GCS 2019
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Genetti Hotel & Conference Center, Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance is excited to announce that Representative Eddie Day Pashinski will help start the event by welcoming the attendees to the Eddie Day Pashinski Government  Contracting Showcase at the Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel & Conference Center. Congressman Matt Cartwright will present the Luncheon Keynote address. 

"We are very fortunate to have Congressman Cartwright as the Keynote Speaker and Representative Pashinski to welcome those attending to this year's Government Contracting Showcase. Both elected officials are strong advocates for Northeastern Pennsylvania citizens, communities and businesses," said Jeffrey Box, President & CEO of the NEPA Alliance.
 
Karen Ostroskie, PTAC Senior Government Procurement Manager stated, "We are working on a value-based agenda which will provide event time for attendees to network with exhibitors and subject matter experts, and educational sessions on government contracting with Federal and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania agencies. I am looking forward to finalizing it and rolling it out shortly."


Registration is $50 per person, which includes continental breakfast, lunch and workshops.  NEPA Alliance members receive a 10% discount with code: "nepa-member". 

Register Now

Exhibit space  and  sponsorship oppo rtunities   are available.

For the latest information visit

For more information, contact  Karen Ostroskie ,  Frank Migneco  or  Paula Terpak  at the NEPA Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
Member Spotlight
McGregor Industries
McGregor McGregor Industries is a metalworking company that manufactures and installs miscellaneous metal components for buildings, artistic projects and much more. These components generally include high rise stairs, monumental stairs and light structured steel.

Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Grace McGregor Kramer, Director of Strategy and Operation, who gave us some insight about McGregor Industries.

McGregor Industries is headquartered in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. Regarding this location, Grace noted, "We manufacture everything in Dunmore, PA; and, with the help of the NEPA Alliance (NEPA) we just underwent an expansion that doubled our capacity in the shop! We pride ourselves in continuing to provide manufacturing jobs in Northeast PA."

Grace also stated, "McGregor sets itself apart by striving to be a true partner for our customers as we help to build in Northeast PA, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Boston. We are totally vertically integrated, which allows us to react quickly to the needs of our customers on rapidly changing construction sites."

As for NEPA, McGregor Industries believes, "NEPA has been a consistent partner in enabling McGregor to grow to service our customers and our community!"

For more information, visit www.mcgregorindustries.com.
Request for Qualifications
Submission of Qualifications Extended to March 29, 2019
 
RFQ The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) is extending the submission of qualifications for professional services to develop and implement a fundraising plan for the Blue Ribbon Task Force.

Interested firms may receive a packet by contacting Kurt Bauman at (570) 655-5581 Ext. 237 or kbauman@nepa-alliance.org. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, including women-, minority- and service-disabled veteran- owned businesses, are encouraged to apply. Sealed qualifications packages will be received until 5:00 PM, on Friday, March 29, 2019 at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, 1151 Oak Street, Pittston, PA 18640-3726. NEPA reserves the right to reject any or all qualifications packages or waive any informality in the selection process.
International News
Introduction to Exporting
March 15, 2019
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
107 S. Market Street, Berwick
 
Presented by SEDA-COG Export Program, NEPA Alliance International Business Development Program, Fulton International Group, and Berwick Industrial Development Association, Inc. (BIDA). Click here to view the event flyer.
 
Join us for a half-day workshop where we will discuss:
  • Market research tools
  • Identifying potential customers and competitors
  • Making the sale
  • Customer screening process
  • Pricing and payments
  • Foreign exchange
  • Restrictions and regulations
  • Shipping
  • Logistics
  • Documentation requirements
This event is ideal for Sales, Marketing and Logistics Managers, as well as companies that are new to exporting, or for those who need a refresher course. Cost is $30 per person.
 
Please register by Thursday, March 7 at www.seda-cog.org/export. Contact Debbie Langan for more information.

To learn more about International Business Development assistance, contact NEPA's Senior International Business Manager,  Debbie Langan, at 570-655-5581, ext. 233 or 866-758-1929.
Business Finance News
NEPA Alliance has several loan programs available for small businesses located in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne counties.
 
These low cost, low interest loans offer reduced down payments and standard loan term maturities for machinery and equipment, land and building acquisition, construction and renovation.  Loan rates are fixed and generally below the prime lending rate.
 
Eligible businesses include Manufacturers, Industrial, Agriculture/Agribusiness, Hospitality & Tourism Related Enterprises, Recyclers, Day Cares, Computer Related Services, Advanced Technology, and Retail and Service Related Businesses. Other business sectors may also qualify.

