CCEDC certified to provide business loans
The Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation is now certified to provide Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loans.
On Thursday, Kathy Henderson, executive director of economic development and the Carbon County Commissioners, announced the certification.Commissioners' Chairman Wayne Nothstein said this is the first time a county organization is certified by the state to oversee these low-interest loans for businesses.He commended Henderson for her efforts in the CCEDC since she began almost a year ago.Henderson said this will be a big help for businesses in the county."I'm excited because now we can help more businesses, and not just smaller businesses," she said."Larger businesses in Carbon County are now able to get funding locally and won't have to go out of county to another entity to help them with their funding."PIDA loans provide fixed interest low-interest loans up to $2.2 million for businesses in various industry sectors such as manufacturing, industrial, agricultural, research and development, hospitality, defense conversion, recycling, construction, child day care, retail and service, export and computer-related service enterprises.Henderson said there are many different projects that can qualify for one of the loan options CCEDC offers and noted that business owners just need to call or visit the group's office in Lehighton to learn more.For additional information or for an application, go to
www.newpa.com or call Henderson at 610-379-5000.In a related CCEDC matter, Marlyn Kissner, executive director, announced that CCEDC has produced a new "Stay in Jim Thorpe and The Surrounding Area" rack card, which will be distributed in Jim Thorpe, as well as areas in the Poconos and Philadelphia.The new card highlights a number of accommodations in the area such as inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels, camping and resorts and guest houses. It provides the establishment's phone number and notes if the place is in the Jim Thorpe historic district.She thanked the commissioners for their support."We are glad to be able to do projects like this to educate our community and the communities outside the area," Kissner said.For more information, go online at