Executive Director of CCDC Addresses Local Businesses
(Photo courtesy of The Tribune Democrat)
Ronna Yablonski, Exective Director of the Cambria County Drug Coalition (CCDC), spoke with members of the JARI Healthcare and Safety Consortia on January 24th. The meeting was planned to help members join the fight against drug abuse in an effort to create a capable workforce for our local businesses.
Yablonski mentioned that the CCDC was formed to bring together existing programs and develop new resources to battle the epidemic across the area. Area businesses can take part by supporting the coalition as a whole or supporting specific coalition components.
A full article can be found on the The Tribune Democrat website.
Those who are interested in getting involved can contact Ronna Yablonski via email at , by phone at (814) 619-4505 or visit their website.
Over 4 Million Awarded in Tax Credits!
JARI is pleased to announce that $4,816,517 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 2016, $248,342 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. If there is no tax liability for the company, the credits may be sold for cash.
JARI’S NAP Tax Credit Application Approved!
The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development has approved JARI’s Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit (NAP) application for $58,200.00.
The funding from the tax credit contributions will be used to eliminate blight through a number of approaches: creation of public space; streetscapes; planters; trees; lighting; reuse study; architectural and engineering assistance; and marketing of underutilized properties in a portion of the Central Business District and Old Conemaugh neighborhood.
The JARI NAP/SPP project will focus on developing a greenspace conceptual plan; implementation of identified components; coordinating a Community Work Day; an assessment of the commercial properties; marketing of the available space; provide assessment data to City of Johnstown for facade program.
Special thanks to the following business contributors whose tax dollars will be “put to work” supporting residents of our local community: First National Bank, 1st Summit Bank, Northwest Savings Bank, Somerset Trust and In-Shore Technologies.
Manufacturing Consortium Members Tour Johnstown High School
The JARI Manufacturing Consortium held their first meeting of 2017 at Greater Johnstown High School on January 10. Members of the group enjoyed breakfast prepared by the culinary students. They were also able to tour the trade shops and talk with students and faculty.
If you are interested in obtaining additional information about the JARI Consortia, please contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or by sending an e-mail to .
Drug Coalition Director to Speak at the Consortia Meeting!
Members of the HealthCare and Safety Consortia invite you to join them for their first meeting of the year. Ronna Yablonski, Executive Director of the newly formed Cambria County Drug Coalition will be the guest speaker. She will be presenting information on the goals and objectives of the coalition. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the plan and participate in an open discussion on the drug related issues facing our community.
The meeting will be held on January 24 at 8 AM at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Richland Campus, Workforce Education Center. If you are interested in attending the meeting and/or obtaining additional information, please contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or by sending an e-mail to .
Attend Upcoming JARI Consortia Meetings!
Members of the JARI Manufacturing Consortium and Business and Education Consortium invite you to join them for their first meetings of the new year!
The Manufacturing Consortium will be held at 8:00 am on January 10 at Greater Johnstown High School. Members will have the opportunity to tour the shops and interact with students. The Business and Education Consortium will be held at 8:00 am on January 13. Goodwill Industries of the Southern Alleghenies will host the meeting and provide an overview of their programs and services. They will also be giving a tour of their facility and new career resource center. The full agenda’s can be found in the links.
If you are interested in attending and/or obtaining additional information, please contact Debi Balog at (814) 262-8366 or by sending an e-mail to .
“Financing Your Business in 1, 2, 3” a Success!
The Somerset County Commissioners and JARI hosted the Financing Your Business in 1, 2, 3 seminar on November 16, 2016 at the Somerset Country Club.
Attendees learned about the financial opportunities available from the SBA, St. Francis SBDC, SCEDC, Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ), SBA Microloan Program, JARI Growth Fund, the Progress Fund, Southern Alleghenies Loan Programs and SBA 504 Program.
Thank you to our event sponsors: Wessel & Company, Ameriserv, Somerset Trust, SCEDC and The Somerset County Chamber of Commerce.
Financing Your Business in 1, 2, 3!
The Somerset County Commissioners and JARI will be hosting a financing seminar on Wednesday, November 16, from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM at the Somerset Country Club. Attendees will learn about different financing options.
For more information and registration details, please click here. Please RSVP by Friday, November 11th to reserve your seat
Somerset County Job Fair
Full registration details and contact information can be found here.
Cambria-Somerset region wins manufacturing designation
By Kecia Bal / The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.