<div>JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – For 50 years, one organization has made an especially unique impact on the Johnstown region.Johnstown Area Regional Industries has attracted large employers, supported small businesses and trained local workers for new jobs.The nonprofit economic development agency was founded in 1974 by a board of local businesspeople to diversify the region’s economy as its once robust steel and coal industries wavered.Since then, JARI has recruited and retained international companies, trained thousands of workers and provided funding to fledgling businesses that have grown to employ hundreds of people.JARI celebrated half a century of service to the community Thursday with a brief ceremony that highlighted the organization’s impact and also honored its longtime president, Linda Thomson, who will retire at the end of June.Thomson has been at the helm of the organization for 24 years.A crowd of 200 people gathered for the 50th anniversary celebration in the event hall of Bottle Works, 411 Third Ave., in Johnstown’s Cambria City section.Those in attendance included businesses leaders that have grown with JARI’s help; local, federal and state government representatives or their spokespeople; and even one of the founding members of JARI, Richard Mayer, former publisher of The Tribune-Democrat.Thomson addressed Mayer during her speech.“The foresight and dedication you embodied in JARI lives on,” she said. “We are so proud to serve this community and honor the foundation you built 50 years ago. Your legacy continues through us each and every day.”Thomson shared some reflections on JARI’s work and her vision for the organization’s continued success.“I could say a million things to emphasize the work of JARI,” she said, “but to sum it up, JARI has always put our clients first. If we do what is best for our clients, our clients succeed and our region succeeds.”Dave Zucco, director of government relations for Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, spoke of JARI’s role in expanding international business in the region.“I’m a lifelong resident of Johnstown,” Zucco said.“Kongsberg is a Norway- based company. I’m humbled and proud to be entering my 19th year with that company. They are here because of Linda Thomson and the work JARI has done. I can’t tell you how thankful I am that Linda and her team were successful in getting the company to locate here.”Zucco said many people may not know it, but the Johnstown region has a significant international presence.“We have a U.K. company, Martin-Baker; we have a Swedish firm, North American Hoganas; we have two Norwegian companies, Kitron and Kongsberg; we have an Italian firm, Leonardo DRS Technologies, and our latest addition, from Denmark – UXV Technologies which opened this past summer.”</div>

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Economic development agency JARI marks 50 years of supporting industry and jobs

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – For 50 years, one organization has made an especially unique impact on the Johnstown region. Johnstown Area Regional Industries has attracted large employers, supported small businesses and trained local workers for new jobs. The nonprofit economic development agency was founded in 1974 by a board of...