Pennsylvania's Small Business Advantage Grant Program

is now open for applications. The Advantage Grant Program will accept completed Advantage Grant applications until August 29, 2008, or until the allotted funds are fully committed to eligible projects. The earlier you apply, the better your chance of receiving funding.The Advantage Grant Program is administered by the DEP Office of the Small Business Ombudsman. The Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides a 50-percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes that reduce energy consumption, promote pollution prevention, and increase profitability. Examples include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, motion sensors that shut off lights when rooms are empty and auxiliary power units that allow long-haul truckers to turn off their engines during layovers without sacrificing heat and electricity. The program is open to small business owners whose business or facility is located in Pennsylvania. An eligible applicant must be a for-profit business enterprise that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity with no more than 100 employees and is a separate legal business entity at the time the application is submitted. Applicants may be manufacturers or service providers.