Pennsylvania Small Business Advantage Grant for BMPs

The Pennsylvania DEP's Small Business Ombudsman Office offers grants to farmers for riparian buffer plantings, streambank exclusionary fencing and many other agricultural BMPs for stormwater run-off control.  All projects must be able to show a reduction in sediment and nutrients from reaching the receiving waterway.

The Small Business Advantage Grant offers 50% reimbursement on equipment/materials only, up to $7,000 for the projects, which can be combined with other Federal or non-profit monies to get your project done.  The grants are awarded on a first-come, first served basis.  The grant program opened in late July, and still has over $800,000 remaining to be awarded.  All small businesses with fewer than 100 employees are eligible to apply.  All applicants must be a for profit business and registered with the PA Department of State, if they are incorporated.  Sole proprietors are also eligible.

The Small Business Grant may not be matched with other state grants (Growing Greener, etc.)  Non-profits, tax exempt organizations, conservation districts and local governments are not eligible.

You can also use the grant to upgrade to high efficiency lights, motors, pumps, etc.  See the website for details.  Applicants can do multiple projects, such as stream bank fencing and upgrading lights to LED in a dairy barn, for example.

Again, the grants are awarded on a first-come, first served basis.  If you are interested, apply soon or the money will be gone.  For more details, you can call Ed Boito, the Small Business Ombudsman, at 717-783-0909.