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NEPA Alliance is committed to working with regional small businesses and non-profits during the continued uncertainty surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19). In cooperation with state and federal agencies, NEPA is offering loan assistance programs to businesses and non-profits.
Information on the assistance programs and the Coronavirus can be found on
NEPA's COVID-19 Response site and our Spanish translated site
NEPA COVID-19 Recursos en EspaƱol
.
NEPA is currently partnering with federal and state agencies to ensure small businesses and non-profits in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have available resources accessible to them through the coronavirus crisis. This includes help with the
U.S. Small Business Administration
low-interest federal disaster loan program for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus. In addition, NEPA also has numerous business loan programs that offer
low fixed interest rates to businesses in the seven county region of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
For the latest information, please contact NEPA at 866-758-1929 or visit
NEPA's COVID-19 Response site
. Information is continually changing, and the assistance programs that are being offered may change. NEPA will continue to evaluate all available options to best serve the Northeastern Pennsylvania business community.
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"I want to shout out to the entire team! When I applied for my PIDA CWCA loan, I never expected to have email exchanges throughout the weekends! Thank you for going above and beyond!"
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Member Spotlight
ACTION Lift
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This month, we are spotlighting Action Lift, the largest locally owned material handling specialist in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
We had the opportunity to speak with Joseph Mikiewicz, General Manager, who gave us some insight about Action Lift.
Action Lift has been in business for 34 years providing the best product lines in the industry supported with the highest level of customer service. In addition to their services, they take pride in helping the community with job creation, financial support, and social contributions.
Action Lift is a material handling equipment supplier and more. They are a Crown Equipment and UniCarriers forklift dealer. They also supply utility vehicles and industrial batteries, including lithium-ion batteries and their own battery line - Keystone True Power. Additionally, they offer warehouse solutions for racking, storage, Allied Warehouse Products, and a complete dock and door division. Their service department provides a host of material handling services, including parts and planned maintenance programs. Finally, they offer a wide selection of material handling equipment for both short-term and long-term rental needs.
Action Lift continually strives to put their customers first while offering the expertise to support a safe and efficient material handling operation. Their work ultimately contributes to the success of their customers, and that is appreciated.
Mikiewicz stated, "Action Lift is a big supporter of business and job growth in NEPA. Any opportunity to connect with programs that promote the region and improve the quality of life here is a huge benefit to our company. Action Lift will continue to grow and prosper as our area grows. For this reason, we support NEPA Alliance and value our membership."
For more information, visit
www.actionlift.com
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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.
Recently Funded Loans
Towing Company - South Abington Township
- This SBA 504 loan was completed in partnership with People's Security Bank & Trust Co. for the purchase of commercial real estate.
 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  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*
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International Business Assistance
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Import Operations Webinar
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
10:00 - 11:30 AM
This webinar will examine the latest changes in import regulations and teach participants how to work with suppliers to insure proper documentation. Participants will also gain an understanding of concerns such as proper classification, marking requirements, valuation, assists, and more.
NAFTA & USMCA: What Will Change & How to Comply Webinar
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
10:00 - 11:30 AM
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will replace the North American Free Trade (NAFTA) and enter into force on July 1, 2020. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer recently notified Canada and Mexico, as well as Congress, that domestic procedures to implement the USMCA have been completed, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency has posted
interim implementing instructions for compliance under the USMCA. These instructions will be updated once the final regulations and the General Notes are published.
This webinar will help your company navigate these upcoming changes. Without a thorough knowledge of the changes a company can encounter delays, lost opportunities, and additional expenses due to compliance issues.
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LTAP Spring 2020 Classes Postponed
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Classes Will Be Rescheduled in Fall 2020
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The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) has partnered with PennDOT to offer the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) training series in all seven NEPA counties: Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne counties. LTAP classes scheduled in Spring 2020 have been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. We plan to reschedule the classes in Fall 2020.
LTAP is offering some half-day classes online. Attendance in the online classes is limited to 25 individuals. To learn more, visit click here. If you have any questions, contact
Daniel Yelito
, Transportation Services Manager, at 570-891-4652 or email
dyelito@nepa-alliance.org
.
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Defense Department Update
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The Defense Department is anticipating three-month delays in major defense acquisition programs as companies grapple with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the Pentagon's top weapons buyer said on April 20th.
"We do anticipate about a three-month slowdown ... in terms of execution than we saw before," Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord told reporters during a press briefing at the Pentagon. "We are just now looking at key milestones that might be impacted."
