Economic Development Resources

Unemployment Compensation and Paid Family Leave:

While unemployment compensation eligibility determinations are made by the states, Congress recently made a number of changes to directly address COVID-19 concerns.

You can find more information by going to these state Unemployment Compensation resources:

• PA COVID-19 Unemployment Compensation Homepage
• PA Unemployment Compensation Handbook
• PA Unemployment Compensation Self-Service Portal

UC has a Virtual assistant that can help to answer questions at 877-978-1295.

The UC call center is open from 8-4 Monday through Friday. 888-313-7284. It is very difficult to get through, we encourage everyone to review FAQ’s online before calling.

FAQs for PUA can be found HERE

The United States Department of Labor has put together these resources to help you with information on paid family leave and COVID-19 sick time information:

• Questions and Answers

For Small Businesses:

Registration is now open for the 4/9 webinar on the Paycheck Protection Program for Sole-Proprietors and Independent Contractors.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Penn State is also giving away workshops.  Click HERE for information.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan information from the Small Business Administration can be found at:

• Portal for loan application
• SBA Customer Service Center:
  • 1-800-659-2955
  • Disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
  • https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

As part of the CARES Act, Congress provided for paycheck protection loans that, if used for certain expenses, can be forgiven. More information can be found HERE.

A list of Community Bank partners for these loans can be accessed HERE.

Gov. Tom Wolf has issued an order for all non-life-sustaining businesses to close.  Click on the following links for more information on the topics listed:

• List of business categories subject to that order
• Submit questions about the order to the Department of Community and Economic Development
• Submit questions to the Department of Community and Economic Development about seeking a waiver

The Progress Authority is the economic development organization serving Bradford and Susquehanna Counties. It focuses on projects that involve industrial development, small business development, business financing, public infrastructure development, site preparation, marketing and workforce development.

The Progress Authority can help companies navigate the various local, state and federal funding sources available and develop customized incentive packages that best fit their business needs. It has had great success in leveraging incentive grant programs with low-interest loan financing to provide attractive financing packages for business development projects, infrastructure upgrades and workforce development programs.

The organization administers a local low-interest Revolving Loan Fund that helps stimulate private investment in business development projects. In addition, the Progress Authority has worked with the following federal, state and local agencies that have provided funding and support to economic projects in Bradford County. The Progress Authority is open to review potential projects and match them with appropriate funding sources.

State & Regional

• Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
• Ben Franklin Technology Partners

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development
• United States Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Appalachian Regional Commission
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development (NTRPDC) is responsible for the administration of the Workforce Investment Act in Bradford and other surrounding counties throughout the region. NTRPDC works with organizations to address the growing need for a skilled workforce. One component of workforce development is finding ways to help youth become aware of opportunities in the workforce. Eligible youth are provided work experience and academic enrichment through a youth program, and events such as Health Career Awareness Week are held to make students aware of careers in health care. NTRPDC works to foster a dynamic workforce system in the five-county service territory. This system offers life-long learning opportunities to workers, while providing new and expanding businesses in the region a ready and capable workforce.