Just before Governor Tom Wolf's decision to shut down Pennsylvania's economy, I visited The Old Library Bookshop in Bethlehem. I was looking for stories penned by Victor Hugo, whom I consider the greatest storyteller who ever lived. The two ladies who run that store hooked me up with a nice copy of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and at a price that even I could afford. As I reflect on it, that's really what I like most about The Christmas City. Some of you might like the casino or Musikfest, but what has always charmed me are the numerous small and locally owned businesses dotting the city's streets. It's sad to see them victimized by the Covid-19 crisis. Fortunately, Mayor Bob Donchez in Bethlehem has set up a "Small Business Emergency Relief Fund" to help them.
Seeded with $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, Bethlehem will provide one time grants of $2,000 for rental assistance, payroll and utilities. Obviously, businesses must be located in the City of Bethlehem, and comply with low to moderate income (LMI) funding requirements outlined in CDBG guidelines. Priorityon will be given to those businesses in the retail, food, and beverage, and personal service industries within the Central Business Districts and Limited Commercial zoning districts. All businesses, however, are encouraged to apply.
"These are unprecedented times, businesses are struggling and in need of support," said Mayor Dinchez. "We are fortunate to have funding available to be used toward this program and will continue to craft programs to provide support to our business community.”
Applications for the program will be available on the city’s website at www.bethlehem-pa.gov. on April 22. They will be reviewed by a committee for eligibility and evaluated based on funding priorities.
9 comments:
Hotel Bethlehem and its greedy cheerleader in the front of the line?
If it qualifies, why not? Or would you prefer denying relief to someone bc he takes an active role in what his government is doing? Or do you deny relief to Rs?
"They will be reviewed by a committee for eligibility and evaluated based on funding priorities."
And here's where the problem begins. The eligibility is already slanted towards favorites (like certain business types; in certain districts). Everybody in the City is struggling, and city government shouldn't be picking winners and losers.
Does a restaurant outside the Central Business District pay less in taxes than a restaurant inside the CBD? Of course not! So why should one be favored over the other? Is that restaurant in the CBD hurting more than another business that's been deemed "non-essential" outside the CBD?
A loan pool of $300,000 with a $2,000 loan means that only 150 are getting help, and guess what? They get to go cozy up to politicians and their appointees to get anything. Oh, I'm sorry, I meant they'll be "reviewed by a committee for eligibility and evaluated based on funding priorities." Isn't that convenient?
If they're going to run something like this, all businesses should be eligible, and it should be done by lottery from those who apply. The only thing they need on the application is to certify that they're still in business and current on ALL city taxes.
Otherwise, it's just another slush fund for cronies.
$2k for your average small business barely covers rent and utilities to mothball for a month. What a joke. Trying to urinate on a forest fire.
Hotel Bethlehem is a Lehigh Valley Treasure. Visit often. An elegant, big-time, classic hotel. Hotels like this are not built anymore. Certain overnight guests, like me, look especially for this kind of lodging in every city we visit. There is no other Lehigh Valley Hotel of this vintage and quality.
“More gruel please, sir.”
Would love to hear your ideas!
Easy to figure what is going on here.
I doubt Hotel Bethlehem needs help paying their light bill. And they probably wouldn't qualify with the cdbg guidelines regarding lmi anyway.
Has anybody been turned down? What are you complaining about already?!
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