Northampton County officials have distributed a total of $4 million in grant funding to about 300 small county businesses.
County Executive Lamont McClure previously called the COVID-19 Small Business Assistance grants “a lifeline” for struggling small businesses. The checks were mailed this past Saturday, providing a maximum amount of $15,000 per business.
The county created the $4 million small business grant fund from a slice of Northampton County’s total $27.6 million in federal coronavirus aid. Grant applications were reviewed by a committee that included three members of county council, members of McClure’s administration and a chamber representative.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy” McClure said in a statement this past week. “They provide jobs and deliver needed services to our residents. These SBA loans will help them survive and thrive during this difficult time.”
Grant recipients include restaurant and hair salon owners, as well as dentists. To qualify, a business had to be located in Northampton County and have fewer than 100 employees. Funds can be used for rent, payroll and other operating expenses, county officials said.
Lehigh County and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce last month launched a similar $5 million small business grant fund aimed to help those reeling financially from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Lehigh County COVID-19 Small Business Grant program went into effect on July 24. Funds will be distributed as a slice from Lehigh County’s $33.3 million in federal coronavirus aid. It will benefit Lehigh County businesses with 100 or fewer employees and eligible business owners can apply for up to $15,000 each, under the program.
Small business owners can access the applications for the Lehigh County COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program on the county’s website or by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce website.
Applications will be vetted by a steering committee assembled by Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong. Funding from the grant can go toward business payroll, rent/utility payments, and other direct payments affected by the pandemic. Additionally, farms are qualified for the application if the business has fewer than 100 employees.
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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
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