$3.6 Million in Grants Awarded to Luzerne County Small Businesses for COVID-19 Recovery
Luzerne County Awarded $3.6 Million in Grants to Help Small Businesses Recover from Pandemic
Luzerne County has been awarded $3,595,181 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to provide grants to small businesses struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdowns.
County manager David Pedri announced that the funding will be disbursed through grants to eligible businesses, including restaurants, bars, and hotels in Luzerne County. To receive the grants, businesses must apply through a certified economic development organization or a community development financial institution.
The application window is set to open no later than March 15, with information available on luzernecounty.org. This funding is part of a larger initiative by Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who announced that $145 million has been made available to help small businesses in the hospitality industry across the state.
The grants from the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program will range from $5,000 to $50,000, with priority given to businesses that were subject to closure by the governor’s disaster declaration. Businesses must have fewer than 300 employees to be eligible for the program.
Act 1 of 2021, which authorized this funding, was enacted on Feb. 5, and the Pennsylvania Treasury quickly completed the transfer of funds to the general fund. County-level disbursement requests were received from the governor’s office between Feb. 12 and Feb. 22.
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses in the hospitality industry as they continue to navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic. The grants aim to provide much-needed assistance to businesses that have been severely impacted by the economic effects of COVID-19.
For more information on how to apply for these grants, businesses can visit luzernecounty.org or contact the writer at [email protected].
