Summary of Programs Available to Small Businesses and Communities During the COVID-19 Crisis

Small Business Resources

Lackawanna County Business Improvement Grant (BIG)

The current grant program is available for private sector businesses to pursue exterior façade improvements or purchase/install new equipment. This grant is reimbursable up to $5,000 and awarded on a 50/50 match basis.

This grant program may also be utilized to purchase equipment (i.e. thermal imaging camera, partitions for a barrier shield, sanitizing dispensers, e-commerce, PPE, etc.), or façade/exterior business improvements (i.e. exterior modifications to assist with curb side pick-up, etc.) to position your business to be able to prepare for, prevent, and respond to coronavirus.

This application is currently available here on the Lackawanna County website.

Lackawanna County Business Relief Grant (BRG)

The Business Relief Grant Program has been designed to assist small businesses that have been harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds can be utilized to support ongoing business operations and will provide the emergency assistance that small businesses desperately need to stay afloat.

Under the program, a one-time $2,500 grant payment, subject to application approval, will be awarded. The resources can be utilized for expenses related to mortgage, rent, utilities, product/vendor costs, payroll, and general operating expenses.

The application will be available on the Lackawanna County website on May 18. https://www.lackawannacounty.org/

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Funds are still available.

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

SBA will forgive the loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, or Farm Credit System institution that is participating. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in this program.

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program

Community Resources

Lackawanna County Community Re-invest Program (CRP)

The Community Re-invest Program assists local agencies (municipalities, municipal authorities, taxexempt, charitable, and educational organizations) with the revitalization and improvement of neighborhoods and/or the initiation of various community services. The intent of this grant is to provide funding for projects that will have a high impact on the local community, will strengthen community services, and/or improve quality of life. Applicants are eligible for grants for recreation and other community projects up to a maximum cap of $5,000 per applicant per calendar year (January 1 – December 31).

This grant program may also be utilized to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. (i.e. food pantry/drives, housing stability assistance, PPE, etc.)

This application is currently available here on the Lackawanna County website.