NFIB Pennsylvania is passing on information about a grant program for small businesses that want financial assistance in completing pollution prevention and energy efficiency projects. The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Applications for grants will be accepted as of Monday Oct. 6.
SMALL BUSINESS ADVANTAGE GRANT PROGRAM
HARRISBURG — The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites
manufacturers, retailers, service providers, agricultural businesses and other
small businesses to apply for a Small Business Advantage Grant to finance
pollution prevention and energy efficiency projects. The application period will
open Monday, Oct. 6.
The grants provide funding to projects that include auxiliary power units
deployed as anti-idling technology for trucks, HVAC and boiler upgrades,
high-efficiency lighting, solvent recovery systems and waste recycling
systems.
Applicants must be a for-profit corporation, limited liability corporation,
partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity with 100 or fewer
full-time employees. The grant-supported project must be located in Pennsylvania
and be owned by the applicant. Eligible projects must save the business a
minimum of $500 and 25 percent annually in energy consumption or pollution
related expenses.
Businesses can apply for 50-percent matching funds of up to $9,500 to adopt
or acquire energy-efficient or pollution-prevention equipment or procedures.
Funding is eligible for those costs incurred between Oct. 6, 2014 and June 30,
2015.
Last year, DEP awarded 133 grants totaling more than $981,000 to Pennsylvania
businesses to support pollution prevention and energy efficient upgrades,
spurring more than $3.6 million in private investment.
The grant program is funded by the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, which is
primarily supported by the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax and Act 13 Impact
Fee.
Applicants will be considered on a first come, first served basis.
Applications will be accepted until fiscal year 14-15 funds are exhausted or
April 15, 2015, whichever occurs first.
Applications are available by visiting www.dep.state.pa.us and clicking on the “Small Business
Advantage Grant” button. Applicants are advised to carefully review the guidance
document, which has been updated and is also available on the website.
Applications must be mailed to the Department of Environmental Protection’s
Grants Center, P.O. Box 8776, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8776 or hand delivered to the
center, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market St.,
Harrisburg. Faxes or electronic submissions will not be accepted.
To contact the Small Business Ombudsman’s Office, call 717-772-5160 or email
[email protected].
