For over forty (40) years, NEPA has served as the regional development district for the programs and services of the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Economic Development Administration.
These federal agencies have provided significant grant assistance in Northeastern Pennsylvania for a myriad of projects that have led to job creation, private investment; community improvements and an enhanced quality of life in the region.
NEPA also provides consulting services for New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) and Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).
ARC is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership at the federal, state, and local levels. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia. ARCs grant funding focus areas include Business Development/Entrepreneurship, Physical Infrastructure, Health Care, Education/Training, and Leadership Development/Civic Capacity. ARC funds projects through the Area Development and Local Access Road Programs.
As the designated Local Development District (LDD) for the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), NEPA provides technical assistance to those governments, organizations and institutions seeking ARC grant assistance.
ARC’s Investment Priorities:
- Goal 1: Economic Opportunities
Invest in entrepreneurial and business development strategies that strengthen Appalachia’s economy. - Goal 2: Ready Workforce
Increase the education, knowledge, skills, and health of residents to work and succeed in Appalachia. - Goal 3: Critical Infrastructure
Invest in critical infrastructure—especially broadband; transportation, including the Appalachian Development Highway System; and water/wastewater systems. - Goal 4: Natural and Cultural Assets
Strengthen Appalachia’s community and economic development potential by leveraging the Region’s natural and cultural heritage assets. - Goal 5: Leadership and Community Capacity
Build the capacity and skills of current and next-generation leaders and organizations to innovate, collaborate, and advance community and economic development.
ARC’s Eligible Activities:
- Health Care
- ARC health care grants can be made for equipment and demonstration projects, and in special cases for renovation and construction of facilities. The ARC health program focuses on the development of rural primary care networks in distressed counties and areas.
- Education and Training
- Teacher/administrator training; material, equipment, and computer purchases; building renovations; and start-up operational costs for new programs. Early childhood/K-12 programs/post-secondary
- Workforce training that provides job skills or learning new skills in order to retain jobs in the face of increasing global competition, become eligible for better-paying positions, or obtain new jobs.
- Business Development and Entrepreneurship
- Industrial site development; business incubators; technical assistance and training; expansion of domestic/foreign markets.
- Capitalizes loan funds that improve access to capital for Appalachian businesses and can support other activities that foster entrepreneurship.
- Physical Infrastructure
- Basic Infrastructure – ARC provides funds for basic infrastructure services, including water and sewer facilities, that enhance economic development opportunities or address serious health issues for residential customers.
- Housing – projects that stimulate the construction or rehabilitation of housing for low-moderate income residents.
- Telecommunications – strategic community planning, equipment, hardware and software for network building.
- Leadership Development and Civic Capacity
- Eligible activities include the development and implementation of community-based strategic plans; training for citizen leaders (both adult and youth leaders), local officials, and management staff from nonprofit community organizations
EDA will provide public works investments to support the construction or rehabilitation of essential public infrastructure and facilities necessary to generate or retain private sector jobs and investments. EDA can also fund technical assistance projects and other related projects.
NEPA is the designated Regional Economic Development District for EDA. In this capacity, NEPA prepares the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Northeastern Pennsylvania, identifies and ranks projects seeking EDA investment assistance; and provides technical assistance in the grant application process.
Eligible applicants include private or public non-profit organizations, higher education; local units of government; municipal authorities, for profit, private sector entities do not qualify for EDA investment assistance. Projects funded by EDA in this region include infrastructure, industrial/business park site development, incubators, accelerators, downtown revitalization, specialized studies, rail line rehabilitation and others
EDA investments must support new private investment and jobs. Grants are generally limited to 50% of projects costs but can increase, dependent on the level of economic distress. Grant awards generally do not exceed $1,000,000 but can be higher.
Distress criteria focuses on income levels and unemployment rates that meet certain thresholds. There are exemptions based on special economic needs due to a major plant closing, industry sector restructuring or a major economic opportunity and others.
NEPA provides consulting services for Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grants. Additionally, NEPA can serve as fiscal sponsor for clients and provide Economic Impact Modeling services that can produce job creation data for large scale development projects. Please contact us for a proposal and a list of references related to RACP consulting services.
NEPA Alliance, through its affiliate, the NEPA Community Impact Fund, is seeking a $52 New Markets Tax Credit Allocation from the U.S. Treasury. The NEPA Community Impact Fund was certified as a Community Development Entity (CDE) by the U.S. Treasury in 2019. In addition to the allocation request, NEPA can serve as a NMTC consultant and seek tax credits from other CDEs that have an allocation. To learn more please contact our team members listed below.
NMTC Financing
NMTC-based gap financing is offered for projects that will significantly improve quality of life for individuals who live and work in underserved areas. Up to 25% of project costs can be funded with flexible, below market financing.
Preferred Project Types
- Commercial real estate projects that promise significant job creation for disadvantaged individuals and/or otherwise create significant positive economic, social and environmental impacts for low income communities. Projects should demonstrate how they positively impact the lives of low income community residents and the specific types of community and commercial goods and services the project will create.
- Projects sponsored by or benefitting nonprofit healthcare and social service organizations or community facilities that serve and support low income individuals and/or disadvantaged communities.
- Manufacturing projects that are strong job generators, creating quality jobs, wage progression, and training for low income individuals. Projects should demonstrate a strong tie to the local community, significant job creation particularly for disadvantaged individuals while reflecting a manufacturing process that is sensitive to environmental impacts and sustainable processes.
Eligibility
- State of Pennsylvania, focusing on the northeast counties of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne.
- “Severely Distressed Census Tracts with >30% poverty rate or < 60% of the area Median Family Income.
- CohnRezbick NMTC Mapping Tool
- NOVOGRADAC NMTC Mapping Tool
How to Apply
Complete a brief application or please contact:
Kurt Bauman – 570-510-4419 / kbauman@nepa-alliance.org
Steve Ursich – 570-891-4649 / sursich@nepa-alliance.org