The NEPA MPO is updating its Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP identifies the region’s highest priority transportation projects, develops a multi-year program of implementation and identifies available federal and non-federal funding for the programmed project phases. The TIP covers a four-year period of investment, must be fiscally-constrained, and is updated every two years through a cooperative effort of local, state and federal agencies, including participation by the general public. The 2027-2030 TIP can be accessed here.

The 30-day comment period on the draft 2027-2030 TIP opened on May 11, 2026 and closes on June 11, 2026. Comments on the draft TIP can be emailed to kmcmahon@nepa-alliance.org or mailed to the NEPA Alliance office.

A joint NEPA MPO Technical Planning Committee and Policy Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 9:30 AM to consider approval of the 2027-2030 TIP and related documents. The meeting will be held at the NEPA Alliance office in Pittston and virtually.

Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program

The Kania School of Management's Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program provides high potential leaders from regional nonprofit organizations, with the knowledge and insight required for success within the nonprofit sector. The program is presented in partnership with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit Community Assistance Center (NCAC), and each cohort is led by experienced faculty, who are award winning researchers and teachers with significant expertise in practice and nonprofit organizations. Participants will gain specific insights and guidance to enable them to create an effective career roadmap and access meaningful networking opportunities.

This 13-month program consists of ten 4-hour in-person sessions and a separate closing ceremony. Throughout the year, participants will work on a selected personal leadership goal and a capstone project focused on identifying, researching, and formulating an action plan to address a current issue or opportunity facing your nonprofit organization. Upon completion, participants will receive a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate. 

For more information and how to apply click here.

NEPA Welcomes New Staff

We are pleased to announce that Daniela Domingues has joined the NEPA staff as a Business Finance Specialist.

In her new role, Daniela will work closely with all the NEPA Alliance loan programs, evaluating business loan applications and advising clients throughout the loan approval process. Her responsibilities include financial statement and credit analysis, loan servicing, data entry, and reporting, developing loan packages, processing applications, reviewing financial data, preparing activity reports, and counseling businesses on the use of NEPA’s loan programs and other public funding sources.

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Ashford University. She resides in Scranton with her son.

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 Loh Medical

This month, we are proud to feature Loh Medical, a multinational healthcare organization dedicated to enhancing independence and quality of life for individuals with physical disabilities. Founded in 2002, they specialize in the distribution and clinical configuration of assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

For over 20 years, Loh Medical has provided life-changing mobility solutions internationally. Today, they bring that deep global expertise right to the NEPA community through their local showroom, offering residents specialized evaluations and personalized assistive technology.

What They Offer: A comprehensive range of assistive technology—including customized wheelchairs, pediatric mobility devices, and home accessibility solutions like ramps and lifts.

The Difference: Beyond equipment sales, Loh Medical offers expert clinical evaluations, personalized fittings, flexible rental programs, and professional maintenance and repair services.

Why Customers Trust Them: They blend global innovation with compassionate, local care, acting as a dedicated partner prioritizing long-term independence.

Through their NEPA Alliance membership, Loh Medical recently secured vital grant funding to help offset the costs of expanding their reach. This support allows them to effectively promote their specialized mobility products to international markets, furthering their mission on a global scale.

For more information on Loh Medical visit: www.lohmedical.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

Manufacturing – Pittston 

• This SBA 504 loan was completed in partnership with The Dime Bank for the refinance of commercial real estate and working capital.

Restaurant – Bethlehem

• This SBA 504 loan was completed in partnership with Harvest for the refinance of commercial real estate and working capital.

Restaurant and Inn – Lackawaxen

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

Gas Station – Mount Pocono

• This NEPA Alliance ARC 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.

Scoping is Everything - Webinar

Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Scoping is Everything: How Contractors Are Passing CMMC Without Securing Their Entire Network.

Join us for a FREE webinar hosted by Core Business Solutions and discover how to achieve CMMC compliance without overspending.

Learn how contractors are strategically limiting scope while still meeting CMMC expectations, reducing risk, controlling costs, and avoiding unnecessary security overhead across their entire network.

Save your spot today and take the next step toward efficient, effective compliance at NO COST!

Register Now & Take Control of Your Compliance Journey!

Building Success Through Partnership

The Mentor-Protégé Program offers a powerful pathway for small businesses to grow by partnering with experienced, established companies. Through this relationship, protégés gain valuable guidance in areas like compliance, operations, and business development while mentors can expand their network and strengthen their supply chain.

For organizations navigating requirements like CMMC, this program provides a strategic advantage by accelerating readiness, reducing risk, and opening doors to new contracting opportunities. It’s a smart, collaborative approach to building capability, credibility, and long-term success.

Ready to take the next step? Discover how the Mentor-Protégé Program can elevate your business. Click here to learn more and unlock new opportunities.

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 Client Needs Assessment Survey

As we prepare for the upcoming fiscal year, we want to ensure our export assistance services continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients. We invite you to complete our brief Export Client Needs Assessment Survey to share your goals, challenges, and priorities for international growth. Your feedback will help us tailor our consulting, training, and export support resources to better serve your business. Thank you for your continued partnership and participation!

Basic International Tax Considerations While Conducting Business Abroad

Join us for a free webinar with speakers Andrew McKinley and Brooks Linkoski of Global Tax Management. The webinar will focus on tax and compliance considerations facing U.S. companies conducting business abroad. A non-technical, case-based webinar

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

10:00 – 11:00 AM

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.



Public Works Safety

Thursday, June 11, 2026

8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall

101 E 10th St, 

Jim Thorpe, PA 

(570) 325-4546

NEPA is scheduling additional Summer 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.

2026 National Philanthropy Day Awards

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP NEPA) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 National Philanthropy Day Awards.



Categories Include:

• Outstanding Business Award
• Outstanding Foundation Award
• Outstanding Fundraising Professional (AFP member required)
• Outstanding Lifetime Achievement
• Outstanding Philanthropist Award
• Outstanding Volunteer Award
• Outstanding Emerging Philanthropist Award
• Outstanding Service Organization Award

Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2026

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.