Money reportedly earmarked for energy-efficiency or pollution prevention
Governor Tom Corbett has announced that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded $996,713 in grants to help 134 small businesses across Pennsylvania invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects, a DEP news release said.
“These grants are yet another example of my administration’s commitment to supporting small business owners in Pennsylvania.” Corbett said. “I am pleased to bolster businesses, like these, that are working hard to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.”
JGM Welding and Fabricating Service Inc. of Downingtown will receive $9,500 to install new, high efficiency lighting at its Coatesville facility, a DEP spokeswoman said. And Humane Society Management Services, which is located in Phoenixville, will use its award of $7,147 to install a ductless mini-split HVAC unit as well as doing some air sealing and converting their lighting to LED, the spokeswoman said.
Pennsylvania’s Small Business Advantage Grant program, funded through the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, helps businesses with 100 or fewer employees. It provides 50-percent matching reimbursement grants of up to $9,500 to implement projects that will save 25 percent annually in pollution-prevention or energy-related costs. The grants will create more than $3.7 million in private-sector investment in small businesses, the release said.
Since 2004, the program has awarded in excess of $8.5 million in more than 1776 small businesses statewide, the release said. For more information about how the DEP can help support small businesses or about future Small Business Advantage Grant programs, contact DEP’s Office of the Small Business Ombudsman at 717-772-8909 or via email at epadvantagegrant@pa.gov.
