JARI will be the collaborative force that enhances all aspects of our region to grow a diverse economy and build vibrant communities.
(JGF Board Members L to R: Amy Nielsen, Bill McKinney, Mayor Frank Janakovic, Russ Kiel, Bishop Joseph McGauley, Steven Howsare and Rose Lucey-Noll)
JARI Announces Formation of JARI Growth Fund, Inc.
Linda Thomson
President
JARI held a press conference at the
Downtown Johnstown Holiday Inn on Thursday, December 15, to introduce the formation of the JARI Growth Fund, Inc. The event consisted of introducing the JGF mission, board of directors, loan review committee and seed funding.
The JGF is considered an emerging Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Treasury and is currently applying to the federal government for its certification credentials. Approval is expected in 2017.
Thursday, December 15, approximately 75 individuals involved with the Vision 2025 program braved the wintry weather and celebrated successes of the program's first year during our first-ever Annual Celebration Party held at Ace's in Cambria City.
The event was intended to bring together all active capture teams to network around the dozens of projects they have driven since V25 launched in Fall 2015. Speakers from five capture teams gave brief presentations about their efforts and V25 consultant, Wally Burlack, gave a keynote presentation on Johnstown's marketing potential. A $1,000 capture award was also granted to the Entrepreneurial Capture Team to help launch its 814Worx co-working space program.
To read the Tribune-Democrat's article of the event, click here.
Ben Franklin 2017 Innovation Contest
Linda Thomson
President
The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Centeris excited to announce their 6th Annual Shale Gas Innovation Contest, offering a total of $60,000 in cash prizes for the three best shale energy oriented innovations, new product ideas or service concepts that are either in the development stage or recently launched. A simple online application can be found here.
For more information, please visit the Ben Franklin website.
