Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 5
A message from the CEO
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Registration Opens This Friday!
PI>OTWEEK
features virtual keynotes, virtual workshops, social distancing networking mixers, and virtual panel discussions that support innovation and entrepreneurship. This premiere summit features groundbreaking conversations with business leaders from around the country. The aim of PI>OTWEEK is to educate, facilitate connections and build new partnerships and opportunities. Visit
Pivotweek.org
for more information.
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Participate in Virtual Matchmaking
Our “Virtual Matchmaker” is up and running and connects buyers to entrepreneurs with sourcing solutions. Please click the appropriate below link and answer a few brief questions to begin the matchmaking process. An EMSDC representative will contact you with potential matches and additional instructions. MBEs, if there's products that you need we encourage you to also complete the buyer registration.
Supplier (MBE) Registration:
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal
Pennsylvania needs critical medical supplies. To fulfill this need, the departments of Community and Economic Development, Health, General Services, and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency have developed the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal
(the “Portal”) to source the most needed medical supplies. The Portal is for manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers to inform us of supplies available for purchase and will allow the Commonwealth to more quickly and efficiently procure these supplies for hospitals and medical facilities across Pennsylvania.
Read more.
Current Bids
COVID-19 Antibody Test Kits and Hand Santizer
Hand Sanitizer, Surface Sanitizing Wipes, Disposable Gloves
The University of Pittsburgh Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence
April 16, 2020
DRPA & PATCO
April 21, 2020
City of Harrisburg
April 30, 2020
Community College of Allegheny County
May 6, 2020
Philadelphia Housing Authority
May 8, 2020
DRPA and PATCO
May 13, 2020
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SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000 in grant monies. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
Funding has run out, but be on the looking for second round.
Read more.
SBA Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available
April 3, 2020 through June 30, 2020
.
Funding has run out, but be on the looking for second round.
Read more.
SBA Community Advantage
The SBA launched the Community Advantage (CA) loan program to assist small businesses in underserved markets.
Read more.
SBA Express Bridge
The Express Bridge loan program allows SBA Express lenders to provide expedited financing to small businesses located in declared disaster areas. Express Bridge loans are intended to be interim loans. Businesses use these funds for disaster-related purposes while they apply for and await long-term financing.
Read more.
COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA)
The COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and provides critical working capital financing to small businesses located within the Commonwealth that are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Read more.
The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation (TEC-CC) offers both microloans and traditional small business loans of up to $500,000.
If you need a loan under $50,000, you may be eligible through TEC-CC for a microloan: a short‐term, fixed rate, fixed payment loan up to $50,000 made to start‐up or growing small businesses. Microloan applications are reviewed and approved by the internal loan review committee, which is composed of TEC staff members.
Read more.
Bridgeway Capital Loans
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bridgeway’s patient, flexible capital and free technical assistance is available to help small businesses stay resilient when facing business disruptions and changing cashflows. Financing solutions and loan modifications are tailored to the needs of your small business. Bridgeway’s financing is designed to work with credit challenges, collateral gaps, and complex transactions in need of creative funding solutions.
Read more.
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)
The URA is temporarily easing and streamlining its Micro-Enterprise Loan Program to provide 0% interest loans to existing and new URA small business borrowers.
Read more.
Verizon and LISC Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Fund
Verizon’s investment of $2.5 million into a
Recovery Fund
, is making it possible for LISC to begin offering critical relief and resiliency-building support to small businesses. The funding will go to make grants of up to $10,000, especially to entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically under-served places who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital.
First Round is closed. Use this Link to register for next round that will launch in Mid-April.
Read more.
Facebook Small Business Grants Program
For Nonprofits - The Pittsburgh Foundation Emergency Action Fund
The Emergency Action Fund has been established at The Pittsburgh Foundation to accept contributions from their donors and from corporations, foundations and the community at large. The Fund aims to support and strengthen the nonprofit human services network and infrastructure during this crisis period. The Fund will award small operating grants on a rolling basis to nonprofit organizations seeking to meet basic needs, especially of the most vulnerable.
Read more.
Kiva Loans
The Kiva Pittsburgh program at Riverside Center for Innovation (RCI) helps business owners to apply for and crowdfund 0% interest loans with Kiva.org. During the COVID-19 outbreak, loans can be as much as $15,000 with a 6-month grace period.
