Category: SEDA-COG

Third phase opens for COVID relief grants for hospitality businesses

Third phase opens for COVID relief grants for hospitality businesses

Posted on by DNS Admin

The third phase of a COVID-19 relief grant is now open for eligible hospitality industry businesses through SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) in these counties: Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, and Snyder.

Following are the remaining Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) funds per county, totaling $1.8 million:

  • Clinton: $179,160
  • Columbia: $211,286
  • Juniata: $214,115
  • Mifflin: $273,836
  • Montour: $33,760
  • Northumberland: $671,441
  • Snyder: $264,548

The grants have been entirely allocated in Centre, Lycoming, and Union counties, so the grant program for those counties is closed.

Following are the total grants and number of businesses awarded in the closed counties:

  • Centre: A total of $1,809,992 to 86 businesses
  • Lycoming: A total of $1,264,226 to 56 businesses
  • Union: A total of $502,354 to 19 businesses

For-profit hospitality businesses in the remaining open counties can apply until funds are spent or June 15 at the Community Giving Foundation’s website at https://csgiving.org/chirp/. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 to help alleviate 2020 revenue losses and pay for eligible operating expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler is urging hospitality businesses in the open counties to apply as soon as possible.

“These funds can go very quickly, so the grants may be gone before the June 15 deadline,” Wheeler said. “The grants are a direct lifeline to struggling hospitality businesses in our region, so please apply. If you have any questions, we are here to help.”

Those with questions may contact SEDA-COG Grants Manager Betsy Lockwood at 570-522-7265 or elockwood@seda-cog.org.

Eligible hospitality industry businesses must be for-profit businesses which include hotels, Bed and Breakfasts, restaurants, bars, taverns, catering companies, and food trucks. These businesses must fall within eligible industry codes which include the Accommodations subsector NAICS code (721) or Food Services and Drinking Places subsector (722) found here: https://www.naics.com/search/

Eligibility includes, but is not limited to, having fewer than 300 full-time employees; a net worth that does not exceed $15 million; a 25% reduction in gross receipts in 2020 compared to 2019; and be located within Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, or Snyder counties.

Priority will be given to businesses that did not already receive COVID relief funds; that were subject to closure following the disaster emergency declared by Gov. Tom Wolf on March 6, 2020; or had more than a 50% reduction in gross receipts from March 31, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019. For a full listing of eligibility requirements and prioritization guidelines, visit www.csgiving.org/chirp

SEDA-COG contracted with 10 of its member counties to manage a total of $7.3 million in grants on their behalf. SEDA-COG receives the applications and determines eligibility and grant amounts. SEDA-COG also disburses the funds to awarded businesses.

The grant program was created from the law Act 1 of 2021, which was passed Feb. 5, 2021. Statewide, it provides $145 million in funding assistance to the hospitality industry businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

Homelessness prevention grant open to Penn Township residents

Homelessness prevention grant open to Penn Township residents

Posted on by DNS Admin

Residents at risk of losing their housing in Penn Township may be eligible to receive assistance to prevent homelessness.

The Resident Subsistence Program is being offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support hard-hit residents and is funded with a $19,742 Penn Township entitlement Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act (CDBG-CV).

The grants can be used to pay rent or mortgage payments to prevent eviction or foreclosure and utility payments to prevent cutoff.

Applications are now being accepted. While there is no deadline to apply, the program is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and ends when the funds are spent.

Each eligible family may receive funding for up to three consecutive months of assistance, paid directly to the mortgage holder, landlord, or utility company on their behalf. Funds will not be given directly to families. Assistance is available for up to 100 days per family.

Applicants must be at risk of losing their housing and must provide documentation of it. Assistance can be made to families whose income is at or below the HOME/PART 5 income limits for Snyder County at the time of application. Applicants must complete an income verification interview to qualify for this program.

The Union-Snyder Community Action Agency will provide the grants to Penn Township residents, as allocated by Snyder County. The agency is managing the program on behalf of the county. SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is administering the CDBG funds and ensuring compliance.

For more information or to set up an appointment to apply, Penn Township residents may contact the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency by visiting union-snydercaa.org/housing-assistance to download and print an application or call 570-374-0181 option 3.

