PA DEP Awards Small Business Advantage Grants to 31 Small Businesses

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Environmental Protection announced today it has awarded more than $62,000 in grants to help 31 small businesses across the state invest in energy-efficiency or pollution-prevention projects.

"This program empowers small-business owners to invest in important upgrades that make the most sense for their business," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "It gives them the opportunity to lower the costs of production, which makes them better environmental stewards and more competitive."

Pennsylvania's Small Business Advantage Grant Program began in 2004 and is funded by the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act. It provides small businesses with fewer than 100 employees a 50-percent matching reimbursement grant, up to $7,500, to implement projects that will save $1,000 in addition to 25 percent of annual pollution prevention or energy-related costs. Since its inception, the program has invested $6.1 million in 1,571 small businesses statewide.

Possible projects include installing a high-efficiency HVAC system, upgrading insulation, investing in high-efficiency lighting, setting up energy-efficient heat pumps and employing auxiliary power units to improve air quality and save fuel through reduced engine idling by large trucks during layovers and delays.

For more information about the Small Business Advantage Grant Program, contact DEP's Small Business Ombudsman's Office at 717-772-8909 or via email at [email protected].

Editor's Note: The 31 grant recipients are listed below, alphabetically by county, with the project location and award amount. Those marked with an asterisk received additional funding through the Storm-Related Advantage Grant Program as a result of 2011 flooding.

Allegheny County
Marc Anthony Construction, Pittsburgh ($7,500)

Beaver County
Snowy White Dry Cleaners Inc., Aliquippa ($3,897)
Snowy White Laundry, Monaca ($3,342)

Bradford County
Jay E. Lowery Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., Athens ($9,500)*
Lowery's Life Appreciation Center LLC, Athens ($9,500)*

Bucks County
Fire Creek Associates II LLC, St. Davids ($7,500)

Butler County
David M. Ruffner, Butler ($4,300)

Cambria County
Johnstown Park Building Inc., Johnstown ($5,645)

Columbia County
Precision Millwright & Fabrication Service, Orangeville ($7,055)*

Dauphin County
Appalachian Stone Inc., Duncannon ($6,060)

Fayette County
E.I. Systems, Uniontown ($2,300)

Lackawanna County
Elmhurst Quick Stop, Elmhurst Township ($3,250)
Scranton-Connell LP, St. Davids ($7,500)

Lawrence County
Cheslock Enterprises LLC, New Castle ($7,500)
Ferrante Upholstering & Carpeting, Wampum ($6,400)
Scott A. Colwell, Bessemer ($4,300)

Lebanon County
Lebanon Valley Cycle Sales Inc., Jonestown ($6,190)

Luzerne County
Austie's Family Restaurant, Hanover Township ($9,500)*
Jake's Outpost, Shickshinny ($3,500)*
RE Realty LLC, Exeter ($3,122)*
Screen Printing USA, Mountain Top ($5,550)
Skovish Brothers Pools & Spas, Shickshinny ($8,970)*

Lycoming County
Bailey's Auto Body, Muncy ($9,000)*
Coder's Dry Cleaning, Williamsport ($7,500)
DiSalvos Restaurant & Pasta Products, Williamsport ($3,439)
O'Boys Inc., Williamsport ($7,500)
Williams Auto Transport, Williamsport ($4,300)

Mercer County
Kevin E. Gagliardi, D.M.D., Hermitage ($7,500)

Montgomery County
Melrose Service Center, Elkins Park ($2,650)

Northumberland County
Keystone Pallets & Recycling LLC, Lewisburg ($2,050)*

Philadelphia County
Linn One Hour Cleaners Inc., Philadelphia ($7,500)

Media Contact: Amanda Witman, 717-787-1323

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection