By RANDY GRIFFITH
By the time all three of the first Greater Johnstown Technology Park businesses have moved in, a spinoff bioscience operation will be open three blocks away.
Work is wrapping up on Integrated Technologies & Services International’s new ITSI-Biosciences Science and Technology Innovation Center,
633 Napoleon St.
“They keep telling me, ‘Two weeks,’ but definitely by the end of the year,” President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Somiari said, his trademark smile beaming.
It’s been a struggle for the upstart company that Somiari founded in 2004, stepping down as Windber Research Institute’s chief operating officer. After outgrowing its first home at 937 Mount Airy Drive in Adams Township, ITSI moved temporarily into former Bestform distribution center, 210 Industrial Park Road, Richland Township, in early 2006, breaking ground later that year for its permanent Kernville location.
“That really set us back,” Somiari said. “A lot of our equipment has been in storage since 2006.”
While ITSI-Biosciences’ staff of three has been able to keep up with analysis of protein expression in human blood plasma for the National Cancer Institute studies, a second phase of the business has been hobbled by lack of space.
As the new facility ramps up to full operation, Somiari expects to add a dozen workers to manufacture and package ready-to-use kits marketed worldwide to researchers who analyze genes and proteins in human cells.
The manufacturing operation will provide jobs for those who do not have technical degrees and advanced training, which is something the region needs, Somiari said.
A native of Nigeria, Somiari moved to the region as the first employee at Windber Research Institute. He has witnessed the expanding “new” technology-based economy.
“One of the things I found when I came to Johnstown was the economic base was changing,” Somiari said. “Those who worked in coal and steel were – I don’t want to say ‘afraid’ – not sure how they were going to fit into these new kinds of businesses.”
Focusing on research would limit ITSI to recruiting most of its work force from other areas.
“As part of our strategy, we are investing money into developing products to market,” he said.
“With this, we can take advantage of the people already here for manufacturing jobs.”
Locating near the tech park gives ITSI a couple of advantages. There was government financial help for locating in the city’s proposed bioscience corridor connecting the tech park and Memorial Medical Center’s main campus.
The proximity also fosters cooperation and creates a mental connection for those looking at technology business in the city, Somiari said.
“We can tap into technology and expertise in more than biology,” Somiari said.
“Advances in technology find their way into bioscience.”
Growth of a technology-savvy work force will help all the companies, he stressed, noting the region has a good start.
“Johnstown is known for defense contracting and it is home to largest health systems in the state,” Somiari said. “Those two can underpin the movement of a new kind of industrial base, or business base, in the area.”
