Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 13
Participate in Virtual Matchmaking
Supplier (MBE) Registration:

Buyer (Corporations and other buying entities) Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID-19MMBuyers

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal
The Portal is for manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers to inform the Commonwealth of supplies available and will allow them to more efficiently procure these supplies for hospitals and medical facilities across Pennsylvania. Read more.

Current Bids
Hand Sanitizer, Toilet Paper, Disinfectant Wipes, etc.
The City of Pittsburgh - The Urban League is buying to distribute locally. Suppliers in Southwest PA call Michael Buzzelli or Mary Kay Dietrich at 412-227-4229. 

Community College of Allegheny County
June 16, 2020

Community College of Allegheny County
June 16, 2020

Community College of Allegheny County
June 16, 2020

The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority 
June 18, 2020

The City of Harrisburg/Capital Area Greenbelt Association 
June 19, 2020

Philadelphia Housing Authority
June 22, 2020

Philadelphia Gas Works
June 23, 2020

Delaware River Port Authority 
June 26, 2020
NMSDC Secures Partnership to Connect
 MBEs with PPP Funding
The National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (NMSDC) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new partnership between their Business Consortium Fund (BCF) and Midwest BankCentre to assist certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) with funding access through the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). If you are a minority business still in need of PPP funding, visit  www.bcfcapital.com/ppp-disclosure   for details and to begin your application process. The SBA has confirmed there is more than $90B remaining in available funding. 
 
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) – THERE’S STILL TIME – DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2020
Originally created by the  CARES Act   , PPP provides relief to small businesses, independent contractors, eligible self-employed individuals, and nonprofits. The loans can be for 2.5 times payroll costs, up to $10 million, and feature a streamlined application process with fewer requirements. Most significantly, PPP loans are eligible for forgiveness in full or in part, if defined conditions are met including maintaining head counts and payroll at or above pre-pandemic levels.  Click here for the loan forgiveness application . A portion of PPP loans may be used for permitted expenses, including rent. Applications continue to be accepted by SBA Lenders including commercial and community banks, FinTech companies and CDFIs.  Go here for a list of approved lenders   to apply for PPP and  read more   .
 
Questions regarding the status of your PPP application can be submitted to your lender directly. If you have applied call SBA's 24/7 Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 to check the status of your loan number.  Click here   to sign up to receive email updates from the SBA.

Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
There are changes to the PPP to make it easier for you to receive the loan forgiveness that is so important. These changes have been made under the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA). A few of the major changes:
  • The covered period is now 24 weeks, up from the previous 8 weeks. You may opt to keep the 8 weeks as your covered period.
  • You may now use up to 40% of the PPP funds on non-payroll expenses, although those expenses are still limited to utilities and mortgage interest.
  • The amount of the funds that must be used on payroll has been reduced to 60%, and not the 75%.
  • For any portion of the loan fund that is not forgiven, you now have up to five (5) years to repay, and not the original two (2) years.
  • Read more

Don't miss EY's 'Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020: what you need to know' Webinar on June 11 at 4:00 pm. Click here to register.

Led by Hello Alice, with the support of Verizon, Silicon Valley Bank, Ebay, and small business owners and advocates across America, Business for All provides $10,000 to $50,000 grants, expert mentorship, a strong community, and a comprehensive suite of small business resources.  Read more.
 
New Jersey Distributing Small Business Grants
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) is supplying $45 million in new grants to underserved small businesses—including black-owned firms—bashed by the coronavirus pandemic! On the eligibility front, Phase 2 increases the employee cap for businesses from 10 full-time employees to 25 full-time workers. Businesses that got PPP loans are eligible for the NJEDA grants. Applicants must provide information on other COVID-19 assistance received, and will be asked to complete a Duplication of Benefits affidavit. If they have a need related to the outbreak that was not addressed by other sources, they may be eligible for a grant.  Read more.
 
Business Pitch Challenge Offers Cash Prize!
The Urban League of Philadelphia, Capital One, The Business Center, and the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council will be hosting a virtual business pitch competition spotlighting entrepreneurs. Win up to $3,000 cash! This is for business owners who produce and sell physical products (jewelry, food products, beauty, apparel, haircare lines etc.)
To qualify for the challenge you must meet the following criteria:
·          Be the owner or co-owner of a small business
·          Have been in operation for five years or less
·          Earn annual revenue of under $500,000

Gov. Wolf Announces $225 Million Grant Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
Once the details have been finalized and the application period has been announced, the funds will be available through 17 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) statewide and with eleven (11) based in Philadelphia. In Philadelphia, once the application period has been announced you will be able to submit an application through:
  • PIDC                                                                     
  • Beech Capital
  • Community First Fund & FINANTA
  • Entrepreneur Works
  • Impact Loan Fund
  • NPFP (North Philadelphia Financial Partnership)
  • Reinvestment Fund
  • The Enterprise Center
  • WORC (Women’s Opportunities Resource Center)
  • WPFSI (West Philadelphia Financial Services Institution)
  • United Bank
  • Read more

The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) and Bridgeway Capital have teamed up to provide patient loan capital to small businesses and nonprofits
The Erie County COVID-19 Response Fund, financed by ECGRA, makes flexible financing available through Bridgeway to help small businesses and nonprofits manage business disruptions, sustain vital services, and stay resilient during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Read more.

