Opportunity Grant Program (OGP)

Provides flexible and effective economic development financing to preserve and expand existing industry and attract other economic development prospects to the Commonwealth.

• private companies that are involved in agricultural, industrial, manufacturing, research and development, export service activities, firms establishing a national or regional headquarters, or any other enterprise that offers a significant economic impact to the Commonwealth, as determined solely by the Department, are eligible for Opportunity Grants
• municipalities, industrial development authorities and corporations, municipal authorities, redevelopment authorities and private developers may receive OGP assistance to conduct eligible activities on behalf of an eligible private company

• all costs must be necessary for the operation of eligible private companies at specific sites in Pennsylvania
• job training
• construction or rehabilitation of infrastructure
• acquisition of land, buildings and rights-of-ways
• construction or rehabilitation of buildings
• purchase or upgrade of machinery and equipment
• working capital
• site preparation including demolition and clearance
• environmental assessments
• remediation of hazardous materials
• architectural and engineering fees up to 10% of the OGP award

Applicants may not receive OGP assistance more than two consecutive fiscal years for the same company expansion or location project

Eligible private companies must meet all the following conditions:

• locate, expand or maintain operations at a Pennsylvania site

• contribute at least $4 private investment for every $1 of OGP assistance

• within three years, create or preserve a minimum of 100 full-time jobs at the OGP assisted site, or increase their Pennsylvania employment by at least 20%, or provide a substantial number of new employment opportunities within a high-growth industry

• projects that will result in creation or preservation of less than 100 jobs must be located in counties or communities suffering from severe economic distress

• employees hired or retained by the private company must receive a base pay of at least 150% of the minimum wage in order to be counted towards the employment requirement

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In order to ensure compliance with the grant agreement terms, DCED may require the private company to secure the OGP assistance with a mortgage lien, a letter of credit or other collateral for a period of five years following the final disbursement of OGP funds. Should a company no comply, it will be liable for a penalty of up to the full amount of the assistance plus an additional penalty of up to 100% of the grant amount awarded.

Please contact Pat Winsor for full details and assistance.