Monday, March 11, 2024

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

“The Venue” Culinary Creations by Metz

28 Concorde Drive, Dupont, PA 18641

Join us for Bringing the World to Northeastern Pennsylvania! Meet one-on-one with Pennsylvania’s 13 Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs), learn about the business resources available to your company, and network at this unique event.  

Covering 44 international markets worldwide, the ATRs are professional business consultants contracted by the state to help Pennsylvania companies export by providing:

• Customized foreign market intelligence

• Agent and distributor candidates

• Trade show identification

• In-country appointment setting 

• And much more!

There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Space is limited! Participants may register to meet up to 5 ATRs. Individual meeting schedules will be prioritized on a first-registered, first-served basis. Please register by Monday, March 4, 2024.

For more information or to register contact Debbie Langan at 570-891-4645.

Funded in part by DCED’s Office of International Business Development

NEPA Announces the Promotion of Kate McMahon to Vice President of Transportation Planning Services

Jeffrey Box, President & CEO of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kate McMahon to Vice President of Transportation Planning Services, effective July 1, 2024. Kate will replace Alan Baranski who has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2024. Alan has served NEPA admirably for over 20 years.

Kate will be responsible for the administration of the Transportation Planning Services Division, NEPA’s responsibilities under the PennDOT contracts, and overall management and supervision of all programs and staff assigned within the division.

Kate has been employed by NEPA since 2011. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and History from the University of Scranton, a Master’s Degree in Political Management from George Washington University and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from Misericordia University. Kate is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). She serves on the board and executive committee of the American Planning Association- Pennsylvania Chapter and is the chair of the Northeast PA Section. Kate resides in Kingston with her husband and son.

ARC Grant Assistance Provided to Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers 

Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) held a media event with Congresswoman Susan Wild and Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers Inc.

Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers (LVCC) has been a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leader in providing comprehensive early education and child care for Lehigh Valley families since 1970. Through the years, LVCC continues to open centers in disadvantaged communities, ensuring the availability of high-quality child care for lower-income families. LVCC’s Carbon County Childcare and Early Education Expansion project is designed to expand early learning and child care programs in Carbon County for working families along with workforce training opportunities, creating a more robust workforce. LVCC has leased the former St. Joseph’s Regional Academy located in Jim Thorpe borough and retrofitted the building to accommodate classroom space needs.

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) provided grant assistance for this project. The Pennsylvania Appalachian Development Office within DCED, and NEPA Alliance provided technical assistance in support of this funding.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is a partnership between the federal government, 13 member states, plus Local Development Districts (LDDs). The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) partners with ARC and NEPA Alliance to identify and support projects that will foster economic growth in the 52 Appalachian counties of Pennsylvania to reach socioeconomic parity with the nation.

“NEPA Alliance is proud to have assisted Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers Inc. with this ARC grant and we thank Congresswoman Wild for her assistance and support in our region,” said Jeffrey Box, President & CEO of NEPA Alliance.

Pictured from left: Amy Cozze, Senator Bob Casey’s Office; Jeffrey Box, NEPA Alliance; Megan Beste, Congresswoman Susan Wild's Office; Charles Dinofrio, M.Ed, Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers; Joe Sebelin, NEPA Board; Garry Wentz, NEPA Board; and Carbon County Commissioner Michael Sofranko.

Member Spotlight

Johnson College

This month’s Membership Spotlight is Johnson College. NEPA spoke with Doug Cook, Sr. Director of College Advancement.

Johnson College is an accredited, private, two-year college located in Scranton with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton region. Johnson College offers 18 associate degree, 4 academic certificate programs and over 30 Continuing Education courses. The college provides students with real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance their careers.

Since its founding in 1912, Johnson College has taken a lead role in regional economic development and community partnerships by offering hands-on programs that complement business trends as well as developing programs that target education for high-demand occupations.

Johnson College offers associate degrees and academic certificate programs in electrical and industrial technology, building trades, transportation and animal and health sciences. As the only 2-year technology-driven college in the region, Johnson College enjoys a strong relationship with area employers and offers customized job training to meet the unique needs of various kinds of industries and professions.

Johnson College's programs offer small class sizes, industry-driven curriculum and “hands-on” learning while providing students with general education courses as part of their program of study. With an up-to 100% placement rate, the college works to get its students hired.

Doug Cook stated, “NEPA Alliance has been a valuable partnership on many levels. The staff has helped tremendously with finding funding opportunities like ARC and through the Foundation Directory Online. They assisted with successful ARC applications and getting the word out about programs such as RISE (Readiness in Skilled Employment). NEPA Alliance has also helped with supporting documentation for state and federal grant applications.”

For more information visit johnson.edu

Recently Funded Loans

Bed and Breakfast – Lakeville

• This NEPA BFC SBA 504 loan project was completed in partnership with The Honesdale National Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate and construction.

Bar and Restaurant – Wilkes Barre

• This NEPA BFC SBA 504 loan project was completed in partnership with Fidelity Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate and equipment.

Bar and Event Space – Scranton

• This NEPA BFC SBA 504 loan project was completed in partnership with First Keystone Community Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate.

Clothing Retailer – Forty Fort

• This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed to provide the borrower with working capital.