Read more.
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EMSDC's SHARE in Harrisburg COVID-19 Relief Funding Information Webinar
Today Valarie Cofield moderated a panel discussion with Solomon Wheeler, Harrisburg Branch Manager, US Small Business Administration’s Eastern Pennsylvania Office and Hilda Kong, Vice President / NE Division SBA Solutions Manager, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. / Business Banking to share resources relative to funding opportunities. Here are some resources that were shared:
CVS Executive Learning Series for Diverse Suppliers
Diverse suppliers are strongly encourage to apply for the CVS Health & Roger Williams University Executive Learning Series Program. This training series will provide you with a wide variety of skills in preparation for pitching and landing expanded retail distribution of your products and services, all based on the competences and practices of CVS Heath. You will also develop personal and professional relationships with other diverse suppliers and have the opportunity to create new partnerships.
Read more.
Operation HOPE Virtual Assistance
HOPE Inside Disaster is the only financial emergency preparedness and recovery service in the country. In partnership with FEMA, Operation HOPE pioneered the new federal policy space of emergency disaster preparedness, response and recovery. They provide virtual assistance in the areas of:
- Small business support / SBA lending
- Consumer credit / debt deferment
- Home ownership mortgage deferment / foreclosure prevention
- Student loan deferment
- Financial disaster budget planning
- Money management education
- Credit counseling
- Gateway to newly announced federal assistance programs; FEMA
- Basic needs referrals: food, shelter, clothing
Yelp’s Relief for Affected Businesses
Yelp is providing $25 million in
COVID-19 relief
for independent restaurant and nightlife businesses in the form of waived advertising fees, and free advertising, products, and services.
Read more.
Google Resources for Small Businesses
Google is offering
guidance for small businesses
, including how to communicate with your customers and employees, how to effectively work from home, and how to modify advertising, among other topics.
Read more.
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Premium Vodka Provider Adds Hand Sanitizer to Product Line
This Life Forever provides Mishka Premium Vodka, made and bottled in Allentown, PA. They recently began producing hand sanitizer to address the needs of COVID-19. You may purchase a box of 25 8oz Bottles of their Advanced 80% Alcohol Hand Sanitizer. Delivery options are available.
Read more.
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PPE
SUPRA/EMSCO Scientific has been working extremely hard to source essential PPE for healthcare providers and the Philadelphia community at large during this pandemic season. They have begun to establish sourcing relationships with global partners to ultimately fulfill the tremendous need for essential medical supplies & equipment. We are happy and honored to be a part of the solution while working arduously to support the healthcare providers on the front line of fighting this dreaded viral enemy.
Read more.
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Clorox Total 360 Machine
RS Supply
is providing
The Clorox® Total 360® System which pairs an electrostatic sprayer with a portfolio of Clorox disinfectants and sanitizers to ensure all surfaces — even those hard-to-reach, difficult-to-clean areas — are properly treated. The superior surface coverage helps keep facilities healthier, while also saving time and money. Please contact m.scott@rssupplyllc.com to order.
Read more.
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Rapid Deployment of Emergency Communications
Grace3 and its manufacturing partners can provide immediate assistance to government and businesses in dealing with the coronavirus. As a reseller for these services and solutions, we are uniquely positioned to help. Hospitals need the ability to respond rapidly to such emergencies with the build out of temporary medical space capacity when and where it is needed. Readily deployable where no infrastructure yet exists, Rajant Kinetic Mesh® is ideal for connecting pop-up and mobile environments for emergency care.
Read more.
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Self Care App to Help Monitor, Register and Track Health Conditions
It mandates that you :
- Measure you temperature twice a day
- Records/tracks your location. It asks you to measure your temperature every time you exit and enter your household.
- It has reminders for self care: leave shoes outside or in a specific location, disinfect them, wipe handles, steering wheels, sits, pets paws, etc
- Open sources to work with Fitbit as a health app for other symptoms or illnesses.
- Allows back up for data to be Analyzed at the local and national level
- Monitors Compliance to Quarantine adhesion
- Reminds subjects of Distancing and self care habits.
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Air Purification
BATTA offers innovative air purification solutions for preventing airborne infections and safeguarding the indoor air quality of Healthcare facilities and more. Their solution is a NASA developed, plug-and-play, air purification system called Airocide.
