Resources and Partners

Information and links for tools that help your business go virtual: video conferencing, meetings, process management, dashboards, studying, training and more.

The African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pa. provides technical assistance on a variety of business issues through its membership or in-office assessment for referral.

The Allegheny Small Business Loan (ASBL) program that provides funds for establishment and expansion of new and existing small businesses, by providing low interest financing for land development, building improvements, machinery and equipment acquisition, and infrastructure development. Covers up to 40% of project costs.

Allegheny Lead Safe Homes is a program through Allegheny County Economic Development that offers qualifying homeowners and renters in Allegheny County free home lead-paint testing and hires a certified lead abatement contractor to stabilize or eliminate lead-paint. Examples of work include repainting, chipping, and peeling lead-painted surfaces, window and door repair or replacement, and enclosing old exterior lead-painted trim.

As part of technical support for Allegheny Together Communities, informational webinars will be recorded and posted on this page.

Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) is a new initiative from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Funding is available across the 13 states of the region. Applicants must highlight partnerships across multiple states and provide a plan that showcases the economic impact of the proposed project.

As part of the continued partnership with the Borough of Braddock, the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County has acquired a number of vacant, blighted properties along the Braddock Avenue business corridor so that they can be stabilized and returned to productive use. RAAC will assess the condition of the properties and then issue Requests for Development Proposals (RFDPs) for some or all the properties. All RFDPs will be posted on their bids page. If you would like to receive copies of any RFDPs that may be issued, please send a request by email. If you have any questions, please contact: Cassandra Collinge Assistant Director cassandra.collinge@alleghenycounty.us 412-350-1041

Pittsburgh-based Community Development Finance Institution, building capacity, investing capital, and developing underserved areas to grow businesses and revitalize places.

Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease

The Steel Rivers Council of Governments (SRCOG) is a non-profit organization supporting municipalities in the Mon Valley region of Allegheny County.

Entrepreneurial education and training, mentoring, and networking for women.

Resources and strategies for small businesses

The purpose of the CCNF is to provide support to small, Black Led Organizations (BLOs) responding to critical needs in the Black community resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tax credit program (up to 80%) to encourage businesses to invest in projects by eligible nonprofits to serve low-income individuals and improve distressed areas. A special-priority category this year is COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Justice Issues.

April 13 - June 1, 2021. Grants for 501c3s with operating budgets of $500k or less. Proposals must be in the target areas of Public Art, Green Spaces, Community Safety and Energy, or Connectivity and Technology.

Entrepreneurs Forever serves under-resourced entrepreneurs by facilitating peer-to-peer learning cohorts for small business owners in the Pittsburgh region. It provides support for individuals who have made the leap to work full time in their business and have achieved the revenue threshold of $30,000 in sales.

Information and suggestions for operating virtually with Facebook products

Applications due May 31. For-Profit Businesses, Municipalities, Councils of Governments, Authorized Organizations, Institutions of Higher Education, Watershed Organizations. – Flood mitigation projects.

General preparedness, emergency funding, advocacy, and other miscellaneous resources for freelance artists.

Receive up to 10 hours of free technical assistance that will help your business enter the digital marketplace and receive personalized ecommerce solutions.While there is no formal application deadline, funding is limited and applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic deeply challenged the future of our communities and economy. That’s why the URA partnered with Neighborhood Allies to aid businesses in implementing new, creative ways to reach their customers through online interaction.

Projects which involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreation areas, greenways, trails and river conservation.

Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh has announced a Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan Program to provide interest-free loans on a nonsectarian basis for up to $5,000 to residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland, Washington, and Armstrong counties who are facing financial challenges caused by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak.

Local crowdfunding platform for entrepreneurs and small business.

Innovation Works is the Ben Franklin Technology Partner of Southwestern PA and is supported by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

National small business loan provider: 0% interest loans with no fees! Loans can be up to $10,000, paid back over up to three years.

Free online referral tool that connects small businesses with participating SBA-approved lenders.

Local Government Academy offers approximately 30 educational programs to government leadership in the Allegheny County region.

The PIDA provides low-interest loans and lines of credit for eligible businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs and for the development of industrial parks and multi-tenant facilities.

An agency of the United States Department of Commerce, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) promotes the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned-and-operated businesses while focusing on job creation for minority business entrepreneurs. MBDA’s team of business advisors offers capital and financial management access, business consulting, contract and market access, and global business development services.

