The-University-of-Scranton-SBDC-ARC-2020-DCED-edited-for-website

• Federal Standard Form 424 Include ARC funds and all matching funds • Federal Standard Form 424A Budget Information • Federal Standard Form 424B Non-Construction Assurances • ARC Mem

Revised March 2016

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Non-Construction Project Applications

All applicants requesting ARC investment funding should use this checklist to develop a complete project

application The framework for the checklist is based on ARC’s Strategic Plan which emphasizes strategic

focus, collaboration, sustainability and measurable impact

In the column at left, list the page number in the application where the required information can be found

Submit completed applications to the state ARC program office

SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Provide a 2-page executive summary of project goals and strategies, purpose, key activities, strategic rationale, collaborative partnerships, project sustainability and capacity, and impact measures See the

Executive Summary template for format and guidance.

SECTION 2: REQUIRED APPLICATION FORMS

Attach the required application forms to the front of the application packet.

• Federal Standard Form 424 (Include ARC funds and all matching funds)

• Federal Standard Form 424A (Budget Information)

• Federal Standard Form 424B (Non-Construction Assurances)

• ARC Memorandum of Understanding

• Forms required by state ARC program offices (ARC Form 1 or Form 3 may be required)

SECTION 3: PROJECT NARRATIVE

Formatting instructions: Use the headings below as headings for project’s narrative The suggested length of the narrative is 5-8 pages Please number the pages

1 Goals and Strategies

• List the primary ARC goal and the primary ARC objective the project will address (one goal and one objective only) ARC’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan for a list of ARC goals and objectives

• List the primary ARC state strategy the project will address See your state’s most recent ARC Year Development Plan for a list of strategies Also contact the state ARC program manager for additional guidance

• Identify the counties where the proposed project will be based and the counties in the project’s entire

service area If the project is not county-wide, identify the census tracts of the project’s entire service area Attach maps to illustrate the project’s service area

• Explain how the proposed project represents progress toward addressing a regional strategy, such

as a comprehensive economic development strategy or a local visioning process

Checklist for ARC Non-Construction Project Applications Revised March 2016

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SECTION 3: PROJECT NARRATIVE , cont’d.

• If the proposed project is a continuation or expansion of an ongoing program (whether or not the program received ARC funding), describe the program’s outputs and outcomes to date, as well as other project milestones reached

• Describe other project benefits likely to result from the project (e.g., positive impact on future economic development activity in the area)

4 Collaborative Partnerships

• Describe any partnerships or collaborations with other local community, state, regional, and federal partners in the development of the proposal

• Provide letters of engagement from partner organizations that commit to undertake specific activities

in support of the project

5 Project Sustainability and Capacity

• Briefly describe applicant’s capacity to undertake the proposed project by describing previous experience with similar activity

• Describe experience in managing grants and federal awards

• Describe the qualifications of key individuals who will manage and operate the project Attach position descriptions or brief resumes of these individuals

• Describe the qualifications of all consultants and subcontractors, if any, and describe the competitive procedures that will be used to select them

• Explain how the project will achieve long-term sustainability once ARC support is no longer available

Include a plan and timeline of efforts to secure other sources of support for future operations

SECTION 4: BUDGET INFORMATION AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS

1 Detailed Budget and Budget Narrative

• Provide a detailed budget that lists the sources and uses of ARC funds and all non-ARC matching funds

• Provide a budget narrative that includes a detailed explanation of expenditures by the line items listed

on Standard Form 424A Include purpose of travel and supply/equipment lists, and describe expenses in the ‘other’ line item, if applicable

• If the budget includes personnel or contractual expenses (cash or in-kind resources), estimate the number of hours/days and hourly rate (or portion of FTE and salary) for the time that is expected to be spent on the proposed project by key personnel, contractors, or consultants (After grant is awarded, all time should be tracked by actual hours worked for each individual.)

• If budget includes land or buildings, provide an MAI appraisal or comparable appraisal

2 Non-ARC Funding Commitments

Identify each non-ARC funding source as federal, state, local, or private Include a letter of

Checklist for ARC Non-Construction Project Applications Revised March 2016

• commitment from each funding source that specifies the amount of funds committed and the kind of

funds committed (grant, loan, cash, in-kind, etc.)

