Find grants, loans and other support with the 2024 PA Wilds Resource Guides
Does your business or organization in Pennsylvania Wilds region need resources to be able meet market demands, grow, upgrade and thrive? Do you want to know what resources are available to organizations in this 13-county region? Check out the 2024 PA Wilds Resource Guide, a free digital resource that connects you to grants, loans, technical assistance, funding, marketing and other opportunities.
The PA Wilds Resource Guides are updated and published each year to support members of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania (WCO), a network of more than 600 members who are passionate about creating and selling high-quality products and services that reflect the culture and natural beauty of the PA Wilds, as well as other entrepreneurs looking for support.
The WCO is managed by the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship (PA Wilds Center), a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable development, conservation, and outdoor recreation in the region. The PA Wilds Center’s mission is to integrate conservation and economic development in a way that strengthens and inspires communities of the rural PA Wilds region.
In the Resource Guide, you will find:
- Small business loans – a variety of low-interest loan programs to support small business development that creates and retains jobs, helping to fill the gap when bank financing and equity are not able to completely finance a business project
- Grants and tax credits – a wide range of grants from state, federal and regional organizations, with many different purposes or eligible projects
- Technical assistance – programs such as business and professional development, Main Street programs, Chambers of Commerce, production and services technical assistance, stewardship technical assistance, community technical assistance, and nonprofit technical assistance
- Hiring and human resources – supports workforce development and helps businesses find workers that might otherwise have barriers to employment, as well as apprenticeship programs, hiring incentives and job training tools
- Marketing resources – regional marketing efforts that businesses and nonprofits can use to their advantage, to raise awareness and expand their client pool
- Recognition programs – prestigious annual awards that allow businesses and organizations to submit nominations and be recognized for the good work they do
“It can be difficult for business owners and organization managers to know what resources are available, especially in a rural region like the Pennsylvania Wilds. We have compiled these resources into one location, so busy entrepreneurs and leaders don’t have to search far for the information they need,” said Ashley Fosbrink-Horrell, Value Chain Manager for the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship. “A grant, a low-interest loan, or a technical program can accelerate growth, allowing rural businesses to accomplish things they never thought would be possible for them. There are more of these valuable resources than you might imagine, and you’ll be surprised at how many of these programs you could be eligible to apply for.”
There is a resource guide for each of the 13 counties in the designated PA Wilds region, as well as a region-wide guide. The listings in the guide include many state and regional partners and nonprofits whose mission is to support entrepreneurs, as well as Resource Partner members of the Wilds Cooperative of PA network.
To download the 2024 PA Wilds Resource Guide or learn more about the business tools, visit WildsCoPA.org/business-tools today.
ABOUT THE WILDS COOPERATIVE OF PA
The Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania is one of rural Pennsylvania’s largest networks of creative entrepreneurs, featuring more than 600 businesses located in the Pennsylvania Wilds. The WCO seeks to grow and connect the unique establishments and creative producers central to our region’s place-based tourism development. The WCO provides members with branding and marketing tools; networking and education opportunities; access to new markets and products, and mentorship and referrals to PA’s financial and technical service programs for small businesses. The WCO is managed by the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc. Learn more about the WCO at www.WildsCoPA.org.
ABOUT THE PA WILDS
The Pennsylvania Wilds is a 13-county region that includes the counties of Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga, Warren, and northern Centre. The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc., is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to integrate conservation and economic development in a way that inspires the communities of the Pennsylvania Wilds. The PA Wilds Center promotes the region as a premier outdoor recreation destination as a way to diversify local economies, inspire stewardship, attract investment, retain population and improve quality of life. The PA Wilds Center’s core programs seek to help businesses leverage the PA Wilds brand and connect with new market opportunities, including: the Wilds Cooperative of PA, a network of over 600 place-based businesses and organizations, and the PA Wilds Conservation Shop, a retail outlet primarily featuring products sourced from the WCO. For more information on the PA Wilds Center, visit www.PAWildsCenter.org. To learn more about the WCO, visit www.WildsCoPA.org. Explore the PA Wilds at www.PAWilds.com. Find regionally made products at www.ShopThePAWilds.com.
Media Contact
Britt Madera | Communications Manager
PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Inc.
bmadera@pawildscenter.org | 570-948-1051
