The Department of Environmental Protection this week awarded 64 grants totaling $373,554 to help small businesses enhance energy efficiency and promote pollution prevention.

The grants, awarded under the Small Business Advantage Grant Program, provide a 50 percent match of up to $7,500 for equipment or processes to reduce energy consumption and promote pollution prevention while increasing profitability.

Since 2004 more than $2 million has been awarded to almost 450 businesses across the state.

The Small Business Advantage grant program is open to small business owners whose business or facility is located in Pennsylvania. An eligible applicant must be a for-profit business enterprise that is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity that has no more than 100 employees and is a separate legal business entity at the time the application is submitted. Applicants may be manufacturers or service providers.

Funding is still available for the program. Grant applications will be accepted through December 15 or until funds are exhausted. The grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

A full list of grants awarded is available online.

For more information, visit the Small Business Advantage Grant Program webpage.

9/8/2006