NEPA Newslines

NEPA Networking Reception

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance held a Networking Reception on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions located at 250 Kalahari Blvd, Pocono Manor, PA 18349. The Reception was attended by over 250 business and community leaders from around the region.


During the Reception, NEPA presented the NEPA Alliance Regional Leadership Award. The award is presented to an agency, group or individual demonstrating a significant contribution to regional growth, development or cooperation within the seven county NEPA region. This year's award recipient was Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College for their contribution to the regional economy and involvement in the regional community of Northeastern Pennsylvania.


Upon receiving the award Dr. Pittelli stated, "On behalf of everyone at Johnson College, I want to thank NEPA Alliance for this incredible honor. As the region's only two-year technical college, we're grateful to be recognized for our efforts to contribute to NEPA's growth and development. Together, we work to make a lasting impact on our community."


“We are very pleased that the NEPA Community came out to support the hard work of our staff in helping create and retain jobs in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Jeffrey Box, President & CEO of NEPA Alliance.

Pictured from left: Stephen Barrouk, NEPA Board Chairperson; Dr. Katie Pittelli, Johnson College; Jeffrey Box, NEPA Alliance; and Donna Hritz, NEPA Alliance.

NEPA Alliance is pleased to announce the release of our Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Annual Report.


The report chronicles the success of our programs and services that we provide to businesses, communities, entrepreneurs and institutions in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne counties.


Thank you to all of our Members and volunteer Board and Committee Members for their service and dedication to making Northeastern Pennsylvania a great place to live, work and play.


We will continue to be an Alliance committed to community and economic development in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Download Report

NEPA Alliance staff will host a municipal funding forum event on Wednesday November 13th, 2024 via Zoom.

For more information contact Tyler Day at (570) 891-4656 or tday@nepa-alliance.org

Register Now

NEPA Alliance – Supporting Businesses in our Community

S&S Pools and Spas and their sister company, S&S Snow and Ice Solutions have been in the community since 1998. S&S Pools and Spas provides pool opening/closing services, pool equipment, water testing, and offers a spa showroom. S&S Snow and Ice Solutions provides snow removal services, is a dealer of snow plows and provides salt brine and salt brine tanks to municipalities.


Recently, owner Anthony Shamnoski realized he needed a larger location to support his growing business. The NEPA Alliance Business Finance Center was able to assist S&S with financing, allowing them to purchase their new building. The new 20,000 sq. ft. location in Taylor, Lackawanna County houses the retail store, a spa showroom, warehouse space for inventory and office space.


Assistance from the NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator program has allowed S&S Snow and Ice Solutions to enter the government contracting area. With assistance from the APEX Accelerator program, S&S was able to become a COSTARS (Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program) vendor which resulted in sales of their salt brine tanks to PennDOT. Prior to starting S&S, Shamnoski served our country in the United States Coast Guard. The NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator assisted with S&S becoming a certified Veteran Owned Small Business.


S&S Pools and Spas recently participated in an Engage! interview with NEPA Alliance. Engage! is the state’s business retention/business expansion program. Through the Engage! interview, S&S was made aware of the Lackawanna County Combat Inflation Business Grant Program. In August, it was announced that S&S Pools and Spas was one of the 29 businesses selected by the Lackawanna County Commissioner to receive grant assistance. NEPA Alliance has also assisted S&S with website upgrades through the Get Connected program.


Shamnoski said, “NEPA Alliance supports my business by opening up growth opportunities that may not normally present themselves or would perhaps take us much longer to achieve on our own.” To learn more about how NEPA Alliance can support your business, visit nepa-alliance.org.

Member Spotlight - Finch Manufacturing & Technology, LLC

Pictured are Anthony Shamnoski and Janet Garvey of S&S Pools and Spas with Tyler Day, Community & Economic Development Manager at NEPA Alliance during their 2023 Snow Show event.

This month’s Membership Spotlight is Finch Manufacturing & Technology, LLC. NEPA spoke with Robert Zinnen, President & CEO.

Finch Manufacturing & Technology, LLC is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company that Designs, Builds and Installs (D-B-I) Rotary Kilns, Dryers and other Rotary Processing Equipment (RPE). They also design and fabricate other custom components such as animal pens, lifting slings and other items, such as augers and cable reels. Their unique large and small capacity machinery and engineering capabilities enable them to design and fabricate the highest quality parts with precise form, fit and function to optimize your kiln or component. They build things from inches and ounces to feet and tons. Being the only ISO 9001:2015 certified company in our industry, they take quality and customer satisfaction seriously. They offer their services at very competitive pricing.


Finch is a long-term Northeastern Pennsylvania business dating back in some form to 1855. They hire local employees for their team and continue their education through programs offered via NEPA and NEPIRC. They utilize local companies to maintain and modernize their equipment and factory.


Finch provides design and fabrication for rotary processing equipment which includes large kilns and dryers used in many industries like cement, asphalt, metal recycling, and large and small scale chemical processing. They have also built afterburners for the US Army, a large lifting sling for the US Coast Guard and swine pens for the USDA.


