The Sullivan County Planning/Economic Development Office assist with current businesses, new businesses to the county and business start-ups to encourage sustainable economic growth, employment opportunities, as well as encourage existing business retention through financial and technical assistance. They also serve as a vital resource of information, to help businesses find solutions to issues and pass along information about business related growth.


Sullivan County's quaint rural setting, relaxed way of life and astounding recreation opportunities make it easy to leave business at the office. Yet all the tools necessary for more productive business are available.

Professionals and entrepreneurs often discover Sullivan County while visiting colleagues, vacationing with family at State Parks or visiting historic Eagles Mere. An experience with Sullivan County's dramatic mountains and streams and understanding of significant business opportunities here can change the way business is conducted.

Local Economic Development Incentives

Sullivan County Commissioners have developed a variety of economic development tools to help business expansion and relocation. The LERTA program of local tax forgiveness can completely eliminate municipal, county and school district taxes for periods of up to 10 years.

Other incentives include infrastructure improvement grants for water and sewer systems, spur roads and other site specific needs.

Local Electric Utility Incentives

Sullivan County Rural Electric Cooperative provides business attraction incentives through the USDA Rural Economic Development Loan Program. The cooperative may apply for a loan on behalf of the applicant at zero or low interest for amounts up to $750,000 at a ten year term with a potential deferral of two years.

Both Sullivan County REC and GPU Energy also provide a business friendly three phase electric extension program. Under the three phase electric extension program the utility will evaluate planned electric consumption and if consumption rates meet their minimum demand the utility will run three phase electric to a site at no cost.

Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission

Combines a wide range of business and community development services to enhance the area's business environment.

The Northern Tier Development Team brings service providers to you for projects that create or retain jobs. Instead of wandering from one service provider to another, learn which programs your business qualify and providers meets at your place of business. You save time through describing business needs to a team of specialists, learning about loans, exports and high-tech support all in one meeting.

Census Information, Site Selection Data is available on census information, available sites, utility rates, taxes, markets, and worker's compensation rates. We'll help find the information you need to create new jobs or keep existing jobs.

Small Business Assistance Fairs

NTRPDC hosts one day Business Opportunity Fairs each year providing a wide range of information to help you start or expand your business. Resources and information include job training, manufacturers' network, new technologies, software, the Internet, telecommunications, and more.

Seminars at Business Fairs depend on requests, and include: Starting a Business, Business Planning, Advertising Design, Get a Low-Interest Loan, Export Assistance Selling to the Government, Marketing for Results, Women in Business, Internet Awareness.

Business Loan Programs

Providing affordable financing to help your business expand.To apply for a loan through NTRPDC, a business must be located within Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, or Wyoming County. Since each loan program has specific eligibility and "use of fund" requirements, it is important to contact the NTRPDC Loan Department at an early stage in your business planning process.

  • Eligible loan uses- Land acquisition, Building or renovations costs, Machinery and equipment, Site preparation, Working capital.

  • Loan Amounts- Up to 50% of eligible project costs

  • Terms- Fixed assets usually require a 5-10 year term; working capital 3-5 year term.

  • Rates- Interest rate is 4 points below prime, set at approval, the rate is non-variable.

  • Fees- Revolving loan fee is 1% of loan amount, with half due upon submission of application and balance due at closing. Borrower is responsible for all legal costs and filing fees.

The NTRPDC Loan Department can assist in applying for funds available through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, such as:

  • Small Business First (SBF)

  • Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA)

  • Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority Bond (PEDFA)

  • Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF).

Information on loan parameters, contact Stacey Urbans, Loan Program Manager urban@northerntier.org

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