Participate in Virtual Matchmaking
Our new “Virtual Matchmaker,” 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.

Supplier (MBE) Registration:

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

Be Considered for PA Sourcing Opportunities
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is looking for a list of small businesses to immediately consider for sourcing opportunities. Please complete the following survey for inclusion on the list we are preparing for the Commonwealth.
 
1. A survey to understand the nature of the COVID-19 impact as told by the actual business owners themselves. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EMSDCCOVID19Impact

2. For inclusion in the Commonwealth's list of growth stage small businesses that the Commonwealth will need to source opportunities to. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID-19StateofPA

Respond to Delaware Request for Assistance

How to do Business with the Federal Government and More
In an exclusive conversation with the Director of the Federal Procurement Center (FPC), Sharon Pinder, CEO, CRMSDC, asked his perspective on how minority businesses can do business with the federal government during disasters such as the Coronavirus.  Read more.

Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund
The City of Philadelphia and PIDC have launched the Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund. The $9 million fund aims to provide targeted support for small businesses, which face an unprecedented challenge due to the ongoing global pandemic. The fund offers a mix of new grants and zero-interest loans for businesses that make under $5 million in annual revenue.  Read more .

SBA Disaster Assistance Loans
The Small Business Association is set to provide small businesses impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) up to $2 Million in disaster assistance loans. Our Agency will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest disaster recovery loans to small businesses that have been severely impacted by the situation.   Read more .

The SBA is offering daily disaster loan training webinars for small business. The webinar will provide you with answers and help you understand: 1) who is eligible for an SBA Disaster (EIDL) loan, 2) what you need to have in hand before filing your application, and 3) Q&A time devoted to answer your specific questions. 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.
Keep It Simple Training and Development will be sending out an email every Monday with free resources on various topics, ideas, and offers to help. Yes, some are for helping sharpen your selling skills, but most are about keeping perspective, balance, and a productive mindset. 

This week’s email is a bit long…we wanted to explain how to get the most out of these emails. Please don’t feel like you have to watch and listen to everything. We provided all of the different options because everyone likes to consume content in its various forms. Ideally, pick the method you like, and dedicate a little bit of time each day to professional development. 

Summary of Key CARES Act Provisions
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the “CARES
Act” passed the U.S. Senate last night and is headed to the U.S. House of
Representatives for consideration as soon as March 26.

Pennsylvania
The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

PA Chamber of Business and Industry

Delaware
Delaware Prosperity Partnership

New Jersey
Business.NJ.gov

New Jersey Economic Development Authority
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.
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.

Jan Fleishner (Certification) - jfleishner@emsdc.org or x104
Darius Hurst-Rodney (Recertification) dhurstrodney@emsdc.org or x115
Brittany Rivera (Accounting) - brivera@emsdc.org or x110
Christine Robertson (Events) crobertson@emsdc.org or x114
Tricina Cash (Corporate Engagement) - tcash@emsdc.org or x106
Meg Markley (Subscription Services) - mmarkley@emsdc.org or x103
Alea Bunch - abunch@emsdc.org or x111
Valarie Cofield - vcofield@emsdc.org or x111
Certification and Re-certification
There has been no change in the processing cycle for new and re-certification applications. 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.
Upcoming Events
March 30
 Facebook Live – Real Talk with the CEO

April 9
You're Certified, What's Next Webinar