The Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protestion is encouraging small business owners to apply for Pennsylvania's Small Business Advantage Grant Program. Under the program, businesses can apply for a 50% matching grant of up to $7,500 for taking actions that save at least 20% annually in energy or pollution-related costs.  Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and the application deadline is January 15, 2010, or until funds are exhausted.

To be eligible an applicant must be a for-profit corporation, LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship or other legal entity with 100 or fewer full time employees and must be located within the state. Examples of eligible projects include HVAC and boiler upgrades, high-efficienty lighting, waste recycling systems and others.

Program guidelines and application may be downloaded at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: SBAdvantage, or by mail from DEP by calling 717-783-8411.