Expanding Statewide Impact -

PennTAP's 2023 Annual Report

2023 was a year full of new and exciting opportunities that bolstered PennTAP’s ability to support economic development, innovation, and sustainability projects across the commonwealth of PA. 

Notable milestones included:

• Underscoring our commitment to excellence by promoting Technical Advisor Alanna Colvin to Associate Director and encouraging Technical Advisors Jenn Jones and Amy Jordan to obtain certification as Energy Managers

• Securing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding through the Rural Energy for America (REAP) Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program, unlocking fresh avenues for PennTAP to offer technical support to agricultural producers and rural small businesses statewide

• Being qualified by the US Department of Energy as an Industrial Assessment Center (IAC)-equivalent, giving PennTAP the authority to provide crucial energy assessments that manufacturers can use to apply for specialized grants and potentially access up to $300,000 to support the implementation of energy-efficient practices

A look at our impact numbers:

Creekside Springs Achieves $24,000 in Annual Energy Savings with Support from PennTAP



Creekside Springs, a bottled water manufacturer in Beaver County, PA, aimed to expand its workforce and market presence while cutting costs through energy-efficient strategies. Through PennTAP’s assistance, they achieved annual energy cost savings, secured $12,000 in grants and rebates, and added 6 new jobs while retaining 7.

Q&A: Greener power solutions for communities



Jim Freihaut, professor and interim head of Penn State’s Department of Architectural Engineering, was recently awarded a three-year, $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Freihaut will lead a team that includes PennTAP to provide technical assistance for potential adopters of onsite distributed energy systems in seven northeast states and Washington, D.C. We will over cover PA.

Metals Reimagined: Sustainable Production Techniques for the Metal Fabrication and Manufacturing Industries

This webinar will highlight strategies that manufacturers can employ to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, the use of hazardous materials, and the pollution generated by their facility.



Date: April, 18

Time: 11:00 AM to Noon

Location: Virtual

Exploring Funding Opportunities for Ag & Small Businesses with USDA REAP Grant

Join us for an insightful webinar cohosted with Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Agriculture Center of Excellence (Ag COE). This webinar aims to empower PA agricultural producers and small businesses seeking guidance, support, and funding opportunities.

Date: May 2

Time: 11:00 AM - Noon

Location: Virtual

BioMADE:Strengthening the Domestic Bioindustrial Manufacturing Ecosystem

Join us as we review current trends in biomanufacturing with BioMADE, a non-profit Manufacturing Innovation Institute, which is working to enable domestic bioindustrial research, commercialization, and manufacturing at all scales.

Date: April, 30

Time: 11:00 AM to Noon

Location: Virtual

Penn State Learning Factory Capstone Sponsorship Webinar

Through industry-sponsored and client-based capstone design projects, Penn State engineering students gain hands-on experience. This webinar, cohosted with Penn State Engineering Alumni Society, will provide details on how to become a project sponsor for a Fall 2024. 

Date: May 16

Time: 11:00 AM to Noon

Location: Virtual

Schedule a PennTAP Energy and Operational Assessment

Are you interested in reducing your company's energy and operating costs? A PennTAP energy and operational assessment conducted by one of our experienced advisors at your manufacturing facility can be the first step you are looking for.

Our advisors will evaluate your site and provide recommendations and calculations to assist with grant applications and guide you on your path to sustainability.

Penn State College of Engineering - Designing for Innovation Course

The 4-week, PennTAP sponsored course, explores Human Centered Design and its ability to provide a structured problem-solving approach to small daily tasks or company wide innovations.

Next round of applications due March 31

2024 Readiness Institute Summer Discovery Applications Due

• Applications for the 2024 Readiness Institute Summer Discovery are due Sunday, March 31. The Readiness Institute Summer Discovery is a six-week paid experience for rising high school seniors in Pittsburgh and Central PA that helps them become community and future ready. 

SKILLS 2024: Workforce Summit & Career Fair - The Greater Scranton Chamber

• April 4 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. This event aims to bridge the gap between job seekers, students, and industry professionals. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore diverse career paths, gain insights from seasoned experts, and forge vital networks that can propel their professional journey to new heights.

OriginLabs Collaborative Robotics Fundamentals Workshop

• Apr. 6, 2024 - 10AM to 3PM. This no-cost workshop will cover the applications, programming, and operation of Universal Robots’ UR10e collaborative robotic arm.

IMC Understanding Costs and Profits for Manufacturing Supervisors

• April 18. 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM. This workshop is tailored specifically for manufacturers who want to understand the financial flow of their organization and how each part, from cash flow to inventory to labor, is connected.

Ben Franklin CNP TechCelerator Program

• Ben Franklin’s TechCelerator offers a 10-week business boot camp for local entrepreneurs, grad students, professors, and researchers to launch startups, including expert guidance, networking, pitch development, and a chance to win up to $10,000 in funding.

Supply Chain Webinar Series

• Free Supply Chain 101 Webinar Series Kicks off May 8; Available to All Pennsylvania Manufacturers 

The First Steps to Small Business Success

• April 9. 9:30 AM. This is part of a monthly webinar series for businesses that are in the early stages of starting their business

Ben Franklin Technology Partners - Embracing the Digital Shift for Future Success in Your B2B Ecommerce Strategy 

• April 11 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM. Webinar with Jeff Parnell, CEO of JHP Direct Corporation, will address the critical pivot B2B companies must make to thrive in the evolving digital marketplace. 

OriginLabs 3D Printing in Metal Workshop

• Apr. 13, 2024 - 10AM to 3PM. This no-cost workshop will provide a hands-on overview of 3D printing in stainless steel metal using an Xact Metal Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) printer.

PA Wilds Big Idea Contest (Application Deadline)

• Deadline for application submittal to compete: April 18, 5:00 PM. Entrepreneurs from Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, and Tioga Counties, PA, with a new technology, product, or innovative idea, can submit an application to compete for $50,000.  

Breakfast and Learn Session: Cybersecurity

• April 24 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM. Penn State Altoona will offer a "Breakfast and Learn" presentation by Larry Garvin on cybersecurity basics.

Specialized Business Development Services in Pennsylvania's Cumberland County

• Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) is your dedicated business concierge connecting you with resources to accelerate your business relocation, growth, and innovation. CAEDC can help you with site selection, capital access, productivity improvement, permit navigation, development, community planning and much more.

A History of Helping Pennsylvania Businesses

Photo: 1987. The Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association (PMA) honored PennTAP for its consistent, positive influence on the economic climate of Pennsylvania with its first "Award for Excellence" and a $5,000 grant. PMA's Vice President James E. Penyard said: "There is no single award that can adequately pay tribute to PennTAP's contribution to business and industry in Pennsylvania. PMA greatly respects and honors the PennTAP organization, its director, staff, and Advisory Council, who combine to produce a high degree of economic return to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania".

Learn more about our history.

Our Commitment to Sustainability

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Our commitment to these goals is evident in the work we do. Learn more about our commitment.