Editor’s Note: The PA Wilds Partner Opportunities blog is a new 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.

 

Digital Coach for Google available in Kane

Host: The Kane Area Chamber of Commerce
Date: Wednesday and Thursday, October 18 and 19
Location: Six&Kane (63 N. Fraley Street, Kane 16735)

The Kane Area Chamber of Commerce arranged for Pennsylvania’s Digital Coach for Google Joshua Miller to come to Kane on October 18 and 19 and lead FREE coaching sessions and group workshops at Six&Kane. Participants can sign up for any or all of the scheduled Grow with Google workshops. They will also have the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one session to discuss any questions they might have with their business and Google’s services. There is no cost for any of these sessions! One-on-one sessions will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. Register by emailing the Google Digital Coach Joshua Miller directly at [email protected].

 

Free webinar for businesses to “Make the most of Small Business Saturday!”

Host: Small Business Development Center at Bucknell University
Date: Free webinar on Tuesday, October 24 from noon to 1 p.m. Deadline to register is October 24 at 10 a.m.
Location: Free online webinar. Although offered through Bucknell SBDC, available to anyone. Register here.

The Small Business Development Center at Bucknell University is offering a free webinar “Make the most of Small Business Saturday!” on Tuesday, October 24 from noon to 1 p.m. Deadline to register is October 24 at 10 a.m. Although offered through Bucknell, this webinar is available to anyone. The webinar will help business owners and managers understand what Small Business Saturday is and why it is important, as well as how to prepare for Small Business Saturday and get your business ready, such as by conducting a brand audit in prep for the holiday season. Register here.

 

Session Proposals Open for 2024 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference

Host: WeConservePA
Date: Deadline to submit is Wednesday, October 25. Conference on April 3-5, 2023.
Location: Wind Creek in Bethlehem (77 Wind Creek Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18015)

WeConservePA is accepting session proposals for the 2024 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference on April 3-5 in Bethlehem. The conference typically attracts 300 to 350 people representing land trusts, state agencies, trail groups, municipalities, and parks and recreation departments. Topics of interest include land protection, conservation easements, conservation law, tax issues, stewardship, resource management, land use planning, climate change, forestry, farmland preservation, habitat protection, fundraising, outreach, communications, DEIJ, access, trails, and more. The deadline to submit a proposal is Wednesday, October 25.

 

Governor’s Advisory Council seeks candidates for Game Commission Board

Host: Pennsylvania Game Commission
Date: Deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 27
Location: Candidates sought from Clarion, Forest and Warren counties in the PA Wilds

The Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation is seeking qualified candidates interested in serving the Pennsylvania Game Commission as commissioners in the following regions: District 1- Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, Warren counties. Commissioners are appointed for four-year terms with the opportunity to be reappointed for two additional four-year terms and can serve for six months after their term expires, or until their replacement is named, whichever occurs first. Individuals interested in applying should email a resume and cover letter to Derek Eberly, Director of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation, [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until Friday, October 27, 2023.

 

DCNR Seeking New Members for 2023 Trails Advisory Committee

Host: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Date: Deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Three-year term would start January 1, 2024.
Location: Letters of interest and resumes must be submitted to by email.

Two volunteer members are being sought for the 2023 Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee, representing the following user groups: mountain biking and walking. Members will serve a three-year term starting Monday, January 1, 2024. Letters of interest and resumes are due by Tuesday, October 31, 2023 and must be submitted to by email. More information can be found on the Trails Advisory Committee website.

 

POWR Pennsylvania Water Trail Mini Grant Program

Host: The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers
Date: Applications due by November 3
Location: Learn more and apply at the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s mini-grants webpage.

The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR) is offering the the PWR Pennsylvania Water Trail Mini Grant Program. Grants can fund projects that will advance Water Trail Program goals, such as creating recreational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians on water trails. Applications will be accepted through November 3. Find more information and submit a grant application on the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s mini-grants webpage.