Neighborhood Allies offers financial resources, expertise and technical assistance for community development in Pittsburgh and surrounding communities.

A project must serve distressed areas or support neighborhood conservation. Projects must fall under one of the following categories: affordable housing programs, community services, crime prevention, education, job training, or neighborhood assistance. A tax credit of up to 55% can be awarded. View the Neighborhood Assistance Program application checklist to help guide you in your application submission: https://dced.pa.gov/download/checklist-for-neighborhood-assistance-program/?wpdmdl=113831

Long-term collaborations (five years or more) of business, government, and community leaders to produce comprehensive, asset-based, relationship-driven approaches to community development. A tax credit of up to 75% or 80% can be awarded based on the length of the program (Please refer to the guidelines for more information). View the Neighborhood Partnership Program application checklist to help guide you in your application submission: https://dced.pa.gov/download/checklist-for-neighborhood-partnership-program/?wpdmdl=113833

Free marketing and business services to small businesses and nonprofits located in low- and moderate-income areas to help them recover from the immediate impact of COVID-19 and reposition businesses for long-term success. Offered through Bridgeway Capital and Paramount Pursuits.

Clearinghouse of information for doing business in Pennsylvania.

A Shared-Work plan allows an employer to temporarily reduce the work hours of a group of employees and divide the available hours equally rather than laying off any employees. Employees covered by a Shared-Work plan receive a percentage of their Unemployment Compensation (UC) Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA), while they work the reduced schedule, if they are otherwise eligible for UC.

The Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) offers low-interest loans and lines of credit for eligible businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs for the development of industrial parks and multi-tenant facilities. Loan applications are packaged and underwritten by a network of certified economic development organizations (CEDOs) that partner with PIDA to administer the program.

Paramount Pursuits is a small business incubator and economic development consulting partner, concentrating on empowering entrepreneurs and providing guidance for Main Street revitalization projects within our local communities.

Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority (PMBDA) is a low-interest loan program designed to stimulate the creation, retention and expansion of minority-owned businesses and create jobs in Pennsylvania. Eligible applicants are for-profit business enterprises owned and controlled by one or more socially or economically disadvantaged persons who are residents of the Commonwealth.

The PMAHCC provides networking opportunities, technical assistance, education, and advising for Hispanic businesses.

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers no-cost, confidential consulting services and training workshops in southwestern Pennsylvania to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners with the knowledge they need to start, grow, and prosper.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers no-cost, confidential consulting services and training workshops in southwestern Pennsylvania to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners with the knowledge they need to start, grow, and prosper.

SCORE provides free and confidential one-on-one business counseling by phone, email, and in-person in Southwestern Pittsburgh. Check out their workshops for small business entrepreneurs, too!

Women-owned marketing firm that offers a full range of digital and creative services, with free workshops for community and business leaders.

The Small Diverse Business Capital Access Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and provides low-interest loans and lines of credit to small diverse businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs within the commonwealth. Loan applications are packaged and underwritten by a network of certified economic development organizations (CEDOs) that partner with PIDA to administer the program. For information on additional funding programs, visit DCED’s Programs page.

For various reasons including natural migration and climate change, ticks continue to plague our area during warm months. This year, in particular, tick populations are especially high. As our communities have fun in the sun, it’s important to remember tick prevention safety. Learn more about tick prevention by watching the webinar and reviewing the fact sheet from the Allegheny County Health Department linked below. Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d2pQolOmUk Fact sheet: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/uploadedFiles/Allegheny_Home/Health_Department/Resources/Data_and_Reporting/Infectious_Disease_Epidemiology/Beware-of-Ticks.pdf

The Tri-COG Land Bank acquires and rehabilitates blighted property to enhance community safety, value, and vibrancy. The central goal of a land bank is to transfer properties that are vacant, abandoned, and tax delinquent back to productive use that benefits communities.

The Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments (TCVCOG) brings together 20 municipalities. Services include grant administration, code enforcement, utility billing, land banking, and state mandate compliance.

With thousands of job and career opportunities available in the Pittsburgh region, many companies need help developing a diverse workforce.

Resource page for small businesses.

Brick-and-Mortar businesses that launch a capital raise on Mainvest, an investment fund, may be eligible for an additional $2,000 capital infusion of a zero-interest loan.