NEPA Newslines

April 2018 

Save the Date
GCS 2018
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions,  Pocono Manor, PA

NEPA Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is hosting its annual Government Contracting Showcase 2018.

The 2018 Government Contracting Showcase is a half day training event to learn how to do business with Federal & State Agencies and Prime Contractors. Attend educational workshops on government contracting, networking opportunities with government agency buying offices, government prime contractors and economic development agencies.

What can the 2018 Government Contracting Showcase offer your business?
  • Discover the benefits of securing government contracts; learn how PTAC can help.
  • Diversify your client base; explore new business opportunities.
  • Expand to new markets; grow your bottom line.

Luncheon Keynote Speaker
Department of General Services, Secretary Curt Topper

Curt TopperSecretary Topper most recently led Georgetown University's purchasing and contracting functions, including responsibility for construction services and accounts payable. Before Georgetown, he worked as a director at KPMG. Topper previously served the Department of General Services as Manager of Supply Strategies and Deputy Secretary for Procurement between 2003 and 2008. He has more than 20 years experience leading successful cost reduction efforts in the public and private sectors.

Topper holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Brown University and a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Exhibit space and  sponsorship opportunities are available.

For the latest information visit

For more information, contact  Karen Ostroskie , Debbie Langan , or  Paula Terpak  at the NEPA Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
Business Finance News
NEPA Alliance has several loan products available for small businesses 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 Nat or Ken Doolittle at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
  

 
NEPA-BFC NEPA Alliance Business Finance Corporation has Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans available for eligible small businesses in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne Counties.
 
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
  • 40% Funding
  • Up to $5.5 Million in Financing Available
  • Market Based Fixed Rate Financing
SBA 504 Loans Offer: 
  • Low Down Payments
  • Long Term Maturities (10 & 20 Years)
*Eligibility Criteria Apply*
 
To learn more about this loan program, contact Stephen UrsichDave Nat or Ken Doolittle at 570-655-5581 or 855-266-9021.
Fixed Rate Financing
International Business Development
Global Access Program
The Pennsylvania Global Access Program (GAP) is designed to enhance the capacity of small to mid-sized Pennsylvania companies to increase export sales. The GAP is funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
 
A Pennsylvania company that meets SBA criteria can qualify and be awarded a GAP grant in the amount of up to $5,000. The company will be reimbursed 75% of eligible expenses associated with specific export promotion activities taken before September 2018.
 
GAP qualified activities include Overseas Trade Mission Participation, Overseas Trade Show Participation, Approved Domestic Trade Show Participation, Foreign Market Sales Trips and Subscription to U.S. Department of Commerce Services.
 
Eligible expenses are restricted to the following: Lodging (based on Federal Per Diem Limits), Ground Transportation, Parking Fees, Translation / Interpreter Fees, Website Internationalizations, Search Engine Optimization, Localization Services, Shipping Cost of Samples, Compliance Testing, Trade Mission / Trade Show Fees, and U.S. Department of Commerce Services.
 
Ineligible expenses include, but not limited to Air Fare & Baggage Fees, Meals, Compensation, Consultant Fees / Service Provider Fees, Alcoholic Beverages, Hotel Amenities, Phone and Internet Usage, Phone Cards, Capital Goods / Samples, Passport / Visa Fees, Immunization, Entertainment, and New Product Development.
 
Northeastern Pennsylvania companies interested in applying for a GAP grant can contact NEPA's International Program for additional information and a GAP grant application packet.

To learn more about International Business Development assistance, contact NEPA's International Business Development Program Manager,  Michael Horvath, at 570-655-5581, ext. 247 or 866-758-1929.
PTAC News
Starting or Growing a Veteran-Owned Business
Boots to Business Reboot, an entrepreneurship training program for veterans and their spouses
 
Thursday, April 12, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Program
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. Networking Mixer
Wilkes-Barre THINK Center
7 South Main St
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Free for veterans and their spouses
   
For more information contact Shannon Degiglio  at 610-382-3082.
  Register Now
Local Technical Assistance Program
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) and PennDOT have partnered to offer the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) training series in the NEPA Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) region, which includes Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Schuylkill Counties, as well as the Lackawanna-Luzerne MPO region and Wayne County.

