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Resources and Partners

Partners in the Allegheny Together network are able to help community members with business development, community initiatives, project financing, strategic planning, and more.

Click on the links to get in touch with our partners. 

for businesses:

Partners Supporting Business Owners

These partners are able to answer questions about how to start and operate a business. Some partners even provide funding. Check their websites to see the full extent of services offered. 

Business Mentors and Education

Vibrant Pittsburgh

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

Facebook COVID-19 Business Center

Information and suggestions for operating virtually with Facebook products

SCORE

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!

SBDC Duquesne

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.

Entrepreneurs Forever

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.

Paramount Pursuits

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.

What Small Businesses Can Do

Resource page for small businesses.

Allegheny Together Webinar Recordings

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

Open for Business Program

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.

SBDC Pitt

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.

African American Chamber of Commerce

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.

CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease

Get Online and Grow Online (GOGO) Small Business Program

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.

Center for Women's Entrepreneurship

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

Shift Collaborative

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

Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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

Business Funding

Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority (PMBDA)

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.

Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP)

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

Freelance Artist Resources

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

Allegheny County Small Business Loan Description

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.

Lender Match Search SBA

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

Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies

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.

Bridgeway Capital

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

Minority Business Development Agency Business Center of Pennsylvania (MBC-PA)

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.

198 Free Tools to Help You Through the Coronavirus Pandemic

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

Coronavirus Small Business Guide

Resources and strategies for small businesses

PIDA Lines of Credit-PA Industrial Development Authority

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.

Zero Interest Loan with Capital Launch-Mainvest

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.

Honeycomb Credit

Local crowdfunding platform for entrepreneurs and small business.

Innovation Works

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

Small Diverse Business Capital Access Program

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.

PA Workshare Program

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.

Braddock Business Community Initiative (BBCI)

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

Low Interest Industrial Loans-PA DCED

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 Disaster Loan

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.

Kiva PGH

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.

PA Business One-Stop-Shop

Clearinghouse of information for doing business in Pennsylvania.

Business Mentors and Education
Business Funding
Community Workshops and Education

Black Owned Businesses

These partners are able to answer questions about how to start and operate a business. Some partners even provide funding. Check their websites to see the full extent of services offered. 

Business Mentoring & Funding

Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority (PMBDA)

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.

Minority Business Development Agency Business Center of Pennsylvania (MBC-PA)

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.

Small Diverse Business Capital Access Program

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.

Partners Supporting Community Leaders

These partners all offer assistance to community groups and municipal leadership in the form of education, technical assistance, or funding. Visit their websites to see the full extent of services.

Workshops and Education

Tick Information from Allegheny County Health Department

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

Local Government Academy

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

Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program

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.

Tri-COG Land Bank

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.

Community Funding

Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program (NAP)

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

Neighborhood Allies

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

Duquesne Light Company Community Impact Grants

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.

Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (Commonwealth Financing Authority)

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

Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh

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.

Turtle Creek Valley Council of Governments

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.

DCED Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)

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.

Critical Community Needs Funds from the POISE Foundation

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.

COG-Steel Rivers

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

Flood Mitigation Program (Commonwealth Financing Authority)

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

Community Funding
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