Farms, Small Businesses Get Help Protecting Natural Resources

HARRISBURG, PA — Small businesses and farmers can apply for grants up to $7,000 to buy energy-efficient equipment, lighting, or other systems that prevent pollution.

Small Business Advantage Grant funds for energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects are available to small business owners and farmers, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said this week.

Pennsylvania farmers and other small business owners with 100 or fewer full-time employees are eligible for the grants. Projects must save the business a minimum of $500 and 25 percent annually in energy consumption or pollution related expenses.

Businesses can apply for 50 percent matching funds for equipment or materials, up to $7,000, when adopting energy-efficient or pollution prevention equipment or processes.

"This grant program was created with small businesses and farmers in mind. There are tremendous monetary savings available to Pennsylvania’s small business owners by installing energy-efficient equipment, such as boilers, LED lighting, and Energy Star certified heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems," said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

"Pennsylvania farmers can also benefit by using these funds to undertake projects which will divert sediment and nutrient runoff from our waterways," McDonnell added.

Natural resource protection projects are exempt from the minimums; however, the projects must be able to quantify sediment and nutrient reductions into nearby waterways, the DEP said.

Applications are considered on a first come, first served basis, and will be accepted until fiscal year 2020-21 funds are exhausted, or Monday, April 12, 2021, whichever occurs first.

The complete grant application package is available by visiting the DEP Small Business Ombudsman’s Office website, here.

To contact the Small Business Ombudsman's Office, call (717) 772-5160 or email ra-epadvantagegrant@pa.gov.