Take a model that is working in bigger cities and bring it to rural Pennsylvania.  That’s the idea behind Pitt Johnstown’s LIVE, or “Launching, Innovation, Ventures, and Entrepreneurs.” 

“We want to give recognition to the group of artisans and entrepreneurs in the community and connect them with shoppers and investors,” says Tammy Barbin, the executive director of communications for UPJ.

In its second year, organizers hope to showcase more entrepreneurs, as well as local makers.

“We’ll have people demonstrating on a pottery wheel.  We’ll have glass blowing.  We’ll have woodworking.”

The university is also working with the younger generation to not only bring business to Cambria County, but keep it here.  To coincide with the maker side of the event, there will be PITTchfest, returning for its third year.

Students from Pitt, Penn State, and other area schools will compete for $20,000 for startup funds.

“For many of our students that means looking at an education through the eyes of an entrepreneur instead of just training.”

They will present their ideas that they have been working on to a group of investors.  The event is closely tied with Johnstown’s Showcase for Commerce, which helps businesses and the defense industry.

“We’re the tomorrow.  We’re feeding that pipeline and feeding that commerce through our ideas.”

It’s not only for college kids and current innovators.  They’re targeting our youngest creators in the area, “We will have an open workshop of robotics and coding for elementary children,” Barbin adds.

The event will be held Friday and Saturday at the Wellness Center on UPJ’s campus from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.