NEPA Newslines
July 2016
Government Contracting Showcase
A Win-Win for Attendees
NEPA Alliance held its annual Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) 2016 Government Contracting Showcase on June 16, 2016 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort, Wilkes-Barre, PA.  The Showcase was attended by regional legislative representatives, Commonwealth staff, contract officers and buyers, and small businesses.
 
The half day event was well attended with 20 exhibitors including representatives from economic development, government agencies, and private businesses. The Showcase attracted over 100 attendees and was deemed to be outstanding and beneficial by those in attendance.
 
Jeffrey Box, NEPA President & CEO, opened the event by stating, "There are significant opportunities for local companies to enter into contracting with federal, state, and local government agencies."  Mr. Box quantified this by saying, "Over $84 million in revenue within the NEPA seven-county coverage area was reported by NEPA PTAC clients last fiscal year. We cannot do what we do without legislative support." He further stated the NEPA Alliance is proud to support many of the businesses in the room.
 
Secretary Curt Topper Pennsylvania Department of General Services Secretary Curt Topper was the luncheon keynote speaker. He explained how the Commonwealth does business and its impacts on our communities. "We are working to build a more inclusive economy in Pennsylvania. A working government is worthy of the citizens' trust." Secretary Topper explained that 29 state agencies purchase $4.5 to $5 billion a year in products and services.
 
The attendees learned how to conduct and market their business with Federal and State Agencies and Prime Contractors. Educational sessions included "Selling to the Commonwealth - Important Changes" and "Selling to the Federal Government."

For more information on the PTAC, contact Karen Ostroskie, Frank Migneco, or Paula Terpak at the NEPA Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.

Blue Ribbon Task Force
Blue Ribbon Task Force Logo
On June 3rd, the Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) held a legislative briefing that provided an update on new Tobyhanna Army Deport initiatives and pending Base Relocation and Closure Act (BRAC) legislation. The program featured BRAC insights by Barry Rhodes, Chairman, Cassidy & Associates, a Washington D.C. based government relations firm; an update of recent BRTF activities; and the launch of a new Blue Ribbon Task Force website. The new website can be found at www.SupportTobyhanna.org. The event was attended by 45 stakeholders including elected officials and their staff representatives, state officials, members of the media and business leaders.
  
The Blue Ribbon Task Force is a public-private partnership of community leaders whose mission is to provide community-based support for Tobyhanna Army Depot, the largest industrial employer in the region.  The BRFT places its focus on highlighting Tobyhanna's role as an economic engine and its impact on the regional economy.
NEPA Alliance Annual Dinner
Save the Date
NEPA Alliance NEPA Alliance will be hosting its Annual Dinner on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Wilkes-Barre, PA.
 
This year's Keynote speaker will be David T. Feinberg, M.D., MBA, President & CEO, Geisinger Health Systems.
International Development News
Bringing the World to PA - Save the Date
Join us on Friday, September 23, 2016 at The Woodlands Inn, Wilkes-Barre, PA as we host Pennsylvania's Authorized Trade Representatives (ATRs) for one-on-one meetings with companies. 
 
Your international trade partners, ATRs, are business consultants located in-country who provide guidance to get your products or services into their respective markets. Their consulting services are provided free of charge to Pennsylvania companies.  
 
We'd like to introduce your company to the ATRs even before the event.  Getting you in touch with the ATRs now will help facilitate your meetings in September. Contact us for more information.  

DCED
This event is funded in part by DCED's Office of International Business Development.

To learn more about International Business Development assistance, contact Debbie Phillips at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
Business Finance News
NEPA Alliance has several loan products available for small businesses 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 Care, 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 or Dave Nat at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
  

 
NEPA-BFC NEPA Alliance Business Finance Corporation has Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans available for eligible small businesses in Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne Counties.
 
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 NEPA-BFC Tree 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
  • 40% Funding
  • Up to $5.5 Million in Financing Available
  • Market Based Fixed Rate Financing
SBA 504 Loans Offer: 
  • Low Down Payments
  • Long Term Maturities (10 & 20 Years)
*Eligibility Criteria Apply*
 
To learn more about this loan program, contact Stephen Ursich or Dave Nat at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
LTAP Training
The LTAP Logo Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) and PennDOT have partnered to offer the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) training series in the NEPA Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) region, which includes Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Schuylkill Counties, as well as the Lackawanna-Luzerne MPO region and Wayne County.

Conducting Sign Retroreflectivity Inspections
Thursday, August 11, 2016
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Clarks Summit Borough Building
304 S. State Street
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
(570) 586-9316

Stormwater Management
Thursday, August 18, 2016
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Stroud Township Building
1211 North 5th Street
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
(570) 421-3362

Salt and Snow Management
Thursday, October 27, 2016
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
West Penn Township Building
27 Municipal Road
New Ringgold, PA 17960
Phone: (570) 386-4507

Salt and Snow Management
Friday, November 4, 2016
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
PennDOT District 4-0 Office
55 Keystone Industrial Park
Dunmore, PA 18512
(570) 963-4052

To register, visit www.ltap.state.pa.us and log on using your username and password. First time users must set up an account by clicking on "Create Account." For technical assistance when registering, call 1-800-FOR-LTAP (1-800-367-5827) or contact Kate McMahon at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
AFP Workshop: July 12, 2016
Minding the Gap
AFP NEPA The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) NEPA Chapter will host "Minding the Gap," a workshop by Tonyehn Verkitus, owner of Eco-Art Living, on July 12, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Lunch will be provided.  Please click here to register.
Did You Know...
Did You Know
Did you know that, according to July 1, 2015 Detailed State and County Population Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, Luzerne County , with 34.7 percent, and Lackawanna County, with 26.3 percent, were ranked first and fourth in minority population percent increase among the 29 counties with a minority population of at least 10,000? For a Research Brief from the Pennsylvania State Data Center that also includes ranking information about Monroe and Pike counties, click here.
 
For additional information, contact Steve Zaricki at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
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