Seven contracts totaling well over $200 million were announced Thursday morning at the annual Showcase For Commerce in Johnstown.


U.S. Rep. Mark Critz of Pennsylvania's 12th District said the winning bids and contracts depict the reputation of the area, and the money allotted for local companies, both large and small, was "competitively bid."

"This is what we've been building for years and years now. I mean, this is about the region proving that it can do the work building a reputation because some of these contracts were awarded that the companies were sought out," Critz said.


Companies like Problem Solutions, a Johnstown firm that delivers software and technology solutions to the government, were awarded more than $1 million to support advanced distributed learning, which will benefit the local area.


Mike Hruska, Problem Solutions president and chief executive officer, said, "We currently have a really good relationship with (University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown) and we're hiring students right out of there, and we have an internship program that starts in their sophomore year and we're trying to keep smart, talented kids right here."

Despite having fewer companies than in years past, Critz said he remains positive.

"We're doing far better than other areas of the country and also the contract awards are showing that the government is still going to be buying. The Defense Department is still going to be buying. And we're winning those contracts competitively," Critz said.

Hruska said he agrees and sees growth in his business.


"We've been growing 30 percent the last two years solidly and this represents a lot of growth for 2012."


Critz also told 6 News that the success of Thursday morning's showcase shows the local area will continue to work for the "war fighter."


Several other companies also received lucrative contracts that will help keep jobs in the area. JWF Defense Systems shook hands on an $8 million deal with Kongsberg Protech Systems. Workers at JWF will continue production on the Crows 2 Project, which supplies ballistic hardware for the weapons station.


Enterprise Ventures Corp., an affiliate of Concurrent Technologies Corp., was awarded the largest contract at the showcase. It will receive $12.5 million to build devices for U.S. Navy warships to respond to mine threats. The contract will add about 10 jobs.



The street outside the Cambria County War Memorial will remain closed Thursday afternoon, and the event is now open to the public so people can get a firsthand look at some of the military equipment and technology being built in the Johnstown area. The public exhibition is open until 4:30 p.m.

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