Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 9
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

Delaware River Port Authority
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. 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.

The Enterprise Center Capital Corporation is accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications!  
Gingerbread Capital Grants
Gingerbread Capital is awarding 25 companies a $10k grant to fuel their businesses through this global pandemic. Read more.

Small Business Relief Grants from LISC’s Rapid Relief & Recovery Fund program
This was created to help business with immediate financial impact due to the pandemic. The application period is now open. Your application must be completed by May 20th. Read more. Read more.
Aon's Library of Webinars, Insights and Articles
EMSDC’s corporate partner Aon is committed to the safety, health and welfare of businesses and communities and as part of this partnership, extended access to our MBEs their series of webinars on their “Full Picture” site. As well, access to their COVID-19 Response site filled with insight and articles, etc. They’ve also provided Return to Workplace Plan Overview to businesses as they begin the process of returning to an on-site work environment. Aon is here to assist, so please advise if you have any questions or would like to connect with a member of Aon’s team in our region. Remember the health and safety of our families, employees and communities is paramount.

Stay Connected with Customers through Facebook
  • Share frequent updates
  • Keep up customer relationships
  • Take your events online
  • Read more

Ready Pittsburgh - How to Reopen Responsibly
Our region’s dedication to following the guidance of officials and experts has earned us the chance to reopen. This same commitment to safety is needed to stay open. Please see the toolbox with some of the best advice, direction, guidance and practices in one place. 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. Take the poll to inform us of your first topic choice. Read more.
PPE from RS Supply
As many across our region are looking at reopening in the age of COVID-19, EMSDC is working to connect you with businesses that are providing supplies, services and solutions that fit you needs. RS Supply, LLC has COVID-19 related supplies, including PPE and cleaners. Please visit their website  and view flyer for more information.

Finally, EMSDC is creating an MBE2MBE Marketplace on our website to highlight the products, services or solutions of our MBEs. If you would like to be included in this marketplace, please send a business profile and link to your company’s website to mmarkley@emsdc.org or crobertson@emsdc.org . It’s Comeback Season!
Federal

Pennsylvania

Delaware

New Jersey
Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Allowing Beaches, Boardwalks, Lakes, and Lakeshores to Remain Open with Social Distancing Measures in Place. 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!

Red Cross Seeking Plasma Donations
If you have recovered from a positive COVID-19 diagnosis and wish to be a convalescent plasma donor, or if you know somebody who has recovered and may want to help in this way,  read more.
Ways to Keep Your Family Busy at Home!
Follow Carnegie Science Center on Facebook and Twitter for our daily CSC’s Three Things, a roundup of science-y things to READ, WATCH, and DO! 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 in Pittsburgh has ended and will not be renewed . We have office furniture we would like to donate to any MBEs interested , including several desks, chairs, tables. 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 18

May 18

May 19

May 20

May 20

May 21

May 21

May 21

May 21

May 27
Pfizer Pitching Virtual Event

May 28

May 28

June 4
SHARE in Harrisburg Virtual Matchmaker

June 17

In Case You Missed it..