CAN DO, Inc., the economic development organization serving Greater Hazleton and beyond, announced updated interest rate options for Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) products and loans for the 2016 second quarter.
PIDA provides funding up to 50 percent of project costs for eligible businesses that commit to creating and retaining full-time jobs. PIDA loan applications can only be packaged, underwritten and submitted by Certified Economic Development Organizations such as CAN DO, which is authorized to provide these services in the Greater Hazleton and Luzerne County areas.
The new rates are in effect for loan applications received through June 30, 2016.
CAN DO President and CEO Kevin O'Donnell and Director of Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Jim Kelshaw recently sat down with Senator John Yudichak for a candid discussion on economic development in Greater Hazleton for the Senator's Pennsylvania Report segment.
For the 14th consecutive year, aspiring entrepreneurs will have a chance to compete for a share of $100,000 in cash and in-kind business service through the 2016 Business Plan Competition facilitated by TecBridge. The competition is open to students from the 14 area colleges and universities as well as non-collegiate teams.
Registration opened at the beginning of February and runs through March 17. The deadline to submit final business plans is April 1. Interested applicants can visit www.nepbpc.com for a registration form and complete competition rules.
Facilitated by TecBridge, the competition is endorsed by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Association of Colleges & Universities and supported by local Chambers of Commerce and regional businesses. CAN BE, the Community Association for New Business Entrepreneurship, has served as a sponsor of the competition for many years.