CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County received nearly 240 applications from local businesses requesting financial help to survive the current COVID-19 crisis.
In June, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the disbursement of $625 million to 60 Pennsylvania counties through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
The county received $7,157,429 for virus-related expenses through the COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant Program from the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development.
On Tuesday Commissioner Dave Glass reported that the county received 239 grant applications from small businesses and 60 from non-profit organizations. Applications were accepted from Aug. 5-17.
He said funds will first be disbursed to small businesses (with fewer than 100 employees) that haven’t already received assistance through the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) or other government programs.
Glass said next, they will review applications that are simple, straightforward and complete, and after that, they will begin follow-ups with businesses that perhaps didn’t provide sufficient information.
“We are going to work through them … in an orderly fashion in four groupings,” he said. “… Those that have received help already have been moved to the back by the provisions of the CARES Act.”
He said the commissioners will follow the same review and disbursement process for the non-profits, but unfortunately, at least 12 area social clubs already appear to be ineligible.
“If you’re not a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19), we’re not allowed to help,” Glass said, “and we had a bunch of non-profits that are 501(c)(7) and 501(c)(8) apply. We encouraged them in hopes we could figure it out.”
But he said the county will help as many small businesses and non-profits as it possibly can, and disbursements are expected to be made in four to six weeks due to the high volume of applications.
Commissioner John A. Sobel said the commissioners have already started to receive calls about the status of the grant applications. “We absolutely understand people are hurting, … but just please be patient.”