Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission

The Clarion County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC), in collaboration with Clarion County and other community partners, has launched the Clarion County Broadband Survey. CCEDC understands that there is a great need for high speed, reliable broadband internet access in Clarion County. The results of this survey will help them as they attempt to address issues of areas being either unserved or underserved by broadband providers. Please take this survey and share it wit...h your friends/colleagues who live in Clarion County. To complete the survey, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ClarionCountyEDCBroadbandSur.

PA CareerLink Lawrence County Job Fair, June 16: https://cchamberlain40.wixsite.com/jobfairsrc

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a new benefit that will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The Emergency Broadband Benefit is... limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. A household is eligible if a member of the household meets one of the criteria below: Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline; Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year; Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year; Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income or COVID-19 program. For more information on how to apply, please go to https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit See more

Don't miss the next #PTAC & SBA web series with special guest Kongsberg Protech Systems USA. 6/8/21 -- check out event info below & sign up via https://nwpaptac.ecenterdirect.com/events/4384

This Memorial Day, let us all take a moment and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Check out these June webinars from our #PTAC. #GovContracting

0% Interest Loans Available! The Northwest Commission is happy to announce that we are now accepting applications for the EDA CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund. These loans are available to small businesses that operate in the following counties: Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Warren, and Venango. Potential loan amounts available range from $5,000 to $500,000, with 0% interest throughout the life of the loan, and the first 12 months’ payments deferred. Busin...esses may apply for these loans to help assist with working capital expenses, or for COVID-19 related machinery and equipment. Businesses are eligible to apply if they have 100 or fewer employees and if they have been in operation at least 9 months prior to applying. Please contact Jacob McCord-Wolbert at [email protected] or at (814) 677-4800 ext. 112

The Northwest Commission would like to invite all municipalities to participate in the "Build a Better Mousetrap" competition put on by the PennDOT LTAP program. If you have found a new and interesting way to increase safety, reduce cost, and improve transportation efficiency at your workplace, then feel free to enter this competition and win bragging rights for your municipality. The form needed to enter is due for submission on March fifth and can be found at http://gis.pe...nndot.gov//LTAP/2021BBMTBrochure_FILLABLE_FOR We wish the best of luck to everyone that participates! Please feel free to reach out to Caleb Gilliland, Community Development Specialist, [email protected] with any and all questions.

Join us on January 21st for out monthly webinar series featuring virtual conversations with exporters from the Northwest region of Pennsylvania! We will introduce you to our featured exporter along with its representatives and you'll have the opportunity to listen to their story as a Northwest Pennsylvania exporter - learn from it and connect with your peers! This month's featured exporter is: AcousticSheep LLC. Dr. Wei-Shin Lai joins us for the Exporter Spotlight series. Register here - https://lnkd.in/eqgUNt8

Appalachian Regional Commission Issues Request for Proposals (RFP) for Economic Diversification Investments in Region’s Coal-Impacted Economies: Today, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) released a Request for Proposals (https://www.arc.gov/wp-cont/uploads//01/POWER-2021-RFP.pdf) for applications for the 2021 POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) Initiative. POWER seeks to diversify economies in communities and regions affecte...Continue reading

Join the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College on January 14th for their virtual presentation on opportunities for people who would like to enhance their workforce related skills. This is a fantastic opportunity for people who are looking to advance their careers! The presentation will take place from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. If you would like to register for this even, please contact Robyn at [email protected] or (814) 432-4476.

SIGN-UP TODAY -- Due to high demand, the 1/12/21 #PTAC & SBA webinar has been expanded & is taking more registrations: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/let-the-sba-and-our-ptacs-help

0% Interest Loans Available! The Northwest Commission is still accepting applications for the EDA CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund. These loans are available to small businesses that operate in the following counties: Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Warren, and Venango. Potential loan amounts available range from $5,000 to $500,000, with 0% interest throughout the life of the loan, and the first 12 months’ payments deferred. Businesses may apply for these lo...ans to help assist with working capital expenses, or for COVID-19 related machinery and equipment. Businesses are eligible to apply if they have 100 or fewer employees and if they have been in operation at least 9 months prior to applying. Please contact Jacob McCord-Wolbert at [email protected] or at (814) 677-4800 ext. 112