Tobyhanna Army Depot Welcomes 36^th Commander

Col. Benjamin Kilgore assumed command of Tobyhanna Army Depot during the Change of Command ceremony held at the Depot. Outgoing commander, Col. James Crocker relinquished command during a military ceremony held on June 25 following a successful two terms as commander.

Kilgore is the Depot’s 36th commander. He will lead over 3,100 employees as Depot commander and will be responsible for supporting global readiness for Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (also known as C5ISR) systems across the DOD.

The Tobyhanna Defense Technology Partnership, an affiliate organization of the NEPA Alliance, serves as the local defense group which leads the community support efforts for Tobyhanna Army Depot. We look forward to working with Col. Kilgore in his new role.  

Government Procurement Specialist Job Opening

The NEPA Alliance is seeking applications for the position of Government Procurement Specialist.

This is a full-time, salaried position within the Business Development Division. Responsibilities include providing internal operational assistance, networking with clients, providing technical, marketing and informational assistance to businesses regarding government contracting opportunities and assisting their expansion or entry into contracting with federal, state and local governments.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management or a related discipline and two years experience in private industry, economic development or government related purchasing or contracting or a combination thereof. Strong written, verbal, computer and interpersonal skills and a valid driver’s license are required. Salary range is $40,000 to $45,000 annually DOQ with an excellent benefit package.

Email resume with references to: Donna Hritz, Vice President of Communications & Operations at dhritz@nepa-alliance.org.

Application deadline is Friday, August 15, 2025, at 5:00 pm EDT.

Full Job Description

NEPA Alliance is conducting its annual membership campaign.

The NEPA Alliance values the opportunity to work with all stakeholders in our seven-county region. Our goal is to provide the best possible community and economic development services to create and retain jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Membership Benefits

• FREE Networking Reception Invite for One Person ($125 Value)
• FREE Use of Meeting Space
• FREE Member Spotlight
• Discount on NEPA Event Costs
• Discount on Business Loan (.5%)
• Discounted Economic Impact Analysis/Research
• Sponsorship & Marketing Opportunities

NEPA Alliance serves businesses, communities, and governments throughout seven counties and we need your assistance!

Our general annual membership starts at $295.

You can complete your membership online, including payment by clicking the button below.

Need more information? Visit our membership hub, or contact Donna Hritz at dhritz@nepa-alliance.org or call 570-891-4666.

Member Spotlight

McGriff Insurance

This month’s Membership Spotlight is McGriff Insurance Services. NEPA spoke with Heather Margerum, PA Operations Manager.

With more than a century of experience, McGriff is a subsidiary of Truist Insurance Holdings, the sixth largest insurance broker in the U.S. and seventh largest in the world.

McGriff is an involved community member and insurance resource sharing in the purpose, mission, and values of their parent company, Truist Financial.

McGriff provides highly customized insurance, risk management, and employee benefit solutions for organizations of all sizes.

Customers value their services because they are dedicated and passionate about helping them protect their most valuable assets. Their experienced insurance and risk management professionals develop highly tailored services while listening, understanding, and executing with precision under the guidance of their four core values:

Integrity: They do what they say, every single time.

Determination: They relentlessly pursue success on their customer’s behalf.

Passion: They are specialists in their field driven to serve their customers.

Collaboration: They build relationships and work with their customers for the best solution.

When asked about NEPA’s benefits, Ms. Margerum stated, “Our membership in the Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance has enabled us to strengthen and expand our client base in Pennsylvania by connecting us with potential clients and partners both inside and outside of the region. NEPA has also helped us stay up to date regarding business trends and opportunities.”

For more information, please visit www.mcgriff.com

NEPA Alliance has several loan programs available for small businesses located in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne counties and all of Pennsylvania.

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, email financing@nepa-alliance.org or call 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.

Recently Funded Loans

Auto Sales – Honesdale

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

Technical Consulting – Schuylkill Haven

• This NEPA SSBCI and USDA RMAP loan was completed in partnership with Mauch Chunk Trust Company for the purchase of commercial real estate.

Logging – Honesdale

• The NEPA Alliance USDA RMAP loan was completed in partnership with The Dime Bank for the purchase and improvement of commercial real estate.

NEPA Alliance Business Finance Corporation is a state-wide CDC allowing for NEPA BFC to lend SBA 504 Loans to eligible small businesses located in Pennsylvania.

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 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
• Up to 90% Loan to Value
• Up to $5.5 Million in SBA Financing
• Unlimited Total Project Cost

SBA 504 Loans offer:

• As Little as 10% Equity Injection
• Terms up to 25 Years
• Guaranteed Fixed Interest Rate

*Eligibility Criteria Apply*

To learn more about these loan programs, email financing@nepa-alliance.org or call 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.

Assessing Your Business; Are You Ready for Government Contracting?

Government contracting can be difficult to break into, especially if your business is missing key elements. The Small Business Administration, SBA, has an easy to use “Contracting Guide,” which can help you identify things your business could be doing to help you break into the contracting world. The SBA provides easy access to websites you can conduct market research on to ensure your product or service is something the government is looking for. They also provide key information about the required finances for government contracting, as most contracts do not pay for the product or service until the work is completed. The SBA also works to help businesses become e-commerce savvy, something that is required when you’re working with certain agencies and departments.