- FDA class II approved (Establishment Registration 3002959861), which means it is authorized for use in hospitals.
- Clinically tested to eliminate airborne pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms in vegetative and spore states, viruses, antibiotic and biocide resistant, allergens and harmful VOCs.
- When viruses similar in nature to COVID-19 (e.g. SARS, Anthrax influenza, MERS-CoV) are exposed to Airocide’s catalyst chamber; the c-terminus of the RNA molecule becomes oxidized, and hydrogen bonds holding the helical structure is ruptured. The virus is then unable to replicate or infect somatic cells.
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Federal
- Democratic lawmakers on April 14, 2020 introduced legislation to compel federal health officials to post data daily that breaks down COVID-19 cases and deaths by race and ethnicity. The lawmakers say the demographic data is needed to address any disparities in the national response to the coronavirus outbreak, which is taking a disproportionate toll on African Americans and other nonwhite populations.
- On April 11, 2020, the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Treasury, and Labor jointly issued guidance to implement the COVID-19-related coverage provisions outlined in two recent pieces of legislation: the Families First Coronavirus Response (Families First) Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Collectively, these two bills require comprehensive private health insurance plans to cover COVID-19 testing and related services without cost-sharing.
- Black America Counts: The Impact of the US Census on the Black Community - The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation kicked off its "Virtual Brian Trust" series on Thursday, April 16 on noon. The six part virtual brain trust series aims to provide critical policy updates on the most pressing issues facing the Black community in the US in the era of combatting COVID-19. Read more.
Pennsylvania
- June 2 is the new Primary election date
- A Republican proposal to force the governor to adopt new rules that would allow far more businesses to open during the COVID-19 pandemic moved ahead in the Legislature on April 15, 2020. The bill would direct Wolf to develop a system based on guidance for businesses from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and on an advisory memo on the topic sent out late last month by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Delaware
- June 2 is the new Primary election date
- Governor John Carney expanded his community call-to-action on April 11, 2020, urging all Delaware citizens with health care and child care experience to offer their expertise in Delaware’s fight against COVID-19. The previous week, Governor Carney urged citizens, businesses and nonprofits with access to emergency materials and supplies to support Delaware’s response.
New Jersey
- June 7 is the new Primary election date
- New Jersey officials have delayed the state income tax deadline three months after bills were passed by the Legislature. Tax day in New Jersey will officially become July 15 once Gov. Phil Murphy makes the measure official on Tuesday with his signature. The IRS postponed the federal tax deadline last month, followed by most states that levy personal income taxes.
Multi-State Council to Get People Back to Work and Restore the Economy
Recognizing that their states have one integrated regional economy, Delaware Governor John Carney, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo today announced the creation of a multi-state council to restore the economy and get people back to work. This announcement builds on the states’ ongoing regional approach to combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
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We have created a new Microsoft Yammer page, EMSDC MBE Connects. This is a private group where EMSDC Corporate Members, MBEs, and Subscribers can connect with each other, post information, and view posts from EMSDC. Although our in-person events have been postponed, we hope to keep the EMSDC community engaged and connected through the new Yammer group and upcoming webinars.
Click here to log in
.
If you have any questions about accessing Yammer or if you did not receive your invitation to join please email Tricina Cash on our team at
tcash@emsdc.org
and she will be able to assist you.
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Upcoming Events, Programs and Webinars
April 17, 2020
April 22, 2020
April 23, 2020
April 24, 2020
April 27 - May 1, 2020
April 27, 2020
April 28, 2020
April 28, 2020
April 30, 2020
May 20, 2020
May 21, 2020
May 28, 2020
June 17, 2020
In Case You Missed it..
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Certification and Re-certification Update
There has been no change in the processing cycle for new and re-certification applications.
Notarized affidavits
are currently non-applicable, and you will need to submit within 30 days of the quarantine being lifted. We are working daily to keep things moving forward for our entrepreneurs. Feel free to contact us:
jfleishner@emsdc.org
or
dhurst-rodney@emsdc.org.
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We are Here for You
EMSDC is proactively taking COVID-19 precautions and is therefore working virtually until further notice. Please send an email or use the extensions at 215-569-1005 or 412-391-4423 to leave a voicemail. We will get back to you by the close of business.
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