Small Business Administration (SBA) – Pittsburgh Office
The Small Business Administration – Pittsburgh Office (SBA) provides help with SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery. SBA – Pittsburgh can also connect businesses to its partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed. Note: disaster recovery funds are not available as no disaster declaration has been made for the area.
- SBA Funding: The SBA can assist businesses in applying for federal funding, including loans, investment capital, disaster funding (contingent on declaration), surety bonds, and grants. Disaster assistance is not available for this event.
- SCORE - Pittsburgh Chapter: SCORE Pittsburgh offers free and confidential one-on-one business counseling by phone, email, and in-person in Southwestern Pittsburgh. They conduct workshops for both start-up entrepreneurs and seasoned small business owners.
- The Center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University (CWE): Located in Pittsburgh, PA, CWE offers aspiring and existing business owners free or low-cost business counseling, training programs, technical support, networking and mentoring focused on business planning and leadership, marketing, financing, access to capital, federal contracting, and business expansion through international markets and exporting. CWE's services and events are available to all regardless of gender.
- University of Maryland Veterans Business Outreach Center (Coverage: Washington, D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania): The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. VBOCs can also help business owners navigate SBA’s extensive resource partner network and refer you to a community partner, lender, or SBA program.
US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)
The mission of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) is to protect human health and the environment. EPA personnel have been on the ground since the onset of the train derailment, working alongside federal, state, and local partners with response efforts. EPA is publishing a weekly newsletter containing up-to-date information about the response, as well as several updates including a new page about air monitoring.
- East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Emergency Response – This EPA website is dedicated to detailing EPA’s full response to the train derailment. EPA personnel have been on site since the onset of the train derailment, supporting local and state partners as they lead on-the-ground response efforts. Resources include information about resources for residents, environmental testing and results, frequently asked questions, and other links.
- About Air Monitoring: East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment: As part of the response, EPA and Norfolk Southern have used several types of air monitoring instruments to measure contaminants at and around the derailment site. Learn more about air monitoring instruments on this webpage. This webpage also links to other EPA testing results.
- Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice Communities: This program will provide grants supporting technical assistance to businesses including information, training, and expert advice on pollution source reduction, that specifically target and improve human health and the environment in disadvantaged communities. Pennsylvania intends to pursue funding under this program when funding becomes available. Information will be posted on DEP’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act website.
- Pollution Prevention Grant: Environmental Justice Through Safer and More Sustainable Products: This program will provide grants to businesses to improve human health and environment in disadvantaged communities by increasing the supply, demand, and/or use if safer products. Pennsylvania intends to pursue funding under this program when funding becomes available. Information will be posted on DEP’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act website.