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LOCK HAVEN -- So far, county officials know $437,500 is coming their way. And they know it's earmarked for hotels, restaurants, taverns and other businesses in the hospitality industry.
But that's about all they know at this point.
"On Tuesday, we received word the county had been allocated $437,500.
"And on Wednesday, we were told the application for the 'hospitality grant' was due the next day," Clinton County Planner Katie deSilva explained at Thursday morning's meeting of the Clinton County commissioners.
Extremely excited about the announcement, county officials quickly moved forward in preparing the required online application and sending it off before the 5 p.m. Feb. 11 deadline.
But, there are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
"Stay tuned," deSilva said with a smile, noting the very preliminary information the county has received on such short notice and alerting local businesses to watch for more information on filing an application and to begin thinking about how they will apply for a relief grant, the amount between $5,000 and $50,000 they will request and what they will use the money for.
"I'm sure it will be on the front page of our website as soon as we get more information," she said.
According to CHIRP guidelines, eligible businesses seeking a grant would contact the county for information on how to apply for a relief grant. A grant agreement will be executed between the county and DCED, which will advance 100 perent of the grant funds to the county for disbursement. All grant funds must be expended by July 15, 2021, according to the program guidelines.
Each county will administer the funding through one or more designated Certified Economic Development Organization (CEDO) or Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), which will then process applications from businesses in each county. CEDOs or CDFIs must begin accepting applications from businesses by March 15.
The county must select an agency to process the applications and administer the funds to the hospitality businesses, deSilva said. She said the agency need not be from Clinton County.
"We haven't even thought about any of this yet. It all happened so quickly this week," deSilva continued.
She said the commissioners and county officials planned to meet later Thursday to gather information on the program, including eligible applications, eligible uses of funds… eligible expenditures and more.
The initiative was made possible on Feb. 5, when Governor Tom Wolf signed into law legislation that set aside $145 million in funds to aid hospitality industry businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the legislation, each county will receive an amount equal to its population proportion amount determined by county population estimate and the sum of the population estimates of all counties.
"The commonwealth's hospitality industry is critical to the lives and livelihoods of so many Pennsylvanians, and it's undeniable that it has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Gov. Wolf. "After months of calling for support for our hospitality establishments and their employees, I am pleased that the General Assembly has allocated millions of dollars in resources to protect and preserve this industry."
An eligible applicant or authorized representative of the eligible applicant making application to the program must certify in good faith to each of the following:
-- The eligible applicant was in operation on Feb. 15, 2020, and, if required, paid income taxes to the Federal and State Government, as reported on individual or business tax returns.
-- The eligible applicant remains in operation and does not intend to permanently cease operations within one year of the date of application.
--COVID-19 has had an adverse economic impact on the eligible applicant which makes the grant request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the eligible applicant.
--The grant will be used to pay for COVID-19-related economic impacts.
--During the period beginning on January 1, 2021, and ending on June 30, 2021, the applicant has not and will not receive another grant under this program.
--An eligible applicant or authorized representative of the eligible applicant must certify that the information provided in an application to the program and the information provided in all supporting documents and forms is true and accurate in all material respects. An eligible applicant or an authorized representative of the eligible applicant that knowingly makes a false statement to obtain a grant under the program is punishable under penalty of perjury.
Has a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) designation within the Accommodation subsector (721) or Food Services and Drinking Places subsector (722) and where accommodations, food or drink is served to or provided for the public, with or without charge.
--Has fewer than 300 full-time equivalent employees.
--Has a maximum tangible net worth of not more than $15,000,000.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
--Confirmed the retirements of Joan Welfling, Central Court admnistrator in the Court of Common Pleas, with 23 years service, effective March 5.
-- Confirmed the retirement of Robert Tressler, captain at the Clinton County Correctional Facility with 20 years service, effective March 1.
-- Approved the termination of Charles Bova, a 9-1-1 dispatcher at the Clinton County Communications Center, effective Jan. 27.
-- Appointed T. Michael Champion as alternate to the Zoning Hearing Board for a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2023.
-- Approved liquid fuels requests from Lamar Township for the annual lighting costs at the Auction Road interchange in the amount of $724, and the annual lighting costs at Salona interchange in the amount of $1,194.
-- Approved a contract with Robert J. Meacham, M.S. psychoogist for evaluations, assessments, court testimony and other services to Children and Youth and the Public Defender's office at the rate of $75 an hour and to the courts for a monthly retainer of $3,300 plus $75 an hour.
-- Approved an agreement with the PA Department of Environmental Protection for a $100,000 grant for development of Chesapeake Bay countywide action plans for Clinton, Cambria and Clearfield counties.
-- Approved an intercreditor agreement among Wynn Tec Inc., Clinton County and SEDA-COG granting first lien position to SEDA-COG on certain collateral securing a $50,000 loan.
-- Approved a proposal from CDW-G for a one-year software subscription license for Trend Micro Business Security Services for the amount of $9,229.
-- Approved a one-year renewal of mobility premium maintenance with Net Motion Software for an annual amount of $4,193.
-- Approved two propsals for professional valuation services from Real Estate Appraisal and Marketing Associates for appraisal of the Opera House Senior Housing for $5,000 amd Avery International Corporation for $3,500.
-- Approved a two-year grant agreement with PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency to fund the Victim Witness and Victim of Juvenile Offenders programs for one year for $96,232.
-- Approved a service contract with CN Bilbay LLC T/A Your Guardian Angels Preschool and Child Care to provide professional child care services for the Children and Youth Services Agency from Feb. 1 to Feb. 5, in accodance with the provider's rate schedule.
-- Heard state Rep. Stephanie Borowicz talk about what she's been working on recently, including the issue with Nicholas Meats, LHU integration, COVID-19 vaccine supply. She said she chairs the Agriculture, World Affairs, Veterans Affairs, Emergency Preparedness, Health and Environmenal Resources committees this term. She said she is championing pro-life and 2nd Amendment legislation and working to have a bridge in her district named in honor of the late Lee Phillips.
Legislation wise, Borowicz said a 21-day constitutional amendment restricting the governor from declaring a state of emergency past 21 days without approval has been passed. She said this limits him 21 days and there is some accountability. It will probably be on the ballot in the next election, she said.
The commissioners will meet next for a work session at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22 and a voting meeting on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. Both meeting will be lie streamed on Facebook.
All county buildings will be closed on Monday for Presidents Day.