Etna businesses are eligible for dollar-for-dollar matching grant of up to $3,500 for improvements to the facade of their building.  Applications for this grant are currently closed.  Check back for the dates of our next round of applications!

Etna business owners can apply for up to $1200 for a new, lighted sign.  There are also options to apply for just the sign or lettered awning (up to $700)  or just the signage lighting (up to $500).  Preference is given to businesses in our central business district and EEDC members.

Etna businesses are eligible to apply for low-interest loans ranging from $5,000-$20,000 through the River Towns Revolving Loan Fund.  This loan can cover land costs, building costs, machinery and equipment costs, and working capital.

The Hebrew Free Loan Association offers interest-free microloans of up to $10,000 to small businesses.  In the past, HFLA has given larger amounts in special cases, such as natural disaster emergencies.  Loans may not be used for working capital.

Kiva is a worldwide crowdfunding platform that connects small businesses with interest-free loans of up to $10,000.

Many local banks participate in the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Loan Guarantee program, providing access to capital for credit-worthy small businesses.  Click here to see the list of participating small business lenders in the Pittsburgh Area, then contact the bank(s) you are interested in for a consultation. 

Neighborhood Allies and their national parter, LISC, offer a variety of loan products at a fixed interest rate for community development projects.

The SPC offers a revolving loan fund making loans of up to $300,000 or 50% of project costs to small businesses.  The loans have low fixed rates and can be used for land and building, machinery and equipment, or working capital.  

The SPC offers loan programs for specific industries such as agriculture or tourism.  For more information, visit their website.

The Progress Fund is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides financing from $20,000 to $1M to people who are starting, expanding, or buying a small business.  Funds can be used to purchase property, restore and rehabilitate buildings, purchase inventory or equipment, buy the assets of an existing business, or for working capital.  The Progress Fund accepts "non-traditional" forms of capital and has recently funded many breweries, distilleries, and wineries.

Bridgeway Capital offers many different types of loans for businesses who want to launch, expand, develop real estate, provide access to nutritious food, or accelerate their craft business.

Honeycomb is a crowdfunding tool that helps customers from your local community invest up to $50,000 in your business.  

FREE Face-to-face, online, and phone business counseling sessions for female aspiring and growing business owners!  Technical assistance is available in the areas of management, digital marketing, accounting, exporting, legal, HR, and diversity certifications.

The Diversity Business Resource center offers free one on one counseling, business incubation, and shared work space for minority, woman, and veteran enterprises seeking to start, grow, or sustain their business.  Their technical assistance 

Allegheny County provides small businesses with low interest financing for land development, building improvements, machinery and equipment acquisition, and infrastructure development.  The ASBL can fund up to 40% of project costs.  Click the link below for more information on eligibility.

Is your business at least 51% owned by a minorty, female, and/or socially or economically disadvantaged person?  If so, you may quality to certify your business as an MWDBE.  This free certification qualifies you for technical assistance, working capital gap financing, and other benefits.  Application infromation for MWDBE working capital loans is linked below.

The BOF Program connects small businesses with access to lines of credit and loans through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).  There are no minimum or maximum loan sizes and loans may be used for a number of purposes including working capital.

PennCAP is a loan guarantee program through participating banks.  Funds may be used for working capital, land, building, and/or equipment.

The HPTC provides tax credits to qualified tax payers who will be completing the restoration of a qualified historic structure.

PMBDA offers low-interest loans to businesses owned and operated by ethnic minorities.

The SDBCA provides low-interest loans and lines of credit to small diverse businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs within PA.  Small diverse businesses have fewer than 100 employees and are minority, female, veteran, and/or service-disabled veteran-owned.  Funding amounts are determined based on the proposed project, number of jobs to be created, and the availability of matching funds.

WEDnetPA provides funding for either essential skills training or advanced technology training for your employees.  

In 2018, the federal government designated Etna as a federal Opportunity Zone.  Investments made in qualified funds in Etna will be allowed to defer or eliminate federal taxes on capital gains.  This is a new program and the IRS is going to publish more details about the program in the fall of 2018.  For now, more information about Opportunity Zones can be found here.