Small manufacturers are the backbone of Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector. The Small Award Track (SAT) of the RISE PA grant program is an historic opportunity for you to realize significant energy savings and boost competitiveness. If you aren’t familiar with the program or haven’t made plans to apply, here are some key details to help jumpstart your planning:
- A grant could help fund 50% of an energy efficiency upgrade in your facility, up to $500,000… big savings PLUS ongoing savings on your energy costs, freeing up resources you can invest in other priority projects and your workforce, or add to your bottom line.
- The SAT is open to manufacturers with less than 500 employees.
- SAT funding rounds are planned over the next FOUR YEARS, through 2029, so you can plan your application around the timeframe that works for you.
- There’s a good reason to get started now: Applicants must have a completed site assessment report, which PennTAP can complete at no cost. Since scheduling and compiling the results can take up to 8 weeks, it’s important to plan now.
- Eligible projects include industrial electrification, process efficiency improvements, low-carbon fuel adoption, on-site renewable energy installation, carbon capture and storage, emissions reductions from natural gas, oil systems and coal mining. A PennTAP Advisor can talk with you more about project eligibility. Projects like lighting, for example, deliver a rapid return on investment and can even help you qualify for rebate programs from your local electricity provider.
For small firms with limited resources to dedicate to the application process, rest assured that PennTAP can help you navigate the process with confidence and ease. Our team even holds weekly virtual office hours to dedicate time to your questions. Sessions are scheduled for 2026 beginning February 18. View the full schedule of office hours and register here.
Round 3 is expected to open for applications sometime in January 2026 (follow PennTAP on LinkedIn, Facebook or X and make sure you’re on our newsletter list to stay in the loop on future rounds). The application window for Round 2 of the Small Award Track (SAT) for RISE PA closed on December 15, and awards for Round 1 will be announced in the first quarter of 2026.
PennTAP Director Tanna Pugh said it best, “RISE PA is a game-changer. By helping manufacturers adopt energy-efficient technology, the program lowers costs, boosts sustainability and keeps Pennsylvania industries competitive in a changing economy.”
Read more about the RISE PA Small Award Track.