The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced that the Small Business Advantage Grant is open for applications.

The grant provides 50 percent matching grants, up to a maximum of $9,500 ($7,000 for lighting-only upgrades), to enable small businesses in the state to purchase energy-efficient, pollution-prevention equipment or adopt waste reduction processes.Pennsylvania-based businesses with fewer than 100 employees are eligible, and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.For more information and to apply, go to

www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/GrantsLoansRebates/SmallBusinessOmbudsmanOffice and click on the button titled Small Business Advantage Grant.