COVID-19 Response
NEPA Alliance Advanced $6.2 Million Business Loan Assistance During Coronavirus Crisis

The NEPA Alliance is committed to working with regional small businesses and non-profits during the continued uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus. NEPA has been working with state and federal agencies to offer loan assistance programs to Northeastern Pennsylvania businesses and non-profits, which included 85 loans submitted to the Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) totaling approximately $6.2 million. Currently there are 115 loans awaiting potential re-capitalization of the program. The Business Finance Team worked seven (7) days a week receiving and responding to a high level of email and call volume, which averaged approximately 40-50 hours of overtime in March and April.

The Non Profit Community Assistance Center (NCAC) assisted 150 nonprofit clients with NEPA Grantmakers information. They also provided updates to the nonprofit sector on COVID-19 Emergency Response Funds, Emergency Grants and CARES Act program and hosted nonprofit sector workgroups to share stories, successes and challenges.

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.
Member Spotlight
Kevins Worldwide
Kevins Worldwide
This month, we are spotlighting Kevins Worldwide (KWW), ranked in the top 100 out of more than 20,000 companies in the Advertising Specialty industry. It is the mission of Kevins Worldwide to provide excellence in quality, customer service and value beyond the expectations of their customers. They distinguish themselves from their peers through creativity, refined production processes, details of execution and proactive philosophies.
 
We had the opportunity to speak with Scott Tinkelman, President of Kevins Worldwide.
 
Kevins Worldwide has been in Lackawanna County for over 25 years. Tinkelman stated, "We normally provide uniforms and incentives and are one of the largest providers in the country. With the Covid-19 crisis, we leveraged our sourcing department and provided masks - both KN95s and the surgical masks - as well as gowns, gloves, stethoscopes, thermometers, sanitizer, etc."
 
Besides the physical product, Kevins offer Estores, warehousing/fulfillment, and all kinds of special packaging.
 
In what is generally considered a commodity industry, they believe their high level of service is their distinguishing feature. "We have strict standards for responding to clients, and we NEVER miss a due date. Very few companies on the East coast have both our production capability and our refined processes," said Tinkelman.
 
Tinkelman further stated, "KWW has been part of NEPA Alliance for many years, and the events, networking, and communication have helped us grow.   It also ties us into the larger 7 county area providing us exposure and knowledge we couldn't practically ascertain on our own."
 
For more information, visit www.kevinsww.com
NEPA Alliance Completes Five-Year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
The NEPA Alliance recently completed the 2019 - 2024 Comprehensive Economic Strategy for the seven-county region.  The plan, which is a requirement for the region to be eligible to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration and was written prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic, is available here .   A post COVID-19 Pandemic addendum to the plan will be available soon.
Business Finance News
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.

To learn more about these loan programs, contact Stephen Ursich, Dave NatKen Doolittle or Donovan Klem at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.

NEPA-BFC 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 NEPA-BFC Tree 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*
 
To learn more about this loan program, contact Stephen UrsichDave NatKen Doolittle or Donovan Klem at 570-655-5581 or 855-266-9021.

NEPA MPO 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program
30-Day Public Comment Period Now Open!
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Metropolitan Planning Organization (NEPA MPO) has recently developed its draft 2021-2024 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  The TIP identifies the region's highest priority transportation projects, develops a multi-year program of implementation and identifies available federal and non-federal funding for the programmed project phases.  The TIP shows the estimated cost of each project and a projected schedule for completion of the project.  The TIP covers a four-year period of investment, must be fiscally-constrained, and is updated every two years through a cooperative effort of local, state and federal agencies, including participation by the general public. TIP documentation is available on NEPA Alliance's website at www.nepa-alliance.org/transportation .
 
A 30-day comment period on the draft 2021-2024 TIP began on May 11, 2020 and goes through June 12, 2020. Comments on the draft TIP can be submitted to the NEPA MPO at the address listed above or by emailing Kate McMahon at kmcmahon@nepa-alliance.org .
PennDOT Announces Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Grant Application Period
Application Deadline is July 1, 2020
PennDOT has recently announced that it is currently accepting applications for funding under the Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Program.  The ARLE Program is a statewide competitive grant program  using the revenue generated from Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) violations . Eligible applicants include local authorities (counties, municipalities and other local boards or bodies having authority to enact laws relating to traffic), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Rural Planning Organizations (RPOs), County Planning Organizations and Commonwealth Agencies.  The types of eligible projects are very wide-ranging and the intent of the program is to fund worthwhile projects that can be completed at a relatively low cost.  The deadline to apply is July 1, 2020.
 
