NEPA Alliance Membership Campaign |
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NEPA Alliance is conducting its annual membership campaign.
The NEPA Alliance values the opportunity to work with all stakeholders in our seven-county region. Our goal is to provide the best possible community and economic development services to create and retain jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Membership Benefits
- FREE Annual Dinner Invite for 1 Person ($85 value)
- FREE Use of Meeting Space
- FREE Member Spotlight
- FREE Business to Business Membership Page
- Discount on NEPA event costs
- Discount on Business Loan (.5%)
- Discounted Economic Impact Analysis/Research
- Sponsorship & Marketing Opportunities
NEPA Alliance serves businesses, communities and governments throughout seven counties and we need your assistance!
Our general annual membership starts at $275.
You can complete your membership online, including payment by clicking the button below.
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Need more information visit our membership hub or contact Donna Hritz at [email protected] or call 570-891-4666.
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NEPA Alliance is committed to working with regional small businesses and nonprofits during the continued uncertainty surrounding Coronavirus (COVID-19). In cooperation with state and federal agencies, NEPA is offering loan assistance programs to businesses and nonprofits.
NEPA is currently partnering with federal and state agencies to ensure small businesses and nonprofits 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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Member Spotlight
Maternal & Family Health Services
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This month’s Membership Spotlight is Maternal & Family Health Services (MFHS). NEPA spoke with Communications & Digital Marketing Specialist Jean Holmgren.
MFHS is a private non-profit health and human services organization that works to meet the health and nutrition needs of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s women, children and families with information, education, and quality care. Founded in 1971, MFHS oversees and supports a network of health and nutrition centers in 16 Pennsylvania counties, serving over 90,000 women, men and children annually.
MFHS provides accessible healthcare services through six core programs: the Reproductive Health Family Planning Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); the Healthy Beginnings Plus Prenatal and Maternity Care Program; the Nurse-Family Partnership Home Visitation Program; Behavioral Health Integration and Substance Abuse Screenings; and the SafeTeens Reproductive Health Initiative.
Their main goal is giving the community an opportunity to thrive. They do this by providing the necessary resources for those in need in Northeast PA. MFHS collaborates with other non-profits and health organizations to help break down health barriers in the community. The recent efforts are focused on combating opioid abuse, specifically in pregnant women in the service area.
The two words most associated with MFHS by customers is “helping” and “caring.” MFHS champions these values by committing to quality work and service, being accountable for their actions and interactions, respecting all individuals and showing excellent performance.
Ms. Holmgren says, "The NEPA Alliance provides MFHS the resources to help grow and strengthen our capacity.”
To learn more about Maternal & Family Health Services , visit their website at www.mfhs.org
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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.
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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
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Guaranteed Fixed Interest Rate
*Eligibility Criteria Apply*
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$15/Hour Wage Requirement Coming to a Federal Contract Near You in January 2022
In April, President Biden signed an executive order raising the minimum wage on many federal contracts to $15/hour effective January 30, 2022. This executive order shall apply to contracts covered by the Service Contract Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Davis-Bacon Act. Along with the increase to $15/hour in 2022; the wage will be adjusted annually to reflect changes to the cost of living.
Changes will also be coming for tipped federal contractors. The minimum wage for tipped workers will increase under this executive order. By 2024, tipped workers covered under this executive order shall have the same minimum wage as other employees.
The United States Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, as well as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council will create the regulations to implement the President’s executive order.
More information about this executive action taken by the President can be found in the statement by the White House here.
Eastern Pennsylvania Matchmaker Event
Coming in October, the NEPA Alliance PTAC will be hosting a Business Matchmaker event where you can market directly to government agencies, prime contractors, and other businesses. We will have a "Prep Week" prior to the matchmaking event that will consist of various workshops and trainings to get you ready to meet with the people you want to work with! More information on the matchmaking event will be provided throughout the summer - STAY TUNED.
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Global Access Program (GAP) Funding Available
The Pennsylvania Global Access Program (GAP) enhances the capability of small to mid-sized Pennsylvania companies to increase export sales. GAP is administered by the Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development (OIBD) and provides up to $10,000 per award period to eligible Pennsylvania companies to reimburse up to 75% of qualifying expenses associated with specific export promotion activities. This program is funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
While international travel, trade shows, or trade missions may not be in your plans due to the current circumstances, there are additional eligible activities for GAP funding:
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Funds are limited and subject to availability. Applications will be reviewed by committee and funding decisions rendered on a first come, first served basis.
For more information on the GAP, please click here.
For more information and application materials, contact Debbie Langan at [email protected] or 570-891-4645. |
Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program Now Open - Application Deadline is October 15, 2021
The 2021 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside of the Surface Block Grant Program (TA Set-Aside) will begin accepting applications on June 28, 2021. The TA Set-Aside provides funding for projects that enhance pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to schools, preserve historic transportation structures, provide environmental mitigation, create trails that serve a transportation purpose, and promote safety and mobility.
The eligible applicants for TA Set-Aside funding program include local governments; regional transportation authorities; transit agencies; natural resource or public land agencies; school districts, local education agencies or schools; tribal governments; and any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for oversight of transportation or recreational trails. Nonprofit organizations that oversee the administration of local transportation safety programs are now eligible project sponsors. All other non-profits remain ineligible, however, they may partner with an eligible entity as the project sponsor. Eligible project sponsors may submit applications through October 15, 2021. More information can be found in the TA Set-Aside guidance document.
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DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Program Now Open - Application Deadline is July 31, 2021
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund for 2021-2022. The application period closes on July 31, 2021.
Funding can be used to coordinate local land use with transportation assets to enhance existing communities; for projects related to streetscapes, lighting, sidewalk enhancement and pedestrian safety; for projects improving connectivity or utilization of existing transportation assets; and for projects related to transit-oriented development. Municipalities, counties, school districts, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports, rail freight and passenger rail entities are eligible to apply. A local match of 30% is required. More information can be found on the DCED website here.
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LTAP In-Person Classes Resume in August 2021
Virtual Trainings Continue
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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. In-person classes will resume in August 2021. Staff is currently scheduling classes for Fall and Winter. If your municipality is interested in hosting a class, please contact Daniel Yelito at [email protected] or (570) 891-4652. LTAP will continue offering some courses and drop-in sessions in an online format. To learn more about upcoming virtual offerings, visit https://gis.penndot.gov/ltap/.
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Looking for New Nonprofit Grant Opportunities? |
Don’t forget that NCAC Members receive remote access and assistance in accessing the Foundation Directory Online, the most comprehensive foundation database. With access to informative profiles of over 235,000 U.S. foundations, you’ll know exactly which foundation fits your programmatic needs, how much to ask for and where to go for more information. Don’t forget that we’re here to help with all your nonprofit needs! For more information on this service, as well as membership benefits, contact Athena Aardweg, Community Services Manager for NCAC, at [email protected] or 570-891-4662. |
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Did you know that the U.S. Census Bureau recently released the July 1, 2020 population estimates by municipality? Please note that the estimates are not the official 2020 Census Counts.
A map that illustrates the percent change in population from 2010 to 2020 at the municipal level is included in a Data Brief from the Pennsylvania State Data Center, which is available here.
For additional information, contact Steve Zaricki at 570-891-4671 or 866-758-1929.
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"This institution is an equal opportunity employer." |
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