Small Business Relief Program Brief
Lackawanna County Commissioners approved $4.725 million in CARES Act funding to provide grants to more than 200 Lackawanna County businesses that applied for assistance through the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance program.
“Small Businesses are the backbone of both our local and national economy. The pandemic has severely impacted the operations of our area’s small business community. We funded the Small Business Assistance Program to invest in our companies and to help strengthen their future. We want to assist them in keeping their doors open to provide all types of services to residents up and down the valley,” explained the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners.
MetroAction, the small business affiliate of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, will provide technical assistance to those chosen for grant awards on behalf of Lackawanna County.
Lackawanna County Non-Profit COVID-19 Support Grant Program
The Lackawanna County Non-Profit COVID-19 Support Grant Program assists tax-exempt organizations under the Internal Revenue Code section 501 (c) (3) and 501 (c) (19) that have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds can be utilized to support COVID-19 related organization operations and/or upgrade expenses incurred between March 1, 2020 and December 11, 2020, and will provide the emergency assistance that the tax-exempt organizations desperately need to remain operational. Applicants are eligible for a county grant up to a maximum cap of $5,000, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Lackawanna County Redevelopment Board of Directors Meeting
scheduled for Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at 4:00 p. m. As the meeting date gets closer, it will noted on this link whether it will be a virtual or in-person meeting.
Lackawanna County Commissioners Announce Funding For Twenty-one Community Re-Invest Projects
Twenty-one projects, focusing on recreation, public safety, veterans posts, COVID-19 testing and facility upgrades, fire rescue education and general construction and upkeep, were approved for funding by the Lackawanna County Commissioners through their Community Re-Invest Program
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ZOOM Call
on Friday, June 26, 2020 at 11:30 a.m.
This session will be held for small businesses that are looking for additional information pertaining to the Covid-19 Statewide SBA Grant Assistance Program.
Once participants register, they will be sent a link to the ZOOM log-in in their confirmation e-mail.
Business Relief Grant Recipients
The Lackawanna County Department of Planning and Economic Development has announced the list of recipients of the Business Relief Grant
REVIEW OF SUBDIVISION / LAND DEVELOPMENT PLANS: During the state of emergency, the planning department will accept these plans for review by U.S. Mail or courier service (UPS, FedEx, etc.) and through a drop-box at the front entrance of the government center. Please notify the department via email at the addresses below that such plans have been dropped off in order to avoid a delay in response time. Upon receipt, the department has 30 days to issue an evaluation report to the local municipality prior to final approval by the municipality. Plans within the following municipalities must be submitted through a municipal official and cannot be accepted by the county by any means from the owner/developer or plan preparer: Benton Twp, Greenfield Twp, Madison Twp, Mayfield Borough, Ransom Twp, and Roaring Brook Twp. All plans submitted must be accompanied by contact information (email and phone) and a review fee. The schedule for review fees can be found on the county website.
CDBG funds enable communities to effectively address local community development needs, such as infrastructure, housing, and community facilities. It also provides federal funds to develop viable communities through the provision of housing improvements and building suitable living environments, expand economic opportunities geared to low- and moderate-income individuals, and improve critical community health and welfare infrastructure.
Business Park Map
Do Business in Lackawanna County
Lackawanna County Incentives
SBA
Loan Fee
Waiver Program
Lackawanna County WiFi Umbrella
Land Development & Construction Fee Waiver Program
Keystone Opportunity Zone
→ Search KOZ and KOEZs in Lackawanna County
→ Program Guidelines and Applications
A LERTA can offer abatement of taxes that would otherwise be assessed on qualifying new construction and/or improvements to qualifying existing buildings. The owner of the qualifying property can delay paying the taxes that would be assessed due to the new construction/improvement for a period of up to 10 years, depending upon the time frame set forth in the local ordinance.
Unparalleled Quality of Life
Educational Excellence
The Lackawanna County Department of Economic Development oversees Lackawanna County’s Business Development mission to effectively promote and attract job creating businesses to the area.
Whether you are a business interested in moving to Lackawanna County or a local business looking to stay or grow, the Department of Economic Development can offer and coordinate grants, incentives, and low-interest financing which will make your relocation or expansion to Lackawanna County a cost-effective one.
