Get Connected Program Has Openings for Businesses in Lackawanna County
The Get Connected Program, an eCommerce program for small businesses to improve their website presence and increase online sales, is actively seeking applications for businesses in Lackawanna County. Information about the program and an application intake form are available here.
As part of the eligibility requirements, candidate firms must complete two online trainings that were developed by the Small Business Development Centers at The University of Scranton and Wilkes University. Registration for the first training is here. To be considered for the first-come first-serve program, please complete the application intake form and the first training. NEPA is grateful to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development and the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners for their continued financial support of this Program.
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Member Spotlight
Johnson College
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This month’s Membership Spotlight is Johnson College. NEPA spoke with Doug Cook, Senior Director of Communications and Marketing.
Johnson College is an accredited, private, two-year college located in Scranton, offering associate degree and academic certificate programs. The College provides students with real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance their careers.
Since its founding in 1912, Johnson College has taken a lead role in regional economic development and community partnerships by offering hands-on programs that complement business trends, as well as developing programs that target education for high-demand occupations.
Johnson College offers 17 associate degrees and 4 academic certificate programs in electrical and industrial technology, building trades, transportation, and animal and health sciences. As the only 2-year technology-driven college in the region, Johnson College enjoys a strong relationship with area employers and offers customized job training to meet the unique needs of various kinds of industries and professions.
Johnson College's programs offer small class sizes, industry-driven curriculum and “hands-on” learning while providing students with general education courses as part of their program of study. With an up-to 100% placement rate, the College works to get its students hired.
Doug Cook stated, “The NEPA Alliance has been a valuable partnership on many levels. The staff has helped tremendously with finding funding opportunities like ARC and thru the Foundation Directory Online. They assisted with successful ARC applications and getting the word out about programs such as RISE (Readiness in Skilled Employment). NEPA Alliance has also helped with supporting documentation for state and federal grant applications.”
To learn more about Johnson College, visit their website at johnson.edu
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New Markets Tax Credits Program
NEPA is soliciting capital projects that are need of New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC). Specifically, we are seeking projects from eligible distressed census tracks within the Commonwealth of PA that have capital estimates that range from $6-$60M. NEPA will be applying to the U.S. Treasury seeking a NMTC allocation for 2023. Contact Kurt Bauman or Steve Ursich. For more on New Market Tax Credits, click here. |
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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 Networking Reception Invite for 1 Person
- FREE Use of Meeting Space
- FREE Member Spotlight
- 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 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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Recently Funded Loans
Daycare - Eynon
- This NEPA SBA 504 loan project was completed in partnership with The Honesdale National Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate and associated soft costs.
Meadery - Stroudsburg
- This NEPA SBA 504 loan project was completed in partnership with The Dime Bank for the purchase and improvement of commercial real estate, equipment and associated soft costs.
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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 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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Multi-PTAC MEGA-Matchmaking Event
Registration Open
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The NEPA Alliance PTAC is working with PTACs in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to bring the Tri-State PTAC Mega-Matchmaker Virtual Event to reality on December 6 th and 7 th. This is an opportunity for small businesses to meet with government agencies and sellers in one of the largest online procurement events in the region. The virtual experience is open to all businesses, and there is no cost to participate. This event will allow businesses to pre-schedule appointments with buyers from industry and government entities. You can find the program outline by clicking AGENDA.
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Emissions Disclosure Rule Proposed
Department of Defense, General Service Administration, and NASA on November 14 th published a proposed rule to require covered federal contractors to publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions. Covered contractors are those with contracts of $7.5 million or more in the previous year. Federal contractors with $50 million or more in contracts in the previous year would have to disclose emissions and science-based targets. Comments are due by January 13, 2023. For more information, and to submit comments go to the Federal Register.
Source Set Aside Alerts Newsletter Vol. 30, No. 23
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PTAC Live!
As part of National Veterans Small Business Week, the NEPA Alliance PTAC was part of a discussion with PA Live! host Chris Bohinski. Steve Ursich and Frank Migneco representing NEPA discussed the programs and services for Veteran Entrepreneurs and businesses in Northeastern Pennsylvania. You can watch the segment which aired on November 9 th at PA Live!
