Local businesses receive COVID grants
Via bedfordgazette.com
PA — Ten local businesses have been notified that they will receive funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ACT, (CARES).
The money is a portion of $225 million for COVID-19 relief to small businesses allocated through the Department of Community and Economic Development through a distribution to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). The allocations come from a second round of applications that closed in August.
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In all, the local businesses will receive over $200,000.
“We’re very happy for the businesses who were approved. We also know that were many deserving applicants who did not receive funding,” said Bette Slayton, president and CEO of the Bedford County Industrial Development Association. “As COVID continues to hurt our small businesses, we’ll continue to look for ways to help them.”
The program provides grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
Among those receiving the maximum $50,000 was Pitt Street Inkeepers LLC, owners of the Golden Eagle Inn, Pub an Restaurant in Bedford.
“Ecstatic and thrilled” was how owner Tom Salmon described his reaction to the news.
“We’re just so very grateful,” he said. “It’s a big help with winter coming. The cold weather is going to do a number on our outside seating.”
He observed that, “For everyone, this has been a tremendous loss.”
State regulations regarding alcohol sales have put a big hole in the business’s sales, but not all has been gloomy, he said.
“The restaurant has gone gangbusters,” he said. “You could tell the local people were making an effort to support the local businesses.”
Others receiving money include:
• Ataraxia Designs LLC, Bedford, $20,000;
• Beauty Nails and Spa, Bedford, $10,000;
• Bedford Candies Ice LLC, Osterburg, $25,000;
• Beverly’s Touch of Class, Bedford, $20,000;
• Changing Edges, Everett, $20,000;
• Everything Tea, Bedford, $10,000;
• Holy Haircuts, Everett, $15,000;
• PINKIES LLC, Everett, $20,000;
• Reclamation, Consignment & Gift LLC, Bedford, $20,000.
To be eligible, businesses must have had annual revenue of $1 million or less prior to the impact of COVID-19 and have had 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees prior to Feb. 15.
The grant money must be used to cover COVID-related costs.