Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 53
Upcoming Events, Programs, and Webinars

April 23

April 26

April 26

April 27 - May 1

April 28

April 29

April 29

May 4

May 5

May 7

May 11
How to Do Business With FEMA

May 11-13

May 24-28
EMSDC/SRMSDC PIVOT Week

May 26

June 3

June 16
SHARE in Harrisburg Virtual Matchmaker

July 19
Youth & Entrepreneur Scholarship Golf Invitational - White Manor Country Club, Malvern, PA

August 9
Youth & Entrepreneur Scholarship Golf Invitational - Fox Chapel Golf Club, Fox Chapel, PA
Participate in Virtual Matchmaking
Supplier (MBE) Registration:

Buyer (Corporations and other buying entities) Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID-19MMBuyers

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal
The Portal is for manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers to inform the Commonwealth of supplies available and will allow them to more efficiently procure these supplies for hospitals and medical facilities across Pennsylvania. Read more.

State of Delaware Procurement Portal
The Bid Solicitation Directory is the State's central repository across all three branches of state government that have an open Request for Information (RFI), Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation to Bid (ITB), and/or a Request for Proposal (RFP). Read more.

Current Bids

State of Delaware
April 23, 2021

State of Delaware
April 23, 2021

State of Delaware
April 23, 2021

Delaware River Port Authority
April 23, 2021

Delaware River Port Authority
April 23, 2021

City of Harrisburg
April 23, 2021

State of Delaware
April 26, 2021

State of Delaware
April 27, 2021

State of Delaware
April 27, 2021

State of Delaware
April 27, 2021

State of Delaware
April 27, 2021

State of Delaware
April 27, 2021

Mascaro
April 27, 2021

State of Delaware
April 28, 2021

State of Delaware
April 28, 2021

State of Delaware
April 28, 2021

State of Delaware
April 29, 2021

State of Delaware
April 29, 2021

State of Delaware
April 29, 2021

State of Delaware
April 29, 2021

State of Delaware
April 29, 2021

State of Delaware
April 29, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

State of Delaware
April 30, 2021

Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA)
April 30, 2021

Allegheny County Department of Human Services
April 30, 2021

Delaware River Port Authority
May 6, 2021

Pittsburgh Public Schools
May 7, 2021

Philadelphia Housing Authority
May 10, 2021

ALCOSAN
May 21, 2021

Mascaro
May 21, 2021
NJEDA Small Business Emergency Grant Program - Phase 4 - Deadline April 29
Phase 4 of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program provides grants up to $20,000 to small- and medium- sized businesses and non-profits in New Jersey that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.

Division of Small Business re-opens EDGE Grant Program for Promising Early-stage Delaware Companies Looking to Grow - Deadline April 30
Apply now for the Division of Small Business’s EDGE Grant program for promising Delaware small businesses looking to grow. This third round of EDGE (Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion) offers 10 Entrepreneur Class grants of up to $25,000 and five STEM Class grants of up to $100,000. Read more.

Division of Small Business Website Now Lists Grants for Delaware Small Businesses
Looking for possible sources of funding for your Delaware small business? The Division of Small Business has added to its website a list of grants offered by numerous organizations, including the Division of Small Business. The list will be updated monthly. Find it at the Division of Small Business website, delbiz.com, under the Services tab. April now available.

New Small Business & Nonprofit Tax Credit for Vaccination Support
President Biden is calling on every employer in America to offer full pay to their employees for time off needed to get vaccinated and for time it takes to recover from the after-effects of vaccination. As part of this effort, the President also announced a new paid leave tax credit that will offset the cost for employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide full pay for any time their employees need to get a COVID-19 vaccination or recover from that vaccination. Read more.

4 Things to Know About the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
An EIDL helps businesses meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. The terms: 30 years at a 3.75% fixed interest rate for businesses and 2.75% fixed interest rate for nonprofits. Unlike PPP, an EIDL isn't forgivable.
  1. The lending limit has increased to $500,000 on April 6.
  2. The deferment period is extended until 2022.
  3. You can receive an EIDL and a PPP or SVOG.
  4. You have until the end of the year to apply.

Huntington's Lift Local Business Program Focused on Growing African American Businesses
Huntington’s Lift Local Businesses, a $25 million small-business lending program focused on serving minority, women, veterans-owned-businesses includes the following features: Loan amounts from $1,000 – $150,000; Access to capital at a low cost to your business; Zero origination fees; Huntington pays your SBA fees; Lower credit score requirements; Free financial education courses ($1,500 value). Read more.

The PA 30-Day Fund
The Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund will deploy at least $100,000 for diverse small businesses who have suffered loss due to property damage and looting. The nonprofit organization provides $3,000 forgivable loans to small business owners who complete a simple application and submit a video. Read more. 

