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Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PENNTAP)
The Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PENNTAP), is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the U.S. Economic Development Administration and Penn State University. PENNTAP serves the entire Commonwealth with a technical librarian and a distributed network of eight specialists in specific areas. Since 1965, it has helped Pennsylvania business and industry improve competitiveness by providing free, confidential scientific and technological assistance and information to help resolve specific technical questions or problems. The program focuses on helping smaller businesses with technical information, short-term technical counseling and referrals to other resources, expertise or programs. In 1997, PENNTAP assisted 550 clients with 800 technical issues in each of the Commonwealth's 67 counties with an approval rating of 97 percent. Collectively, clients received more than $6 million in economic benefits. PENNTAP helps companies from all business sectors, as well as entrepreneurs. When appropriate, it also refers clients to university resources (faculty), Industrial Resource, Ben Franklin Technology and Small Business Development centers, other companies or government agencies. PENNTAP is an active member of the Pennsylvania Environmental Assistance Network (PEAN)-a statewide network of technical assistance providers established by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in 1997. PENNTAP is a member of PEAN's Coordinating Committee and acts as a third party contractor for businesses using the network. Pollution prevention and materials productivity form PENNTAP's assistance strategy, Leaner and Cleaner Production. PENNTAP evaluations include recommendations on material substitutions, in-process recycling of waste, reclamation and reuse of burnishing chemicals. Of all the requests for assistance, 25 percent were related to environmental improvements, an increase of 20 percent since 1996. Resulting environmental benefits have been reductions in hazardous air pollutants, volatile organic compounds, energy and water consumption, toxins and excess organic discharges to wastewaters for municipal sewer plants. The total economic benefit of the program in 1997 was $2.3 million, up from $1.2 million in 1996.
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Pennsylvania Technical |
