NEPA Newslines
October 2016
NEPA Alliance Annual Dinner a Huge Success
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance held its Annual Dinner on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at Mohegan Sun Pocono, Wilkes-Barre, PA. The dinner was well attended by over 350 business and community leaders from around the region reaching a milestone in attendance.
 
During the dinner, NEPA presented the NEPA Alliance Regional Leadership Award. The award is presented to an agency, group or individual demonstrating a significant contribution to regional growth, development or cooperation within the seven county NEPA region. This year's award recipient was Pocono Raceway for their impact on the regional economy and involvement in the regional community of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
 
Bud Quandel, NEPA Board Chairperson; Ben May, Pocono Raceway; Jeffrey Box, President & CEO, NEPA Alliance and Mary Ann Lambert, M & T Bank.
 
The dinner's keynote address was presented by Dr. David T. Feinberg, M.D., MBA. Dr. Feinberg provided insightful commentary on healthcare and the growth of Geisinger Health System.
Bringing the World to NEPA
A Rewarding Experience
Bring the World to NE PA
 
The Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) Alliance's 17th Annual "Bringing the World to Northeastern Pennsylvania" was a great success. On Friday, September 23, 2014, businesses from Northeastern Pennsylvania met with 14 of Pennsylvania's Authorized Trade Representatives from around the world at The Woodlands Inn, Wilkes-Barre, PA.
 
Senator Yudichak State Senator John Yudichak, 14th Senatorial District, served as the Luncheon Keynote Speaker and highlighted the opportunities available through the Commonwealth's Export Assistance Program and the importance and impact of international trade on the region's economy.  Specifically, he noted that Pennsylvania has one of the largest, most comprehensive state-sponsored export development programs in the United States.  Through this program, the NEPA Alliance and the PA Department of Community & Economic Development's Office of International Business Development have helped sustain and/or create more than 1,330 jobs in the NEPA Alliance's seven-county service area over the past three years.
 
  
PA Authorized Trade Representatives
Pennsylvania's Authorized Trade Representatives and dignitaries at the event.







 
Twenty-one businesses registered to meet with Pennsylvania's Trade Representatives from Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. The overwhelming consensus from participants was very positive. Businesses reported that their meetings were productive and very informative. Some businesses left with new contact information and market leads in hand.
 
The NEPA Alliance provides a wide range of direct assistance to help businesses take full advantage of the global marketplace through the PA Export Network. For both businesses already involved in export and those just starting out, the NEPA Alliance administers a number of export promotion programs in Northeastern PA on behalf of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development's Office of International Business Development.


DCED
This event was 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.
DBE Outreach/Networking Workshop
October 26, 2016 ~ 8:00 a.m. - Noon
NEPA PTAC     
 
LCTA Logo
The NEPA Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will be hosting a Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA) Outreach and Networking Workshop geared towards small businesses that are interested in becoming a certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) through the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program (PA UCP) to support LCTA's DBE goals and objectives. Firms certified as a DBE with the PA UCP are eligible to participate in any Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funded contracts.
 
AGENDA
 
Registration, Networking, and Light Breakfast
 
Welcome and Introductions
Frank A. Migneco, NEPA Alliance PTAC - Government Procurement Manager
 
Overview of The Luzerne County Transportation Authority (LCTA)
Norm Gavlick, LCTA Executive Director

DBE 101: Program Overview
Frank Knorek, LCTA Compliance Analyst/DBELO
Small businesses attending will learn about the mechanics of both the FTA DBE Program and PennDOT DB program. This session will also include information on program regulations, PA UCP Certification process, participation guidelines, and program goals.
 
Cheney University Diverse Business Supportive Services Center
Kenyon Holley, Director, Diverse Business Supportive Services Center
Learn how the staff from Cheney University's DBSSC can assist your small business with obtaining PA UCP Certification, business consulting, and training.
                                                                                               
How To Do Business With LCTA
Frank Knorek, LCTA Compliance Analyst/DBELO
This session will provide small businesses with information on the products and services LCTA buys, the purchasing process, vendor registration, where contract opportunities are advertised, upcoming projects, and how to respond to an RFP.
 
Government Marketing: Capability Statement
Frank A. Migneco, NEPA Alliance PTAC - Government Procurement Manager
Attendees will learn about the value of having a capability statement, how to develop one, and a simple way to mine contract officer/buyer information to send it to them.

Q&A Session
Join the presenters in discussing questions related to the LCTA DBE Program, Cheney University DBSSC, and NEPA Alliance PTAC programs and services.
 
The workshop will be held at the NEPA Alliance, 1151 Oak Street, Pittston, PA.
Register Now
 
For additional Workshop information contact Karen Ostroskie, Frank Migneco, or Paula Terpak at the NEPA Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
PA Manufacturing Week
PA Manufacturing Week October 1-7, 2016 is Pennsylvania Manufacturing Week, part of a nationwide celebration designed to change people's perceptions of manufacturing today, draw attention to the amazing career opportunities available in a variety of sectors, and educate the public on the significant impact manufacturing has on the economy.
 
Pennsylvania has a deep history and rich legacy in manufacturing - it has long been the foundation for the state's economy. Today, manufacturing has an $85 billion impact on Pennsylvania's economy - the 8th largest output in the United States. Manufacturing also employs over a half million workers in Pennsylvania, from a highly skilled labor force of more than 6.5 million that's educated at nearly 300 educational institutions across the state. And those hard-working Pennsylvanians earn an average annual wage of $63,752.
 
Hundreds of events and tours will be held throughout the week, giving Pennsylvanians the opportunity to visit and learn more about local manufacturers. An interactive map and list of events and tours can be found at dced.pa.gov/mfgweek.
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.

Salt and Snow Management - CLASS FULL
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.
Did You Know...
Did You Know
Did you know that according to 2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the East Stroudsburg Metropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Monroe County, had the largest decline in the percentage of the population without health insurance coverage between 2013 and 2015 among the eighteen metropolitan statistical areas in Pennsylvania, with -5.5 percent? For a Research Brief from the Pennsylvania State Data Center, click here.
 
For additional information, contact Steve Zaricki at 570-655-5581 or 866-758-1929.
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