Looking to relax after the Networking Reception?

Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is offering attendees a special rate of $129 per night. Enjoy four complimentary waterpark tickets and no resort fees. This exclusive offer is valid only for September 26th and 27th.

Don't miss out - book your stay here.

Member Spotlight - M&T Bank

This month’s membership spotlight is M&T Bank. We spoke with Phil Johnson, Regional President, to learn more about the company.

For more than 160 years, M&T has helped people and businesses manage their money and make sound financial decisions, so they can live better today and realize their goals for tomorrow. Whether you're buying a home, building a business, or broadening your career, M&T works to serve customers and clients in communities throughout Pennsylvania as well as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C.

They provide banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and commercial financial services through more than 750 branches, 1,800 ATMs, and a variety of online and mobile services.

M&T believes that they are only as successful as the communities they serve. That’s why they offer financial products and services as well as charitable contributions and community outreach that they believe help improve the lives of people in our communities.

Mr. Johnson went onto to say, “Banking is a relationship business, and we believe our membership with NEPA allows us to create new relationships and strengthen existing ones.”

To learn more about M&T Bank, visit mtb.com

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

Gym – Dingmans Ferry

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

Event Center – Sugarloaf

• This NEPA BFC SBA 504 loan project was completed in partnership with Luzerne Bank for the improvement of commercial real estate and equipment.

Sporting Goods Retailer – Scranton

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

Retailer – Kingston

• This NEPA BFC SBA CA loan was completed to provide the borrower funds a business purchase with inventory and goodwill.

Restaurant – Kingston

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

Hotel – Philadelphia

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

Flagging Company – Scranton

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

Recycling Center – Shohola

• This NEPA Alliance Tri-District loan was completed in partnership with The Honesdale National Bank for the purchase of commercial real estate.

Grocery Wholesaler – Carbondale

• This NEPA Alliance PIDA loan was completed in partnership with Fidelity Bank for the improvement of commercial real estate.

Beverage Bottling Facility – Pittston

• This NEPA Alliance PIDA loan was completed 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, contact Stephen Ursich, Dave Nat, Donovan Klem, Ken Doolittle, James Urso, or Kristie Miller at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.

TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT HOSTS INDUSTRY DAY

The Tobyhanna Army Depot hosted their 3rd annual Industry Day event, aimed at helping new and experienced businesses learn more about government contracting. Over 200 participants gathered at the Depot to learn more about potential partnership opportunities. NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator attended the three day event to help small and large businesses alike in government contracting. 

This year's Industry Day event was host to representatives from 185 different organizations, each one interested in learning more about working with Tobyhanna Army Depot. The Depot has a wide and diverse customer base, and participants were eager to learn how their services could benefit the Depot. Deputy Commander Robert Lantka shared impactful words to close out day one of the event, “Partnering with industry for things like training, increasing capacity, and growing capability are vitally important to us. One of the things we know as a Tobyhanna Team is we absolutely need partnership with industry and there are many different paths.”

Industry Day offered immense knowledge not only of what the Depot is currently looking for, but also what they are working on. Participants were guided through informative tours of the facilities on day two. Many organizations walked away armed with knowledge about how they can partner with the Depot to achieve their goals.

You can read the full article here.

Source: U.S. Army release, Industry Day at Tobyhanna Army Depot Showcases World-Class Capabilities and Partnering Opportunities: August 20, 2024

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

NEPA has provided international trade assistance for more than 30 years. NEPA promotes the benefits of international trade and provides customized counseling to businesses of all sizes and stages of export development: new-to-export, new-to-market, and market expansion.

Pennsylvania offers one of the largest, most comprehensive state-sponsored export development programs in the country. The Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development (OIBD) offers a wide range of programs and services to expand the global reach and export capacity of Pennsylvania businesses. This includes Pennsylvania’s global network of Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs) strategically located throughout the world.

As the first point of contact for international trade in the region, NEPA provides manufacturers and service firms with export development services including: access to the Pennsylvania Authorized Trade Representatives, market research, market entry strategy development, technical support, educational events, trade show and mission preparation, and access to grants and financing programs. NEPA also maintains a vast professional referral network including the U.S. Commercial Service.

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

NEPA MPO Active Transportation Plan Public Meetings

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 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

Traffic Calming

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Honesdale Borough Hall

958 Main Street

Honesdale, PA 18431

honesdaleborough.com

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

NEPA is scheduling Summer/Fall 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.

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...?

NEPA Alliance has a Research and Information Center. The Research and Information Center is an affiliate of the Pennsylvania State Data Center, which serves as an intermediary between the Census Bureau and users. Data from the Census Bureau and other sources are used as background information for submitting applications for project funding assistance. To learn more, click here or contact Tyler Day at (570) 891-4656.