Allen is on First in Coatesville. From left to right are Chester County Economic Development Council COO Michael Grigalonis, Seedcopa VP of Development Finance Chris McHenry, Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell, Deanna Allen, Owner Allen’s on First, Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline, Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskowitz, Deputy Secretary Steve D’Ettorre, PA Department of Community & Economic.Development
Officials on Friday visited several Chester County restaurants and hotels that recently received a portion of the $ 5.9 million in grant funding made available to the hospitality industry as part of the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Hospitality Recovery Program were asked. A total of 203 fellows in Chester County have benefited from the program.
“These companies are still out of the woods,” said Gary Smith, president and CEO of Chester County’s Economic Development Council. “The hospitality industry is one of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic, and the CHIRP program has enabled us to provide first aid to those most severely affected and who are so important to the economic health of our region.”
The hospitality industry creates 22,060 jobs in Chester County. The CHIRP funding provided by the Commonwealth was administered by the CCEDC as of March at the behest of the Chester County Commissioners. Each participating company could apply for individual grants ranging from $ 5,000 to $ 50,000.
Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline said, “The CHIRP grants have been a boost to hundreds of companies – many of them family-owned – that have been hard hit by the pandemic.
“Keeping these companies up and running is a wise investment in our county’s economy, and we will continue to find ways to support this industry, including working with our chambers of commerce, the Chester County Economic Development Council and all other partners.”
The Chester County Commissioners and CCEDC were accompanied by Steve D’Ettorre, Assistant Secretary of the PA Department of Community & Economic Development, on a tour of four companies across the county: Allen’s on First in Coatesville, Hilltop Crab House Restaurant and Bar in Toughkenamon, Kennett House Bed and Breakfast in Kennett Square and Steel City Coffee Shop and Brewery in Phoenixville.
“The hospitality industry in Pennsylvania was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Wolf administration knew it was imperative for the state to step in and provide whatever assistance it could,” said DCED Assistant Secretary Steve D’Ettorre . “Bars and restaurants are our meeting places. They belong to our friends and neighbors – they are the place we want to party or just want to see a familiar face. Our partners in the county and on site knew from the start how important this support was, and we commend them for their outstanding efforts to get these grants into the hands of our small business owners quickly. “
The three sisters who run Allen’s on First, a third-generation company that serves soul food and pizza, said the grants were of great help as they continued to do full-time jobs and run their popular restaurant during the pandemic.
The owner of Hilltop Crab House Restaurant and Bar, along with General Manager Heather Brydges, said, “The CHIRP grant made a huge difference and really helped save the company. We are so grateful in such a time of desperation when we were in such dire straits. “
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania announced last winter, under Act 1 of 2021, the $ 145 million CHIRP Recovery Fund. Funds were distributed to the 67 counties in Pennsylvania, with allocations based on population.
CCEDC Chief Operating Officer Michael Grigalonis said, “Through our work in administering CHIRP, Chester County’s Main Street Preservation Program grants, CWCA loans, and the state paycheck protection program, we have been privileged to serve more than 1,500 Chester County companies to support access to COVID aid funding. “
The Chester County Economic Development Council is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that has been promoting smart growth in Chester County and the surrounding area for more than 60 years. The CCEDC offers proven financing solutions, promotes talented employees, uses business partnerships and promotes entrepreneurial cooperation. With support from the private and public sectors, CCEDC initiates, implements and innovates programs that improve the business world and the quality of life in Chester County. For more information, visit www.ccedcpa.com.
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