Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 24
“Our Region’s Business” – An Interview with EMSDC

Thank you to Bill Flanagan, Our Region's Business, for inviting EMSDC to be on this week's show. In case you missed the episode, please click below to learn what EMSDC is doing to help minority-owned businesses.
Upcoming Events, Programs, and Webinars

August 3 - September 18

September 13-19

September 19

September 21-29

September 22

September 22-23

September 22 / October 6 / October 20

September 24

September 24
SRMSDC/MMSDC/EMSDC Re-Shoring Summit
INVITATION ONLY

September 28

October 2
Philadelphia International Airport 2020 Business Opportunity Forum

October 26-29
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.

Current Bids
Hand Sanitizer, Toilet Paper, Disinfectant Wipes, etc.
The City of Pittsburgh - The Urban League is buying to distribute locally. Suppliers in Southwest PA call Michael Buzzelli or Mary Kay Dietrich at 412-227-4229. 

PHA
September 14, 2020

CCAC
September 15, 2020

Allegheny County Department of Human Services 
September 18, 2020

CCAC
September 22, 2020

CCAC
September 22, 2020

CCAC
September 22, 2020

Delaware River Port Authority 
September 24, 2020

PHA
September 29, 2020
The SBA is Accepting New Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance Applications 
EIDL Overview:
  1. Low-interest loan at 3.75% for for-profit entities; non-profit organizations are eligible at 2.75%;
  2. Term for EIDL is up to 30 years and there is a one-year deferral from date of loan approval;
  3. Loan eligibility is up to $2 million;
  4. EIDL Advance is $1,000/employee up to $10,000. EIDL Advance does not have to be repaid and will be deposited directly by the Treasury Department; and
  5. All EIDL funding is direct from SBA, does not require third party approval.
  6. If an applicant has previously applied and their loan number starts with a “2”, they are encouraged to re-apply.
 
Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses are encouraged to apply immediately to ensure timely processing of applications and access to funding. Read more.

The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) and Bridgeway Capital have Teamed up to Provide Patient Loan Capital to Small Businesses and Nonprofits
The Erie County COVID-19 Response Fund, financed by ECGRA, makes flexible financing available through Bridgeway to help small businesses and nonprofits manage business disruptions, sustain vital services, and stay resilient during the COVID-19 public health crisis. 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. 

Rental Assistance for Philadelphia Residents
Renters whose income has been affected by COVID-19 will be able to apply for PHL Rent Assist Phase 2 starting on July 6th on a first-come, first-serve basis. Eligible households could get grants up to $750 a month for six months paid directly to their landlord. Applications go directly through the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation.

The CARES Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program (PMAP)
Homeowners whose income has been affected by COVID-19 may be able to apply for the CARES Pandemic Mortgage Assistance Program (PMAP) also starting July 6. Eligible applicants could get grants of as much as $1,000 a month for six months. Applications go directly through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. And check out PACDC's recently released policy agenda, Responding to COVID-19: An Agenda for Renters, Home Owners, Small Businesses, and the Non-Profits that support them.
Stone Ridge Building Solutions
Stone Ridge Building Solutions is a premiere commercial cleaning company specializing in sanitization and disinfecting in the Philadelphia area. We are committed to providing the highest level of service to all of our clients creating an environmentally safe, healthy environment. During this difficult time we are helping local communities remain safe, as we understand health and safety of employees, clients and students are of utmost importance. SRBS adheres to the highest compliance standards with Federal and State regulations and is committed to providing an essential service in our community. Read more.

MBEs Mean Business
MBEs Mean Business™ is an independent initiative of minority business enterprises that are committed to the cause of minority business economic inclusion and equality. With full inboxes and alerts flashing across our screens, we’re all struggling with more information than we can process. That’s why we’ve created this short list of resources—both current and past—that will provide you with the essentials that you need. Read more.



  • Summary of State Actions Addressing Business Re-openings. Read more. 
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.

Help Staff Your Local Polling Place for the 2020 Election
America is facing a record shortage of poll workers this year due to the coronavirus. Our democracy depends on ordinary people who make sure elections run smoothly and everyone's vote is counted. You can make sure we have a safe, fair, efficient election for all. Read more.

Register to Mentor Black and Latinx youth develop confidence and to dream bigger
The new Mentor Spaces platform launches as a native mobile application this fall with the goal of filling the network gap through group mentorship. A protégé or mentee can submit a question to a group organized around various areas of interest, skills or industries and be paired with a mentor to have it answered. Read more.

The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia is Accepting Applications to Join the CEO Access Network
CEO Access Network, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program of the Chamber, matches C-suite, established executives from Chamber member companies with small business owners from underrepresented populations in the Greater Philadelphia business community in order to drive business and create economic opportunity for regional businesses and residents. Partners share advice and counsel, as well as networking and business development opportunities. The deadline to apply is October 16. Read more.

NMSDC Aims to Raise $1 Billion for MBEs
MBNUSA recently featured NMSDC President and CEO, Adrienne Trimble about their plans to raise $1 billion over the next 12-18 months to support minority business development, economic inclusion and growth. The "In This Together" campaign supports MBEs through PPP Funding Access, The REBUILDING Fund, NMSDC Academy, and many other programs. Read more.

September 19 is 'Buy MBE Day'
Did you know there are approximately 11M minority-owned businesses in the U.S. that employ more than 8 million Americans? #ShopMBEDay2020 on September 19. Learn more about #BuyMBEDay and how to support this national day of awareness. Read More.
So when it comes to reading I’m a purist, preferring to read a physical book over using an eReader or listening to the audio version. Well, with the announcement that the seminal book by the late Reginald Lewis “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?” is now available on Audible, I am making the exception, and actively “listening” to the story of “the” guiding force of a generation of entrepreneurs.

To quote his daughter Christina Lewis-Halpern, “For the first time since its publication 25 years ago, you’ll be able to listen to this new audiobook edition, … Learn from and be inspired by Reginald F. Lewis’ journey in building a billion dollar empire, and share it to a new generation of aspiring entrepreneurs. This groundbreaking autobiography has changed thousands of lives and tells a vital American story. It is high time that the story of Reginald F. Lewis be known to Americans of all races.”

#ReginaldLewis #WhyShouldWhiteGuysHaveAlltheFun #Blackexcellence #Entrepreneur #WallStreet #Leveragedbuyout #Reginaldflewis #Audible 
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.