Letters: New fund helps returning citizens; PPP relief extension vital for DMOS, chambers of commerce
New fund helps returning citizens
According to a 2018 report by the Prison Policy Initiative, among the 5 million formerly incarcerated people (returning citizens) living in the United States, over 27% are unemployed. Each year, over 600,000 people make the difficult transition from prisons to rejoining society. (Note that this data does not reflect the current impacts of COVID-19.) There are many challenges involved in re-entry, and securing a job is high on the list. From the 2018 report, “formerly incarcerated people want to work, but face structural barriers to securing employment, particularly within the period immediately following release.” But there is good news in Centre County. With the generous support of 3 Dots Downtown and the Awesome Foundation, the Centre County Re-Start Seed Fund is being established to help returning citizens get cash to create a new venture, service or product, or pay for training/certifications to get a job. The Seed Fund is primarily available to Centre County residents who have been released from incarceration within the last two years. However, applications from returning citizens in neighboring counties (Mifflin, Blair, Clearfield, Clinton) will be also be reviewed. These micro-loans are expected to be approximately $300 and business mentorship will be made available. The Seed Fund is part of the Centre County Re-entry Coalition, www.centrecountyreentry.org, and operated through CentrePeace. Applications and more information are available at Centre Peace, 3047 Benner Pike, Bellefonte, or contact CentrePeace at 353-9081 or contact@centrepeace.org. Please share this information with anyone who could benefit.
PPP relief extension vital for DMOS, chambers of commerce
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) and the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC) are urging Congress to extend Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) relief to destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and chambers of commerce. Doing so will go a long way toward helping our local and state economy recover.
It is primarily the small businesses that we collectively represent that have been hurt badly by the pandemic. Our two organizations will be looked to in order to stimulate the marketing, business and visitor attraction, entrepreneurial growth and business support to lead us back to prosperity.
Yet, furloughs and layoffs have decimated the DMO industry as revenue streams have quickly dried up in the face of halted travel. Chambers of commerce and economic development organizations face similar constraints. The inability to be afforded relief through the PPP program hinders our ability to do what is necessary to support our hospitality industry and business community generally.
When appropriate to do so, our businesses will be relying on HVAB and CBICC to stimulate visitation, and attract meetings, sports events, and businesses to Happy Valley. PPP eligibility is critical to our organizations’ ability to continue our respective missions, which are vital the long-term economic recovery, health and well-being of the county we serve. We urge our Congressional delegation to support SB 3992 and HB 6997 to help our economy rebuild.
Mask objections unwarranted
There is a restaurant somewhere near Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman with a sign that states: “no shoes, no shirt, no service.”
It is there for health and cultural reasons. Is Corman objecting to that requirement? Somewhere on a street near where Corman and his Republican buddies live is a sign that reads: “25 miles per hour.” The sign is posted and enforced by the government for safety reasons. Does Corman truly believe that the speed limit should be optional? It may be Corman’s right to endanger himself, but it is not his or his party’s right to endanger the rest of us. So, Mr. Corman, lead like an adult, and quilt yammering like a child.