The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance held a Networking Reception on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, 700 Lackawanna Ave, Scranton, PA. The Reception was attended by over 300 business and community leaders from around the region.

During the Reception, NEPA presented the NEPA Alliance Regional Leadership Award. The award is presented to an agency, group or individual demonstrating a significant contribution to regional growth, development or cooperation within the seven county NEPA region. This year's award recipient was the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) for their contribution to the regional economy and involvement in the regional community of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Carl Beardsley, Executive Director, AVP, stated, “So much of what we do at AVP is a partnership with Jeffrey Box and the staff at NEPA Alliance. Our strategies align so well with the mission and goals of NEPA Alliance. We are proud to receive this recognition from Jeffrey Box and the NEPA Alliance team. I know I can speak on behalf of the airport board and employees when I say thank you.”

Beardsley noted that several airport team members were in attendance including Board Members, Lackawanna County Commissioners Jerry Notarianni and Chris Chermak, and Lee Ann McDermott, Luzerne County Council.

Beardsley stated, “AVP has plenty of good news on the horizon and our relationship with NEPA Alliance will help to make it happen.” He noted that It is an honor for AVP to receive this recognition and considers NEPA Alliance a strong partner, especially in the business development world.

“Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport has a tremendous impact on economic development in Northeastern Pennsylvania. They are a true partner in regional growth and development. Congratulations to Carl Beardsley and his team at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport,” said Jeffrey Box, President & CEO, NEPA Alliance.

We were so happy to welcome the PA Authorized Trade Representatives back, in-person, after two years. Twelve of PA’s Trade Representatives visited Scranton on September 23^rd to meet one-on-one with companies interested in exporting. Twenty-three companies participated, resulting in approximately ninety-five meetings. Thank you to the PA Office of International Business Development, the Trade Representatives, and all the companies and partners that joined us. We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

This month’s membership spotlight is Waste Reduction & Recycling located in Hanover Township, PA. NEPA spoke with Joseph C. Valenti, President.

Waste Reduction & Recycling is a fully integrated solid waste disposal company providing collection, transportation, processing, disposal, and recycling. Their clientele ranges from major healthcare/hospitals, large commercial and industrial to residential customers who may need a dumpster to clean out their basement or attic.

Waste Reduction & Recycling will deliver and pickup dumpsters from 10 to 40 yards in size for commercial, industrial, and residential disposal. They operate the only DEP permitted and licensed transfer station in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. Beyond waste disposal, they are also a recycling center. This is the place to bring your metal and cardboard so it can be reused as new consumer goods.

Whether you are a large retail business, a small pizza shop or an individual, Waste Reduction & Recycling can handle your disposal and recycling needs.

When asked about NEPA’s benefits, Mr. Valenti stated, “The NEPA Alliance is a valuable resource which assists bringing industry to our community. As a result, we see the ancillary benefits of this development in the form of new construction and services.”

For more information visit www.nepawaste.com

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.

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. 

For additional information, contact Kurt Bauman at 570-891-4665 or Steve Zaricki at 570-891-4671 or 866-758-1929.

Our general annual membership starts at $275.

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.

Jeff Box, President & CEO of the NEPA Alliance and the NEPA Alliance PTAC Team had an active role at the NASA Industry Day Event held on September 23rd at the DeNaples Center at the University of Scranton. The event was a resounding success for the region.

Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, opened the program stating to those in attendance, “Space is the place, the opportunities are endless and the path to the Moon goes through Pennsylvania.” Unable to attend in person, Congressman Cartwright addressed those present live from Washington, D.C. Congressman Cartwright stated, “Pennsylvania is poised to be a Space Technology State, an essential provider to NASA.” Jim Reuter, Associate Administrator NASA STMD, added, “There has never been a more exciting time in NASA than today. NASA’s mission is exploring the secrets of the universe for the benefits of all. There are over 1,400 projects ensuring a new global leadership in space technology with opportunities for collaboration.”

Panelists from NASA discussed how NASA technology investments feed future missions, followed by a Small Business Innovation discussion. The afternoon started with a panel titled Doing Business with NASA Primes. The event then pivoted to a matchmaking event with representatives from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Aerojet Rocketdyne, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA TechPort, NASA Mentor-Protégé Program and NASA Office of Small Business Programs.

If you were unable to attend the event, you can watch a recording of the livestream here.

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 business up to 75% of qualifying expenses for specific export promotion activities. Contact Debbie Langan to learn more.

PennDOT is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund. Applications are due by November 14, 2022. 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 PennDOT website here.

PennDOT is holding an information session on the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program at the Lackawanna County Center for Public Safety in Jessup on Tuesday, October 25th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The information session will allow attendees to learn about NEVI funding opportunities and hear from PPL on how to coordinate early in project development and how to request a high-level site analysis to estimate costs and options for power access. The session will also include an opportunity to network and expand professional connections and partnerships. Space is limited, register today by clicking here.

Website 

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/.  

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 that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) recently released its 12th annual update of The Appalachian Region: A Data Overview from the 2016-2020 American Community Survey? According to ARC, "The Chartbook" contains more than 300,000 data points comparing Appalachia’s regional, sub regional, state, and county levels with the rest of the nation.”

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