Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 27
Deadlines to Register to Vote
Delaware - October 10
New Jersey - October 13
Pennsylvania - 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!
Registration for all sessions is now open

Join EMSDC for ROAR 2020, a virtual experience, bringing together suppliers, buyers and industry experts in Healthcare, Financial, Insurance and Professional Services, Life Sciences, Technology, Utility, Construction and Government for 7 industry-focused events. This series drills down on social justice and the implications to the supply chain; the current state of sourcing; and next steps, along with the opportunity to meet one-on-one with buyers and decision-makers.

ROAR Matchmaker & Forum Schedule

October 14 | Financial, Insurance and Professional Services
October 21 | Technology: The Innovation Supply Chain
November 11 | Life Sciences
November 18 | Utility: Conversation from the C-Suite
January 13 | Construction: Building Real Partnerships that Change the Industry - A Candid Conversation
January 20 | Government: Contracting Bootcamp 

ROAR2020 is Free to NMSDC/WBENC/NGLCC/USBLN/Veteran Certified Businesses
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.

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia Contractor Interest Form
While Habitat Philadelphia is a General Contractor that performs some work, we hire subcontractors who work with us across the spectrum of building projects working in new and existing building conditions that include occupied and non-occupied housing. We hire small and large companies across a variety of trades, including the following: Roofing • Siding • Plumbing • Electrical • Heating/HVAC • Masonry • Carpentry • Drywall • Tree Trimming/Removal • Interior and Exterior Painting • Asbestos Abatement • General Contracting • Pest Management. 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
October 15, 2020

Philadelphia Housing Authority
October 21, 2020

Delaware River Port Authority
October 27, 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. 

Rivers of Steel’s 2020 Mini-Grant applications are now available - Deadline October 15
Rivers of Steel is now accepting applications for its Mini-Grant program, which assists heritage-related sites and organizations, as well as municipalities, within the borders of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. The Mini-Grants may be used to develop new and innovative programs, partnerships, exhibits, tours, and other initiatives that are consistent with the mission and vision outlined in Rivers of Steel’s Management Action Plan. Read more.
EMSDC has over 100 Hispanic-owned business in a variety of industries, and in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we will be highlighting some of those in our region.
Verde Architecture Consulting meets clients’ green building needs by combining expertise in enclosure with a passion for sustainability. VERDE (green in Spanish) is an acronym for Validation of Enclosure, Responsible Design, and Envelope Architecture. Validation of Enclosure, or building envelope commissioning, affirms the design is what the owner requires. We work with the thin layer between the inside and outside of the building to manage the flow of heat, water, and vapor through this “skin.” Next, we move owners and project team members towards Responsible Design in projects, with knowledge and leadership skills honed over 15 years. Read more.
Phoenix Language Services, Inc. has been providing language access services to institutions throughout the Greater Philadelphia area since 1993. Our services include system-wide language access program development, professionally trained Interpreters (spoken & ASL), and remote interpreting services (telephonic, video remote interpreting, and telehealth interpreting). Phoenix also provides recruitment, vetting, and ongoing training of medical interpreters utilizing current national “Best Practice” standards as defined by the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care and the International Medical Interpreters Association. Our training programs also include continuing education for medical interpreters, cultural competence, Spanish for healthcare professionals, health literacy, nutrition literacy, and patient coordination. Read more.
Founded in 2004, AmericaVen is a minority supplier that provides complete technology solutions in the areas of Audiovisual, Digital Signage, Telecommunications, Video Surveillance, and Information Technology. AmericaVen's team of creative, multi-skilled engineers, project managers, and craftsmen are committed to the customer and dedicated to helping every step of the way -- from planning to implementation to the ongoing support and maintenance of the system. 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.
It’s that time of year again to select the best in class Suppliers and Corporations who demonstrate a high level of commitment to the development of world class supplier diversity programs. Winners will be honored at our Choice Awards Virtual Ceremony
Click below to nominate MBE's
Click below to nominate Corporations
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.