Over the course of last year's annus horribilis, Northampton County awarded $10.079 million to 766 small businesses struggling to stay afloat amid the ravages of both Covid-19 and a lockdown. This money was courtesy of $27.6 million in CARES Act funding. Now there's a new source of funding - $31 million from the American Rescue Plan. If Executive Lamont McClure has his way, $15 million of that federal windfall will go to the county's small businesses.
In his report to Northampton County Council at their June 3 meeting, McClure said priority will be given to first-time applicants. But he'd also like to see a round of grants to businesses that have already received funding. "There are some previous grantees who are still struggling," he observed.
In addition to the $15 million for small business, McClure will be asking County Council to give their imprimitur to the following additional spending:
$5 million for nonprofits. - "As you know, the nonprofits were hit particularly hard during the pandemic. We didn't have enough CARES Act funding to, in my view, adequately assist the nonprofits.
$1 million for the hotel tax grants. - This will be going to fairs and "other small events that need our assistance."
$1 million for GrowNorCo grants. - This will help local municipalities who wish to fund police departments.
$1 million for broadband. - "We have too many students ... that did not have access sufficient to meet their educational needs."
$7 million rainy day fund. This will be used to fund vaccines, testing, hazard pay and the creation of a PPE surplus.
$1 million for EMS and professional firefighters.
"$1 million for EMS and professional firefighters. "
ReplyDeleteAnd the Police?
It's cardboard check season! Helicopter economics generate inflation, the cruelest tax of all, and one that most acutely affects the poorest. Brother can you spare a dime? Our new country is awesome.
ReplyDelete@5:45 - Yes, "$1 million for GrowNorCo grants. - This will help local municipalities who wish to fund police departments."
ReplyDeleteIs this a sign McClure is in favor of defunding the police?
ReplyDeleteA $1 million grant for police indicates quite the opposite.
ReplyDelete"$1 million for GrowNorCo grants. - This will help local municipalities who wish to fund police departments."
ReplyDeleteWHO WISH TO FUND POLICE.
Wonder if it'll all be spent?
@8:45 - where were you from 2016-2020?
ReplyDeleteHazard pay!!!! Guessing Gracedale getting more money.. only county employees getting hazard pay.
ReplyDeleteMaybe McClure will give the money to only those small business who will pay their employees a living wage with better benefits. Health care paid at 100%, vision & dental 100% and some sort of defined pension plan.
ReplyDeleteI’m a hade R , The County Executive wants to help police and fire. Fire Departments are not just fighting fires ,they are “The Army of Little Green Men “ in effect on any unusual incident . Today , so some poor guy on a motorcycle killed himself on 33 North of ,Windgap., Pa.Alteast 2 or 3 fire departments were involved in traffic and public safety right away. I will revote for his administration to return , I have no reason not to trust McClure Evan though he’s a Democratic.
ReplyDelete"Hazard pay!!!! Guessing Gracedale getting more money.. only county employees getting hazard pay."
ReplyDeleteHazard pay should go to Gracedale workers and possible the jail. It is not needed elsewhere.
Actually, employees across the board deserve raises. If they were paid what they are worth, and there were step increases, there would be no need for hazard pay.
Possible!!!!!
DeleteMcClure wants and the council gives. sweet!
ReplyDelete