LISC-Lowes Partnership Offering $10,000 Grants
Grants will be deployed to help small businesses bridge the financial gap and deliver technical assistance to help them navigate the intricate web of public and private resources now available. LISC will focus these efforts on historically underserved communities—especially those enterprises owned or led by minorities, veterans and women, who often lack access to affordable capital. Application closes June 17. Read more.

FedEx #SupportSmall Grant Program
FedEx recently announced the launch of the company’s #SupportSmall Grants program, awarding grants and services to 200 business owners across the U.S. struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Each grantee will receive a $5,000 check as well as a $500 credit for FedEx Office ®  print and business services. The $500 credit from FedEx Office can be used for printing banners, posters, floor graphics, custom branded boxes and more. Grant entry period closes on Friday, June 12, 2020. R ead more.
EMSDC Needs Your Input
  • EMSDC is planning a Wealth Management Series and we would like your input on which topic we should present first. Read more.
  • EMSDC is implementing Rapid Response® program to ensure the sustainability of businesses in the Council. The Rapid Response® program is designed to provide a suite of business support services, based on the assessed needs of an applicant seeking assistance. Read more.

The Mental, Emotional, and Physical Comeback for Women in Business Webinar Recording
NMSDC and US MBDA recently hosted a webinar on how to ensure emotional, physical, and mental self-care as we embark on the new normal for professional and home life. Read more.

Cyber-security and Work-from-Home Culture Advice
As times become more and more uncertain, the importance of cybersecurity and high-quality IT training become more apparent. Tracey Grace, the president and CEO of IBEX IT Business Experts, a company that specializes in IT solutions and IT training shares advice on the importance of cybersecurity and high-quality IT training in the midst of a pandemic.   Read more.
Envision2bWell Helps You Stay Connected to Your Health
EnvisionWell, cracks the code to motivate and empower employees (Corp Wellness) and consumers with an enhanced personalized experience to improve their health and well-being. Platform integrates wearables, in-home clinical, health and nutrition devices thus providing meaningful data, metrics and content. COVID-19 use: tracks health data for diagnoses, spread, etc. E2bWell is a SaaS model holistic digital health & wellness company. Read more.
Federal

Pennsylvania
Wolf Administration Outlines Impacts of Ending Disaster Declaration. Read more.

Delaware
Governor Carney Formally Extends State of Emergency. Read more.

New Jersey
NJ TRANSIT Launches Strategic and Capital Plans That Will Guide the Agency Through 2030. Read more.
Accept the Challenge! Shop & Order from Local Businesses
Help support your favorite local food and drink businesses and retailers, specifically ethnic or minority-owned, by ordering takeout, buying gift cards, and/or shopping online.   Here's the challenge:  click here , shop and share your shift with a shout out to that business on social media using the #ShiftwithEMSDC. If you spend with businesses, specifically ethnic and minority businesses not on our list, let us know on social and we’ll add them to the list. Together we’ll reinforce our local economies!

MBE2MBE Marketplace is LIVE
The MBE2MBE Marketplace connects you with sourcing solutions. Now more than ever is the time to look beyond your usual sourcing outlets and reach out to support each other. Check out the minority businesses listed here for your business supply chain and help drive success for yourself and fellow entrepreneurs. Read more.

#STANDTOGETHER SAFELY
Over the past several months, we have all experienced unprecedented social, environmental, and economic challenges. Gone are the days where we talk about change. Change is now and the only way it happens is that we all #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY. EMSDC and SRMSDC #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY. We are reaching out to businesses who may be able to provide services to adversely affected business owners for their health and well-being, as well as for the health of their businesses and communities. Where we go from here depends on you. If you can help, need help, or want more information, contact Christine Robertson at crobertson@emsdc.org .
Things to do During Quarantine - Not Just for Kids
Check out the fun things to do in Philadelphia during the coronavirus quarantine, including live-streamed arts performances, virtual museum tours and more. Read more.
Join Yammer, our private community group where EMSDC Corporate Members, MBEs, and Subscribers can connect, post, and view EMSDC's daily posts. Click here to log in . Questions or need access to join? Email Tricina Cash at tcash@emsdc.org .  
Upcoming Events, Programs and Webinars
June 11

June 11

June 11

June 11

June 17

June 19

June 25

June 29

June 30

In Case You Missed it..