Twenty-two grants totaling $120,353 were awarded this week to help small businesses put in place equipment or processes that enhance energy efficiency or promote pollution prevention from the Small Business Advantage Program.

Projects funded by this round of grants include projects like: Strong Cleaner Inc. in Allegheny County $7,500 to install new cleaning equipment to reduce the use of perchloroethylene; Hillegas Trucking in Bedford County $3,750 to install auxiliary power unit to reduce truck idling; Tripp’s Grill in Clinton County $2,250 to purchase an EnergyStar compliant freezer; Frank Horchen Enterprise in Elk County $7,500 to install a waste oil burner; and Logan Street Laundromatt in Montgomery County $7,500 to install high efficiency dryers. A complete list is available online.

Small Business Advantage grants provide a 50 percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes to reduce energy consumption and promote pollution prevention while helping to increase profitability for small businesses located in Pennsylvania.

The program, which was launched in July 2004, has awarded more than $990,000 to 190 recipients across the state.

Funding is still available for the program. Grant applications will be accepted through January 6. The grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information visit the Small Business Advantage Grant Program webpage, call 717-783-8411 or send e-mail to epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us.

9/30/2005