The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is accepting applications for its Small Business Advantage Grant Program to aid small businesses looking to conserve energy and prevent pollution, says Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery).
Under the program, businesses can apply for a 50 percent matching grant of up to $9,500 for taking actions to promote implementation of pollution prevention and energy efficiency practices.
Applicants must be a for-profit corporation, Limited Liability Corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity with 100 or fewer full-time employees. The grant-supported project must be in a Pennsylvania facility owned by the applicant and must save the business at least 25 percent, plus $500 annually as a direct result of implementing the project. All work on the grant projects must be completed by June 30, 2014.
Applicants may be manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining operators or agricultural businesses. Eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent recovery systems, waste recycling systems and auxiliary power units deployed as anti-idling technology for trucks.
As part of this year’s grant program, all applicants will be required to provide a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Vendor Registration number with their application. Applications will not be accepted without it. A vendor ID number can be obtained by visiting www.vendorregistration.state.pa.us.
The application deadline is Sept. 6. Eligible applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.
Applications must be mailed or hand-delivered to the Department of Environmental Protection Grants Center, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market St., Harrisburg, PA 17101-2301. Faxes or electronic submissions will not be accepted.
For more information about the grants or to apply, visit www.RepToepel.com.