By SHAWN PIATEK
TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT BUSINESS WRITER
spiatek@tribdem.com

The leader of a local software-technology company opened some eyes last week at the first Greater Johnstown Keystone Innovation Zone Enterprise Forum. Jay McClatchey, CEO of Applied Computational Technologies, offered a presentation about his company on Wednesday that left the gathered crowd stunned and amazed.

McClatchey detailed how he and partner Andy Holland are developing a software application that will speed the cancer-treatment process, leading to better overall care. The technology amazed the crowd, but the fact that it's being developed by a startup company in Somerset left them stunned. "We're just a couple of country boys from Somerset County ," McClatchey said of himself and Holland . "This really goes to show just how much talent we do have here in Cambria and Somerset counties."

McClatchey's statement does well to illustrate the intent of the Greater Johnstown KIZ – keeping innovative local thinkers working in the region as an economic development tool. As part of that mission, a contest was announced during the forum that will give students at Cambria County 's four colleges and universities an incentive to develop new businesses here. Students will develop business plans, and the best entries will share a $15,000 award. The competition goes beyond the classroom, said Bob Shark, director of technical development at Johnstown Area Regional Industries and program coordinator for the Greater Johnstown KIZ. "The intent here is to give students at our four KIZ schools some incentive and motivation to take action on the business ideas that might be rattling around in their heads," Shark said. "We do not intend this to be a purely academic exercise. We hope to actually generate some new businesses from this competition."

The contest's award has been funded by Johnstown Welding and Fabricating, which donated $10,000, and Ben Franklin Technology Partners, which contributed $5,000. Several other community partners will donate their time as volunteer judges for the contest, which will conclude on April 16. "What we are trying to do is take advantage of the talents and ideas of the students at our schools and make it into something concrete," Shark said. "Maybe they didn't know how to go about establishing a company, but now they will know they have the support of the KIZ, and this competition in particular could help them open some doors."

More information about the Greater Johnstown KIZ or the business-model contest may be obtained by visiting the KIZ Web site at www.gjkiz.com or by contacting JARI at 535-8675.