Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 10
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. 

COVID-19 Antibody Test Kits and Hand Sanitizer
Duquesne Light
Please contact boffley@duqlight.com
 
Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority
May 21, 2020

Community College of Allegheny County
June 1, 2020

Community College of Allegheny County
June 2, 2020

Community College of Allegheny County
June 2, 2020

City of Philadelphia
June 3, 2020

Delaware River Port Authority
June 8, 2020

JPC Group, Inc.
June 8, 2020

Delaware River Port Authority 
June 26, 2020
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, approximately $117B remains available for funding. 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.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, Partnered with MBE Capital Partners to Offer $100 Million in Loans to Minority- and Women-owned Companies .
As majority owner of EquiTrust, the nation’s largest minority-owned insurance company, Magic Johnson announced a $100 million partnership with MBE Capital Partners (MBECP), the largest certified minority-owned asset-based lender, and the National Action Network (NAN). The partnership is focused on distributing PPP loans to minority and women-owned businesses in underserved communities. Read more.

Here's Why We Could See a Surge of Minority-owned Businesses Get PPP
The U.S. Small Business Administration is soliciting help to get more minority-owned businesses to apply for the $100 billion remaining in its  Paycheck Protection Program . Read more.

Lendistry is Accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Applications! 
Ex-Offender Entrepreneur Support Grants
U.S. Department of Commerce – Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is offering grants of $300,000 to USA nonprofit and for-profit organizations for programs to provide assistance to minority business owners who have previously been incarcerated. Read more.
Free Remote Working Reports to Help Individuals & Businesses 
BestWork DATA has created three reports to facilitate this transition and help to relieve the stress that is an inevitable part of such things. Read more.

EMSDC Needs Your Input
EMSDC is planning a Wealth Management Series and we would like your input on which topic we should first present. 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 Wilson Group Offering Wilson Wired
The Wilson Group is now offering a new service called Wilson Wired. This service will provide you with ongoing remote support and discounted onsite support of some of your most critical services.
 
Service includes:
  • Installation of additional print driver software on additional or new PCs
  • Support for some network applications that prevent printing and/or scanning
  • Reconfiguration or re-installation of any new networked multi-function product in the event of an upgrade or change to your Network/PC/Server
  • Ongoing remote support
  • Discounted onsite service rate which could save you hundreds of dollars

River Development Corporation
River Development Corporation is ready to help in the fight against COVID-19. River Development has three warehouse buildings perfect for storing and distributing COVID-19 products. Each building has varying capacities, offering both office and warehouse space. For more information, contact Cheryl McAbee at (412) 952-4321.
Federal
Guidelines for Opening Up America Again is a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. These steps will help state and local officials when reopening their economies, getting people back to work, and continuing to protect American lives. Read more.

Pennsylvania

Delaware
Beach restrictions to be lifted, visitor numbers limited in state parks for Memorial Day weekend. Read more.

New Jersey
Governor Murphy Unveils Multi-Stage Approach to Execute a Responsible and Strategic Restart of New Jersey’s Economy. 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!

Feeding America
With a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries, donations to its covid-19 response fund will help food banks across the country support the most vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic. Read more.
Activities and Resources for Families
During this challenging time, the wellbeing and development of children remain top priorities. In light of the school and business closures caused by COVID-19, the City of Philadelphia's PHLpreK team has compiled recommended activities and resources for families and childcare providers. 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 .
Free Office Furniture
The lease for EMSDC's office space in Pittsburgh has ended. While we take this opportunity to look for new space in Pittsburgh, our Pittsburgh team will continue to work remotely for you and your business. We are not going anywhere!

As we make this transition, we are donating our excess office furniture to any interested MBE, including several desks, chairs, tables, magazine rack, cabinets. Please contact mmarkley@emsdc.org for more information.  


Giving Tuesday Thank you
Thank you to everyone who donated in support of the Council during the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign. The funds raised will assist MBEs seeking re-certification. Read more.

Upcoming Events, Programs and Webinars
May 22 - 25
EMSDC Closed in Observance of Memorial Day

May 27

May 28

May 28

May 28

June 17

June 19

In Case You Missed it..