Grant supports Pike small business development

SCRANTON — MetroAction has announced that it was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Wachovia Foundation to support its small business development program, which serves Pike County residents. Supporting business and community development organizations, such as MetroAction, is in line with Wachovia’s mission of building strong and vibrant communities. This funding will allow MetroAction to continue assisting small businesses in our region. “MetroAction is dedicated to meeting the needs of small businesses in our region. The support of organizations, like the Wachovia Foundation, is invaluable,” states MetroAction’s president, Natalie O’Hara. “Small businesses owners are the core of our communities. It’s important that we continue to provide these valuable services to northeastern Pennsylvania.” MetroAction provides financing, training and counseling to start-up and expanding small businesses in throughout eight counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, including Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. These programs were created to meet the needs of businesses that are typically underserved - businesses owned by low-income individuals, women, ethnic minorities and the un-employed. Many of the entrepreneurs that utilize the loan programs lack start-up capital and cannot save money fast enough to acquire the funding they need to finance their small business. “MetroAction was chosen as a Wachovia Foundation grant recipient for their consistent commitment to assisting small businesses throughout Wachovia’s regional footprint,” said Joe Bonsick, senior vice president of commercial banking for Wachovia Bank. For more information on MetroAction’s programs and services, please contact MetroAction staff at 570-342-7711 or visit www.metroaction.org.