Have you ever wondered how social media can help your business? This seminar will show you. (more…)

Training grants are available for certain businesses to attend our Small Business Institute. (more…)

Here’s your chance to get involved and help increase access to valuable credit and training for the small business community!

MetroAction is developing an ambassador outreach program designed to create awareness and sustain participation throughout our nine county region.  Ambassadors will have the opportunity to attend networking events at various locations and gain knowledge about businesses in surrounding communities.

If you or someone you know may be interested, email Alicia Tompkins, MetroAction’s Business Development Specialist or call (570) 342-7711 for more information.

MetroAction is committed to offering entrepreneurs the tools to succeed!  We know that the success of a small business is a never ending process of counseling, mentoring and training. (more…)

Will you be offering a new product line? Or maybe a new service?

Whether you’re launching a new business or rethinking an existing one, MetroAction has the resources available to get your business moving in the right direction during 2011.  We provide loans to help businesses start and grown and we provide seminars and webinars to help you make the right choices in your business.

Visit our website to learn about all of our products and services!

Do you know a small business owner that needs financing?  Did you know that MetroAction can provide loans from $250 to $200,000 to small businesses that do not qualify for bank financing?

MetroAction’s Step Loan Program helps low income people improve their lives by providing access to small business loans and counseling. And, MetroAcion is  an area loan organization for the Small Business First Loan Program — a state program designed to stimulate the expansion and assist in the retention of small business for the purpose of creating new jobs and retaining existing jobs in Pennsylvania.

Learn more about these, and our other loan programs, at www.MetroAction.org.  You can even make a referral right from our website!

This article is provided by the Greater Scranton Area SCORE Chapter.

Choosing to go into business for you is a major decision that usually means a commitment to hard work and long hours.  As you struggle to build your business, however, you also must be careful not to overdo it and succumb to business owner burnout. It’s vital to take some time off to recharge your personal batteries. (more…)

SBA

The SBA will be hosting a FREE program to explain how small businesses can take advantage of opportunities included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.

The program will be held at the University of Scranton on July 29 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.  Register today!

SBA

I recieved an email that gave some very disturbing news about a scam targeting small businesses… (more…)

Yesterday, President Obama signed the $787 billion Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, his first major initiative developed to combat the nations’s current economic slump. This bill is quite broad in scope and was designed to impact communities around the country in many ways in the months and years ahead.

Essentially, the plan has two main goals: short term job production and long term economic viability.  Through spending and tax cuts, the legislation is expected to be our nation’s road to economic recovery.  

But, if you’re a small business, I’m sure you’re still wondering, “What does this mean for me?”.  The Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has a few specific programs that can directly benefit northeastern Pennsylvania small businesses.

The new law includes:

• * $51 million in lending authority for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program
• * $24 million for SBA Microloan technical assistance
• * $100 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund

This is great news for NEPA small busineses.  MetroAction, which is an federally certified CDFI and an SBA microlender, will be able to access these funds and pass the benefits on to local small businesses. 

Recently, as area banks have tightened their lending requirements, MetroAction has experienced higher demand for MicroLoans and other business development assistance. The programs supported in the Recovery Act will help ensure that small businesses in our community have access to the resources they need.

If your business needs small business financing or assistance, call us at (570) 341-0270.  When banks can’t help…MetroAction can! 

Details about how you can access the new funding and what affect this will have on MetroAction’s funding programs for Fiscal Year 2010 will be available soon. Stay tuned!

Want to share your thoughts about the funding for microenterprise development in the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act? Leave a comment for MetroAction’s Small Business Blog – be the first to start a discussion!