For Snyder County residents outside of Penn Township, the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency may be able to help them through their Emergency Rental Assistance program which assists with rent, utilities, or home energy expenses, as well as housing programs. 

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.

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.

Homelessness prevention grant open to Selinsgrove Borough residents

Homelessness prevention grant open to Selinsgrove Borough residents

Posted on by DNS Admin

Residents at risk of losing their housing in Selinsgrove Borough may be eligible to receive assistance to prevent homelessness.

The Resident Subsistence Program is being offered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support hard-hit residents and is funded with a $37,646 Selinsgrove Borough entitlement Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act (CDBG-CV).

The grants can be used to pay rent or mortgage payments to prevent eviction or foreclosure and utility payments to prevent cutoff.

Applications are now being accepted. While there is no deadline to apply, the program is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and ends when the funds are spent.

Each eligible family may receive funding for up to three consecutive months of assistance, paid directly to the mortgage holder, landlord, or utility company on their behalf. Funds will not be given directly to families. Assistance is available for up to 100 days per family.

Applicants must be at risk of losing their housing and must provide documentation of it. Assistance can be made to families whose income is at or below the HOME/PART 5 income limits for Snyder County at the time of application. Applicants must complete an income verification interview to qualify for this program.

The Union-Snyder Community Action Agency will provide the grants to Selinsgrove Borough residents, as allocated by Snyder County. The agency is managing the program on behalf of the Borough. SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) is administering the CDBG funds and ensuring compliance.

For more information or to set up an appointment to apply, Selinsgrove Borough residents may contact the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency by visiting union-snydercaa.org/housing-assistance to download and print an application or call 570-374-0181 option 3.

For Snyder County residents outside of Selinsgrove Borough, the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency may be able to help them through their Emergency Rental Assistance program which assists with rent, utilities, or home energy expenses, as well as housing programs. 

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.

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.

Second phase open for COVID relief grants for Clinton County hospitality businesses

Second phase open for COVID relief grants for Clinton County hospitality businesses

Posted on by DNS Admin

The second phase of a new COVID-19 relief grant is now open for eligible hospitality industry businesses, and the Clinton County Commissioners are urging more businesses to apply.

During the now-closed first phase of the Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP), seven businesses in the county were awarded $185,000. This leaves $252,560 to be allocated for businesses in the county before the program closes by June 15.

County Commissioner Miles Kessinger said while they know the need is tremendous for businesses in the county, they hope to see more businesses apply before the program closes or the funds are gone.

“These are grants that directly help our county’s hospitality businesses that are struggling from the pandemic’s impacts, so we hope to see more businesses apply as soon as possible,” Kessinger said.

Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000 to help alleviate 2020 revenue losses and pay for eligible operating expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For-profit hospitality businesses can apply at the Community Giving Foundation’s website at https://csgiving.org/chirp/

Eligible hospitality industry businesses must be for-profit businesses which include hotels, restaurants, bars, and taverns. These businesses must fall within eligible industry codes which include the Accommodations subsector NAICS code (721) or Food Services and Drinking Places subsector (722) found here: https://www.naics.com/search/

Eligibility includes, but is not limited to, having fewer than 300 full-time employees; a net worth that does not exceed $15 million; a 25% reduction in gross receipts in 2020 compared to 2019; and be located within Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, or Union counties.

Priority will be given to businesses that did not already receive COVID relief funds; that were subject to closure following the disaster emergency declared by Gov. Tom Wolf on March 6, 2020; or had more than a 50% reduction in gross receipts from March 31, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 compared to the same time period in 2019. For a full listing of eligibility requirements and prioritization guidelines, visit www.csgiving.org/chirp

The county contracted with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) to manage the CHIRP grant on its behalf. SEDA-COG will receive the applications, determine eligibility for grant amounts, and disburse the funds to qualifying businesses.

The grant program was created from the law Act 1 of 2021, which was passed Feb. 5, 2021. Statewide, it provides $145 million in funding assistance to the hospitality industry businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, contact SEDA-COG Grants Manager Betsy Lockwood at 570-522-7265 or elockwood@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 communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.