Resources and Partners

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Resources and strategies for small businesses

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Clearinghouse of information for doing business in Pennsylvania.