Editor’s Note: The PA Wilds Partner Opportunities blog is a monthly roundup of opportunities and resources that are offered by partners of the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship. Featured blog content supports Pennsylvania Wilds communities, small businesses and organizations. Regionally focused and time sensitive grant opportunities, technical assistance programs and professional development workshops are examples of the types of resources and opportunities that will be included in this monthly blog. Typically published the second week of each month, this series serves as a real time supplement to the annually produced PA Wilds Resource Guides, available at WildsCoPA.org/business-resources.

 

 

Department of Labor and Industry Digital Literacy and Workforce Development Grant-Round 5 applications due April 4

Host: PA Department of Labor and Industry
Date: Applications due by April 4
Location: Learn more and apply at https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/grants/Pages/default.aspx.

The PA Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announces the availability of approximately $5,000,000 in funding for the Digital Literacy and Workforce Development Grant (DLWDG) Round 5, to include awards of up to $100,000 per project. The purpose of this grant is to enhance the digital literacy skills necessary for securing and maintaining jobs and careers offering family-sustaining wages, including job search capabilities and access to employment postings. To ensure equitable access to employment, it is necessary to increase digital literacy skills, particularly in communities in need. This funding will allow the department to meet a critical workforce barrier for individuals seeking employment. The application deadline for this grant opportunity is Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. E.T. You may view/download the NGA and all related appendices by visiting the Grants page on the PA Labor & Industry web site or clicking on this link: https://www.dli.pa.gov/Businesses/Workforce-Development/grants/Pages/default.aspx .

 

Downtown Bellefonte Inc. offering two grants to support small business, applications due by April 12

Host: Downtown Bellefonte Inc. (Bellefonte Springboard)
Date: Entries are due by Friday, April 12, 2024 by end of day.
Location: Get more information and submit application at www.bellefontespringboard.com/springboard-grants.

Downtown Bellefonte Inc., the non-profit organization behind Bellefonte SpringBoard, is offering two grants to support the small business community in 2024. Grant awardees will receive both funding and coaching opportunities to start or scale their business. Two grants will be offered to new or established businesses within Centre County: One for those with a business idea or that have been in business for less than one year; and one for a business that has been established for more than one year. Two grant recipients will receive cash funding in the amount of $2,500 to help start or scale their business. In addition to funding, recipients will receive: A one-year, full time membership to Bellefonte SpringBoard. In addition to coworking opportunities, SpringBoard offers meeting room use, workshops and programming that are free for members, and more, as well as access to a network of professionals for business-related advice, from marketing to business operations. Full grant eligibility requirements are available at bellefontespringboard.com/springboard-grants.

 

ARC POWER funding available for projects supporting coal-impacted communities; applications due April 17

Host: Appalachian Regional Commission
Date: Applications for funding are due by 5 p.m. April 17.
Location: Register for free and learn more at https://web.cvent.com/event/4a6eb8c6-f3f5-4d11-8d82-c2d493070b5d/summary.

ARC POWER funding is available for projects supporting coal-impacted communities. Projects to boost economic development and diversification in affected communities can apply for 2024 funding via POWER now; applications are due by 5 p.m. April 17. Read the press release or the Notice for Submission of Applications (NOSA).

 

COVID-19 ARPA PA Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program applications due by April 20

Host: PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Date: Applications will be accepted beginning January 22, 2024 to April 20, 2024.
Location: Learn more and apply at dced.pa.gov/programs/covid-19-arpa-pa-multi-purpose-community-facilities-program/

The Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program (Facilities) is funded pursuant to the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (Capital Projects Fund) established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Facilities Program will offer $45 million in competitive grants to community anchor institutions and units of local government for community projects to construct, acquire, or improve facilities that are, or will be open to the public and will directly enable work, education, and health monitoring at the respective facility. Applications due April 20, 2024. Learn more and apply at dced.pa.gov/programs/covid-19-arpa-pa-multi-purpose-community-facilities-program/. The minimum grant amount for any Facilities project is $250,000. The maximum grant amount shall not exceed $2 million.

