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.

 

 

Navigating Partnerships Between Destination Brands and Content Creators

Host: Hello Social Co.
Date: Webinar on Wednesday, November 15 from 12:00 to 12:45 p.m.
Location: Online webinar, register here, $30 ticket

Join Hello Social Co. for an exciting online event where they’ll delve into the world of destination brands and content creator partnerships. Whether you’re a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) eager to team up with influencers and creators or a content creator looking to collaborate with tourism bureaus and experience-driven brands, this event is tailor-made for you. Hello Social Co. Social Media Expert and Integrated Marketing Specialist, Ellen Matis, will lead you through the the entire collaboration process, from inception to the final results. Zoom link will be sent to registrants via email the morning of November 15. Digital tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.

 

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.

 

WPC Seeks Fall Grant Applications, Provides Technical Assistance for Canoe and Kayak Access Projects

Host: Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Date: Application deadline is November 20
Location: Must provide access to Western PA waterways. 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 October 16 and must be postmarked by November 20, 2023. Grant recipients will be notified by December 18, 2023.

 

Save America’s Treasures Grant Program Accepting Applications for FY2023

Host: National Park Service
Date: Applications are due December 19, 2023.
Location: For more information about the SAT grant program and application info: http://go.nps.gov/sat.

The National Park Service is now accepting applications for the Save America’s Treasures (SAT) grant program. The SAT program provides preservation and conservation assistance to nationally significant historic sites and collections. $26.5 million will be competitively awarded. A dollar-for-dollar, non-Federal match, is required, this can be either cash or documented in-kind services. Preservation projects fund physical preservation of historic buildings, sites, structures, and objects. Collection projects include conservation of artifacts, museum collections, documents, sculptures, and works of art. Applications are due December 19, 2023. To apply for funding for preservation projects go to opportunity number P23AS00499. To apply for funding for collections projects go to opportunity number is P23AS00500. For more information about the SAT grant program: http://go.nps.gov/sat.

 

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.

 

2024 PDC Premier Revitalization Conference Call for Proposals

Host: Pennsylvania Downtown Center
Date: Submissions are open until January 22, 2024. Conference is June 23-26, 2024.
Location: Submit your proposal here.

You are invited to submit session proposals for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s Premier Revitalization Conference in York, PA, from June 23-26, 2024. This event unites community leaders and experts in revitalization, focusing on dynamic partnerships and collaboration within communities. PDC is seeking innovative proposals on topics like advocacy, community branding, inclusive board development, placemaking, and more. Submissions are open until January 22, 2024. For detailed guidelines and to propose your session, click here. Join in shaping the future of our communities through collaboration and innovation!

 

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.

 

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.

 

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