Centre County looks to fast-track financial assistance for businesses affected by latest Pa. order
Centre County businesses affected by Pennsylvania’s new restrictions could soon receive financial assistance as the board of commissioners looks to fast-track its COVID-19 relief block grant.
In response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s targeted coronavirus mitigation efforts that took effect last week, the commissioners wanted to offer support to local bars and restaurants that would be affected by the strict regulations, which include limited dining occupancy and regulations on alcohol consumption.
On Tuesday, commissioners Michael Pipe, Mark Higgins and Steve Dershem discussed how the county plans to streamline the grant program and application process to ensure Centre County business owners have some financial support amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“We want to make sure that we recognize that restaurants and bars, since we are such a tourism economy, are needing are our help first and foremost,” Pipe said. “We are obviously going to be doing a large business grant program ... but we really feel that we need to get this money out right now to the restaurants and bars that are affected by this order and do that without haste.”
The county named Mary Kay Williams its block grant coordinator. Williams will be responsible for managing and helping allocate the $14,664,804 Centre County received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
The funds are to be used in response to challenges created by the pandemic and can be used to support businesses, workers, county human services and other community organizations.
Locally-owned businesses that have not received federal or state funding will take priority, but others may still apply.
Higgins said an application is being drafted and will be kept short to ensure a smooth process for businesses.
Though the county is still working to refine its application and qualification process, the board said they want to focus on local businesses first instead of national chains.
“I think it’s imperative that we provide some level of relief for our hospitality community in our region,” Dershem said, adding that the county needs to gauge how many businesses it can help and how much money can be allocated. “I think we need to keep those conversations local.”
Pipe said Centre County does not yet know how much of the county’s $14 million in CARES funding will be allocated to local businesses but said he expects funds will be released in early August.
The board also motioned to support the Restaurant Act of 2020, a piece of federal legislation that would create a pool of funds to be used to support local businesses and restaurants.
Following unanimous approval, the board of commissioners intends to send a letter to Centre County’s representatives in Washington to vote in favor of the federal act.