She stated that the Pentagon is looking at schedule delays, inefficiencies, and other problems for all major defense acquisition programs. She did not identify specific programs expected to be delayed but noted that aviation, shipbuilding, and small space launch sectors have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
The Defense Contract Management Agency and the Defense Logistics Agency are tracking the
industrial base's top defense contractors and sub-tier vendors. "Out of 10,509 major prime companies, 106 are closed with 68 companies having closed and reopened," Lord said. "Out of 11,413 vendor-based companies, 427 are closed with 147 having closed and reopened."
The Pentagon is also seeing supply chain challenges internationally. "Particularly of note is Mexico, where we have a group of companies that are impacting many of our major primes," she said. "I am writing the Mexican foreign minister to ask for help to reopen international suppliers there." She noted that the companies currently closed in Mexico are of particular importance to the U.S. for airframe production.
Ms. Lord indicated that defense officials are in talks with lawmakers and the Office of Management and Budget to receive additional funding to offset inefficiencies relative to contracting due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. "We are looking for something in the next CARES Act package, which is headed towards OMB shortly, ... and we are in active conversation with members [of Congress] and staffers," she said. Lord did not disclose exactly how much money the Pentagon is seeking, but said it was "billions and billions" of dollars.
Source: National Defense Magazine (04/21/2020)
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NCAC Marketing & Program Integration Intern
NCAC is looking for a cause-driven individual interested in developing a customized suite of materials showcasing our Membership and Programs; ultimately creating a network that our region's nonprofits desire to be a part of.
Use your marketing mindset, research skills and creativity in having fun designing materials to create a mission-based outreach campaign (in person and virtual) that facilitates growth in impacting NEPA's non-profit community!
NEPA Alliance is currently soliciting pre-applications for projects to be considered for full applications in the ARC grant process. ARC places a high importance on job creation/retention, reducing the substance abuse/opioid crisis and increasing broadband development through activities that address the following areas: Economic Opportunity, Ready Workforce, Critical Infrastructure, Natural & Cultural Assets and Leadership & Community Capacity.
Please contact
Athena Aardweg or
Kurt Bauman at 866-758-1929, for guidance and to discuss your proposed project for eligibility.
For more information, including project guidelines and tip sheets,
click here.
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ARC Now Accepting Applications for Appalachian Leadership Institute
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The
Appalachian Regional Commission
(ARC) began accepting applications for the second class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a leadership and economic development training opportunity for community leaders who currently live and/or work in Appalachia. The Appalachian Leadership Institute is an extensive nine-month program focusing on skill-building, seminars, best practice reviews, mentoring, and networking. The curriculum is anchored by six multi-day seminars followed by a capstone graduation.
As part of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, participating Fellows will learn how to:
- Design effective economic development project proposals.
- Integrate community assets into long-lasting economic development strategies.
- Identify resources available to spur economic development.
- Locate and access investment capital from a variety of public and private sources.
- Prepare competitive applications for public grant opportunities.
- Use expanded leadership skills to create strong coalitions.
Upon completion of the program, Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellows will automatically become part of the Appalachian Leadership Institute Network, a peer-to-peer working group committed to Appalachia's future. Applications are currently being accepted at
www.arc.gov/leadershipinstitute through
June 1, 2020. The 2020-2021 Appalachian Leadership Institute will run October 2020-July 2021.
The Appalachian Leadership Institute is limited to 40 Fellows annually, drawn from Appalachia's public, private, and non-profit sectors. Fellows will be chosen via a competitive application. Each class will include representatives from each of the thirteen state in the ARC footprint to reflect the region's diverse economic development challenges, opportunities, and strategies. Travel and other participation costs will be covered by the Appalachian Regional Commission.
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Importance of the 2020 Census
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 Did you know that the results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade? This funding shapes many different aspects of every community, no matter the size, no matter the location.
Federal funding supports many programs and services for Pennsylvanians, including healthcare, food security, education, transportation, housing, community development, families and more. Regarding transportation, federal spending is used for programs like highway planning and construction, transit formula grants, and transit capital investment grants.
For a detailed list of programs,
click here
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The Census is also important because of the desirability of having fair representation in Congress.
Pennsylvania has 18 Congressional representatives. We used to have 19 but lost a seat after the 2010 Census.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau has extended the 2020 Census deadline for field data collection and self-response to October 31.
To complete the questionnaire, which takes about 10 minutes to complete,
click here
.
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Did you know that the U.S. Census Bureau has released a new resource page that is related to the COVID-19 pandemic? To access the information click here.
For additional information, contact
Steve Zaricki
at 570-891-4671
or 866-758-1929 ext. 258.
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"This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer."
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