Big Jet LLC, a minority-owned company, will use the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority loan for operating expenses and will create two new jobs.
Governor Josh Shapiro is committed to making transformational investments in our small, minority-owned businesses to create economic opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.
Harrisburg, PA – Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger today announced the approval of a $100,000 loan to help Big Jet, LLC expand its Allegheny County operation. The funding, approved through the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority (PMBDA), builds on Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to spurring economic development and helping small businesses grow across Pennsylvania.
The PMBDA loan will be used for staffing, office rent, sales and marketing efforts, and other operating expenses. The company plans to create two full-time jobs and retain one full-time employee at its 301 Grant Street location in Pittsburgh within three years.
“The Shapiro Administration is working aggressively to grow our economy and to build a better future for all Pennsylvanians,” said Secretary Siger. “The success of minority-owned businesses like Big Jet, LLC is key to building a strong economy, and this PMBDA loan will give the company access to resources they need to continue to thrive here in the Commonwealth.”
Big Jet, LLC is a fully integrated product and service sourcing company that provides mission-critical equipment and support services to government and public customers. The company has sourced and supplied products such as aircraft tools, mechanical parts for machines, sporting goods, automobiles, construction materials, specialized tools for sensitive defensive applications and many others.
“We thank the PMBDA and the Shapiro Administration for their support in expanding our resources to help us build the most robust government sourcing and distribution platform for products, IT, and services,” said Gerald Mensah, CEO, Big Jet, LLC. “Our platform will empower governments to save on procurement costs, enhance the lives of citizens, and foster stronger communities worldwide. We are honored to contribute to the growth of Pennsylvania’s economy for all Pennsylvanians.”
Governor Shapiro made good on his promise to invest in small minority-owned businesses across the Commonwealth by securing $20 million in first-time state funding for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program in the 2023-2024 budget. The Governor is also calling for $20 million in funding for the program in his proposed 2024-25 budget.
The Governor’s budget also includes $600 million in new and expanded investments that will enhance DCED’s ability to implement the new ten-year Economic Development Strategy including: $500 million in PA SITES funding to bring more commercial and industrial sites to Pennsylvania; $25 million for the Main Street Matters program to support small businesses and commercial corridors across the Commonwealth; $20 million to support large-scale innovation and leverage Pennsylvania’s best-in-class research and development assets; and $3.5 million to create and launch the Pennsylvania Regional Economic Competitiveness Challenge to incentivize regional growth.
The PMBDA, established in 1974, administers low-interest loan financing to businesses owned and operated by socially or economically disadvantaged persons to stimulate job creation and entrepreneurial development.
For more information about PMBDA and Department of Community and Economic Development, visit the DCED website, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Governor’s Office, ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov, 717.783.1116
Penny Ickes, DCED, dcedpress@pa.gov