I criticize Northampton County all the time. It's what I do, and I do it well. At times, I'm completely full of shit. But now and then, like a broken clock, I'm right. Since I started blogging in 2006, I've managed to piss off every county executive, every Council member, many of the judges, deputy sheriffs, corrections officers, caseworkers, nurses, IT, row office workers and even the frickin' tipstaffs. I'm so nasty I even pick on the Coroner, who's always eyeing me up with a knowing leer. Unfortunately, this is one of thjose rare posts in which I have to commend Northampton County. It has done an outstanding job assisting small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic, and it intends to continue.
All counties have been awarded money for distribution under the federal CARES Act. Northampton County received about $27.6 million, with instructions to spend it as soon as it can. That money does no one any good sitting in a county bank account.
Lehigh County, which is slightly larger than NorCo, received slightly more money. It is spending its money much the same way that NorCo is, but for some reason, at a much slower place.
Like Northampton County, Lehigh is handing out small business grants. Like NorCo, Lehigh is relying on the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to market these grants. But for reasons that escape me, Lehigh County has moved much more slowly in getting the money out the door to where it is needed. It is my understanding that grant awards to small businesses are only being disbursed now.
In the meantime, Northampton County has already conducted three rounds of grants to small businesses. It has awarded $8.779 million to 673 county-owned small businesses, most of them at $15,000.
The County still has some CARES Act money in its coffers, so guess what? If County Council agrees, it's about to conduct a fourth round of funding for small business with $1.3 million.
To qualify, the business must be (1) located in Northampton County, (2) have fewer than 100 employees and (3) missed out on the previous awards. According to the county, "The grants can be used for rent, payroll and other operating expenses. Priority will be given to small retail shops, restaurants and community staples operating on a main street or in a traditional neighborhood and minority-owned businesses. The maximum grant amount is $15,000 per business."
If you'd like to apply, you can do so here.
I know several businesses who have applied, and they've all succeeded.
This program will also be discussed at a Zoom meeting with Executive Lamont McClure on Friday at 9 am. If you'd like to attend, here are the details:
https://zoom.us/j/95493415141?pwd=ZWlsdytkMDhTYWwvV2ZQVlhmOUlJZz09
Meeting ID: 954 9341 5141 and Passcode: 3vbawx
7 comments:
They may be getting additional monies to dole out ASAP if the chicken shit Republicans in the state legislature don't release the 1.5 billion they are sitting on in COVID funds. Problem is if the County can't get the money out to those who need it by December 31 it goes back to the federal government and PA small businesses and citizens lose out. Political games by the Republican majority who have been less than useless throughout the pandemic but are gerrymandered into their incumbent seats again.
The county government has handled this well. They provided a high degree of oversight while ensuring the money got to those in need. They did a better job than the Fed or the state.
Many of these small businesses would not be in their current financial situation if we had not had the interference and misguidance of Wolf and his Health Secretary. Meanwhile we learned that systems managing unemployment compensation were in disarray. While there were large numbers of people in Walmart and big box stores, smaller stores were shut off. Why was it an essential purchase of a plant at Home Depot and another small place was shut down. I always thought the bureaucrats in Washington were dangerous. They have nothing over some of these governors and their pseudoscience health departments. Gosh, I never thought I would say it, but, maybe the libertarians are not too far off. I hope the efforts of Northampton County can help save some of them.
The link to apply is not working properly, any advice?
I am terribly sorry. I just fixed it. I cut off one letter. Please get an application in. I have a friend with a nail salon who barely speaks English and the Chamber actually spent an hour on the phone with her, helping her. She was awarded a $15k grant and is not a member. I know a title company and multiple restaurants who got help. This might be the most meaningful thing the county has done this year.
8:44, I just noticed that your comment threatens violence, so it's gone. Get some help for whatever mental disorder you have.
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