Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
2023-2024 Grant Funding Round
|
|
We are pleased to formally open the 2023-2024 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant funding round. Funding through the program is a federal (ARC), state (PA DCED) and local (NEPA Alliance) partnership.
As the designated Local Development District for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), we are excited to provide you with information related to the ARC Area Development and ARC Local Access Road Programs. NEPA serves as the regional partner and conduit for ARC funding. Most of the pre-applications will be considered for funding in the Spring/Summer of 2024, however, some projects may be considered for funding earlier due to additional or unused funds from this fiscal year.
|
|
Member Spotlight
Primeco Education
|
|
This month’s Membership Spotlight is Primeco Education. NEPA spoke with Behnam Bakhshandeh, Founder & President.
Primeco Education is an independent coaching and consulting organization participating in the personal and professional training and development industry as an executive coach and organization development consultant and practitioner since 2001. They offer coaching and consulting services to individuals, teams, groups, businesses and organizations.
Primeco Educations partners with their clients to develop a high-performance culture that optimizes productivity, performance, teamwork and revenue by delivering solutions for personal and professional development applications. They customize all programs to address the specific needs of the client.
Primeco Education is committed to removing the obstacles people face in building and sustaining growth and development, both personally and professionally. One of the best indications of success is happy and satisfied clients. Visit Primeco Education’s website and review the testimonial page to see what their clients are saying about their work. |
|
Get Connected Program Has Openings for Businesses in Northeastern Pennsylvania
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA), in partnership with BlackOut Design, Coal Creative and Design Done Right, has established the Get Connected program to assist businesses within Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, or Wayne counties with their development of e-commerce platforms. Eligible firms will receive e-commerce technical assistance. In its role as the administrator of the program, the NEPA team will vet businesses for eligibility and connect the business with one of the above local consultants to develop e-commerce platforms that support online sales. The program is designed to assist businesses in their adapting to current market trends and generating sales and clients during the pandemic. Furthermore, the program will assist in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 by lowering the amount of face-to-face contact and encouraging social distancing while allowing business owners to operate during the pandemic.
|
|
New Markets Tax Credits Program
NEPA is soliciting capital projects that are in 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 ranging 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. |
|
NEPA Alliance Membership Campaign |
|
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 one Person ($125 Value)
- 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 $295.
You can complete your membership online, including payment by clicking the button below.
|
|
Need more information visit our membership hub or contact Donna Hritz at [email protected] or call 570-891-4666.
|
|
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
Pizza Shop – Dallas
- This NEPA SBA 504 loan project was completed in partnership with First Keystone Community Bank for the purchase and renovation 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 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*
|
Export Finance Workshop
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
In-person:
NEPA Alliance, 1151 Oak St, Pittston, PA 18640
& Virtual via Zoom
|
Trade Finance Tools to Fuel Your Growth
Companies will learn about the particulars of export finance and how it can help to release working capital from cross-border or domestic trade transactions that would otherwise be tied up in invoices or purchase orders.
This workshop is designed to assist new and existing exporters to understand how to increase exports and finance sales, utilizing PA and U.S. government programs with commercial bank financing. We encourage interaction with attendees and panelists.
Learn about available resources and strategies including:
- Export Credit Insurance
- International Buyer Financing
- Export Working Capital Financing
- How payment terms can be used as a sales tool
- Much more
Connect with available resource providers:
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- EXIM Bank
- U.S. Commercial Service
- Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance
- Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center
- The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center
- Wilkes University Small Business Development Center
|
For more information please contact:
Debbie Langan
NEPA Alliance
Senior International Business Development Manager
570-891-4645
|
Don't Take the Bait: Beware of Misleading SAM Marketing, Imposters and Phishing Actors |
From time to time, General Service Administration (GSA) shares information about common fraud schemes that target vendors registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). These scams attempt to use public information to defraud those interested in doing business with the federal government. Just like users of any public online system, SAM.gov users with registered entities should always take caution to avoid getting caught up in a scam. Users might receive misleading marketing messages, fraudulent attempts to trick you out of money or attempts to obtain your private information.
Third Party Companies and Misleading Marketing Practices:
There are some third-party companies that will offer to help register your entity in SAM.gov for fee. Registration in SAM.gov is always FREE. While some users may find these services to be beneficial, please note that the GSA security policy strictly prohibits using another person's email address and password to access SAM.gov. If you choose to pay for a service to register or renew your entity you should be aware that any email or website that asks for money, no matter how official it looks, is not a government message or site. A source that leads you to believe that you must pay money to register in SAM.gov could be a fraudulent site. The government will never ask you to pay to register, update your registration or renew.
Attempts to Trick You Out of Money:
SAM.gov users should always be on the lookout for fraudulent sources trying to get you to give them money without providing any service. While it’s true that some companies provide registration services, scammers may offer a service they have no intention of providing. They may also pretend to be from a government agency requiring you to “pay a fee” by gift card, cryptocurrency or wire transfer. The government will not ask you to pay fees using those methods. Again, you never need to pay to register, renew your registration or “fix registration errors.”
