Office of Economic Development

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Business Grants and Programs

CDBG Small Business Microgrant Program

The CDBG Small Business Microgrant Program for newly established businesses located in Scranton’s low-moderate-income demographic areas (LMA) will supply funds ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 per business to assist with start-up costs, thus contributing to their initial success and continued revitalization of our community.

Businesses must be in a qualifying low-moderate-income demographic area within the City of Scranton.

Learn more on the CDBG Small Business Microgrant Program here.

Revolving Loan Fund (EDA-RLF)

Revolving loan funds (RLFs) make loans to businesses that cannot otherwise obtain traditional bank financing. Applicants must be private, for-profit businesses.  Borrowers must demonstrate that credit is not otherwise available on terms and conditions that permit the completion or successful operation of the activity to be financed. The maximum EDA loan amount will be $100,000 however loan can be no more than 30% of the total project costs.

Learn More about the Revolving Loan Fund here.

Loan-to-Grant Program (HUD)

This federally funded gap loan program was developed to enhance job creation by providing assistance to existing businesses looking to expand, for starting up a new business, or for businesses looking to relocate to Scranton.  As per the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines, borrowers must create one full time equivalent job for every $35,000 borrowed.  If job creation and guidelines are met, the loan can transfer to a grant, with no repayment necessary.

Learn more about the Loan-to-Grant Program (HUD) here.

Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Program (LERTA)

The Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Program (LERTA) offers incentives to residents, investors, developers, and business owners considering investing in new construction or building improvements located within the City of Scranton.

Designed to encourage economic development and community growth, the LERTA program allows local government taxing entities to extend a tax abatement period to property owners. This tax abatement is for improvements to real estate within the designated LERTA area.

The terms of the abatement vary per site, building and location. LERTA abatements are directed and approved by the Scranton School District and City of Scranton. Lackawanna County’s acceptance of LERTA applications for the City of Scranton and in conjunction with the Scranton School District ended as of March 1, 2024. The County will not be processing any LERTA applications for the City going forward, so County taxes will still need to be paid in full.

Learn more on LERTA here.

Local Share Accounts (LSA)

The City of Scranton is an eligible applicant for the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act (Act 2004-71) as amended has established the Pennsylvania Gaming Local Share Account (“Local Share Account”) under the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) for the purpose of distributing 2% of gross terminal revenues of certain licensed gaming facilities in an orderly and timely fashion to support and enhance community and economic well-being and mitigate the impact of gaming and related activities.

The Local Share Account (LSA) guidelines were established to provide guidance to the organizations/developers (hereinafter referred to as “Applicant”) interested in applying for funding. Applications are received by CFA between July 1st and September 30th of each year.

Learn more on Local Share Accounts (LSA) here.

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