Funding & Resources

Financial Assistance Available for Small Businesses

Local

Lackawanna County Grant Programs
Lackawanna County’s Office of Economic and Community Development has several grant programs available for Lackawanna County small businesses. Click here to visit their web site and look for the “County Grants” blue box on the right side.

City of Scranton Small Business Loan to Grant Program (HUD) (Added 1/23)
This federally funded gap loan program was developed to enhance job creation by providing assistance to businesses including start-ups, existing, or those looking to relocate to Scranton. As per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, borrowers must create one full-time equivalent job for every $35,000 borrowed. If job creation and guidelines are met, the loan can transfer to a grant, with no repayment necessary.

Eligible uses of funds: inventory; procurement of machinery, furniture, and equipment; and working/operating capital. Available funding: $35,000 = $40,0000. Funding dependent on Job Creation Guidelines. For more information, e-mail Tiffany Cross-Luciani at tcluciani@scrantonpa.gov.

City of Scranton American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grants (Added 10/22)
The City of Scranton has been awarded a total of $68.7 million in ARPA funds to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts. Scranton City Council approved ARPA funding to be made available as grants to community organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses that have faced economic hardship resulting from or exacerbated by the pandemic.

Small Business Facade Improvement Grants

• Grants up to $10,000 for exterior improvement
• Must be located in eligible areas of Scranton
• 25% match from business owners
• Work with partners across the City: NeighborWorks, Scranton Tomorrow, and UNC
• Apply by 9/20/23

Small Business Startup and Expansion Grants

• Up to 25% of new or growing business costs
• Grants of up to $100,000
• Funding is first-come, first-served
• Must be located in eligible areas of Scranton
• Business must have less than 50 employees
• Apply by 10/31/23

Click here for more information on City of Scranton American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grants.

City of Scranton Micro-Grant (Added 2/22)
The CDBG Small Business Micro-Grant Program is for new or early-stage businesses located in Scranton’s low-moderate-income demographic areas (LMA) and will supply funds ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 per business through the 2022 year to assist with start-up costs. Businesses must be in a qualifying Low-to-Moderate service area within the City of Scranton (click here for map). Click here for more information or e-mail Tiffany Cross-Luciani in the City of Scranton Office of Economic and Community Development.

MetroAction COVID Recovery Loan Program (Added 1/22)
The Lackawanna County Recovery Loan Program has been created to provide capital to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is administered by MetroAction, a non-profit affiliate of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. Funding for this program was provided by Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises (LIFE), Lackawanna County, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

To review eligibility requirements, terms, and rates please review the program guidelines at www.metroaction.org. Loans will be funded on a first-approved, first-funded basis until funding is exhausted.

Wayne County Economic Growth Fund
The Wayne County Commissioners, in partnership with Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO), are excited to present this funding option for business development; The Wayne County Economic Growth Fund. This fund provides grants for undertaking activities that encourage and support economic growth and job creation. Through this program, businesses may be awarded a grant up to $5.000 for eligible projects or up to $10,000 for the purpose of paying eligible loan fees. The grants have private investment match and job creation requirements. For more information, click here.

State

Small Business Advantage Grant (Added 10/22)
Offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the purpose of this grant is to provide small businesses in Pennsylvania with grant funds for projects that increase energy efficiency, reduce pollution, or protect our waterways. Many different types of small businesses, from manufacturing to retail to agriculture, may be eligible for funding under this program.  Funding is awarded first-come, first served so interested applicants should act fast! Click here for more information.

Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program Grants
The Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program is a new program funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), a state agency under the Office of the Governor, and administered regionally by the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA), PCA’s statewide network of re-granting partners. Click here for more information or e-mail Leigh Fennie at The University of Scranton SBDC, a participating referral partner.

Creative Business Loan Fund
In partnership with Bridgeway Capital and Community First, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is pleased to announce the launch of the Creative Business Loan Fund. This fund makes available $2.2 million in the form of affordable, flexible financing to small, creative businesses across the commonwealth. Click here to learn more. 

Federal (SBA COVID-19 Relief Options)

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application Portal

As of August 20, 2021, SVOG is no longer accepting new applications; however the SVOG portal (click here) remains open to all active applicants and awardees and SBA will begin sending invitations for supplemental awards. SVOG supplemental awards are to be provided to those who received an initial grant and have illustrated a 70% loss when comparing 2021’s first-quarter revenues to the same in 2019. Supplemental award applicants can choose to apply for any amount up to 50% of their original SVOG amount, with a $10 million cap of the initial and supplemental awards combined, according to the law. The supplemental awards also allow SVOG recipients to extend the time to use their grant funds for expenses accrued through June 30, 2022 and lengthen their budget period to 18 months from the initial grant’s disbursement date.

The U.S. Small Business Administration officially opened the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal on April 8, 2021 at 12 p.m. EDT for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theaters, as well as live venue promoters, theatrical producers and talent representatives to apply for critical economic relief, as those eligible entities are some of the first that had to shutter their doors a year ago in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended on May 31, 2021. Existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness. Click here for more information.

COVID-19 Information for Small Businesses

Federal

• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – EEO Laws and COVID-19
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidance for Businesses and Employers

State

• Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 Information for Businesses