Two Carbon County business are among 46 sharing $293,889 in grants through the state Department of Environmental Protection. The grants were awarded to small businesses to invest in energy efficiency or pollution prevention projects.
Technical Process & Engineering Inc., Lehighton, and Panther Valley Mini Mall, Lansford, both received money under the Small Business Advantage Grant Program.
Technical Process & Engineering Inc. received $6,363 toward buying and installing energy efficient heat pumps and an Energy Star ductless air conditioning, said Lisa Kasianowitz, spokeswoman for the program.
The total cost of the project is $12, 726.
The Panther Valley Mini Mall received $7,500 to help pay for a $40,763 project to buy and install a new heating system for the mini mall, she said.
"This program empowers small-business owners to invest in important upgrades that make the most sense for their business," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "It gives them the opportunity to lower the costs of production, which makes them better environmental stewards and more competitive."
Pennsylvania's Small Business Advantage Grant Program provides small businesses with fewer than 100 employees 50-percent matching reimbursement grants of up to $7,500 to implement projects that will save $1,000, in addition to 25 percent annually in pollution prevention or energy-related costs. Since 2004, the program has invested $5.3 million in 1,451 small businesses.
Examples of eligible projects include High Efficiency HVAC and insulation upgrades for new businesses; high-efficiency lighting to save energy; installation of energy-efficient heat pumps; and new auxiliary power units that help large trucks reduce time spent with idling engines.
For more information about the Small Business Advantage Grant Program, contact DEP's Small Business Ombudsman's Office at (717) 772-8909.
Other businesses receiving grants are: William R. Baker, Jr., Gibsonia, Allegheny County; Donald Weckerly, Beaver Falls, Beaver County; Bruno's Trucking, Lenhartsville, and E2 Realty, Virginville, both of Berks County; Reeder House LLC, New Hope, Bucks County; Warren C. Sauers, Cranberry Township, and Gardenscape Transport Inc., Elmerton, both of Butler County; Wash World Car Wash, Boalsburg, Collegiate Furnishings Inc., State College, and Doty and Hench, State College, all of Centre County; Taylors Music Store & Studios Inc., West Chester, Chester County; Terry R. VanTassel Trucking, Lamartine, Clarion county; Metcalf Trucking LLC, Carlisle, and Quality Cleaners Inc., Lemoyne, both of Cumberland County; Veterans Express, Uniontown, and Heirloom Industries LLC, Dawson, both of Fayette County; Crawford Enterprises, Coming2gether Productions, Banyan Investments, LLC, and First General Services of Pen-Mar Inc., all of Way