For more information on eligible projects or to complete the grant application online, please  click here.
International Business Assistance
NAFTA & USMCA: What Will Change & How to Comply Webinar
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
10:00 - 11:30 AM
 
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will replace the North American Free Trade (NAFTA) and enter into force on July 1, 2020. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer recently notified Canada and Mexico, as well as Congress, that domestic procedures to implement the USMCA have been completed, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency has posted interim implementing instructions for compliance under the USMCA.  These instructions will be updated once the final regulations and the General Notes are published.
 
This webinar will help your company navigate these upcoming changes. Without a thorough knowledge of the changes, a company can encounter delays, lost opportunities, and additional expenses due to compliance issues.  
Register Now
PTAC News
SBA WOSB/EDWOSB Certification Requirement Rule and  Updated Economic Disadvantage Criteria for 8(a) Program Eligibility
 
In 2019 the Small Business Administration's (SBA) proposed rule regarding implementing a certification requirement for Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs)/Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs) and revised the economic disadvantage criteria for 8(a) program eligibility. On May 11, 2020, SBA published the final rule implementing the certification requirement and updated eligibility criteria. The implementation of the rule will impact businesses seeking to compete for government contracts under the WOSB and 8(a) Business Development programs.

WOSB/EDWOSB Certification Requirement Rule:
 
Effective October 15, 2020, WOSB/EDWOSBs will be required to be certified as such in order to pursue WOSB/EDWOSB set-asides, as well as those seeking to be awarded a multiple-award contract with pools reserved for WOSB/EDWOSBs. Notably, the new regulation provides that in order to submit an offer on a specific WOSB/EDWOSB set-aside requirement, the company must either be certified as a WOSB/EDWOSB or represent that it has submitted a complete application for WOSB or EDWOSB certification to SBA or a third-party certifier and has not received a negative determination regarding the application.
 
The rule explains a company may apply to SBA for WOSB/EDWOSB certification, and it may submit evidence it is either a women-owned and controlled small business certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs' Center for Verification and Evaluation as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business or Veteran-Owned Small Business or certified as a WOSB/EDWOSB by an approved third-party certifier. Additionally, a certified 8(a) participant qualifies as an EDWOSB. The final rule states that SBA will decide within 90 days after receipt of a complete package, whenever practical. If SBA or a third-party certifier declines certification, the concern must wait ninety (90) days to reapply. There is no appeal process.

The rule states self-certification will no longer be accepted as of October 15, 2020, and the other regulations regarding the certification process are set to be effective on July 15, 2020. Currently it is unknown when SBA will begin accepting WOSB/EDWOSB applications.

8(a) Program Updated Economic Disadvantage Eligibility Criteria:

As it applies to the 8(a) program regulations, the final rule is effective July 15, 2020. Through the final rule, SBA has revised the 8(a) program's initial economic disadvantage criteria to be consistent with the EDWOSB requirements. Accordingly, there will no longer be a distinction between initial entry into and continued eligibility for the 8(a) program.
 
The updated economic disadvantage criteria will be as follows: $750,000 net worth, $350,000 adjusted gross income, and $6 million total assets.

According to SBA revised regulations, funds invested in an individual retirement account or other official retirement account will not be considered in determining an individual's net worth.  Presently, the regulation does not speak to an individual's age, but SBA has interpreted the regulation to state if an individual has reached retirement age, then it will include the value of such account in calculating an individual's net worth.

If you have any questions as you prepare for WOSB/EDWOSB certification and/or regarding your eligibility for the 8(a) program, please do not hesitate to contact the NEPA Alliance PTAC Staff for support. You can reach
Frank Migneco  at 570-891-4665, Paula Terpak  at 570-891-4648, or Kara Smith  at 570-8991-4672.
 
Sources: SBA Website, PilieroMazza PLLC Client Alert Email, and Federal Register 5/11/2020
LTAP Spring 2020 Classes Postponed
Virtual Training Offered
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. LTAP classes scheduled in Spring 2020 have been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. NEPA plans to reschedule the classes in Fall 2020 if possible.
 
LTAP is offering some courses in an online format. The courses are limited to a half-day and are eligible for Road Scholar credit. Registration is limited to 25 individuals. To learn more about upcoming courses, click here.
 
LTAP is offering a new series of weekly LTAP Virtual Drop-ins centered on various safety and maintenance topics. These sessions are not virtual classes; they are informal hour-long live sessions focused on networking and sharing information with other municipal roadway personnel.
 
Public Works Operations during COVID19 Drop-In
Tuesday, June 9, 2020- 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Hot Pour Mastics (HPM) Drop-in
Tuesday, June 16, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Did You Know...
Did You Know
Did you know that the U.S. Census Bureau has released the 2019 Population Estimates for all Pennsylvania municipalities?  To access the information, click here  .

For additional information, contact  Steve Zaricki  at 570-891-4671  or 866-758-1929 ext. 258.
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