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 and 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.

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 designed to fund multi-state projects within the 13 states of the Appalachian region. Applicants must highlight partnerships across multiple states and provide a plan that showcases the economic impact of the proposed project.

After acquiring several vacant, blighted properties along the Braddock Avenue corridor, the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) will assess the condition of the properties issue Requests for Development Proposals (RFDPs) for some or all the properties. All RFDPs will be posted on their bids page.

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

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.

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 and surrounding 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 by focusing on job creation through 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.

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.

Long-term collaborations (5 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.

Clearinghouse of information for doing business in Pennsylvania.

A Shared-Work plan allows an employer to temporarily reduce the work hours, rather than laying off any employees and still allows employees covered by a Shared-Work plan to receive a percentage of their Unemployment Compensation (UC) Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA).

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.

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 for-profit businesses and create jobs in Pennsylvania.

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, providing vital economic support to small businesses to overcome temporary loss of revenue by paying fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid due to 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.

For various reasons including natural migration and climate change, ticks continue to plague our area. 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.

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.