday, October 18, 2017.  Both sessions will be held in two locations – Johnstown (In Person Instructor) and Altoona (Live Streaming Broadcast). Please see the attached flyer and registration forms to learn more about this two part training series presented by John Moore of Moore Power Sales.

If you have questions or would like government contracting assistance, contact us at (814) 254-4022 or (814) 254-4023 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 / Cambria County • Somerset County • Workforce Development/ 0 Comments

Healthcare Specialists Available for Work

Congratulations to six individuals who participated in a 270-hour HealthCare Specialist Course at Penn Highlands Community College.  Four individuals received certificates of completion and two moved on to full-time employment.

Graduates of the program are qualified for employment in entry level healthcare billing departments. The course included topics on legal compliance, medical billing and coding, anatomy and physiology and the revenue cycle.

This opportunity would not be possible without the funding provided by the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Local Workforce Initiative.

If you are interested in obtaining resumes, please contact Debi Balog, Workforce Development Director at 814.262.8366 or via e-mail at .

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

Safety Conference Keynote Announcement

JARI and members of the JARI Safety Industry Partnership are pleased to announce that the keynote presentation for the 15th Annual Alleghenies Regional Safety Conference will be on the Medical Marijuana Act and the Effect on Employers. Panelists include: Attorney Robert Brierton; Judge Norman Krumenacker III, P.J.; Johnstown Chief of Police, Robert Johnson; and Dr. Patrick Gray, M.D., FACP. Attendees will hear a brief overview about the Medical Marijuana Act, as well as the impact it has on criminal law, criminal activity, driving skills, future drug use and the use and limitations for treatment.

The conference will be held on Tuesday, October 3 from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center located in downtown Johnstown.

For the list of workshop topics, conference information and registration, please click the links below or contact Debi Balog at 814.262.8366 or via e-mail at .

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

Ben Franklin’s Big Idea Contest Now Open

Have you been thinking about developing or commercializing an innovative product, process or new software application? Ben Franklin Technology Partners are looking for budding entrepreneurs, researchers, software developers or even small existing businesses. The risk-free BIG IDEA contests have been helping folks start or grow their businesses for nearly 20 years.

A simple online application could be the first step in taking you from Start UP to UP and running. Visit the Ben Franklin website for more information and to apply. The application deadline is October 2, 2017 at 5:00 PM.

Click here to find out if you qualify! For questions, contact Jill Edwards at  or phone (717) 948-6625.

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

HUBZone Program Map Update

Somerset County businesses may now be eligible for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) program. The HUBZone program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities. To qualify for the program, a business must meet the following criteria:

  • It must be a small business by SBA standards
  • It must be owned and controlled at least 51% by U.S. citizens, or a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, or an Indian tribe
  • Its principal office must be located within a “Historically Underutilized Business Zone,” which includes lands considered “Indian Country” and military facilities closed by the Base Realignment and Closure Act
  • At least 35% of its employees must reside in a HUBZone

The July 2017 update of HUBZone maps include Somerset County entirely. There are several reasons being HUBZone certified is beneficial for a company, including:

  • Competitive and sole source contracting
  • 10% price evaluation preference in full and open contract competitions, as well as subcontracting opportunities
  • 3% Federal Procurement goal for prime contracts

If you would like to learn more about the HUBZone Program, contact us at (814) 254-4022 or (814) 254-4023 or via email at .

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

2017 Youth Conference

The Human Resources Association of the Alleghenies (HRAA) and JARI are pleased to host the 6th Annual Success is Intentional Youth Professional Development Conference (YPDC) on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in Johnstown.

Students in grades 10-12 from multiple local school districts will be in attendance. This event highlights career preparation for both college-bound and trade-focused students by providing educational workshops to prepare students for their future.

How to Get Involved and Support Our Future Workforce

  • Become a Program Sponsor and feature your company at this event
  • Donate company branded items or gift cards for prize giveaways

There are limited seats available for school districts. If your school has not registered and would like to attend, click here.

For more information and the sponsorship form click the links or contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or via e-mail at .