• Provide descriptions of in-kind resources, including the methods used t

3 ARC Match Rate Calculation

• List each county project will serve and the economic status of each county See ARC County Economic Status and Match Ratestable on the ARC website to identify county economic

status For further match-related questions, contact the state ARC program manager

4 Additional Documentation

• Enclose pertinent supporting materials that will lead to a better understanding of the proposed project

Do not include form letters

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Section 1: Executive Summary

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Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

ARC Project Summary Project Title: Women’s Entrepreneurship Center: Online StartUP Series

Project Applicant: The University of Scranton

 Point of Contact: Lisa Hall Zielinski

 Agency Address: 800 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18510

 Telephone Number: 570-941-4087

 Email Address: lisa.hall@scranton.edu

Counties to be served: Lackawanna County, Transitional

Goals/Strategies: Primary ARC Goal 1: Economic Opportunities - Invest in entrepreneurial and business development strategies that strengthen Appalachia’s economy ARC Objective 2: Support the startup and growth of businesses,

particularly in targeted sectors In order to compete in a global marketplace, the Region must diversify its economic base Supporting entrepreneurship and business development in targeted sectors that have growth potential and that build on local and regional assets provides the greatest opportunity for building a strong Appalachian economy These businesses also offer better job opportunities for Appalachia’s workers Targeted sectors can include manufacturing, diversified

energy, tourism, local food systems, and health care, as well as other sectors with growth potential.PA Goal 1; PA Objective 3; State Strategy: PA Strategy (1.3.2) Support web-based initiatives designed to provide prompt and practical

entrepreneurial information to citizen and business owners

Purpose: To sponsor two face-to-face StartUP entrepreneurship education series and develop a website to offer the series

online, so we can teach and empower more low-income women, those in transition or those trying to make a better life for themselves and their families to start their own businesses

Funding:

Source

Construction Activity Equipment Construction Total Percent

Non-Status of Funds

Project Description: Desired Project Timeline is June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021 The University of Scranton Women’s

Entrepreneurship Center (WEC) is a partnership between the Kania School of Management (KSOM) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) WEC student interns and SBDC staff offer business start-up information, guidance, and encouragement to low-income women, those in transition or those trying to make a better life for themselves and their families WEC was created in 2009 to use student interns to provide additional support and guidance to women in need

beyond what SBDC can offer with their core programs and services WEC’s most impactful program is StartUP, a

6-week, face-to-face series offered free of charge that walks participants through the process of starting a business In addition to business start-up basics, women learn legal and insurance considerations, marketing and social media

essentials, business plan development, accounting and budget skills, financing options and requirements, goal setting, and other essential skills

For this project, we plan to offer two face-to-face StartUP series (Fall 2020 and Spring 2021) and create a website to offer

this well-established program online Modeled after the face-to-face program, the online version will offer narrated presentations and videos on the topics above Participants will download and complete worksheets as they work through the modules Upon completion of all modules, participants will submit an evaluation and earn a certificate of completion All online participants will also be invited to campus for a closing session featuring certificate presentation

ARC and matching funds will be used to support staff (including benefits), interns, printing and distribution of marketing materials and handouts, and hiring a marketing firm to develop web site and content (videos, presentations)

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Strategic Rationale: Since 2009, 233 women have completed StartUP and 40 new business starts have been reported as a result 36 women completed the spring 2019 series alone – a record number for this program We are experiencing a demand greater than ever from local women wanting to pursue entrepreneurship training The average StartUP attendee is not a degree-seeking woman, but someone who has a strong desire to learn and better herself, yet is usually struggling financially Unlike our traditional SBDC clients, these women often don’t possess the knowledge, resources, support or confidence needed to start their own businesses Based on the data and our experience over the past 10 years, there is a large portion of the market we have yet to serve

