FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State Rep. Jim Wansacz
D-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Susquehanna/

Wyoming
www.pahouse.com/Wansacz

State Rep. Edward G. Staback
D-Lackawanna/Wayne
www.pahouse.com/Staback

Grants available to help small businesses go green and save money

HARRISBURG, Dec. 10 – State Reps. Jim Wansacz and Edward Staback announced today that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Small Business Advantage Grant Program is accepting applications now through Jan. 15.

Under the program, businesses can apply for a 50 percent matching grant of up to $7,500 for taking steps that save at least 20 percent annually in energy or pollution-related costs.

"This program helps small businesses reduce expenses by providing funding for energy conservation efforts," Wansacz said.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a for-profit corporation, LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity with 100 or fewer full-time employees. The entity must be a separate legal business at the time the application is submitted and must be located within the state.

Applicants may be manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining operators or agricultural businesses. The grant-supported project must be located within a Pennsylvania facility belonging to the applicant. Examples of eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent recovery systems, waste recycling systems and auxiliary power units deployed as anti-idling technology for trucks.

"I urge local business owners to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for a grant through the Small Business Advantage Grant Program," Staback said.

The lawmakers said information about program guidelines and applications is available through their constituent service offices. Wansacz's office is located at 319 S. Main St. in Old Forge. Staback's office is located at 843 Scranton Carbondale Highway in Eynon. Applications may also be obtained at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: SBAdvantage, or by mail from DEP by calling 717-783-8411.

Applications must be mailed to the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, ATTN: Small Business Advantage, P.O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772. Applicants must hand-write and circle the word ADVANTAGE on the back of the envelope.

###