KITTANNING – Armstrong County officials prepare to provide aid to restaurants, taverns and hotels affected by COVID-19.
“The county’s goal is to get the money into the hands of those in need,” said Justin Nolder of Armstrong County’s Department of Commerce.
At their meeting on Feb. 18, Nolder told county officers Don Myers, Jason Renshaw and Pat Fabian that his department had started contacting eligible companies in the county to inform them about upcoming funding from the state COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP)).
As part of the program, the county is anticipating a grant of approximately $ 733,212, which will enable counties to set up a grant program for eligible companies in the hospitality industry affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Qualifying companies can receive grants between $ 5,000 and $ 50,000, according to Nolder.
“There are very specific guidelines and requirements that must be met,” said Myers, noting that the county process will be in line with the distribution of the previous funds.
According to the program, by March 15, the county should set program guidelines and apply for CHIRP funding to eligible companies. Applications from eligible businesses within the county will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the county CHIRP funds are depleted or by June 15, whichever comes first.
Eligible applicants are hospitality companies that have NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) labeling in the Accommodation subsector (721) or in the Food Services and Drinking Areas subsector (722) and in which accommodation, food or drinks are served or made available publicly, with or without charge. A qualifying company must have fewer than 300 full-time equivalents. have a maximum net physical assets of no more than $ 15 million; was in operation on February 15, 2020 and remains in operation and does not intend to permanently cease operations within one year of application; and COVID-19 has adversely affected the eligible business, therefore the grant application is required to support ongoing operations.
Commissioners said the funding would help a number of companies that have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.
“Everyone knows the impact these companies have been exposed to,” Myers said. “We hope it’s not too little, too late.”
Fabian said after the county distributed similar funds last year, a number of other companies were looking for additional help.
Renshaw also noted that the county is just the gateway for funding and doesn’t make the guidelines.
“We just sign the checks, we don’t make any rules,” he said.
Any Armstrong County licensed company wishing to be notified when the CHIRP applications are available or have questions should email contact information – including first and last name, company name, time of day phone number, and email address – to CHIRP@co.armstrong.pa.us.
• Also at their February 18 meeting, commissioners approved the $ 5,000 Marcellus Legacy Funding to the Armstrong Conservation District for a major riverbank stabilization project along Cowanshannock Creek near Buttermilk Falls should be. The reserve has also received a $ 93,000 grant for the project.
• Snow Shearer, of the Armstrong County Assistance Office, has been reappointed for a three-year term on the Armstrong County Area Agency’s Aging Advisory Board.
