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.

For more information on funding priorities and how to apply, please contact Betsy Ardizoni ([email protected]) or Kurt Bauman ([email protected]). 

This month’s Membership Spotlight is Benesch. NEPA spoke with John Eagan, PE, PA Division Manager, Senior Vice President.

Serving a broad range of markets, Benesch is a professional engineering consulting firm committed to enhancing infrastructure and communities across the country. Since their founding in 1946, Benesch has grown into a mid-sized firm nimble enough to remain responsive to client needs, yet large enough to offer exceptional bench strength. Today, they are currently ranked at #100 among the Top 500 Design Firms in the country by Engineering News-Record.

Benesch works in partnership with local municipalities and county/state agencies to deliver infrastructure projects, including water and sewer improvements, that are critical to improving our quality of life. Roads, bridges, schools, parks and airports are just a few examples of where you can find their work. Through planning, engineering and design, they create spaces and provide connections in ways that make a difference.

Benesch is recognized for providing high-value solutions to local infrastructure challenges. Their in-house team of grant researchers and grant writers play a key role in assisting NEPA municipalities with securing the necessary funding for their projects. Their team of seasoned engineers applies their technical expertise, outstanding skills, and commitment to quality in helping municipalities maximize their funding to deliver projects that result in the best value for their communities.

With long-standing roots in Northeastern PA, Benesch values the various economic development and grant programs, including initiatives that NEPA Alliance provides to support business and community growth. As the designated MPO for the region, the NEPA Alliance's leadership and commitment with respect to improving Northeastern PA's transportation network also plays a critical role in ensuring a safe and efficient transportation system that supports the region's growth.

For more information, please visit www.benesch.com

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 Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne counties. 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. 

For additional information, contact Kurt Bauman at 570-891-4665 or 866-758-1929.

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.

Our general annual membership starts at $295.

Need more information visit our membership hub or contact Donna Hritz at [email protected] or call 570-891-4666.

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

Financing Structure

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

The webinar will be presented by Bob Imbriani, Executive Vice President / International, Team Worldwide.

Backroom polls are still happening all across the United States, and it appears there is an uptick in the awareness and acceptance of the APEX Accelertaor network. Take it from me, it is just us PTAC folks doing what we do best, with a new name and logo, and an enhanced mission.

Formerly housed within the Defense Logistics Agency, APEX Accelerators are now a part of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP). APEX Accelerators mission is to “serve as the axis for existing and new business to strengthen the defense industrial base by accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity and establishing resilient and diverse supply chains,” but, the assistance is not solely for contractors currently working with the DOD.

APEX Accelerators can be very helpful for those companies that are just starting out in the federal/state/local government contracting business, that are looking to expand their footprint or need advice on business development in the government contracting space. APEX Accelerators can also provide referrals to many other resource organizations to support business needs.

Small business contractors can get assistance from APEX Accelerators, offered free of charge, and on a wide range of assistance to government contractors. More specifically, assistance is given to small businesses in the pursuit of federal, state and local government contracts. This includes help with the small business certification process, registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), identification of contracting opportunities, help understanding requirements and preparing bids.

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]

Every year, U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) publishes the USDOT Procurement Forecast in compliance with Public Law 100-656. The forecast is one of many tools available to small businesses to assist in planning their staffing decisions and marketing efforts to the Federal Government. In order to further serve the small business community, they have made some updates to the DOT procurement forecast.

The changes are as follows:

For any questions, please contact OSDBU office at 202-366-1930 or email them at [email protected]. You can also visit their website to find more about OSDBU, upcoming events, and available technical assistance at www.transportation.gov/osdbu.

As always, the NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator Team is available to support your government contracting plans, you can reach us directly at: 570-655-5581 and select option 2.

You can download the 2023 report, as well as past reports, by clicking HERE.

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund for 2023-2024. The application period closes on July 31, 2023.

Funding can be used to coordinate local land use with transportation assets to enhance existing communities; for projects related to streetscapes, lighting, sidewalk enhancement and pedestrian safety; for projects improving connectivity or utilization of existing transportation assets; and for projects related to transit-oriented development. Municipalities, counties, school districts, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, ports, rail freight and passenger rail entities are eligible to apply. A local match of 30% is required. More information can be found on the DCED website.

Applications are due May 26, 2023. For more information, including program details and applications, click here. Look for “Funding Opportunity Announcement” on the right side of the page. 

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.

NEPA is currently scheduling in-person classes for Spring and Summer 2023. If you are interested in requesting a class for your municipality, please 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 https://gis.penndot.gov/ltap/.  

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.