Harrisburg, July 10, 2013 – Sen. Judy Schwank today said businesses in Berks County that want to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly now have the opportunity to apply for a state grant to help pay for those improvements.
The Department of Environmental Protection has opened the application window for its Small Business Advantage Grant Program, which reimburses up to half of the project cost (up to $9,500) for pollution prevention and energy efficiency equipment or processes. The deadline to apply is Sept. 6.
“For a business needing to replace high-energy-consuming equipment with more energy-efficient appliances or take steps to reduce runoff or cut back on environmental discharges, DEP’s Advantage Grant Program is a great program to consider,” said Schwank.
All small businesses with fewer than 100 employees are eligible for the program. Small offices owned by large companies are ineligible. Companies that apply for the grant must have a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania vendor registration number.
All projects must lead to at least a $500-plus-25 percent annual economic gain or savings through the energy conservation or pollution prevention project.
“There are some things to navigate in applying for Small Business Advantage Grants,” Schwank said. “My office is ready to help any Berks County small business win a grant and leave a greener footprint.”
Judy’s On Cherry, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Reading, won a Small business Advantage Grant in 2011.
For details, an application package and contact info, click HERE.
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More information on Sen. Schwank is available on her website, Facebook and Twitter.