APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION (ARC) 2025-2026 GRANT FUNDING ROUND

We are pleased to formally open the 2025-2026 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant funding round. Funding through the program is a federal (ARC), state (PA DECD) and local (NEPA Alliance) partnership.

As the designated Local Development District for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), we are excited to provide you with information related to the ARC Area Development and ARC Local Access Road Programs. NEPA serves as the regional partner and conduit for ARC Funding. Most of the pre-applications will be considered for funding in the Spring/Summer of 2026, however, some projects may be considered for funding earlier due to additional or unused funds from this fiscal year.

For more information on funding priorities and how to apply, please contact Colleen Burns Ecklund or Kurt Bauman. 

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

Berwick Industrial Development Association

This month’s Membership Spotlight is the Berwick Industrial Development Association. NEPA spoke with Amy Shortlidge, Marketing Director.

The Berwick Industrial Development Association (B.I.D.A.) is committed to improving the economy of their region through marketing and managing its industrial assets; the retention, expansion, and recruitment of business and industry; and contributing to community revitalization efforts. The B.I.D.A. collaborates with private, public, and community groups and organizations to achieve their mission and through these partnership efforts, works toward bettering the quality of life of the citizens of the area.

B.I.D.A provides business consulting services, access to resources, and assists with facilitating discussions with regulatory agencies and other economic development partners to help bring industrial projects to fruition.

Currently B.I.D.A. is the organization that owns and operates the B.I.D.A. Industrial Complex. The complex was originally the home of American Car and Foundry Co (ACF), where they manufactured the first of the all-steel passenger subway cars for the New York Subway system and the Stuart Tank in used in WWII.

When asked about how NEPA Alliance benefits their organization, Amy Shortlidge stated, “NEPA Alliance provides insight and knowledge to financial resources and business support that we might not be aware of - they are a lifeline to business development, and we value their expertise!”

To learn more about B.I.D.A., visit their website at www.bida.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

Retail – Lehighton

• This NEPA BFC SBA 504 loan was completed in partnership with Tompkins Community Bank for the refinance of commercial real estate.

Golf Course – Olyphant

• This NEPA BFC SBA 504 loan was completed in partnership with Peoples Security Bank & Trust for the purchase of commercial real estate. 

Retail – Milford

• This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed for a business acquisition.

Professional Office – Taylor

• This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed for working capital.

Restaurant – Carbondale

• This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed for refinance of existing business debt. 

Daycare – Dalton

• This NEPA Alliance EDA loan was completed in partnership with Peoples Security Bank & Trust for the purchase of commercial real estate and improvements.

Food Processing – Greeley

• This NEPA Alliance Tri-District loan was completed in partnership with NBT Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate and improvements.

Caterer – Blakely

• This NEPA Alliance ARC loan was completed in partnership with The Honesdale National Bank for the refinance 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.

President Trump Signs Executive Order Updating the Federal Acquisition Regulation

President Trump signed an Executive Order that would update the Federal Acquisition Regulation, or FAR. These updates are aimed at making the FAR easier to understand. The Executive Order, titled "Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement," was signed on April 15th, 2025. There is no word yet on what exactly will be updated within the FAR. You can read the entire Executive Order here.

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

Tariff Resources

International trade policy is changing rapidly, creating challenges and opportunities for businesses. Whether managing supply chains, exploring new markets, or reassessing costs, NEPA and the BusinessPA International Export Network can help you stay informed and connected.

The tariff situation is extremely fluid. To stay informed, below are some tariff trackers you might find useful:

BGR, The Tax Foundation, Trade Compliance Resource Hub, GBA Tariff Tracker

Strategic Approaches to Tariff Management

Supply Chain Evaluation - Assess whether sourcing from alternative countries could reduce tariff exposure.

Tariff Classification Engineering - Making legitimate product modifications may shift a good into a lower-tariff category under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces proper classification, so compliance is essential. In some cases, importing components rather than finished goods can reduce duty liability.

Country of Origin Engineering - CBP’s rules for determining country of origin vary by product. Adjusting the source or location of production may change a product’s origin designation and result in tariff savings.

Utilizing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preference Programs - The U.S. has 14 FTAs with 22 countries and several trade preference programs offering reduced or zero tariffs. Eligibility depends on meeting specific criteria for each agreement.

First Sale Valuation - Duties may be calculated based on the price paid by a middleman to the manufacturer rather than the final import price, potentially reducing duty costs.

Product Valuation Adjustments - Importers should evaluate whether certain charges—like inspection fees or buying commissions—can be excluded from the dutiable value of goods.

Duty Deferral via Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) or Bonded Warehouses - Goods entering an FTZ or Customs Bonded Warehouse may avoid immediate duties. Duties are deferred or reduced based on whether goods are consumed domestically or exported. Companies can also choose to pay duties on either the imported components or finished goods, whichever is lower.

Duty Drawback - Refunds of import duties are available for goods that are exported or destroyed. Types include Unused Merchandise, Manufacturing, and Rejected Merchandise Drawbacks.

Post-Entry Corrections - Importers can recover overpaid duties through Post Summary Corrections or Protests, provided proper documentation and timelines are met.

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

DCED Multimodal

Transportation Fund

Application Period Closes July 31

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund for 2025-2026. The application period closes on July 31, 2025. 

Funding can be used to coordinate local land use with transportation assets to enhance existing communities. Eligible projects include streetscapes, lighting, sidewalk enhancement, projects improving pedestrian safety, connectivity or utilization of existing transportation assets, and projects related to transit-oriented development. 

Municipalities, counties, school districts, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, rail freight, and passenger rail entities are eligible to apply. A local match of 30% is required. More information can be found on the DCED website 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.

Public Works Safety

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Pocono Township Building

112 Township Dr

Tannersville, PA 18372

(570) 629-1922

Website

Chainsaw Safety Training Class

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Jefferson Township Building

487 Cortez Road

Jefferson Twp, PA 18436

Website



Chainsaw Safety Training Class

Wednesday, June 13, 2025

8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Luzerne County Operations Division Building

1199 Wyoming Ave

Wyoming, PA 18436

NEPA is scheduling additional 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.

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.

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...?

The U.S. Census Bureau recently released data showing population changes by county since the 2020 Census.

This map created by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania shows the counties that saw a population increase since the 2020 Census (in green) and the counties that saw population decline since the 2020 Census (in white).