Enterprises and large organizations need high-quality business phone services to facilitate effective internal team collaboration and external customer interactions. For decades, traditional landlines, desk phones and on-premises PBXs were the go-to solutions for business communications, whether deployed at a single business location or dozens. Many enterprises have shifted to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems to take advantage of their increased flexibility and scalability. If your enterprise is considering upgrading its business phone system, you must know the ins and outs of enterprise VoIP solutions. In this blog, we'll walk through everything you need to know about enterprise VoIP, including what it is, how it works, dep...

Imagine this crisis scenario in Bucks County: 70% of residents are unemployed.70% of the Bucks County area high school students do not graduate. 85% of the students that go on to college drop out. Thankfully that is not the case here in Bucks County, but if it was, would you want to know the causes of that crisis and find solutions? My name is Kristin Smedley. I am quite blessed to live, work and raise a family here in Bucks County. While those statistics are NOT real inour community, they are very real in the blind community. The crisis is real for those living with vision loss and my fear of those numbers fueled me to fix them. You see, 23 years ago, I met blind people for the first time. They happened to be my two sons, Michael and Mitch...

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Energy Programs Office is offering an Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebate Program for PA farmers and ag producers. Rebates are being offered for the following technology categories: Energy efficient lighting systems: LED lighting (both interior and exterior), including fixtures and controls (DLC or Energy Star rated lighting)Energy efficient ventilation equipment: Ventilation fans including both circulation and exhaust fans, motors and controls Energy efficient dairy and refrigeration equipment: Variable speed vacuum pumps, efficient motors and controls, scroll compressors, well water pre-chillers (plate coolers/heat exchangers), and refrigeration heat recovery (RHR) All of the ...

PECO understands the importance of small businesses in the Greater Philadelphia region and this support becomes even more important as energy bills rise nationally through this winter season. Small businesses located within PECO's natural gas service territory can now apply for a one-time $500 grant to help pay their PECO natural gas bill. This new grant program is part of PECO's commitment to small businesses and the communities we serve. The $500 grant will be applied directly to the customer's bill and will lower current outstanding balances. Eligible applicants for the Small Business Gas Grant Program can apply now at www.peco.com/gasgrant. Businesses must be an existing PECO natural gas customer with an account in the name of...

Pennsylvania's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) is also known as of Pennsylvania Catalyst Loan Fund. Pennsylvania's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) was established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) in response to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to help small businesses gain access to capital. BCEDC has been selected to receive $1.4 million in funding in order to establish a revolving loan fund for small businesses in Bucks County. This program will allow BCEDC to engage with businesses and meet demand for smaller loans that do not typically fit our existing financing programs. BCEDC will receive and review all applications from eligible companies in Bucks County. To learn more pleas...

Virtual Event - Wednesday, January 11, 2023 Discussion: 9:00-10:00 AM ESTQ&A: 10:00-1015: AM Join the Department of Workforce and Economic Development and PA CareerLink® Bucks County for a WEDTalk to connect local businesses with assistance, resources, and services to thrive in 2023 and beyond. Topics: General assistance for small businesses Grants & loan programs Tourism & Hospitality: marketing & advocacy Financing Tax credits Startup funding Talent acquisition Training reimbursement incentives And more! Presenters: Robert J. Harvie, Jr., Board Chair, Bucks County Board of Commissioners Paul Bencivengo, President & Chief, Operating Officer, Visit Bucks County Robert F. Cormack, Executive Director, Bucks County Economic...

Supervisor Training New and prospective supervisors face a long list of challenges and shifting expectations. Over the course of just a few weeks, DVIRC's Supervisor Training program helps these individuals transition from the rank-and-file to become effective in their new roles. Start Date: January 18, 2023, 10:00 am - 2:30 pm, In-Person at DVIRC Instructor: Vivienne Baxter Please contact the DVIRC to learn more about training and education offerings, or to have one of their experts design a plan around your needs, schedule and budget.

Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at the Bucks County Economic Development Corp. 

Free Customized Telecom Assessment & Report Available One of the newest members of the BCEDC, FlexIP Solutions, a nationwide provider of custom managed communications solutions for businesses, is offering fellow BCEDC members a free custom telecom assessment. Your Free Telecom Assessment Includes: Research and evaluation of all telecom invoices, services and assetsThe documentation and inventory of phone numbers and their purposeAnalysis and evaluation of current communications costs, including internet, phone lines and systems, inter-office connectivity, fax systems and moreSite survey of IT and telecom networks Your Free Telecom Assessment Report Includes: Summary of findings, recommendations and best practicesFinancial Impact Analysi...

For more information about SBA loans go to www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/504-loans. SBA Rates are good until September 30th. Please contact Jim Pawlikowski, 484.352.4175 or email info@bcedc.com to discuss ways BCEDC can support your growth using SBA.