You can find the full resource here.

The NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator is also here to help assess your business and get you procurement ready. Are you ready to take the leap into government contracting? Give us a call today!

For more information or assistance with government contracting visit apex.nepa-alliance.org or call (570) 655-5581 option 2.

The APEX Accelerator is funded in part though a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. Please give the Office of Small Business Programs your feedback on the NEPA Alliance Apex Accelerator’s performance.

International Trade Assistance News

For more information on export development, contact Debbie Langan at dlangan@nepa-alliance.org or 570-891-4645. 

PennDOT Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program

Draft Applications due by September 5

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is currently accepting applications for funding through its Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TASA) Program for 2025. The TASA Program is a competitive federal program that provides funding to construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, trail projects, and safe routes to school. Local governments, transit agencies, school districts, and natural resource or public land agencies are eligible to apply. 

Draft applications will be accepted from July 14 to September 5, 2025. A meeting with PennDOT District and MPO staff will be held to review the draft application.  Final applications are due by October 31, 2025. More information can be found on the PennDOT website here. The 2025 TASA guidance can be found here.

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.

Winter Maintenance

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Kingston Forty Fort Fire Department

600 Wyoming Ave,

Kingston, PA 18704

(570) 288-4576

Website

Winter Maintenance

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall

115 E. 10th St,

Jim Thorpe, PA 18229

(570) 325-3025

Website

NEPA is currently scheduling additional Fall 2025 classes.  Please contact Daniel Yelito, Transportation Services Manager, at 570-655-5581 ext. 264 or email dyelito@nepa-alliance.org 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.

Economic Impact Modeling Services

The NEPA Alliance Research & Information Center utilizes IMPLAN Modeling Software to determine the economic impact of projects. Using IMPLAN, NEPA Alliance can demonstrate the economic impact of a new business, income generated by tourism, economic contribution of higher education institutions, and more. NEPA Alliance offers Economic Impact Modeling Services to the community at a fee. To learn more, click here or contact Tyler Day, Community & Economic Development Manager, at (570) 891-4656.

NEPA Learning Conference: Building Community Connections with Purpose

For Nonprofit Professionals, Board Members, and Volunteers

This year’s NEPA Learning Conference is all about creating and strengthening our community—together, with purpose and action. Tailored for employees, board members, and volunteers of nonprofit organizations, this conference is your affordable gateway to powerful tools, meaningful connections, and innovative strategies.

With a focus on building trust and relationships, establishing credibility through clear messaging and collaboration, and prioritizing team culture, this year’s conference offers more than just learning—it’s a catalyst for connection and growth. You’ll hear from national thought leaders and local changemakers who will guide you through interactive, transformative sessions designed to strengthen your organization from the inside out and amplify your impact in the community.

Over three energizing days, immerse yourself in engaging workshops, dynamic discussions, and hands-on learning that will help you tackle today’s challenges and spark new possibilities for your organization.

Ignite your nonprofit’s connection. Strengthen our community. Lead with purpose.

Join us at the 2025 NEPA Learning Conference—where vision meets action for a stronger, more connected future.

Event to be held at Fiorelli’s, 1501 Main St, Peckville, PA 18452.

To learn more, or to register for the 2025 Learning Conference, click here.

Congratulations to Kurt and Colleen on Leadership Program Graduations

We're excited to congratulate two members of our team on recent leadership program graduations that will enhance their ability to serve our community.

Kurt Bauman, Executive Director of NCAC and VP of Community and Economic Development Services for NEPA Alliance, graduated from the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI). As one of Pennsylvania's representatives, Kurt joined 37 other fellows from across the 13 Appalachian states for nine months of intensive training in economic development strategies and regional collaboration. The program connects emerging leaders with experienced faculty and peer fellows throughout Appalachia, building lasting networks and developing skills to drive meaningful change across the region.

Colleen Burns Ecklund, Community and Economic Development Manager for NEPA Alliance and NCAC, graduated from the Leadership Lackawanna Core Program Class of 2025. The 10-month program develops leadership and managerial skills while providing enhanced understanding of the challenges faced by the Greater Scranton region.

As part of her Leadership Lackawanna experience, Colleen's class partnered with Imagine NEPA, transforming a historically significant, underutilized organ room in the nonprofit's repurposed 1856 church into a vibrant, functional backstage area that supports performers and reflects the community's commitment to arts.

Both programs strengthen our team's capacity to advance community and economic development initiatives throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Congratulations to Kurt and Colleen on these meaningful achievements!

Don’t forget that NCAC Members receive access and assistance in accessing Candid's online Foundation Directory, the most comprehensive foundation database. With access to informative profiles of over 299,000 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 guided access to the Foundation Directory 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 Colleen Burns Ecklund, Community & Economic Development Manager.

Did You Know...?

Manufacturing remains an economic driver for our region and the Commonwealth as a whole. According to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, approximately 12.2% of statewide employment is in manufacturing. In our region, Schuylkill County has the highest percentage of their workforce employed in manufacturing at 17.5%. Luzerne County also has a higher percentage of their workforce in manufacturing than the statewide average at 12.9%. This map created by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania shows counties shaded in green having a higher percentage of their workforce employed in manufacturing than the statewide average, while counties in white have a lower percentage.