Lamont McClure, Tina Smith, Director of the Northampton County Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and Tony Iannelli and Jessica O’Donnell from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce announced the application portal for small business grants will reopen Friday, January 7th at 9:00AM. The portal was closed for maintenance over the holidays.

County Council passed Resolution No. 71-2021 at their June 18, 2021 meeting to distribute approximately $30 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan of 2021. Fifteen million was set aside for Small Business grants; $4 million is still available for disbursement.

“Many of our small businesses continue to feel the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and now the Omicron surge,” says Lamont McClure. “Small businesses are a critical economic driver in Northampton County, providing both jobs and services our residents need. These grants can help our small businesses survive and thrive through this crisis.”

To qualify for a grant, a business must be located in Northampton County, have fewer than 100 employees. The grants can be used for rent, payroll and other operating expenses. The grants are eligible to all businesses including those which previously received 2020 CARES Act funding through the Northampton County COVID-19 Relief Small Business Grant program.

The maximum grant amount is $15,000 per business.

The application form can be found on the DCED and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce websites:

https://www.northamptoncounty.org/CMTYECDV/Pages/Apply-for-Funding.aspx

https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/norcogrants.html

Information provided to TVL by:
Becky Bartlett
Deputy Director of Administration
Northampton County Government Center
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042
https://www.northamptoncounty.org/

 

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