PA 611 Corridor Study – Share Your Feedback!

NEPA is conducting the PA 611 Corridor Study to evaluate transportation needs and opportunities along this vital route in Pocono, Hamilton, and Stroud Townships.  PA 611 serves as a key north-south corridor connecting communities, businesses, and recreational destinations. The study aims to identify improvements that enhance safety, reduce congestion, and support economic growth while preserving the region's character. 

Your participation is essential! Share your feedback using our online mapping tool by February 9^th.

Office Space Available

NEPA Alliance has 292 square feet in office space available for rent at 1151 Oak Street, Pittston PA, 18640. Our office is conveniently located near the intersection of I-81, PA Turnpike – 476 and SR 315 and includes off street parking, security system, meeting space (25-person board room and 8-person conference room), virtual conferencing equipment and smart boards.

Facility benefits include co-locating with the NEPA Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center’s Foundation Directory Online access, visitor parking, and shared kitchen. Additional fee-based services may include accounting/bookkeeping, Information Technology, phone system, shared copiers/printers, and US Postal Service equipment/service. Support may also be provided for nonprofit organizations that align with our mission, if needed.

For additional information, please contact Kurt Bauman, V.P. Community & Economic Development Services at kbauman@nepa-alliance.org or at 570-510-4419.

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

Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation

The Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is a member-driven organization dedicated to the prosperity of Carbon County, PA. Their mission is to foster balanced economic growth and enhance the quality of life through steadfast advocacy, innovative programs, and essential services for their members and stakeholders.

Core Services

• Chamber Membership: Boosts visibility through social media promotion, exclusive mailing lists, and business directory listings. They facilitate growth through direct referrals, high-impact networking events, and collaborative committees.
• Economic Development: They empower local enterprises with low-interest small business lending and act as a vital link between our 23 municipalities and the resources they need to thrive.

At the CCEDC, they are more than an organization—they are a network. By leveraging regional partnerships with organizations like the NEPA Alliance, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber, Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau and Penn’s Northeast, they provide their members with a powerful platform that extends far beyond county lines. They don’t just build businesses; they build the relationships that shape our future.

For more information please visit: www.carboncountychamber.org

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

Retail– Taylor

• This SBA 504 loan was completed in partnership with PS Bank for the purchase of and improvement of real estate.

Day Camp – Brodheadsville

• This SBA 504 loan was completed in partnership with Mauch Chunk Trust Company for the purchase of real estate.

Therapist – Honesdale

• This SBA Community Advantage loan was completed to provide the borrower working capital.

Retail – Scranton

• This SBA Community Advantage loan was completed to provide the borrower with start-up capital.

Retail – Mayfield

• This NEPA Alliance EDA loan was completed in partnership with The Honesdale National Bank for the purchase and improvement of real state.

Retail – Scranton

• This NEPA Alliance SSBCI loan was completed in partnership with People’s Security Bank for the purchase of equipment.

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.

Join the NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator in a co-sponsored webinar with Scott Dawson at Core Business Solutions for a free webinar on the NQA-1 Standard: Nuclear Quality Systems Explained! This session is especially valuable for manufacturers and suppliers entering the nuclear industry or those looking to modernize and strengthen existing quality systems to meet today’s requirements. Whether you’re new to NQA-1 or seeking clarity on best practices, this webinar will provide the foundation you need to move forward with confidence. This event is co-sponsored by Catalyst Connection.

Register for your seat today!

The 2026 SBA 8(a) Crackdown

In January 2026, the SBA initiated a massive enforcement wave by suspending over 1,000 contractors—approximately 25% of the 8(a) Business Development Program—primarily due to missed or incomplete filings following a mandatory December 2025 "Data Call." This crackdown coincides with a fundamental policy shift where the SBA has officially moved to meet the requirements of the current administration, eliminating race-based presumptions and historical social disadvantage narratives in favor of new criteria focused on proving disadvantage through specific instances of past policy impacts. Suspended firms are currently barred from receiving new 8(a) awards and face heightened scrutiny from agencies like the Department of Defense and GSA, though they have a 45-day window to appeal or until February 19, 2026, to rectify documentation errors via the MySBA portal.

For more information and updates, go to the SBA website news release.

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

Export Controls Under ITAR & EAR Webinar

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 │ 9:00 – 11:00 am

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 │ 9:00 – 11:00 am

Join us to learn how to navigate the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). You will learn how to properly classify goods and services and obtain the necessary licensing and permission to export. This program will provide a solid understanding of the ITAR and EAR and changes under Export Control Reform. This 2-part webinar series will cover:



• Responsibility for Compliance
• Registration Requirements
• Customer Screening
• U.S. Munitions List
• Commerce Control List
• Violations and Penalties

HS/Schedule B Classification Webinar

Free webinar to learn how to classify your products.

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

10:00 – 11:00 am

Register Here



(Brought to you by our sister-agency, SAP&DC)

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

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.

NEPA is scheduling Spring 2026 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.

Also, please reach out to us to connect your municipality to LTAP's technical experts with a Tech Assist that is available to help you troubleshoot almost any local transportation maintenance or safety concern, which provides customized guidance to a host of transportation-related issues.

PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund

Application Period Closes February 13, 2026

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund for 2026-2027. The application period closes on February 13, 2026 at 4:00pm EST. 

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.

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 Kurt Bauman, VP Community & Economic Development Services at (570) 891-4665.

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 Kurt Bauman, VP Community & Economic Development Services.

Did You Know...?

The Pocono region of Northeastern Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of seasonal housing units in the Commonwealth. This statistic looks at housing units that are used as vacation homes, short term rentals, hunting cabins, and other types of dwellings sperate from the owner’s primary residence. Approximately 1/3 of homes in Pike and Wayne Counties are used for this purpose. Carbon and Monroe Counties also have a sizable percentage of their housing stock in this category. Meanwhile, Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Schuylkill Counties are below the statewide average of homes that are seasonal use. This map from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania shows the percentage of homes in each county that are seasonal.