Small Business Advantage Grant Program

Posted by on December 7, 2009

Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program is now open for applications. The grant will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis until the approximately $1 million in funding is depleted, so apply soon to have the best chance of success.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program

The Department of Environmental Protection announces an open opportunity to apply for funding in the 6th year of the Commonwealth’s Small Business Advantage Grant Program, which funds pollution prevention and energy efficiency projects. The Small Business Advantage is a grant program providing 50% reimbursement matching grants, to a maximum of $7,500, to enable a small business in Pennsylvania to acquire equipment or processes that result in energy efficiency or pollution prevention.

Eligibility

An eligible applicant must be a for-profit small business located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Most small businesses in this Commonwealth are eligible, including manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural concerns. The project to which the grant will apply must be located within the applicant’s Commonwealth facility and save the business at least 20% annually in energy or pollution related expenses. Examples of eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent and waste recovery systems. All projects must be completed before June 30, 2010.

Application Process

Applications and further information are available on the Small Business Advantage Grant Program’s website at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/e nintech/cwp/view.asp?a=1413&q=503219. The application package contains the materials and instructions necessary for applying for a grant.

Applications are also available by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, by phone at (717) 783-8411 or by email at: epadvan tagegrant@state.pa.us. You can also use this phone number and e-mail address for questions about the program.

Submission Dates

Applicants are encouraged to submit their completed application as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed for funding in the order in which they are received.

The Department will accept applications for the program if postmarked by January 15, 2010, or hand delivered by 4:00 P.M. on January 15, 2010. Because grants will be awarded on a first- come, first-serve basis, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by December 31, 2009.