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SBA’s Veteran Small Business Certification Program Update
What do we know about the changes planned for the Service Disabled/Veteran Owned Small Business Certification Program?
Scheduled to officially begin operations and accept new applications in January 2023, the Veteran Small Business Certification Program will be the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) primary vehicle for handling certification for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs)—important classifications enabling those businesses to qualify for sole-source and set-aside federal contracting awards.
Updates in the new program will include:
- Firms verified by the VA Center for Verification and Evaluation (CVE) as of January 1, 2023, will be automatically granted certification by SBA for the remainder of the firm’s eligibility period.
- All firms verified by VA as of the January 1, 2023, transfer date will receive a one-year extension to their eligibility giving veterans an extra year to get recertified under the new SBA system.
- The extension will allow SBA to process applications from new entrants into the program and grow the base of certified firms.
New applicants certified by SBA after January 1, 2023, will receive the standard three-year certification period.
Along with the recertification extension, the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act grants a one-year grace period for self-certified SDVOSBs until January 1, 2024.
- During the grace period, businesses have one year to file an application for SDVOSB certification and may continue to rely on their self-certification to compete for non-VA SDVOSB set asides.
- Self-certified SDVOSBs that apply before the expiration of the one-year grace period will maintain eligibility until the SBA makes a final eligibility decision.
Beginning January 1, 2024, both veteran and service-disabled veteran small business owners will need to be certified to compete for federal contracting set-asides, unless an application from a self-certified firm is pending an SBA decision.
For the latest information on the Veteran Small Business Certification program, contact the PTAC at [email protected]
Source: SBA Release Number 22-90
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Global Access Program is Back!
The Pennsylvania Global Access Program (GAP) 10 is officially open! GAP is designed to help small to mid-sized PA businesses increase export sales. Eligible businesses can receive a maximum award of $10,000 per grant, and up to two awards per award period. The funding reimburses businesses up to 75% of qualifying expenses for specific export promotion activities.
Eligible activities include:
- Compliance Testing
- Website Internationalization
- E-Commerce
- Digital & Marketing Media
- Federal Service Fees
- Trade Shows
- Trade Missions
- International Business Travel
- Export Credit Insurance
- Intellectual Property Protection
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PennDOT Green Light-Go Program Opening Soon
Application Scoping Form Due By December 23rd
PennDOT recently announced the next application round for the Green Light-Go Program. The application period runs from January 3, 2023 to January 31, 2023. Applicants are required to complete a project scoping form by December 23, 2022 to ensure that the project scope is consistent with the program goals and requirements. The scoping form will also allow PennDOT to assist applicants with refining the scope to ensure a successful project.
Green Light-Go funding can be used for a range of operational improvements to existing traffic control signals located in Pennsylvania. These improvements include LED replacement; traffic signal retiming; study and removal of existing traffic-control signals; monitoring; and innovative technologies. Any county, city, borough, incorporated town, township or home rule municipality or any metropolitan planning organization or rural planning organization may apply. A 20% match is required.
More information can be found here. |
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.
Erosion and Sediment Control
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wayne Township Municipal Building
10 Municipal Road
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
570-739-2629
To register, visit https://gis.penndot.gov/ltap/ and log on using your username and password. First time users must set up an account by clicking on “Create Account.” For technical assistance when registering, call 1-800-FOR-LTAP (1-800-367-5827) or contact Daniel Yelito at [email protected] or (570) 891-4652.
LTAP will also continue offering online classes, webinars and virtual drop-in sessions. 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 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. NCAC members can receive access to the Foundation Directory Online by visiting our in office workstation any time during normal business hours. 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 Betsy Ardizoni, Community Services Manager for NCAC, at [email protected] or 570-891-4662. |
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Did you know that, according to The Produce News, poinsettias “are one of the most popular plants in the world, with annual sales of approximately 90 million units and a global retail impact of nearly $1 billion? Additional information 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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