Trailer Leasing – Hawley

• This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed to provide the borrower with working capital.

Restaurant – Lehighton

• This NEPA Alliance USDA loan was completed in partnership with Wayne Bank for renovations and FF&E.

Professional Office – Honesdale

• This NEPA Alliance Tri-District loan was completed in partnership with The Dime Bank for the purchase and improvement of commercial real estate.

Meat Processor – Honesdale

• This NEPA Alliance SSBCI loan was completed in partnership with The Dime Bank for renovations and FF&E.

Restaurant – Pittston

• This NEPA Alliance SSBCI loan was completed in partnership with First Keystone Community Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate and improvements.

The NIST CSF 2.0 is HERE…Along with Many Helpful Resources

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) development process all started with Executive Order (EO)13636 over a decade ago, which called for building a set of approaches (a framework) for reducing risks to critical infrastructure. Through this EO, NIST was tasked with developing a "Cybersecurity Framework." They knew to do this the right way, NIST would need to work alongside industry, academia and other government agencies. This is exactly what they did—and have been doing over the past 10 years—as the CSF became more popular around the globe.

NIST also knew that the CSF needed to be a living document that should be refined, improved and evolved over time. To address current and future cybersecurity challenges and improvements, NIST set out on the journey of developing the CSF 2.0. Along the way, NIST has solicited input via formal Requests for Information, workshops and smaller meetings, suggestions from users and non-users alike and draft documents for public comment. This all resulted in CSF Versions 1.0 and 1.1 and, most recently, a draft of CSF 2.0.

DOD Finalizes Rule Concerning Domestic Content Preference

On February 15, the Department of Defense finalized a rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement to supplement the Federal Acquisition Regulation implementation of Executive Order 14005, addressing domestic preferences in DOD procurement. Defense contractors should be aware of the specific changes and ensure their sourcing and supply chain systems incorporate the updated requirements.

Read more . . .

2024 Sea Air Space "DON is Open for Business" Small Business Showcase – Submit your Entry!

Attention all small businesses! Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual "DON is Open for Business – Small Business Showcase" at the Navy League Sea-Air-Space event. The event will be held on Tuesday, April 9 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

Here's how it works:

1. Submit your entry form by March 10th.
2. Submission will be reviewed by the Department of the Navy OSBP.
3. The top 5 to 7 companies with the most promising submissions will secure a 10-minute spot to present their ideas live in front of panelists and the audience.

Do Not Miss Out on This Incredible Opportunity!

Please note: Participation does not guarantee any business opportunity or endorsement from the Department of the Navy. And remember, no confidential information should be shared during presentations.

Download Submission Form



View Submission Instructions

Public Participation Plan, Title VI and Limited English Proficiency Plan Comment Period and Public Meeting

PennDOT Connects Municipal Outreach Sessions

Municipal administrators, planners, engineers and public works directors are invited to attend an upcoming workshop in your PennDOT district to discuss how PennDOT Connects can help your community. The workshops will be held in-person and virtually.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

9:00am to 11:00am

PennDOT District 4

55 Keystone Industrial Park

Dunmore, PA 18512

Register Here

Thursday, May 16, 2024

1:00pm to 3:00pm

PennDOT District 5

1002 Hamilton Street

Allentown, PA 18101

Register Here

The municipal outreach/peer exchange sessions will consist of an interactive workshop that engages participants in peer exchange and idea-sharing. Municipalities will have the opportunity to interact with PennDOT, their local metropolitan planning organization or rural planning organization (MPO or RPO) staff, and one another. These sessions will include an overview of the PennDOT Connects Municipal Resources Program, information on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL) grant opportunities and success stories. To learn more about PennDOT Connects, click here.

DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Program Now Open

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund for 2024-2025. The application period closes on July 31, 2024. 

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.

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. 

Asset Management

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Schuylkill Community Education Council

1 West Centre Street

Senator James J. Rhoades Downtown Center

Mahanoy City, PA 17948

(570) 773-1270

Website

Geosynthetics

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wayne Township, Schuylkill County

10 Municipal Road

Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972

(570)739-2629

Website

Winter Maintenance Planning

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Schuylkill Community Education Council

1 West Centre Street

Senator James J. Rhoades Downtown Center

Mahanoy City, PA 17948

(570) 773-1270

Website

NEPA is scheduling Winter and Spring 2024 classes. Please contact Daniel Yelito, Transportation Services Manager, at 570-655-5581 ext. 264 or email [email protected] if you are interested in holding an LTAP class in your area. 

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.  

New data from the US Census Bureau estimates that 25,035 individuals moved from another state into the seven-county Northeastern Pennsylvania region within the last year. Overall, that means 2.5% of Northeastern Pennsylvania residents lived in a different state one year ago. The impact varies widely by county. In Pike County, 5.3% of residents moved from another state within the past year, while in Schuylkill County, it’s less than 1%. 

Percentage of the population that lived in a different state one year ago:

Carbon County – 1.5%

Lackawanna County – 2.3%

Luzerne County – 2.4%

Monroe County – 3.5%

Pike County – 5.3%

Schuylkill County – 0.8%

Wayne County – 2.8% 

For additional information, contact Tyler Day, Community & Economic Development Manager, at 570-891-4656 or 866-758-1929.