Small Business Advantage Grant Program; Opportunity

NOTICES Small Business Advantage Grant Program; Opportunity [40 Pa.B. 5643] [Saturday, October 2, 2010]

The Department of Environmental Protection (Department), Office of Energy and Technology Deployment announces an opportunity to apply for the 2010-2011 Small Business Advantage Grant program for pollution prevention and energy efficiency projects. The program provides up to 50% matching grants, to a maximum of $7,500, to enable small businesses in this Commonwealth to adopt or acquire energy efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes. Well-designed energy efficient or pollution prevention projects can help small businesses cut costs and reduce the risk of potential regulatory problems, while simultaneously protecting the environment. An eligible applicant must be a for-profit small business owner whose business or facility is located within the Commonwealth. All small businesses in this Commonwealth are eligible, including manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural concerns. The project to which the grant will apply must be located within the applicant's facility in this Commonwealth and save the business at least 10% annually in energy or pollution related expenses. For questions or concerns regarding the eligibility of the project, contact Dave Barnes, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, Small Business Ombudsman's Office at (717) 783-8411 or at epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us before submitting an application the Department will begin accepting applications on October 4, 2010. Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered by 4 p.m. on November 5, 2010. Faxes or other electronic submissions will not be accepted. The application package including guidance, instructions and application forms is available electronically on the Department's web site at http://www.dep.state.pa.us, key word ''Small Business Advantage.'' The application package is also available by contacting the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, P. O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772, (717) 783-8411. JOHN HANGER,  Secretary