ARC Seeking Applicants for No-cost Leadership Development Program for Appalachian Community Leaders

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is now accepting applications for the sixth class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI), a nine-month leadership development training opportunity with a focus on economic development in Appalachia. Anyone living or working in Appalachia’s 423 counties is eligible to apply for the no-cost program running from October 2024 to July 2025. The program focuses on skill-building, mentoring, and networking across six multi-day seminars throughout the Appalachian region, each highlighting one of ARC’s investment priorities. Applications for the 2024-2025 class are open through June 1, 2024. To learn more about the program and apply, visit arc.gov/leadership.

We are pleased to formally open the 2024-2025 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 2025, 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 or Kurt Bauman. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) are partnering to host two workshops aimed at “Exploring Funding Opportunities with the Appalachian Regional Commission.” These webinars are designed to give an overview of what ARC does, what its main goals are, and share high-level information on Non-Construction and Construction projects, with additional time devoted to construction-specific requirements.

These events will be held virtually; click on the dates listed below to access the Zoom registration links. Please find additional information about this event on the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) - PA Department of Community & Economic Development website.

ARC Selects Local Government in Northeastern Pennsylvania to Receive No-Cost Training, Access to Funding trough READY Local Governments

READY Local Governments will provide training, expert guidance, and funding opportunities to help local governments in the Appalachian Region apply for, manage, and implement federal funding.

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the  Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) announced the 15 local government entities serving Appalachian Pennsylvania selected to participate in READY Local Governments. One of four tailored tracks under ARC’s capacity-building initiative, READY Appalachia, READY Local Governments is designed to help participants leverage federal funding and create lasting, positive change in their communities.

Wright Township, located in Luzerne County, was one of the local governments selected for participation!

“ARC’s local government partners have always been the backbone of our on-the-ground work throughout our Appalachian communities,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “Through our READY Local Governments initiative, we are proud to help these partners enhance their work through training, resources, and expanded support, because when our local communities thrive, the entire Appalachian region succeeds.”

A majority of the 90 participants in READY Local Governments represent at least one of the following:

• Distressed areas and census tracts
• Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities priority communities
• Rural Partners Network Community Networks communities
• Historically underserved and marginalized populations

Following completion of the training program, participants will be eligible to apply for up to $50,000 in funding (no-match required) to implement internal capacity-building projects to help them better serve communities.

Since the launch of READY Appalachia in July 2022, ARC has provided training and funding to help the region’s Local Development Districts (LDDs) and nonprofit organizations build internal capacity to better serve their communities. Nearly $4 million has been awarded through READY LDDs and more than $1.6 million has been awarded through READY Nonprofits. Opportunities for philanthropic organizations in the Appalachian Region will be available through READY Foundations later this year.

Member Spotlight

Maternal and Family Health Services

This month’s Membership Spotlight is Maternal and Family Health Services. NEPA spoke with Betsy Ardizoni, Director of Development.

Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS) is a nonprofit, safety-net provider of women’s health care, nutrition services, comprehensive and confidential family planning, and perinatal care. MFHS serves over 90,000 individuals annually across 17 counties in Eastern Pennsylvania and is the largest WIC provider in the Commonwealth.

They are invested in improving health outcomes and are uniquely positioned to address the barriers faced by so many resource-limited women and families in our community.

MFHS provides several core programs including the WIC Nutrition program, reproductive care, cancer screenings, the Nurse-Family Partnership, and prenatal care. In their newly expanded Scranton office, they also offer wrap-around services that include postpartum depression counseling, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, ultrasounds, transportation assistance, infant and child safety programming, and a personal hygiene pantry.

In their last customer service survey, two of the words MFHS participants mention most often in response to the survey question: “What is MFHS good at?” are “Helping” and “Caring”. The responses to this question are varied, but with a common theme around helping and caring that is evidence of MFHS staff dedication and commitment to service.

When asked about how NEPA Alliance benefits their organization, Betsy Ardizoni stated, “The NEPA Alliance has provided us with technical assistance and support when applying for federal grants.”

To learn more about Maternal and Family Health Services, visit their website at www.mfhs.org

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.

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

Recently Funded Loans

Manufacturing – Allentown

• This NEPA BFC SBA 504 loan project was completed in partnership with Financial Resources Federal Credit Union for the purchase and improvement of commercial real estate, refinance of equipment debt and associated soft costs.

Athletic Facility – Stroudsburg

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

Bar – Scranton

• This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed to provide the borrower funds for leasehold improvements.

Fiber Mill – Tobyhanna

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

Meat Processing – Taylor

• This NEPA Alliance ARC loan was completed in partnership with Fidelity Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate, equipment and associated soft costs.

Rental Center – Taylor

• This NEPA Alliance USDA IRP loan was completed in partnership with Fidelity Bank for the refinance of debt and improvements.