Phishing for Private Information:
Watch for attempts to get you to reveal personal information such as your SAM.gov password ( phishing). Links in email messages can lead to look-alike pages that collect your login and go on to install malware or ransomware; have you “verify” more private data; or try to obtain access to your computer or network. Remember that your data in SAM.gov includes your bank account number; your Social Security Number or your Employer Identification Number; and employee names, email addresses and phone numbers. Always be aware of bad actors trying to obtain this information.
How to be SAM.gov Smart:
Here are some ways to tell if an email or other source is trying to mislead you, defraud you or get your private data:
- Check the sender’s email address or the source’s URL link. If they don't end with .gov, it’s not from the government.
- Watch out for “tricky” links, especially ones that might end with gov.com or something else close to .gov.
- Don’t answer requests to provide your information by phone or email. The government won’t ever ask you to do that.
- Go to the website of the government agency the sender or caller says they represent. Look at the agency’s practices and, if needed, contact the agency to verify the call or email.
- Verify any claims about registration errors or other problems by going to SAM.gov (not via an email link), signing in and checking your registration yourself.
SAM.gov will never:
- Ask for personal information anywhere except within the SAM.gov system itself.
- Ask for money or threaten legal action or liability.
- Ask you to call or text anybody.
- Send a link that does not end in “.gov”.
- Advertise on social media.
SAM.gov will send you several email reminders before your registration expires. They may also update you on the status of your registration or SAM.gov security issues. All those emails will come from a .gov email address.
For SAM support, you can contact the NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator Team by phone at: 570-655-5581 and select option 2 or by email at [email protected]
Source: GSA Interact 5-4-2023
|
Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program Now Open
Pre-Application Deadline is July 17
The PennDOT 2023 Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program (TASA) is now open. TASA 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 TASA program funding include local governments; regional transportation authorities; transit agencies; natural resource or public land agencies; school districts, local education agencies or schools; tribal governments; any nonprofit entity; and any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for oversight of transportation or recreational trails.
Project sponsors are required to submit a draft application by July 17, 2023. A meeting with PennDOT District and Planning Partner staff will be held to review the draft application. Final applications are due by September 15, 2023. More information can be found on PennDOT's TASA website.
In addition to TASA funding, the NEPA MPO also has funding available for the Carbon Reduction Program and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (Carbon County only). The funding eligibility and requirements are similar to the TASA Program. Applicants in the NEPA MPO region submitting projects under TASA will be screened for eligibility for these programs as well. For more information or questions, contact Kate McMahon, Senior Transportation Services Manager at 570-891-4670 or [email protected]. |
Safe Streets and Roads for All Program Program
Applications Due by July 10
The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program is now open through July 10, 2023. The program supports the development of a comprehensive safety action plan (Action Plan) that identifies the most significant roadway safety concerns in a community and the implementation of projects and strategies to address roadway safety issues. Two types of grants are awarded- Planning and Demonstration Grants to complete an Action Plan and Implementation Grants to implement the Action Plan. More information can be found here.
|
Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)
Spring 2023 Classes
|
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance 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.
Municipal Stormwater Facilities Program
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
NEPA Alliance
1151 Oak Street
Pittston, PA 18640
(570) 655-5581
Safe Driver
Thursday, June 22, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Chestnuthill Township Building
271 Route 715 South
Brodheadsville, PA 18322
(570) 992-7247
Stormwater Control Measures
Thursday, June 29, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Chestnuthill Township Building
271 Route 715 South
Brodheadsville, PA 18322
(570) 992-7247
Active Transportation Plans
Friday, June 30, 2023
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
NEPA Alliance
1151 Oak Street
Pittston, PA 18640
(570) 655-5581
To register, visit the PennDOT LTAP website 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, Transportation Services Manager, NEPA Alliance at 570-891-4652 or email [email protected].
LTAP will also continue offering online classes, webinars and virtual drop-in sessions. To learn more about upcoming virtual offerings, visit the PennDOT LTAP website. |
Nonprofit Compensation Report
NCAC is partnering with Candid to offer the Nonprofit Compensation Report to those in our network!
Our network of nonprofit organizations can obtain the nonprofit data they need through this offering! Candid's 2022 Nonprofit Compensation Report, which includes data from more than 101,000 nonprofit organizations, is a reliable source to benchmark and research nonprofit staff and executive compensation. Scranton Wilkes-Barre metropolitan statistical area is included in the report. If you are interested in purchasing the report, please contact Betsy Ardizoni, Community & Economic Development Services Manager, [email protected]
- NCAC Member $65
- NCAC Non Member $95
|
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. |
|
Did you know there are more than 10 overnight summer camps in Northeastern Pennsylvania? There are many opportunities for kids and families to learn about and enjoy the Pennsylvania wilds throughout the summer. Find more information click here. |
|
"This institution is an equal opportunity employer." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