Finch’s customers value their quality products, responsiveness, honesty and providing real solutions, especially when needed the most.


When asked about the value NEPA Alliance brings to their company, Mr. Zinnen said, “NEPA's team has provided needed information, business and community contacts that we needed (as well as those we didn't know we needed) and other needed resources, such as grants. They supported us in a very friendly, professional manner.”


To learn more about Finch visit finchmt.com

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.

Membership Hub
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


Clothing Retailer – Kingston

  • This NEPA BFC SBA 504 loan project was completed in partnership with First Keystone Community Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate.

Restaurant – Swoyersville

  • This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed to provide the borrower funds for liquor license and inventory purchase.

Pet Food Manufacture – Honesdale

  • This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed to provide the borrower funds for equipment, leasehold improvements and working capital

Auto Parts Retailer – Lake Ariel

  • This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed to provide the borrower funds for debt refinance and working capital.

Used Car Sales – Clarks Summit

  • This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed to provide the borrower funds for debt refinance and 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

Government Contracting Equitability

On September 13th, 2024, the U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA, held a public, national hearing on leveling the playing field in government contracting. The head of the SBA, Isabella Casillas Guzman presented in front of federal leaders and small business owners regarding the current state of government contracting and the SBA’s efforts to help small businesses succeed in winning contracts.


This hearing gave federal leaders and members of the SBA an opportunity to hear directly from small businesses about their experiences in government contracting. Administrator Guzman had this to say about the hearing: “Today’s convening of federal leaders and Regulatory Fairness Board members to hear directly from small business owners is part of our ongoing work to expand access to federal contracting opportunities by leveling the playing field for competition, with the goal of balancing the benefits for those finding success through the Mentor-Protégé Program JVs while also retaining viable opportunities for non-JV small businesses to win prime contracts. The SBA will continue striving to recruit new entrants and reverse the decline in small business participation so that we can build a strong, diverse, and resilient small business industrial base.”


Small business owners brought attention to several changes they would like to see be made to programs. These include, “eliminating the exception to affiliation between the SBA-approved mentor and protégé and allowing an exclusion from affiliation only for contracts or orders five years or less.” You can read more about what small business owners would like to see at this link.


Source: Press release 24-72, SBA Holds National Hearing on Promoting Level Playing Field in Government Contracting

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 Opportunities Business Lunch & Learn

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton


Join NEPA Alliance, Carbon County Chamber & Economic Development, and the U.S. Commercial Service for a business roundtable discussion to learn about export opportunities to sell your products and services to the 95% of global consumers outside of U.S. borders. This roundtable will feature a trade resource panel on key export topics and provide insights on the spectrum of local, state, and federal agencies to help companies begin exporting or expand into new overseas markets. Speakers will also address issues most common to small businesses seeking international sales expansion and will introduce reliable contact and ready-to-use resources that will place participants firmly on the road to exporting success.


This event is free, but registration is required. 

Register Now

GAP is back!


Pennsylvania has officially been awarded State Trade Expansion Program funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration. This means that the Global Access Program (GAP) is officially back! 


GAP provides up to $10,000 per award period to qualifying Pennsylvania companies to reimburse up to 75% of eligible expenses associated with specific export promotion activities. We are currently accepting applications for activities from October 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025.

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

PennDOT Multimodal Transportation Fund

Application Period Closes November 5


The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund for 2024-2025. The application period closes on November 5, 2024 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.

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. 


Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Basics

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Delaware Township

116 Wilson Hill Rd,

Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

delawaretownshippa.gov

 

Traffic Calming

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 12, 2024

Honesdale Borough Hall

958 Main Street

Honesdale, PA 18431

honesdaleborough.com


Traffic Signal Basics

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Archbald Borough Hall

400 Church Street#1

Archbald, PA 18403

archbaldboroughpa.gov

 

Winter Maintenance

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Delaware Township

116 Wilson Hill Rd,

Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

delawaretownshippa.gov


Traffic Signs Basics

Thursday, December 5, 2024

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wayne Township Building

10 Municipal Road

Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972

(570) 739-2629

Website


NEPA is scheduling Winter 2024/Spring 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.

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, Community & Economic Development Manager.

Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Community Project Grant Now Open


The Lackawanna County Department of Arts and Culture is accepting applications for the 2025 Arts and Culture Community Project Grant. This grant is open to individuals, non-profit organizations, and municipalities. The goal of this grant is to provide high-quality arts and culture experiences that show significant benefit to the community and enhance the cultural landscape. Projects must take place in Lackawanna County, but applicants may be from outside of the county. For more information, click here.

Did You Know...?

Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state. In fact, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), only three regions of the world support deciduous forests that display fall autumn color: eastern North America, the British Isles and parts of northwestern Europe, and northeastern China and northern Japan. Forests in other regions are either tropical or dominated by conifers.


The fall foliage also means big business. According to data from the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania hotels alone add between $350 million to $450 million to the state’s economy during the month of October.

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