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

The APEX Accelerator provides expert assistance to businesses wishing to sell a product or service to the government.

• Selling to government buyers
• Training & educational opportunities
• Solicitation & bid matching support
• Referral & networking support

NEPA’s APEX Accelerator provides FREE counseling and business assistance services to its clients to help them register for and fully understand the requirements to sell their products or services to government agencies.

For more information contact the NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator Team by phone at: 570-655-5581 and select option 2 or by email at apex@nepa-alliance.org

International Trade Assistance News

May is World Trade Month!

Did you know that 13,245 Pennsylvania companies exported goods in 2021, and 89% of those were small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? Click here to view the Pennsylvania Trade & Economy Factsheet from the International Trade Administration.

Webinars

The U.S. Department of Commerce is offering a multi-part webinar series on a multitude of export documentation and logistics topics. Click here for more information. 

Continue learning with U.S. Commercial Service’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Webinar. June 11-12 (in English) and June 25-26, 2024 (in Spanish) from 9am – 1pm.

Seminars

Our Regional Export Network partners, SAP&DC, SEDA-COG, & North Central, are hosting the following in State College, PA:

Exporting Repairs, Warranties, Samples, & Replacements

May 22, 2024 - 8:30am - 12:00pm

Classification Under the U.S. Harmonized Tariff and Schedule B

May 22, 2024 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Market Updates from PA’s Authorized Trade Representatives

• China Briefing
• South Korea Economic Briefs

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

PennDOT Connects Municipal Outreach Sessions

Municipal administrators, planners, engineers, and public works directors are invited to attend an upcoming workshop in your PennDOT district to discuss how PennDOT Connects can help your community. The workshops will be held in-person and virtually.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

9:00am to 11:00am

PennDOT District 4

55 Keystone Industrial Park

Dunmore, PA 18512

Register Here

Thursday, May 16, 2024

1:00pm to 3:00pm

PennDOT District 5

1002 Hamilton Street

Allentown, PA 18101

Register Here

The municipal outreach/peer exchange sessions will consist of an interactive workshop that engages participants in peer exchange and idea-sharing. Municipalities will have the opportunity to interact with PennDOT, their local metropolitan planning organization or rural planning organization (MPO or RPO) staff, and one another. These sessions will include an overview of the PennDOT Connects Municipal Resources Program, information on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL) grant opportunities and success stories. To learn more about PennDOT Connects, click here.

DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant Program Now Open

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is currently accepting applications for funding through its Multimodal Transportation Fund for 2024-2025. The application period closes on July 31, 2024. 

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 DCED website.

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. 

Stormwater Control Measures

Monday, May 6, 2024

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Carbon County Emergency

Management Agency

1264 Emergency Lane

Nesquehoning, PA 18240

(570) 325-3097

carboncountypa.gov

Stop Signs & Intersection Traffic Control

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Pike County Training Center (Lords Valley, PA)

135 Pike County Blvd,

Hawley, PA 18428

pikepa.org

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Basics

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Monday, June 3, 2024

South Manheim Township

3089 Fair Road

Auburn, PA 17922

southmanheimtwp.com

Chainsaw Instructional Class

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

South Manheim Township

3089 Fair Road

Auburn, PA 17922

southmanheimtwp.com

Chainsaw Instructional Class

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 20, 2024

Chestnuthill Township

271 Route 715

Brodheadsville, PA 18322

chestnuthilltwp-pa.gov

Traffic Signal Basics

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Archbald Borough Hall

400 Church Street#1

Archbald, PA 18403

archbaldboroughpa.gov

Traffic Calming

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Honesdale Borough Hall

958 Main Street

Honesdale, PA 18431

honesdaleborough.com

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Basics

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Chestnuthill Township

271 Route 715

Brodheadsville, PA 18322

chestnuthilltwp-pa.gov

NEPA is scheduling Spring and Summer 2024 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.

Nonprofit Compensation Report

NCAC is partnering with Candid to offer the Nonprofit Compensation Report to those in our network!

Our network of nonprofit organizations can obtain the nonprofit data they need through this offering! Candid's 2022 Nonprofit Compensation Report, which includes data from more than 101,000 nonprofit organizations, is a reliable source to benchmark and research nonprofit staff and executive compensation. The Scranton-Wilkes-Barre metropolitan statistical area is included in the report. If you are interested in purchasing the report, please contact Kurt Bauman, VP Community & Economic Development Services.

• NCAC Member $65
• NCAC Non Member $95

View Sample Report.

The U.S. Census Bureau and other Federal statistical agencies use NAICS Codes when collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. NAICS Codes group industries together according to similarity in the processes used to produce goods and services. To learn more about NAICS Codes, click here or contact Tyler Day at (570) 891-4656.