COVID-19 relief money is available for Pike County businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities

The Pike County Commissioners have funding available to help local businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities recover from impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is an opportunity to implement important health and safety protocols, such as retrofitting offices with protective shields and other Personal Protective Equipment, including touchless faucets, hand dryers, hand sanitizer stations, or technology that reduces contact.

Pike County Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Fund

The county anticipates receiving more than $5 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) COVID-19 Relief Block Grant. A portion of this funding will be made available to Pike County businesses, nonprofit organizations, and municipalities.

This funding can be used for PPE expenditures incurred between March 31 and Dec. 30, 2020, that are necessary due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19. All funds will be disbursed in alignment with guidance from the Pennsylvania DCED and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Small Business Forgivable Loans

The county expects $526,092 in Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through the Pennsylvania DCED available for Small Business Forgivable Loans. The maximum forgivable loan amount is $20,000 per business. Funding will be distributed beginning in August, with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Funds will be distributed to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

For the loan to be forgiven, the business must retain or create at least one full-time equivalent (FTE) job for a low- to moderate-income individual by March 31, 2021, and maintain this FTE job for a minimum of 12 months thereafter.

All guidelines and applications are available at PikeForward.com. For more information, contact Robert Ruiz, Executive Director, Human Services at rruiz@pikepa.org or 570-296-3434. Visit PikeForward.com for program guidelines and application.