Month: August 2020

The application deadline is Sept. 18 for Juniata County businesses and nonprofits to apply to receive part of a $2.2 million grant the county received to assist them with COVID-19 expenses.

The COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) is from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).

On behalf of the board, county Commissioner Alice Gray urged businesses and nonprofits to apply.

“We know those in our county are hurting. We opened this application window Aug. 17 and the deadline is quickly approaching. We want as many to apply as possible. This is crucial because these are not loans – they don’t have to be repaid,” Gray said.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is assisting the county by providing professional expertise and grant administrative services, as well as activity development and management to ensure accuracy and adherence with federal and state regulations.

Grants of $5,000 to $50,000 are available for small businesses and nonprofits that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grants are available only for businesses and nonprofits with annual sales/revenues prior to March 1, 2020 of $1 million or less and have 25 or fewer full-time employees. Businesses and nonprofits must be based in and operate primarily in Juniata County, among other eligibility requirements.

Funds can be used for eligible costs from March 1 through Dec. 30, 2020 including payroll and healthcare costs, rent, utility payments, eligible working capital expenses, COVID-19 mitigation plans, sales revenue, and more.

To apply for the county’s grant programs, complete the appropriate forms at www.juniataco.org/covid-19-response/. Send the completed forms to Mike Hower at mhower@juniataco.org or PO Box 68, Mifflintown PA 17059.
For more information, contact Hower at the above email address or SEDA-COG’s Heather Kelly-Weisen at hkellyweisen@seda-cog.org.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

The application window will open on Aug. 31 for Lycoming County small businesses to apply to receive part of a grant the county received to assist them with COVID-19 expenses.

Applications for the COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant (CRBG) funds will be accepted from Aug. 31 through Sept. 18.

The county received a $10.2 million CRBG grant from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act), through the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The commissioners dedicated $1 million of that grant for small business relief.

Grants of $5,000 to $50,000 are available for small businesses in the county that have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related statewide business closure. The funds do not have to be repaid.

Grants are available only for businesses with annual sales/revenues prior to March 1, 2020 of $3 million or less and have 100 or fewer full-time employees.

Funds can be used for eligible costs from March 1 to Dec. 30, 2020 including operating costs, rent, mortgage interest, utility payments, eligible capital expenses, COVID-19 mitigation plans, food loss, outdoor dining equipment, and more. Invoiced documentation is required.

SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is assisting the county by providing professional expertise and grant administrative services, as well as activity development and management to ensure accuracy and adherence with federal and state regulations.

County Commissioner Scott Metzger said the county recognizes the severe economic impact of the pandemic and they are using these funds to help businesses.

“We know that businesses are hurting, and we are using this grant to help businesses start to recover from their financial hardships,” Metzger said.

Fully completed applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 18 via email or fax. Mailed forms must be postmarked by Sept. 18.

Three virtual Zoom meetings will be held on Sept. 2 for small businesses to learn more about the programs and to ask questions:

8 a.m.

https://lycomingcountypa.zoom.us/j/92653202503

Meeting ID: 926 5320 2503
Call-in: 1-267-831-0333

U.S. Toll-free: 833-548-0282

1 p.m.

https://lycomingcountypa.zoom.us/j/95875729507

Meeting ID: 958 7572 9507

Call-in: 1-267-831-0333

U.S. Toll-free: 833-548-0282

6 p.m.

https://lycomingcountypa.zoom.us/j/97694017821

Meeting ID: 976 9401 7821

Call-in: 1-267-831-0333

U.S. Toll-free: 833-548-0282

More information and applications are available at www.lyco.org/covidrelief. Send the completed form to the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce at sbrf@williamsport.org or fax at 570-321-1209 or mail to 102 W. 4th St., Williamsport, PA 17701.

For more information, contact the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce at sbrf@williamsport.org or 570-326-1971 or SEDA-COG’s Kristen Moyer at kmoyer@seda-cog.org or 570-522-7212.

As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

Centre County has contracted with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to administer its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

While SEDA-COG’s Community Development program had administered its competitive CDBG funds, this new contract allows the agency to administer the county’s entitlement CDBG and Coronavirus Response (CDBG-CV) funds.

SEDA-COG offers a comprehensive suite of grant services from application to compliance to administration, said Mitzi Gallagher-Long, the SEDA-COG Community Development project coordinator who works with Centre County.

“We secure grants and deliver projects with our full suite of grant services,” Gallagher-Long said.

The current contracts with SEDA-COG are 2016 to 2020 entitlement CDBG funds and 2020 CDBG-CV funds.

The CDBG-CV funds for Centre County are $166,152, and $66,574 for Centre County on behalf of Bellefonte Borough.

Centre County’s CDVG-CV funds will go toward Emergency Services Assistance Program ($40,875); Centre Volunteers in Medicine ($10,000); Centre Safe ($10,000); Centre County rent/mortgage/utility assistance program ($45,377); Small Business Assistance Program ($43,300); and SEDA-COG administration ($16,600).

The funds for Bellefonte Borough will go toward the Bellefonte Utility and Rent Assistance Program ($59,974) and administration ($6,600).

SEDA-COG’s Community Development program administers 14 CDBG contracts for 28 communities. Over 35 years, the program has secured $120 billion for over 1,000 projects with its 12 dedicated staff.

SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.