Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 12
#STANDTOGETHER SAFELY

A Community Awareness and Engagement Call to Action
 
Over the past several months, we have all experienced unprecedented social, environmental and economic challenges. Where we go from here depends on you. Gone are the days where we sit back and watch others do the heavy lifting. It’s all hands on deck. Gone are the days where we sit on the sidelines and watch others participate. We all need to participate. Gone are the days where we talk about change. Change is now and the only way it happens is that we all #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY.
 
The EMSDC in partnership with the SRMSDC is doing just that. We are taking the first step; leveraging our collective ingenuity to help repair, protect and heal our communities by identifying legal resources, construction supplies, and business support information to assist those one the frontlines on the issues surrounding social and economic injustice. While many in our communities have prospered over the last 50 years, far too many have been left behind. The “Charge” is clear; we must #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY if we are going to see a better tomorrow for our families…our businesses…our communities.  
 
To that end, ESMDC and SRMSDC #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY focusing on aiding access to much needed resources to empower/assist those closest to the repair, protection and clean-up of affected communities. How can you help the #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY movement? Contact Christine Robertson, to find out how to contribute and deploy resources to help at  info@emsdc.org  or 215.569.1005. or 412.391.4423.

Yours in Business Success,
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. 

Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh
June 5, 2020

Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh
June 5, 2020

Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh
June 5, 2020

Delaware River Port Authority
June 8, 2020

JPC Group, Inc.
June 8, 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

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
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.

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
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.

Microsoft Tools
Microsoft is offering Teams Freemium as a response to COVID-19. This version gives you unlimited chat, built-in group and one-on-one audio or video calling, 10 GB of team file storage, and 2 GB of personal file storage per user. You also get real-time collaboration with the Office apps for web, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Read more.
Neta Scientific, Inc. Provides Laboratory Supplies, PPE, and Solutions
For over 20 years, Neta Scientific, Inc. has been a leading distributor of laboratory supplies, PPE, and solutions. We offer customers access to a robust catalog of world-leading brands to conduct cutting-edge R&D effectively and safely. Read more.
Federal

Pennsylvania
Gov. Wolf Renews COVID-19 Disaster Declaration for State Response and Recovery, Stay-at-Home Order Ends June 4. Read more.

Delaware
Governor Carney Creates Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee. Read more.

New Jersey
Governor Murphy Announces New Jersey to Enter Stage Two of Restart and Recovery on June 15th. 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.
Boredom Busters: 110 Fun At-Home Activities
for Families & Kids
This list of Boredom Busters includes over 100 fun (and mostly free) activities that you and your kids can enjoy at home. This handy list can easily be printed and placed on the refrigerator – a great way to have instant “ideas” when boredom strikes!
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 5

June 11

June 11

June 11

June 17

June 19

June 25
SHARE in Harrisburg Virtual Matchmaker - Save the Date

June 29

In Case You Missed it..