Small Business Advantage is a grant program providing 50 percent reimbursement matching grants, up to a maximum of $7,500, to enable small businesses to acquire equipment or processes that result in energy efficiency or pollution prevention. Eligible applicants must be a for-profit small business located in Pennsylvania with 100 or fewer total employees. Most small businesses are eligible, including manufacturers, retailers, service providers, mining businesses and agricultural concerns.

The project to which the grant will apply must be located within the applicant’s Commonwealth facility and save the business at least 20 percent annually in energy or pollution related expenses. Examples of eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficiency lighting, solvent and waste recovery systems.

All projects must be completed before June 30, 2010. Applications are available on the department’s website at www.depweb.state.pa.us (DEP Keywords: SBAdvantage). The application package contains the materials and instructions necessary for applying for a grant. Applications are also available by contacting the department of Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Technology Deployment, by phone at 717 783-8411 or by email at epadvantagegrant@state.pa.us. The department began accepting applications on Dec. 7. Funds for this program will be allocated on a first-come basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit their completed application as soon as possible. The department will accept applications for the program if postmarked by Jan. 15, 2010, or hand delivered by 4 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2010.