To learn more about these loan programs, contact Stephen Ursich, Dave NatKen Doolittle or Donovan Klem at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.


Loans Funded in February 2019

Self-Storage Facility - Scranton, PA
  • This SBA 504 project was completed in partnership with the Honesdale National Bank for the outright purchase of an existing facility.
Tooling and Machining Company - Jim Thorpe, PA
  • This U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development project was completed in partnership with Mauch Chunk Trust Company for the purchase of machinery and equipment.


NEPA-BFC NEPA Alliance Business Finance Corporation is a state-wide CDC allowing for NEPA BFC to lend SBA 504 Loans to eligible small businesses located in the state of Pennsylvania.
 
Financing Structure

A bank or other lender finances 50% of the project cost and takes a first lien position on the assets financed. The SBA 504 loan NEPA-BFC Tree finances 40% of the project cost, up to $5.5 million, and takes a second lien position. The borrower then contributes a down payment of as little as 10%.

Small Businesses can Receive:
  • Subordinate Financing
  • Up to 90% Loan to Value
  • Up to $5.5 Million in SBA Financing
        - Unlimited Total Project Cost
SBA 504 Loans Offer: 
  • As Little as 10% Equity Injection
  • Terms up to 25 Years
  • Guaranteed Fixed Interest Rate
*Eligibility Criteria Apply*
 
To learn more about this loan program, contact Stephen UrsichDave NatKen Doolittle or Donovan Klem at 570-655-5581 or 855-266-9021.

POWER Initiative
POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) is a congressionally funded initiative that targets federal resources to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America's energy production.

POWER 2019
The  Request for Proposals for POWER 2019 is now available. Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) began accepting applications for funding on  F ebruary 1, 2019.  Approximately $45 million will be awarded through a competitive granting process. Funding proposals are to be submitted via the  2019 POWER Initiative Application Portal , and are due April 10, 2019, 5:00 pm (EDT).

In Fiscal Year 2019, ARC's POWER Initiative will continue focusing on investments that are regional, strategic, transformational, and maximize economic revitalization in Appalachia's coal-impacted communities. POWER investment priorities include:
  • Building a competitive workforce;
  • Enhancing access to and use of broadband services;
  • Fostering entrepreneurial activities;
  • Developing industry clusters in communities; and
  • Strengthening substance abuse response.
Eligible funding applicants include:
  • Local development districts;
  • Indian Tribes or a consortium of Indian Tribes;
  • States, counties, cities, or other political subdivision of a state, including a special purpose unit of a state or local government engaged in economic or infrastructure development activities, or a consortium of political subdivisions;
  • Institutions of higher education or a consortium of institutions of higher education; and
  • Public or private nonprofit organizations or associations.
Before submitting a funding proposal, potential applicants must contact the appropriate ARC  state program manager for specific guidance pertaining to the eligible use of POWER funds in their state.

For complete details visit the ARC Power Initiative website or  contact Kurt Bauman  at 570-655-5581, ext. 237 or 866-758-1929.
2019 ARC-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Summer Math-Science-Technology Institute and Summer Science Academy
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, will hold two hands-on STEM learning programs for Appalachian students and teachers in July 2019: A high school math-science-technology institute, which is a two-week residential program for students and teachers; and a middle school science academy, which is a one-week residential program just for students. Both programs are all expenses paid and offer the opportunity to work with world-class scientists doing real science!

The numbers of participants and applications that may be submitted are limited as follows:
  • The high school program will be limited to a maximum of 52 participants: 26 students and 26 teachers. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will not be able to accommodate any additional participants. This allows for a minimum of 2 teachers and 2 students from PA.
  • The middle school program will be limited to a maximum of 26 student participants (students only, no teachers). This allows for a minimum of 2 middle school students from PA. ARC encourages states to select all middle school applicants from the same school, as this provides a better experience for the students and eases transportation arrangements.
For more information on each program and how to apply click here.  Applications for both programs must be emailed to Jennifer Lench (jlench@pa.gov ) Applications are due by March 15, 2019.
Did You Know...
Did You Know
Did you know that the U.S. Census Bureau has information about exporting your product?  This information can be accessed   here.
 
For additional information, contact Debbie Langan at 570-655-5581, ext. 233 or Steve Zaricki, ext. 258.  They can also be contacted at 866-758-1929.
Our Partners:

  NCAC Logo    NEPA-BFC    Northeast PREP
  Join Our List  
570-655-5581
866-758-1929
   Email Us   

"This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer."