Latest news with #Showcasefor
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Johnstown companies awarded $256 million in military defense contracts
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Three Johnstown manufacturing companies were awarded contracts from multiple military defense and commercial companies. JWF Industries, Enterprise Ventures Corporation and Concurrent Technologies Corporation were given multiple contracts for manufacturing projects and advancements in military technology for nearly all branches of the military, resulting in $256 million. JWF accounted for $166 million while Enterprise Ventures and Concurrent Technologies footed the additional $90 million to the area. 'It allows us to take solutions that we developed for one branch, and we're able to share that with other branches to help them become more cost-effective and efficient,' President and CEO of Concurrent Technologies Ed Sheehan Jr. said. Johnstown students preview drone emergency service program The announcement was made during a press conference on the third day of the Showcase for Commerce in Johnstown. Bred as a steel and coal town in the years prior, officials now see a chance to evolve. 'We're no longer dependent on two major industries like coal and steel,' Sheehan said. 'We depend on manufacturing capability, advanced manufacturing processes. We also count on financial institutions. Our health care industry is the largest employer in the region, but we also have universities and colleges. We also have a lot of other businesses that help the overall health of our economy. And so I think we're in a much better position today than we were 50 years ago.' 'There's a lot of veterans working in these companies, and those values are all there,' Linda Thomson, the president of JARI, said. 'So, it just makes sense that we are such a strong player in this marketplace.' The contracts rolling in will not only add money to the area but opportunities for growth. Officials mentioned more jobs in the area, helping boost the economy and revitalize the area. 'It completely means retention of great talent,' Thomson said. 'How that we don't lose talent that's already here, and that we can attract additional talent to the region.' 'We're part of an ecosystem here in the region that allows other defense companies to continue to grow and benefit from the success that we heard today,' Sheehan said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Johnstown students preview drone emergency service program
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Community members and students at Greater Johnstown High School saw a preview of the newest advancement in emergency services. Aerium, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a pipeline between students and the aerospace industry, demonstrated how one of its drones can deliver medical supplies to an emergency site. The drone service is part of a pilot program called Drone 814, which will soon come to the Johnstown, Westmont and Southmont areas. 'Today's event was an opportunity for us to display to the public the first demonstration,' Glenn Ponas, executive director of Aerium said. Showcase for Commerce returns to Johnstown convention center Once someone calls emergency services, the drone will head over to the site with a package full of supplies, featuring tourniquets, glucose for diabetics, Narcan for drug overdoses and electric defibrillators for heart failures. Once arrived, the dispatcher on the phone will instruct the patient to use the supplies until paramedics arrive on scene. 'We want to ensure that we are getting first response faster and that the outcomes for patients are better,' Ponas said. 'So once the 911 team gets there, the end result is that we have better patient outcomes at the end of that.' Test flights are set to begin in the first week of June and continue into the summer. Drone 814 expects to release a regional rollout plan in October. Click here to view the plan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Showcase for Commerce returns to Johnstown convention center
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Showcase for Commerce returned for its 34th year at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference in Johnstown. The three-day conference started on Wednesday. 'Johnstown is very well equipped to be a leader in the defense industrial base. We have been growing over a period of time over these 34 years,' Linda Thomson, President & CEO of JARI, said. Thomson is the outgoing president at JARI. This year will be her last showcase. She said JARI has helped Johnstown stay competitive by working with other businesses. Somerset teacher shortage, leaders warn of worsening child care crisis The 2025 Showcase for Commerce has even more exhibitions on a national and regional level. 'I think one of the things that JARI's been able to do over the years is to be, sort of a catalyst for bringing information and help to any of the companies that we work with. Everyone here works together. And I think the real lesson learned for me over these years is collaboration works. And if we all pull together, we actually succeed,' Thomson said. Thursday's Keynote speaker was Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson. He shared some ideas on how he believes the government acquisition process is in need of reform going forward. He also thanked all the companies and employees who provide great manufacturing for national security. He also said that being a great listener is key for government acquisitions. 'For government leaders, I mean, I think that's the most important skill that we come to the table, those elected officials, at whatever level of government. And that is, as I like to say it very simply, use what God has given us two ears, one mouth,' Thompson said. Showcase for Commerce ends at the Cambria County War Memorial on Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