 

National Park Service offers Chesapeake Gateway grants

Host: The US National Park Service
Date: Applications due by November 3
Location: Learn more and apply at the National Park’s Chesapeake Gateway grant page.

The National Park Service is accepting applications for Chesapeake Gateways grants. This year’s grants focus on projects that will: Advance a major inclusive interpretive initiative with an equity lens; promote resilient communities and landscapes through tourism, sustainability, conservation, and local economies; and projects must occur within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The deadline to apply for these grants is also November 3. Learn more and apply at the National Park’s Chesapeake Gateway grant page.

 

Funding to support manufacturing programs in the Northwest PA Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC) area

Host: Northwest PA Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC)
Date: Funding will begin being used this year
Location: Manufacturing in Clarion, Forest, and Warren counties in the PA Wilds

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has awarded a $200,000 grant to support manufacturing programs at the Northwest PA Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC) to inspire students and connect manufacturing talent in Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties with regional employers. NWIRC’s “Project Manufacturing Talent Stream” will receive the funding through a Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) grant to introduce and implement two new proven programs to the region (Dream Team and STEAM Club), leverage existing community programs, and innovate new initiatives — all while building stronger ties with the regional manufacturing industry. To learn more and inquire about opportunities, contact NWIRC.

 

PA Department of Labor and Industry accepting applications for 2023 Veterans Employment Program Workforce Grant

Host: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
Date: Deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 15 by 4 p.m.
Location: Grants available across Commonwealth, more info at PA Department of Labor & Industry Grant website

The PA Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announces the availability of approximately $800,000 in funding for the Veterans Employment Program (VEP) to include awards of up to $200,000. L&I has created this grant opportunity to assist veterans who have received a discharge other than dishonorable, members of the reserves and guard, and spouses of veterans and service members in securing employment that pays a living wage. Find more information at PA Department of Labor & Industry Grant website.

 

PFBC accepting applications for Boating Facility Grant Program

Host: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Date: Deadline to apply is December 30, 2023
Location: Apply at PFBC website

The Boating Facility Grant Program provides grants for planning, acquisition, development, expansion, and rehabilitation of public boating facilities located on the waters of the Commonwealth. The PFBC encourages townships, boroughs, and municipal and county governments to apply. Nonprofit groups (501c3) including land trusts, conservancies, and watershed associations are also eligible to apply. Private businesses and service clubs are not eligible for direct funding but are encouraged to partner with their local county or municipality. Funding requests require a 50% match.  The deadline for Boating Facility Grant Program applications is December 30, 2023.

 

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.

 

Recruiting for 1-hour focus groups and interviews with Northeast and Central PA residents about media/events

Host: The Institute & WVIA Public Media
Date: Interview at your convenience
Location: Virtual interview, must be resident of Northeastern and Central PA

The Institute & WVIA Public Media are seeking residents of Northeastern & Central Pennsylvania to complete a 60 minute virtual or phone interview or participate in a small focus group. The conversation will cover how you get information on current events, local media, and issues in your community. The responses will be confidential and used for this research only. Participants selected for discussion who complete the interview will receive a $20 gas or grocery gift card. Register for your interview here.

 

Paid participants needed for research study on rural public libraries

Host: Penn West University
Date: 30-minute to 1-hour recorded virtual interview at your convenience
Location: Virtual interview, Zoom link will be provided after contacting Dr. Li.

Do you own a small business? Are you planning to start your own small business? Are you looking for a job? Are you a representative for your local community-based organization? If you answer yes to any of these questions, and you are a resident (ages 18 to 75) in a rural community of Pennsylvania, you may be eligible to participate in a research study funded by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania that could improve library resources, programs, and services for you. Each participant will be compensated $25 Amazon Gift Card. Please contact Principal Investigator, Xiaofeng Li, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Pennsylvania Western University, 814-393-2447, [email protected]

 

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