Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 28
Deadline to Register to Vote in Pennsylvania is October 19

Click the link to register, then pass the link on. Ask your colleagues, friends and family to do the same. Your vote is your voice!

November 18, 2020 | 12:00 PM | Virtual

End the year with new contacts and prospects! Join us for the biggest one-on-one matchmaker of the year. Don't miss your opportunity to meet with key decision makers in technology, finance, insurance, professional services, life sciences, utility, construction, and government.

More information and registration coming soon!
www.emsdc.org

If you missed the Healthcare Forum on September 30, click here for a recording.

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. 

Philadelphia Housing Authority
October 21, 2020

Pittsburgh Public Schools
October 23, 2020

Delaware River Port Authority
October 27, 2020

Allegheny County Airport Authority
November 5, 2020

West Virginia University
November 13, 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. 

Assistance for Philadelphia Restaurants
A new grant program by DoorDash and the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association will help Philly restaurants winterize their outdoor dining spaces. In Philly, restaurants (with three or fewer locations operating currently, with 50 employees, and $3 million or less in annual revenue) will be able to apply for grants that come out of a $300,000 pot at $5,000 a piece. Applications will open October 16. Read more.
EMSDC has over 100 Hispanic-owned business in a variety of industries, and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we have highlighted some of those in our region.
Hire Painting Inc. is an MBE corporation that provides safety, quality control, and environmental services for the construction and bridge painting industry. At Hire Painting Inc we are locally owned and operated, so you’ll get the best services in professional painting, residential painting, commercial painting, exterior and interior services, and property management. Our professionals are creative, organized, and thoroughly committed to helping your property look stunning. Read more.
The Burnside Group, or “TBG” as we sometimes call ourselves, is a top-notch team of thinkers, dreamers, planners and doers who want to help your organization create powerful event experiences. With more than 25 years of event planning experience and time spent in the hospitality industry, we put that expertise to work for a broad cross-section of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, technology, financial, non-profits, insurance and others. TBG is an MWDBE supplier who is ready to support our client’s local, national and international event planning needs. Read more.
LS Digital Solutions LLC, A Certified MBE and Pennsylvania Small Business, is focused on delivering affordable, creative solutions for all of your IT consulting, IT project management, web and business needs. We offer a full range of consulting and creative services to state government, small business, and non-profit organizations. Our knowledge of Pennsylvania state government policies, procedures, and workflows help our client(s) move forward with their important goals and objectives and achieve success. Web Solutions/Full Portal/web content design and development is our forte, using both traditional web tools and portal platforms. Read more.
Duquesne University New Venture Challenge -
Deadline to Apply October 16
This is our second year to offer this exciting opportunity, which is open to anyone in the Pittsburgh region and beyond. We encourage social ventures along with more classical business plans. Cash and service prizes valued at over $100,000! Read more.

CVS Health Supplier Diversity in Merchandising Program - Deadline October 19
CVS Health is kicking off our 2020 Supplier Diversity in Merchandising Program. This program aims to provide equitable yet mutually beneficial merchandising opportunities for diverse owned businesses to compete for valuable and limited space on CVS Health store shelves! PLEASE SUBMIT A 90 SECOND VIDEO PITCH showcasing your product and why you feel it would be a great fit within our CVS Health Retail Stores. All 90 second video submissions should be forwarded to: edwin.alvarez@cvshealth.com. Read more.

Comcast Rise - Resources & Tools to Elevate Your Business
Recently, small businesses have been dealing with the ongoing impact of the pandemic, social unrest, and environmental events. Comcast RISE was created to invest in the success of these critical businesses by providing valuable and practical support. The Comcast RISE program will initially be available for Black business owners. Beginning November 28, 2020, all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) business owners will be eligible to apply for Comcast RISE. 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.
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.