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission has established a COVID-19 Recovery Loan Program
Under this program, small businesses can apply for financing to help pay for current employee salaries, including salaries for those individuals who may have been furloughed due to the outbreak. Businesses can also use the loan proceeds to help pay for rent and utilities, as well as inventory purchases. SPC will consider proof of expenses in any of the three aforementioned categories from the three-month period prior to the onset of the crisis, and those expenses will count towards the loan amount. Read more.
Tri-Force Consulting Services Inc.
Tri-Force is an established IT software consulting services firm offering innovative solutions to Government and Commercial sectors. We specialize in building enterprise level technology solutions such as Knowledge management systems, data warehouse, business intelligence, data analysis, business processes automation, cloud computing and mobile applications development, systems architecture and systems integration for our clients.

Apple Impact Accelerator - Deadline April 30
Apple’s Impact Accelerator is designed for Black- and Brown-owned businesses that share their focus on innovation and commitment to the environment. With customized training, access to Apple experts, and an expanding alumni community, the Impact Accelerator is tailored to support companies as they achieve their next stage of development. Read more.

Registration Open for Advanced Management Executive Program - Deadline April 30
The NMSDC announced that registration is open for the Advanced Management Executive Program (AMEP). This year, AMEP is a Virtual Class scheduled in half-day sessions for June 14-18 & 22-24. If you are a minority-business owner interested in attending this year's NMSDC Northwestern Kellogg Advanced Management Executive Program (AMEP), click here to review registration information and submit an application and scholarship request. AMEP is designed for minority business CEOs/Owners of NMSDC certified minority-owned businesses. Businesses have demonstrated a sustained level of solid performance and are ready and interested in accelerating their business growth. Read more.

Retail Business Services to Launch Third Annual Start-Up Immersion Program - Deadline May 31
“SEED Immersion: Your Express Lane to Grocery” provides training and mentorship to help start-ups succeed in grocery. The 10-week immersion program is designed to help start-ups build critical relationships to accelerate their companies’ successfully. New this year, the scope of the program has been expanded from supply chain focused technologies to include a wider range of start-ups with technologies applicable to all aspects of omnichannel consumer experience, from product origin through the supply chain to physical and digital store shelves and ultimately to consumers’ homes. Read more.

Rebuild Ready Business Support Program -
Winter 2020-21 Cohort
The Rebuild Ready Business Support Program provides Philadelphia based small and diverse construction businesses with access to resources and support to prepare for upcoming Rebuild projects and build their capacity in the process. Read more.

Free 6-Month Dropbox Trial
If you would like to access the free 6-month Dropbox trial, please email StephanieS@Dropbox.com so she can provide you with the unique link! No credit card or commitment needed, no strings attached - just a free trial to see if Dropbox and the other programs integrated within Dropbox like Slack and Zoom are useful for your business! This offer is valid for NMSDC members who are not currently subscribed to Dropbox.

Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) entered into a partnership to establish and facilitate the Small Business Bonding Readiness Assistance Program (SBBRAP). This initiative was designed to better position New Jersey small, minority, veteran and women-owned businesses to compete for state, county, municipal, agency or government contracts in the public sector. Read more.

The PA Department of Labor & Industry Rapid Response Service Team
The PA Department of Labor & Industry’s no-cost, integrated business services can help businesses overcome a variety of challenges, whether it’s hiring a skilled workforce, preventing a closure, or increasing global competitiveness when facing foreign trade. The Rapid Response Service Team provides a proactive, customized approach in addressing specific business needs or challenges as they arise. Rapid Response can also be there on a business’ worst day. When a layoff or closure is announced, the Rapid Response team can help with layoff aversion plans or assist with getting affected workers reemployed. If foreign trade is involved, then the team can assist businesses in filing for the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. Get support today.
Use the following links to find updated information on statistics and recommendations in the states that we serve.
Accept the Challenge! Shop & Order from Local Businesses
Help support your favorite local food and drink businesses and retailers, specifically ethnic or minority-owned, by ordering takeout, buying gift cards, and/or shopping online.  Here's the challenge: click here, shop and share your shift with a shout out to that business on social media using the #ShiftwithEMSDC. If you spend with businesses, specifically ethnic and minority businesses not on our list, let us know on social and we’ll add them to the list. Together we’ll reinforce our local economies!

MBE2MBE Marketplace
The MBE2MBE Marketplace connects you with sourcing solutions. Now more than ever is the time to look beyond your usual sourcing outlets and reach out to support each other. Check out the minority businesses listed here for your business supply chain and help drive success for yourself and fellow entrepreneurs. Read more.

#STANDTOGETHER SAFELY
Over the past several months, we have all experienced unprecedented social, environmental, and economic challenges. Gone are the days where we talk about change. Change is now and the only way it happens is that we all #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY. EMSDC and SRMSDC #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY. We are reaching out to businesses who may be able to provide services to adversely affected business owners for their health and well-being, as well as for the health of their businesses and communities. Where we go from here depends on you. If you can help, need help, or want more information, contact Christine Robertson at crobertson@emsdc.org.
Join Yammer, our private community group where EMSDC Corporate Members, MBEs, and Subscribers can connect, post, and view EMSDC's daily posts. Click here to log in. Questions or need access to join? Email Tricina Cash at tcash@emsdc.org.