The Department of Environmental Protection announced it is now accepting applications for $1 million to fund energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects under the Small Business Advantage Grant Program.

Applications are due by September 28.

The Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides a 50 percent matching grant -- up to $7,500 -- to help defray the costs of purchasing new equipment or implementing new processes that reduce energy consumption and prevent pollution, while helping to increase profitability.

The grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, and interested parties are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a for-profit corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity with no more than 100 full-time employees. The entity must be a separate legal business at the time the application is submitted, and located within the Commonwealth.

Applicants may be manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining operators or agricultural businesses. The grant-supported project must be located within a Pennsylvania facility belonging to the applicant, and must save the business at least 10 percent in energy or pollution-related expenses annually.

Applications can be found on DEP’s Small Business Advantage webpage

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