Pennsylvania First Program (PA First)

The Pennsylvania First Program is a state economic development initiative designed to stimulate investment, job creation, and economic competitiveness within Pennsylvania. Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), the program provides financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, and loan guarantees to support businesses and economic development projects that contribute to the state's economic growth. The program operates under the authority of the Commerce Law of May 10, 1939, which empowers DCED to promote Pennsylvania’s business and industrial sectors, expand markets, and encourage new business development. Eligible applicants for the Pennsylvania First Program include for-profit and nonprofit businesses, municipalities, municipal authorities, redevelopment authorities, industrial development corporations, and local development districts. The program funds a wide range of activities essential to business growth and job creation, including job training, land and building acquisition, infrastructure improvements, machinery and equipment upgrades, working capital, environmental remediation, and project site preparation. The program specifically excludes activities such as lobbying, debt refinancing, and costs unrelated to business expansion or relocation. The program has specific requirements to ensure that funded projects contribute to the state’s economic development goals. Businesses receiving assistance must meet private investment and employment criteria, including a commitment to making significant capital investments and creating or retaining a minimum number of full-time jobs. The required private investment must leverage at least $10 in private capital for every $1 of program assistance awarded. Additionally, businesses must commit to maintaining operations at the funded project site for a minimum of eight years. The Pennsylvania First Program operates on a competitive basis, with funding decisions made based on criteria such as the number and quality of jobs created, the level of private sector investment, regional economic conditions, and the project’s impact on Pennsylvania’s competitiveness in the global economy. Grants and loans are awarded based on financial need and economic impact, with maximum funding amounts capped at $5,000 per job created or retained. Loan terms vary depending on the nature of the investment, with repayment periods extending up to 15 years for real estate and infrastructure projects and up to 10 years for machinery and equipment. Applications for the Pennsylvania First Program must be submitted electronically through DCED’s Single Application for Assistance portal. The evaluation process includes an assessment of the applicant’s financial viability, job creation potential, and alignment with state economic development priorities. Approved projects are subject to ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure compliance with funding agreements. Businesses must maintain accurate records, report progress on job creation and investment commitments, and comply with Pennsylvania’s nondiscrimination and prevailing wage laws. For inquiries or assistance with applications, prospective applicants can contact DCED’s Center for Business Finance and Workforce Development, Grants Office, at (717) 787-6245. Additional program details and application materials are available on the DCED website at dced.pa.gov.