Northampton County Council approved $1,835,220 in small business grants funded with money from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 during their July 1^st meeting. The 124 businesses had applied previously for grants from CARES Act funding and were on an ‘overflow’ list. All applications were reviewed by a committee that included three members of County Council.

“Many businesses continue to struggle with staffing and the hesitancy of some of their customers to return,” says Lamont McClure. “These grants are crucial to our small business community as the economic hurt caused by the pandemic continues.”

Recipients include restaurants, hair salons, dance studios and dentists. To qualify for a grant, a business must be located in Northampton County and have fewer than 100 employees. The funds can be used for rent, payroll and other operating expenses. The maximum grant amount is $15,000 per business. Northampton County has funded 901 of these grants so far and will reopen the application process again soon.

Council approved allocation of $15 million from the American Rescue Plan for small business assistance grants in June.