CLEARFIELD – Financial relief is coming to five more local businesses that were adversely affected by the COVID-19 shutdown.
In June, Pennsylvania 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 has 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.
In August, the commissioners launched the county’s CARES Act grant programs for small businesses and non-profits, which has been administered with assistance from Clearly Ahead Development and Lisa Kovalick, the county’s community development specialist.
On Sept. 22, Commissioners Tony Scotto, board chairman, John A. Sobel and Dave Glass announced the first round of grants to 34 local businesses and 19 non-profits, totaling $793,579.
Last week, the commissioners awarded a second round of relief funding to 56 local businesses (with fewer than 100 employees), totaling $1,008,527. And yesterday, they awarded a combined $62,622 to five businesses.
Grants were awarded to Main Won Inc., $12,060; Mr. Wag’s Pet Salon and Kennel, $5,000; Ritz Theater, $20,000; Railroad Street Tavern Inc., $562; and Shannon’s Catering, $25,000.
Glass said the county has spent approximately half of its CARES funding, and in the coming weeks, it will determine how the remaining funding will be spent. He said the county may consider another smaller round of grants, but that’s still to be determined.
Also, regarding the upcoming General Election in November, Glass said he hoped the state will still give counties the opportunity to pre-canvas and prepare mail-in ballots for scanning prior to Election Day.
“It would allow us to get results out that night,” he said. “If we don’t get the pre-canvasing, we won’t have 8,000 mail-in ballots processed that night.
“… We killed ourselves to get 5,000 done for the Primary. We’re not going to get 8,000 done with everything else that’s going on that day. All we need is a few days to open those envelopes and flatten ballots. That’s all we’re asking for.” Scotto concurred.
Glass said the county recently finished sending out the first large batch of mail-in ballots to applicable voters. By the end of this week, he said the rest should be in hand or on their way.
The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27, but Glass urged registered voters not to wait that long. He said anyone who still wishes to vote by mail should submit an application as soon as possible.
“By the time, they’d apply, we’d process and mail it out, and then they’d return it, it’d be cutting it very close. I wouldn’t do it that late.” Glass reminded that people can apply for mail-in ballots in person and vote at the Election Office.
In other business, the commissioners:
- approved a reimbursement of funds totaling $2,193.85 to the county’s Recreation and Tourism Authority for HVAC-related costs. It was noted the CCRTA houses county election equipment, which must be heated and cooled properly, and the commissioners felt it was only fair to help CCRTA offset some of those costs.
- approved a copier lease agreement with Doing Better Business.
- approved four new hires, five employee separations/retirements, five employee transfers and two employee leaves of absence.
- Approved the minutes from the Sept. 22 board meeting as presented by the chief clerk.
- approved the bills as presented by the Controller’s office.