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 Equity Plan Public Comment Session – McKean County

Host: PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2023, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Location: Port Allegheny Veterans Memorial Inc. (4743 PA-155, Port Allegany, PA 16743)

Pennsylvanians without access to affordable internet or computers to get online live in the digital divide. The PA Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has created an ambitious plan to bridge that divide. Please join us at this community meeting to hear about the plan and share your feedback. This meeting is a chance to provide your thoughts and be a voice for change. Together we can improve internet access in our region and throughout Pennsylvania! A boxed meal will be provided for all participants. Children are welcome! We’ll have coloring books and crayons. You do not have to register in advance but knowing how many people are joining us helps with our food order. We’d appreciate if you let us know you will attend (no names needed). Register here.

 

Digital Equity Plan Public Comment Session – Clearfield County

Host: PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Location: Hampton Inn Dubois (1582 Bee Line Highway, DuBois, PA)

Pennsylvanians without access to affordable internet or computers to get online live in the digital divide. The PA Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has created an ambitious plan to bridge that divide. Please join us at this community meeting to hear about the plan and share your feedback. This meeting is a chance to provide your thoughts and be a voice for change. Together we can improve internet access in our region and throughout Pennsylvania! A boxed meal will be provided for all participants. Children are welcome! We’ll have coloring books and crayons. You do not have to register in advance but knowing how many people are joining us helps with our food order. We’d appreciate if you let us know you will attend (no names needed). Register here.

 

PA Parks and Forests Foundation accepting nominations for annual awards program

Host: Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation
Date: Nominations deadline is December 15, 2023. Award banquet to be held May 14, 2024.
Location: Fill out nomination form at Awards Criteria

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation is still accepting nominations for its annual awards program. The award banquet, to be held May 14th, 2024 at Little Buffalo State Park, celebrates the accomplishments of state park and forest staff, volunteers, community leaders and businesses in advancing conservation, outdoor recreation, and innovation. Please consider nominating for those awards open to nominations or suggesting names for those awards chosen by PPFF. Deadline for nominations is December 15th, 2023. Link to nomination form: Awards Criteria

 

Headwaters Charitable Trust executive director position open

Host: Headwaters Charitable Trust
Date: Part-time position currently seeking applications
Location: Janie French at [email protected] or 814-236-4333 for more information or if interested.

Headwaters Charitable Trust has a position open for a part time executive director to work with local
volunteer groups and communities on environmental, recreational and agricultural projects throughout
Pennsylvania. Duties include: working closely with volunteer groups and communities to establish relationships, apply and administer grants, work with Trust Board Members to generate ideas and expand programs, oversee strategic direction and implementation of programs, work with financial manager on budgets, invoice approvals and audits, and serve as the primary spokesperson for the Trust. This is a salaried position at $25,000/year plus travel mileage. Position can work remotely.

 

Survey for Clarion County’s destination brand

Host: Clarion County Economic Development Corporation
Date: Surveys encouraged by end of 2023
Location: Fill out the Clarion County survey at https://bit.ly/BrandingClarionCo

A destination brand is like a promise and a story about what makes it special. It’s how a town, city, county, etc. presents itself to the world to attract visitors, businesses, and sometimes even new residents. Imagine if a place like Clarion County was a person at a party. The destination brand is how Clarion County introduces itself, what stories it tells, and what memorable traits it has that makes others want to get to know it better. So, a destination brand helps in creating a unique identity for a place, making it stand out from other places, and drawing people to visit. This is the journey Clarion County is on over the next year, and you can help shape its brand. Fill out the Clarion County survey at https://bit.ly/BrandingClarionCo.

 

Survey for Jefferson County’s destination brand

Host: Visit Jefferson County
Date: Surveys encouraged by end of 2023
Location: Fill out the Jefferson County survey at https://bit.ly/BrandingJeffersonCo

A destination brand is like a promise and a story about what makes it special. It’s how a town, city, county, etc. presents itself to the world to attract visitors, businesses, and sometimes even new residents. Imagine if a place like Jefferson County was a person at a party. The destination brand is how Jefferson County introduces itself, what stories it tells, and what memorable traits it has that makes others want to get to know it better. So, a destination brand helps in creating a unique identity for a place, making it stand out from other places, and drawing people to visit. This is the journey Jefferson County is on over the next year, and you can help shape its brand. Fill out the Jefferson County survey at https://bit.ly/BrandingJeffersonCo.

 

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.

 

Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority drafts its Statewide Digital Equity Plan, public comment period open

Host: Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority
Date: Public comment open November 27, 2023 – January 8, 2024
Location: Review and provide feedback for the draft at the PBDA Digital Equity Act website.

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has drafted its Statewide Digital Equity Plan (Plan), as is required through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Digital Equity Act. The Plan outlines the disparities in digital equity across the commonwealth, existing assets that are in place to bridge the digital equity divide, how the PBDA engaged with a diverse set of stakeholders, industry leaders, and subject matter experts, and how the PBDA will implement this plan across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Input on the draft Plan is vital to its success and will ensure that the PBDA has listened and incorporated experience and needs from every corner of the state. Public Comment will be open at 12PM EST, Monday November 27, 2023, and will close at 12PM EST on Monday January 8, 2024. The PBDA has identified 3 processes to submit comments, which are outlined on the PBDA Digital Equity Act website.

 

COVID-19 ARPA Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program (Facilities) guidelines available for review

Host: Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority
Date: Guidelines can be reviewed until January 10, 2024. Applications open January 11 to April 9, 2024.
Location: Review the guidelines here

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has posted the COVID-19 ARPA Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program (Facilities) guidelines for review. 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. You can review all guideline details to include eligibility and project criteria on the website. Guidelines will be available for review from 12.12.23 – 1.10.24. The Program will be open and begin to receive applications beginning 1.11.24 and will close 4.9.24 at 11:59 PM.

 

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
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.

 

Getting the Grant: Successfully Applying for ARC Funding Opportunities

Host: Appalachian Regional Commission
Date: Register by January 16, 2024. Event in Ohio will be held February 6th, 2024, 8am – 4pm.
Location: Portsmouth, Ohio

ARC is pleased to announce the return of the in-person workshop series entitled “Getting the Grant: Successfully Applying for ARC Funding Opportunities.” Hear from initiative leads on program specifics, new and upcoming changes to 2024 NOSAs, application review and scoring criteria, learn from successful grantees on how they translated their project ideas into award-winning proposals, and receive training guidance on complex application components and associated requirements.  Events will be held: January 23rd, 2024, 8am – 4pm in Asheville, North Carolina; January 30th, 2024, 8am – 4pm in Birmingham, Alabama; and February 6th, 2024, 8am – 4pm in Portsmouth, Ohio. Register by January 16, 2024 here.

 

Registration now open for Penn State Extension’s Woods in Your Backyard Series

Host: Penn State Extension
Date: Wednesdays January 17, 2024-March 13, 2024 (7:00 PM-8:30 PM ET)
Location: Learn more about the live webinar series and register here.

The vast majority of landowners have small woodlots less than 10 acres in size. Woods in Your Backyard Series is designed specifically, but not exclusively, for smaller landscapes. Join us to learn how landowners can positively influence the environment by implementing simple stewardship practices. The series’ training unfolds across nine one-hour live evening webinar sessions, all centered on forest management. The series will cover topics such as forest ecology and soils, tree planting and native landscaping, tree identification, enhancing wildlife habitat, water in the woods, invasive species management, and woodlot management techniques. Learn more about the live webinar series and register here.

 

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