 

Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility (RLEM) for 10 counties, applications due by April 22

Host: The National Association of Counties (NACo)
Date: Applications due Monday, April 22.
Location: Learn more at www.naco.org/program/RLEM/apply

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to create a peer-learning opportunity for rural local leaders to advance equitable upward economic mobility to move individuals and families out of poverty. NACo will select 10 member counties, parishes or boroughs with populations of less than 50,000 to be part of the new Rural Leaders for Economic Mobility (RLEM) initiative. Over an 18-month period, selected counties, parishes or boroughs will receive virtual and in-person learning opportunities to foster economic development and reduce poverty, along with $50,000 for each selected county to support implementation and integration of data and evidence-based policies into local government decision-making. Applicant teams should designate two people: one government official and one local government employee or community member. Completed applications containing all the requested information should be emailed as a Word or PDF attachment to [email protected] by Monday, April 22, 11:59 p.m. ET.

 

WPC seeks spring grant applications, provides technical assistance for canoe and kayak access projects

Host: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Date: Applications must be postmarked by April 26, 2024.
Location: A downloadable application, including a complete list of requirements, is available at WaterLandLife.org/canoe-access-development-fund-cadf/.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is seeking grant applications for its Canoe Access Development Fund (CADF), which supports projects that will improve canoe and kayak access to Western Pennsylvania’s waterways. The Conservancy’s CADF provides technical assistance and grants of up to $5,000 for the construction and enhancement of canoe and kayak access locations. A downloadable application, including a complete list of requirements, is available at WaterLandLife.org/canoe-access-development-fund-cadf/. Applications open March 19 and must be postmarked by April 26, 2024. Grant recipients will be notified by May 24, 2024.

 

Art of the State 2024 gallery accepting entries from artisans

Host: The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Date: Final date to submit entries is Friday, May 3.
Location: Learn more at statemuseumpa.org/artofthestate (application details here).

Art of the State, open to Pennsylvania artists and craftspeople, is an annual juried exhibition held at The State Museum of Pennsylvania. With an established tradition of exhibiting highly creative art chosen by a distinguished panel of jurors, Art of the State provides an opportunity for both established and emerging Pennsylvania artists to exhibit their art and receive statewide recognition. The fee is $30 for up to 4 works of art. Final date to submit entries is Friday, May 3 at midnight. Entry assistance will be available by e-mail and phone from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. The exhibition will be open from Sunday, September 8, 2024 until Sunday, January 5, 2025. Learn more at statemuseumpa.org/artofthestate.

 

DCED Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program applications due by May 31

Host: The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Date: Applications are due by May 31, 2024.
Location: Learn more and apply at dced.pa.gov/programs/public-school-facility-improvement-grant-program/.

The Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program (PSFIG) provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects, such as repairs, internet connectivity, health and safety upgrades, accessibility projects, and more. Grants are available for eligible improvement projects with a total project cost of $500,000 or more. Grants shall not exceed $5,000,000 for any project. Applications are due by May 31, 2024. Learn more and apply at dced.pa.gov/programs/public-school-facility-improvement-grant-program/.

 

DEP Growing Greener Plus grant applications due by June 21

Host: The Department of Environmental Protection
Date: Applications accepted April 22 – June 21
Location: For more information, visit the Department’s Growing Greener Plus Grants Program webpage.

As part of the Department of Environmental Protection’s (Department) Growing Greener Plus Grants Program, applications will be accepted for Growing Greener (Watershed Restoration and Protection) grants. Growing Greener grants are designed to improve or protect Pennsylvania’s waters from nonpoint source pollution associated with agricultural activities, abandoned mine drainage (AMD), stormwater runoff, energy resource extraction, and streambank and shoreline degradation, while Bond Forfeiture grants are designed to address legacy mining impacts. Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, municipal authorities, county conservation districts, watershed organizations, councils of governments, educational institutions, and other authorized organizations involved in water resource restoration and protection. The maximum Growing Greener grant request amount is $500,000. Grant applications and all attachments must be submitted through the Commonwealth’s Electronic Single Application website, eGrants at www.esa.dced.state.pa.us. Applications will be accepted beginning 8:00 a.m. on April 22, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered. For more information, visit the Department’s Growing Greener Plus Grants Program webpage at https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/Growing-Greener/Pages/default.aspx.

