Berks truck manufacturer gets $195,000 loan to build disabled services vehicle

Mar. 14—As the president of a small truck van body manufacturing company, David Justiniano was looking for a way to break into the market.

As a veteran, Justiniano is familiar with the challenges faced by his disabled peers.

So when a California nonprofit approached him with a project that would leverage his expertise in truck body engineering to address a dire need among the disabled population, Justiniano and his company, J Van Body of Muhlenberg, didn't hesitate.

"The American Disabilities Act just doesn't go far enough for many disabled people," Justiniano said, "ADA bathrooms aren't going to have everything they need...mainly what happens is they just don't have an opportunity to...enjoy the simple things that most of us do."

Justiniano said Momentum Innovative Disability Services, Los Angeles, Calif., came to him with a vision of creating a mobile restroom that would enable people with disabilities like cerebral palsy to attend concerts, ball games and other events.

That vision took the form of the mobile personal care vehicle — a specialty van that provides critical care services to people living with physical disabilities.

"It has toilets with handicapped rails, an adjustable height sink, a changing table, a shower, a lifting hoist in the ceiling, a wheelchair lift...basically everything (disabled people) would need," Justiniano said. "There's just nothing like it right now in the US."

With the help of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, J Van Body applied for a loan to fund the project through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The department announced Feb. 27 that J Van Body was approved for a $195,000 loan through the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority, which provides low-interest loans to minority-owned businesses.

"The success of minority-owned businesses like J Van Body is key to a strong economy, and this PMBDA loan will give them the access to the resources they need to grow and thrive," Rick Siger, DCED acting secretary, said in a press release.

The funding will allow J Van Body — a three-employee operation founded in 2016 — to create three new jobs and retain two additional full-time employees.

Justiniano said he was grateful for the DCED's help in providing life-changing solutions to people with disabilities.

He also thanked the GRCA for its critical role in securing the loan.

"The PMBDA program is an excellent resource that is available for minority-owned businesses in Berks County. The funds will be utilized to allow a manufacturer to continue its growth in Berks County," Debra Millman, president of Greater Berks Development Fund, an affiliate of GRCA, noted in a press release.

Justiniano said J Van Body has already built and shipped three of the vans, and hopes to build another five to ten by the end of this year.

He said that despite a positive initial reception, the project may face some challenges.

"From disabled people's point of view, the feedback is more than overjoyed, they don't have anything like it," Justiniano said. "Where maybe the challenge will be, is getting big businesses to understand the need and rent out these vehicles for their locations."

Nonetheless, Justiniano said Momentum's goal is to disseminate the vehicle across the country.

"They're looking at this more like a franchise model...other nonprofit or even for-profit businesses could use these to rent out at their venues," Justiniano said.

Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, said supporting minority-owned businesses is a great way to stimulate economic growth in Reading.

"By empowering these businesses, we not only create economic opportunities, but we also promote diversity and inclusivity," Rozzi said. "I look forward to seeing how J-Van Body uses this funding to accomplish their mission of serving Pennsylvanians with disabilities."

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