NEPA Newslines

ELEVATE is a paid summer internship opportunity where Appalachian students and recent graduates will cultivate meaningful ties with Appalachia, ready themselves for fulfilling careers within the region and engage with local economic development partners within their communities.


Applications for our 2025 ELEVATE summer internship cohorts will open on December 12, 2024 and close on February 28, 2025.


Who Can Apply?

  • All current students and recent graduates attending a two- or four-year college or university in the Appalachian Region are eligible to apply.
  • In alignment with ARC’s mission to help Appalachia reach socioeconomic parity with the rest of the nation, this internship encourages underrepresented student populations to apply, such as:
  • Students and recent graduates of Appalachia’s 15 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
  • First-generation students and recent graduates.
  • Students who live in, or are from, economically distressed or at-risk counties.


Internship Details

ELEVATE will select up to four students to spend eight weeks, from June 2 – July 25, 2025, at the ARC office in Washington, D.C.


ELEVATE interns will support one of four ARC divisions: 1.) Business and Workforce Investment, 2.) Division of Critical Infrastructure, 3.) the Office of General Counsel and 4.) Technical Assistance. Interns will select their division based on their interest areas and career goals.


In addition to being compensated for their work on engaging projects, ELEVATE interns receive employer-sponsored housing at a D.C. university, commuting benefits, and have educational explorations of D.C. landmarks.

More Details/Apply

PennDOT has asked the MPOs and RPOs across the state to assist in identifying priorities for electric vehicle community charging. NEPA staff has developed a survey to gather public input on electric vehicle priorities in the NEPA MPO region.


The survey can be taken below.

Take Survey
NEPA Alliance Membership Campaign

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.

Join Now

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

Business Finance News

NEPA Alliance has several loan programs available for small businesses located 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 UrsichDave Nat, Donovan Klem, Ken Doolittle, James Urso, or Kristie Miller at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.

Recently Funded Loans


Hotel - Allentown

  • This NEPA BFC SBA 504 loan was completed in partnership with The Dime Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate.

 

Benefit Services – Wilkes Barre

  • This NEPA BFC CA loan wan completed to provide the borrower funds for working capital.

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, contact Stephen UrsichDave Nat, Donovan Klem, Ken Doolittle, James Urso, or Kristie Miller at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.

Visit www.nepabfc.org

ICON Web Portal


The ICON web portal works closely with DLA to make the procurement process for metalcastings, forging, and machining simple and efficient. ICON works to monitor solicitations for the previous services and directs them to applicable facilities. Not only does ICON work to monitor solicitations, but they also help with Bid-Matching, award history, and inventory management. To learn more and register for ICON, click here.

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

Global Access Program Open



The PA Global Access Program (GAP) is currently open, and we are still accepting applications. Please note that funds are going quickly, and we expect the program to close before the end of February. Contact Debbie Langan for more information.

Upcoming Webinars from our Partners


Food Export USA Branded Program Webinar

February 5, 2025

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

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Transportation Pricing & Cost Reduction

February 19, 2025

10:00 – 11:00 AM

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EXPO PACK Guadalajara 2025

June 10-12, 2025


Pennsylvania offers its companies a cost-effective way to participate in the EXPO PACK Guadalajara show. Exhibiting with Pennsylvania enables small to medium-sized companies to make an impact at this prominent trade show without the high cost. The registration fee is $1,500 and the deadline is March 15, 2025. Click here for more information.

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

Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)

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.


Municipal Stormwater Facilities Program

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Stroud Township Building

1211 N 5th St.

Stroudsburg, PA 18360

(570) 421-3362

Website


Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Basics

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Damascus Township Building

60 Conklin Hill Rd.

Damascus, PA 18415

(570) 224-4410

Website


Asphalt Roads Maintenance

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Jefferson Township Building

487 Cortez Road

Jefferson Twp, PA 18436

(570) 689-7028

Website


NEPA is scheduling additional Spring/Summer 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.

NCAC TO CO-HOST AI WEBINAR FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS

Want to learn more about how AI can be used effectively and responsibly within your nonprofit organization?

 

Join us virtually on Tuesday, February 18th at 10am for a FREE webinar presented in partnership with Mike Burns at StratSimple!

 

With 30% of employees already using AI in their daily work, non-profit organizations need a clear, safe path forward to harness this transformative technology. Join Mike, CEO of StratSimple for an interactive one-hour session designed specifically for non-profit leaders.

 

In this webinar, you'll gain:

  • A ready-to-use AI policy template tailored for non-profits
  • Practical AI applications that can immediately enhance your organization's impact
  • Live demonstrations of prompt writing techniques using Claude.AI and ChatGPT
  • Confidence in guiding your team's AI adoption safely and effectively

 

You'll leave this session with concrete tools and strategies to help your organization leverage AI to get more done. Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting with these tools, this webinar will help you establish a foundation for responsible AI use that serves your mission.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Essential components of an organizational AI usage policy
  • Strategic use-cases specifically relevant to non-profit operations
  • Real world experience writing effective prompts for AI tools
  • Best practices for safe and ethical AI implementation
Learn More and Register

ARC Seeks Applicants for Projects Supporting Appalachians in Recovery from Substance Use Disorder


The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA) for its Investments Supporting Partnerships in Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative. INSPIRE supports projects that create or expand support services that help individuals impacted by substance use disorder (SUD) enter or reenter the workforce.

Read More and Learn How to Apply

ARC Seeks Nonprofit Applicants for Capacity Building Opportunity


WASHINGTON, D.C., January 15, 2025 - The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) issued a notice of solicitations of applications (NOSA) for the second round of READY Nonprofits— a seven-week, capacity building training opportunity designed for nonprofits serving Appalachia’s 13-state, 423-county region. READY Nonprofits’ virtual, cohort-based training is designed to help Appalachia’s nonprofits better fulfill their missions and continue strengthening services for Appalachians by increasing their capacity in:

  • Fundraising
  • Programs and Operations
  • Financial Management
  • Board Development
  • Human Capital (Human Resources)
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Grant Writing and Management
  • Strategic Planning
Read More and Learn How to Apply

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 at (570) 891-4656.

Looking for New Nonprofit Grant Opportunities?

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...?

Last year, the United States population grew at the fastest rate since 2001, over two decades ago. Estimates from the United States Census Bureau show that from 2023 to 2024, the national population increased by almost 1%. The population of the United States now stands at 340 million.

The graph from the U.S. Census Bureau shows population growth rates throughout the Twenty-First Century.

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