LACKAWANNA COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLBOX
Wireless Technology Infrastructure Initiative
Our county-wide carrier-grade wireless network will reduce start-up and ongoing technology costs for businesses and will improve emergency management telecommunications. The project is entirely self-funded and cash flow positive. In today’s high-tech world, businesses demand sustainable, reliable, and redundant high-bandwidth data pipelines to survive. The Wireless Information Technology Infrastructure Initiative will position businesses with the data and telecommunication networks that they require to operate in Lackawanna County.
Small Business Administration Loan Fee Waiver Program
The country’s first SBA Loan Fee Waiver Program sponsored by Lackawanna County and designed to stimulate private sector job growth and economic development. Qualified businesses working with qualified lenders will receive a check from Lackawanna County in the amount of the SBA loan fees incurred.
Land Development and Construction Fee Waiver Program
A job-creation incentive program targeted toward businesses looking to expand or relocate operations in Lackawanna County. The County will reimburse a portion or all municipal fees and construction permit expenses for businesses creating ten permanent, full-time jobs in Lackawanna County within two-years of approval. Funding amount is dependent on jobs created, wages paid, the business’ industry, and total capital investment.
The Lackawanna County Commissioners established the Lackawanna County Business Improvement Grant Program to promote economic development and spur local economic growth by encouraging the private sector to pursue exterior façade improvements or purchase/install new equipment. This is a one-time grant and is reimbursable up to $5,000 and awarded on a 50/50 match basis.
On a yearly basis, Lackawanna County will allocate a determined amount for funds from the Department of Planning and Economic Development’s operating budget for a Business Improvement Grant Program to qualified businesses working within Lackawanna County.
PA Career Link Lackawanna offers 50% wage reimbursements to offset training costs during the initial training period of new hires for qualified employers. PA Career Link Lackawanna also offers a full suite of human resources services including job postings, resume and candidate pre-screenings and coordinating interviews in their office.
Discover Careers in the Healthcare Field
On the Job Training (OJT) Fact Sheet
Work Force Training and Financial Assistance
Computer Fundamentals for the Workplace
Interested to relocate or expand your business in Lackawanna County? Contact our Economic Development team directly:
Lackawanna County’s Economic Development Partners
MORE RESOURCES
Lackawanna County is partnering with the eight-County consortium in the Regional Bio Science Initiative, local hospitals, universities, and The Commonwealth Medical College, and making annual appropriation of funds to become a leader in life science research, development, and manufacturing which will stimulate the creation of private sector biotech jobs.
JOB FAIRS
Lackawanna County is uniting talent with opportunity through its annual Job Fair. This is a free service to Northeast Pennsylvania’s businesses and residents. Contact:
if you would like to participate in a future Job Fair.
Lackawanna County is partnering with local universities, businesses, and job-training partners to coordinate structured internship programs that will train and retain talented young professionals and reduce “brain Drain” in Northeast Pennsylvania.
For more information regarding incentive financing from the state of Pennsylvania, visit:
http://www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Guaranteed Free Training Program (WEDNETPA)
Provides grants to eligible business to offer basic skills and information technology training for current staff. Employers may receive $450 per employee for basic skills training and $850 per employee for information technology training.
The NEPA Business Finance Center, through its pool of federal, state and local funds, provides low-interest loans to qualified small businesses. Interest rates range from 1% to 4% and are fixed throughout the term of the loan. The objective is to provide low-interest financing for businesses to cover a portion of the costs of land, building, machinery and equipment that will be used create/retain jobs.
MetroAction Small Business Loan Program
Metro Action offers micro loans (up to $75,000) at above market rates for small businesses that may not qualify for traditional bank financing. The Small Business Loan Program offers a technical assistance program to borrowers.
OECD Small Business Loan Program (Scranton)
The OECD administers the Loan Program (up to $250,000), which provides loans to small businesses located in or wishing to relocate to Scranton. Loans may be used for real estate, business renovations, purchasing machinery, inventory needs, and working capital. Borrowers must create one job per $25,000 borrowed.
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School Districts
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