 

PA Council on the Arts ​Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program

Host: PA Council on the Arts
Date: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and awarded on a rolling basis.
Location: Learn more at the PCA Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator page

The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the PCA’s Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) partner organizations are pleased to make available the Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program. This program is designed to pair access to existing small business consulting services with $2,000 grants for creative entrepreneurs who aspire to start their own for-profit business or who operate an existing for-profit micro business. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and awarded on a rolling basis. Learn more at the PCA Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator page.

 

POWR Statewide Waterway Access Grant Mini Grant Program

Host: The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers
Date: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and awarded on a rolling basis.
Location: Learn more at the POWR SWAG announcement press release.

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) is opening the new Statewide Waterway Access Grant Mini Grant Program (SWAG). The grant program, supported by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, is designed to help meet growing demand for non-motorized boating opportunities. The program provides grants of up to $30,000 to create new or improve existing access points along the region’s rivers, streams, and waterways.

 

Office rental space available in Greater Clearfield County Chamber of Commerce building

Host: Greater Clearfield County Chamber of Commerce
Date: Get in touch as soon as possible for tour if interested.
Location: 218 South Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830; call Christy at 814-765-7567 for details.

Are you working from home but need a quieter office space without distractions? Could your new startup business use an affordable office space to meet with clients? Are you looking for an all-inclusive office within walking distance of downtown Clearfield? The Clearfield Chamber of Commerce building at 218 South Second Street in Clearfield has affordable office space available in the new year. Give Christy a call at 814-765-7567 for availability.

 

DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant round opens January 16, 2024

Host: PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Date: Grant round opens January 16, 2024, various deadlines for different grants.
Location: Learn more and apply for the grants at the DCNR grant page.

Videos of DCNR’s annual grant workshop are now live on the agency’s YouTube channel. If you missed the grant workshop on November 16, or if you’d like a refresher on anything you learned at it, the videos are the place to start. The videos provide information about the upcoming 2024 grant round, which opens on Tuesday, January 16. They discuss who can apply, the types of projects we fund, and how to make your application more competitive. We recommend watching the “General Overview” video first, and then watching the video specific to the type of grant you intend to apply for. Learn more and apply for the grants at the DCNR grant page.

 

Submit your resources!

Organizations offering resources or opportunities for small businesses, nonprofits and communities in the PA Wilds are invited to submit information for potential inclusion in next month’s Partner Opportunities blog, which is posted to PAWildsCenter.org and shared in the PA Wilds Center’s monthly e-newsletter. The blog and e-blast are typically shared the second week of the month. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. the last Friday of month for consideration. SUBMIT RESOURCES

 

ABOUT THE PA WILDS

The Pennsylvania Wilds is a 13-county region that includes the counties of Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Warren, and northern Centre. The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to integrate conservation and economic development in a way that inspires the communities of the Pennsylvania Wilds. The PA Wilds Center promotes the region and its 2+ million acres of public lands as a premier outdoor recreation destination as a way to diversify local economies, inspire stewardship, attract investment, retain population and improve quality of life. The PA Wilds Center’s core programs seek to help businesses leverage the PA Wilds brand and connect with new market opportunities, including: the Wilds Cooperative of PA, a network of more than 575 place-based businesses and organizations, and the PA Wilds Conservation Shop, a retail outlet primarily featuring products sourced from the WCO. For more information on the PA Wilds Center, visit www.PAWildsCenter.org. To learn more about the WCO, visit www.WildsCoPA.org. Explore the PA Wilds at www.PAWilds.com. Find regionally made products at www.ShopThePAWilds.com. 

 

Media Contact

Britt Madera | Communications Manager

PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc.

[email protected] | 570-948-1051