Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 15
Upcoming Events, Programs and Webinars
June 29
Featuring a conversation with Donna Allie, President of Team Clean,
“Surviving 40 years in Business and a Pandemic, the Secret of Her Success and Plans for the Future.”

June 30

July 9

July 14 - 29

July 15

July 29

July 30
Philadelphia Gas Works' (PGW) Brand New, Online Bid System for Procurement Opportunities is Now Live
PGW is now posting RFP’s (Professional Services) and RFQ’s (Non-professional Services) to one centralized location for all vendors to visit, register, and gain access to our procurement opportunities. Read more.

Restore and Reopen Program
Grant program for Philadelphia small businesses impacted by civil unrest. The goal of the program is to provide grants to small, independently-owned businesses that have suffered property damage, vandalism, or inventory losses during the recent civil unrest — with a focus on businesses in historically disadvantaged communities. Read more .

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. 

Delaware River Port Authority 
June 26, 2020

Massaro
July 2, 2020

School District of Philadelphia
July 7, 2020

Philadelphia Housing Authority
July 22, 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.
 
EIDL Advance: Small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. Recipients do not have to be approved for an EIDL loan in order to receive the advance, but the amount of the loan advance will be deducted from total loan eligibility.   

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.

NMSDC Secures Partnership to Connect MBEs with PPP Funding
The National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (NMSDC) has partnered with the Business Consortium Fund (BCF) and Midwest BankCentre to assist certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs)  in accessing funding through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If you are a minority business still in need of PPP funding, visit  www.bcfcapital.com/ppp-disclosure   for details and to begin your application process.  
 
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – THERE’S STILL TIME DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2020 Applications continue to be accepted by SBA Lenders including commercial and community banks, FinTech companies and CDFIs.  Go here for a list of approved lenders , to apply for PPP, and to  read more .  Questions regarding the status of your PPP application can be submitted to your lender directly. If you have applied call SBA's 24/7 Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 to check the status of your loan number.  Click here   to sign up to receive email updates from the SBA.
 
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
There are changes to the PPP to make it easier for you to receive the loan forgiveness that is so important. These changes have been made under the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA). A few of the major changes:
  • The covered period is now 24 weeks, up from the previous 8 weeks. You may opt to keep the 8 weeks as your covered period.
  • You may now use up to 40% of the PPP funds on non-payroll expenses, although those expenses are still limited to utilities and mortgage interest.
  • The amount of the funds that must be used on payroll has been reduced to 60%, and not the 75%.
  • For any portion of the loan fund that is not forgiven, you now have up to five (5) years to repay, and not the original two (2) years.
  • Read more
  • Click here for the loan forgiveness application. 

Led by Hello Alice, with the support of Verizon, Silicon Valley Bank, Ebay, and small business owners and advocates across America, Business for All provides $10,000 to $50,000 grants, expert mentorship, a strong community, and a comprehensive suite of small business resources.  Read more.
 
New Jersey EDA - Small Business Grants
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is supplying $45 million in new grants to underserved small businesses—including black-owned firms— impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. On the eligibility front, Phase 2 increases the employee cap for businesses from 10 full-time employees to 25 full-time workers. Businesses that got PPP loans are eligible for the NJEDA grants. Applicants must provide information on other COVID-19 assistance received, and will be asked to complete a Duplication of Benefits affidavit. Read more.
 
Gov. Wolf Announces $225 Million Grant Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
“Eligible businesses will be able to use the grants to cover operating expenses during the shutdown and transition to re-opening, and for technical assistance including training and guidance for business owners as they stabilize and relaunch their businesses.” 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.

Bridgeway Capital New State Grant Program for Small Businesses
This will provide grants of up to $50,000 to for profit businesses to help them recover from the effects of the COVID-19 shutdown. The program is being administered by several CDFIs across the state, Bridgeway being one of them. The application requirements are still being worked out by the state, but are expected to start accepting applications in early-July. Users can provide their email addresses and get updates from Bridgeway on the program, including when the applications will be available. Read more.

The PA 30 - Day Fund
The PA 30-Day Fund has already supported more than 70 companies across the Commonwealth impacted by COVID-19; intends to raise an additional $1,000,000. Read more.  

Beyond Spots & Dots’ Women-to-Women Grant Program will Award $15,000 in Grants to Women-owned Small Businesses
The Women-to-Women Grant Program will help women continue to lead, particularly those who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through July 15th, we will be accepting applications from female business owners in the communities we serve. Of these applicants, three businesses (one Pennsylvania business, one Ohio business, and one Maryland business) will each receive a $5,000 grant to sustain their businesses. Read more.
EMSDC Needs Your Input
  • EMSDC is planning a Wealth Management Series and we would like your input on which topic we should present first. Read more.
  • EMSDC is implementing Rapid Response® program to ensure the sustainability of businesses in the Council. The Rapid Response® program is designed to provide a suite of business support services, based on the assessed needs of an applicant seeking assistance. Read more.
Royal Beverage is a developing Bio-Pharmaceutical company expanding business activities to encompass wholesale supply of personal protection equipment along with post COVID-19 protection systems. Unique facility solutions employed to provide the consumer or customer a conscious awareness and peace of mind. Inquire directly @ (717) 233-5455 or 214-775-2424. Read more.
EMSCO Scientific Enterprises, Inc. for close to 40 years, served as a distributor of laboratory supplies & equipment, chemicals, and pharmaceutical excipients. EMSCO Scientific has grown into a regional brand with respected nationally known customers. Read more to learn about their PPE and Sanitation capabilities, and take advantage of this promo-code: EMSCOV19.



  • 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 is LIVE
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 .
8 Things to do with Kids in Pittsburgh This Week, From Free Fishing to $1 Movies
It does the heart good to see more and more summer staples returning to the calendar. Safety restrictions keep us all feeling a little more comfortable as we venture from home. And there are still plenty of online pursuits in between. Read more.
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 .