On November 8, 2012, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded $418,049 of grants to 56 small businesses throughout the state to help them become energy efficient or prevent pollution.
The grant program, called the Small Business Advantage Grant program, is funded under the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act. The program applies to businesses with 100 or less employees, and it provides reimbursements of 50 percent up to $9,500. The projects ultimately help the small businesses reduce pollution by 25 percent or save up to 25 percent in energy costs.
Since the program began in 2004, 1,642 small businesses in the state have received $6.6 million.
The grants are announced twice every year, and the budget for the grants during the fiscal year is $1 million. The 56 new grants are expected to create private-sector investment up to $1,542,437 for small businesses.
Some common projects funded by the grants include upgrades on insulation and high-efficiency HVAC, efficient lighting systems, installation of efficient heat pumps, and new auxiliary power units to help trucks reduce idling time.
The following grants are listed alphabetically by county:
Bedford County
Graham Trucking, $4,350
Berks County
Berks Gymnastics, $4,815
Bruno’s Trucking LLC, $4,350
Shawn R. Habakus, DMD, $9,500
Bradford County
Ram Tire and Auto Service, $4,865
Butler County
Hutchinson Dry Cleaners, $9,500
Warren C. Sauers Co. Inc., $4,350
Chester County
Nova Cleaners, $8,630
Cumberland County
Business Development Systems Inc., $9,500
R.D.S. Transport LLC, $5,400
Quality Cleaners Inc., $9,500
Erie County
JLS Trucking, $4,350
Forest County
Cathedral Pines Inc., $5,855
Jefferson County
Barber Trucking Inc., $9,500
Jodat Technologies Co. Inc., $6,806
Mary’s Place, $9,409
Lancaster County
Abel Tire Inc., $3,747
Hendricks’ Flowers, $9,500
Lehigh County
Suh’s Sun Cleaners Inc., $9,500
Luzerne County
Jim Jaster LLC, $9,500
Lycoming County
Faxon Cleaners Inc., $4,539
Hermance and Strouse Inc., $9,295
Paulhamus Litho Inc., $9,500
West Branch Tennis Club, $3,449
McKean County
The Grocery Stretcher, $7,761
Mercer County
Franklin Trucking, $4,350
Respect Trucking Inc., $4,887
Wheaton Dry Cleaners, $8,038
Mifflin County
K.R.W. Services Inc., $4,350
Kerstetter Trucking, $9,500
Monument Square Center LLC, $9,500
Monroe County
Personal Touch Cleaners of Tannersville Inc., $9,500
Montgomery County
King of Prussia Veterinary Hospital, $9,500
Ralph’s Corner Cleaners and Tailors, $9,500
Northampton County
David L. Danner, $1,612
Tobacco and More Inc., $1,310
Philadelphia County
Adam’s Run Cleaners, $9,500
Amy Swan Cleaners Inc., $9,500
Choice Cleaners Inc., $9,500
Hahn Shelmire Cleaners, $9,500
Jones Smith Assoc. LLC, $7,250
New Riff Cleaners, $9,500
P and J One Hour Cleaners, $9,500
Professional One Hour Cleaners, $ 9,500
6301 Royal Cleaners Inc., $9,500
S. M. and Jake Inc., $9,500
Saul N. Miller DDS, $9,500
TGV Inc., $9,500
Yoon’s Family Cleaners, $9,500
Schuylkill County
Edward’s Flowers, $2,218
Snyder County
Ideal Self Storage LLC, $3,955
Susquehanna County
Creative Window and Door Inc., $8,258
Washington County
Bedner’s Farm and Greenhouse, $9,500
Minerd and Sons Inc., $9,500
Westmoreland County
Gilbert P. Hribal II, $4,350
Wyoming County
Penn’s Best Inc., $9,500
Small businesses are encouraged to apply for the bi-annual grants in Pennsylvania. For more information on the Small Business Advantage Grant Program, call the Small Business Ombudsman’s Office at (717) 772-8909.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