At present, WEC is limited to offering three face-to-face StartUP sessions per year We currently use University funds and periodic sponsor donations to fund these sessions Offering an online series will expand the existing face-to-face program

by allowing us to serve additional women who are unable to attend the face-to-face sessions on our campus due to a work schedule, childcare challenges, transportation limitations, etc The online series will be designed to be accessible by mobile devices According to a study produced by The Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop, most low- and moderate-income families have some form of Internet connection, but many are under-connected, with mobile-only access Creating a mobile-ready site will ensure we are not excluding those with limited Internet access

Each participant will be paired with a WEC student intern to offer guidance and support during and outside the sessions All online program participants will be eligible for follow-up guidance and consulting in either a face-to-face or virtual format, whichever works best for them

Collaborative Partnerships: WEC will continue to incorporate KSOM faculty and students and collaborate with

community partners such as Scranton Area Foundation WIP microloan program; Dress for Success Lackawanna;

Women’s Resource Center; and CareerLink to distribute information to their program participants, as well as the

Pennsylvania Small Business Development Center network and NEPA Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center

to present information about government contracting and assist with Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE)

certification in order to qualify for contracts

Project Sustainability & Capacity: The University of Scranton Women’s Entrepreneurship Center has been in existence

since 2009 It is part of the Kania School of Management Strategic Plan and has been highlighted as a best practice during AACSB accreditation The University will continue the face-to-face and online programs after the project ends with University funds as well as sponsorship support from various sources The University and the SBDC have a long history

of successfully managing federal funds for programs and services The SBDC receives annual funding from SBA,

managed an ARC project in 2007, and has completed a variety of successful projects in recent years funded by USDA, EDA, and OEA

Impact Measures: It is estimated that impacts will be completed within three years of completion of the program

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Section 2:

Required Application Forms

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Section 3: Project Narrative

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Women’s Entrepreneurship Center: Online StartUP Series

Project Narrative

1 Goals and Strategies

that strengthen Appalachia’s economy

compete in a global marketplace, the Region must diversify its economic base Supporting entrepreneurship and business development in targeted sectors that have growth potential and that build on local and regional assets provides the greatest opportunity for building a strong Appalachian economy These businesses also offer better job opportunities for Appalachia’s workers Targeted sectors can include manufacturing, diversified energy, tourism, local food systems, and health care, as well as other sectors with growth potential

provide prompt and practical entrepreneurial information to citizen and business owners

2 Project Description

series and develop a website to offer the series online, so we can teach and empower more low-income women, those in transition or those trying to make a better life for themselves and their families to start their own

businesses

Women’s Entrepreneurship Center (WEC) is a partnership between the Kania School of Management (KSOM) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) WEC student interns and SBDC staff offer business start-up information, guidance, and encouragement to low-income women, those in transition (i.e going through divorce, employment challenges, homelessness, etc.) or those trying to make a better life for themselves and their

families WEC was created in 2009 to use student interns to provide additional support and guidance to women

in need beyond what SBDC can offer with their core programs and services

WEC’s most impactful program is StartUP, a 6-week, face-to-face series offered free of charge that walks

participants through the process of starting a business In addition to business start-up basics, women learn legal and insurance considerations, marketing and social media essentials, business plan development, accounting and budget skills, financing options and requirements, goal setting, and other essential skills

For this project, two face-to-face StartUP series (Fall 2020 and Spring 2021) will be offered and a website will

be created to offer this well-established program online (See Attachment E for Program Brochure and Marketing Flyer) Modeled after the face-to-face program, the online version will be self-paced and offer self–study

materials, presented in a variety of media and organized into modules Participants will be able to log on when convenient and work on their own Each module will include reflection questions and application activities such

as downloadable worksheets Since one of the hallmarks of our program is the guidance and support provided by staff and students, each online participant will be contacted by team members at the start of the program and offered continued virtual guidance and support as they work on the modules Another key component of our series is that we include existing women small business owners from our local community to share tips and encouragement with participants We will still provide that in the online format via short videos We will include information from the NEPA Alliance Procurement Technical Assistance Center in the face-to-face and online series about government contracting and assist with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification in order to qualify for contracts

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