Stormwater Maintenance
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Schuylkill Community Education Council
1-7 West Center Street
Mahanoy City, PA 17948
570-773-1270
www.schuylkilleducation.org
                    
Traffic Signs Basics
Thursday, April 5, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lackawanna Co. Center for Public Safety
30 Valley View Business Park
Jessup, PA 18434
570-961-6700
  
Curves on Local Roads: Issues and Safety Tools
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Back Mountain Regional EMS Building
3593 State Route 118
Dallas, PA 18612
570-675-0636
  
Stop Signs and Intersection Traffic Control
Thursday, April 12, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Pike County Training Center
135 Pike County Blvd.
Lords Valley, PA 18428
570-296-1960
  
Unpaved and Gravel Roads: Common Maintenance Problems
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Borough of Gordon Municipal Building
324 E. Plane & Otto Streets
Gordon, PA 17936

Asphalt Roads Common Maintenance Problems
Friday, May 4, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall
115 East 10th Street
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229
570-325-3025
www.jtborough.org

Drainage: The Key to Roads That Last
Thursday, May 10, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Smithfield Township Building
1155 Red Fox Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
570-223-5082
www.smithfieldtownship.com

Equipment and Worker Safety
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Wayne County Emergency Management Agency
43 Volunteer Drive
Honesdale, PA 18431
570-253-5970

To register, visit www.ltap.state.pa.us 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 Kate McMahon, Transportation Services Manager, NEPA Alliance at 570-655-5581, ext. 249 or kmcmahon@nepa-alliance.org.
Meet the Funders
The AsAFP NEPAsociation of Fundraising Professionals, NEPA Chapter and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center (NCAC) invite you to save the date for our "Meet the Funders" session on May 24, 2018.  This session will feature a panel presentation by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, NEPA Health Care Foundation, Spitz Foundation, Moses Taylor Foundation and the Wells Fargo Foundation.  Grantmakers will provide a general overview of their grantmaking fields of interest, programs and the overall internal process.  They will also discuss how grant proposals are reviewed, best practices and the most common mistakes made by applicants.

For more details, contact Athena Aardweg at 570-655-5581, ext. 251.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Project Grants
USDA Rural Development offers grants for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy type projects for up to 25% of the total eligible project cost. Eligible applicants include rural small businesses and agricultural producers. Projects may include but are not limited to LED lighting, Insulation, Refrigeration, Solar, and more.  Please see below link or contact your local USDA representative, Jason Cali, at 570-836-5111, ext. 123 or Jason.cali@pa.usda.gov.

Office Space for Lease
NEPA Alliance currently has up to 2,150 square feet of rentable space available at our office located at 1151 Oak Street in Pittston Township. The office space includes off street parking, shared use of meeting rooms and other common areas. Professional services including administrative, financial and information technology / phone services are available for smaller businesses / organizations on a fee based schedule. For inquiries, please contact Jeffrey Box at 570-655-5581, ext 222 or 866-758-1929.
Did You Know...
Did You Know
Did you know that, according to U.S. Census Bureau Annual Population Estimates, the population of the seven-county Northeastern Pennsylvania region increased by 2,008 people from 1,007,460 on July 1, 2016 to 1,009,468 on July 1, 2017?
 
For additional information, contact Steve Zaricki at 570-655-5581, ext. 258 or 866-758-1929.
Our Partners:
  NCAC    NEPA-BFC    Northeast PREP
  Join Our List  
570-655-5581
866-758-1929
   Email Us   
"This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer."
Twitter    YouTube     Facebook    Linkedin     instagram