Main Street Grant Funds OK'd To Offset COVID-19 Impact In Chesco

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — Chester County Commissioners on Thursday approved $10 million more in funding to support small businesses and agricultural enterprises hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioners have asked the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) to administer the grants, which are available under the Chester County Main Street Preservation program.

"This program doesn’t just help our local small businesses, it helps our neighbors, our friends and our whole community," said Chester County Commissioners' Chair Marian Moskowitz.

"Preserving Chester County’s main street businesses is crucial to our economy and the fact we are able to approve a second round of grants is really substantial," Moskowitz added.

Funding for the Main Street Preservation grants comes from CARES funding received by Chester County government.

Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday announced several temporary coronavirus mitigation measures, including closing indoor dining and gyms, limiting gatherings and suspending youth sports. The measures are aimed to slow the spread of the coronavirus in high-risk settings, officials said.

The state faces a "dire" situation as cases continue to multiply at a rapid pace, placing healthcare workers and hospital capacity in peril, Wolf said. Indoor dining is suspended starting Saturday through Jan. 4.

The new restrictions come as the state broke a record set just the day before for most coronavirus deaths in a single day. Officials on Thursday reported 248 new deaths, breaking the record of 220 deaths set just the day before.

Chester County businesses that have been active and for-profit since 2019 or earlier, with 2019 revenues of $5 million or less may be eligible for the Main Street Preservation grants. The businesses must be open and operational at the time of grant disbursement.

The application process opens at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 17 and closes on Dec. 23 at 5:00 p.m. Successful applicants will be notified by mid-January.

To assist in the application process, the CCEDC is hosting a webinar on Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. Business owners wishing to learn more about the grant program and ask questions about how to apply, can join the webinar at ccedcpa.com/mainstreet/.

The webinar will also be livestreamed on the Chester Count Government Facebook page and will be recorded for viewing.

"We are excited to build on the success of the first round of Main Street grants and to have been asked to design a similar program that will again support small businesses located in Chester County," said Mike Grigalonis, CCEDC’s Chief Operating Officer.

"We know this funding will be vital to many businesses that are trying to figure out a way to survive the impact of the pandemic," Grigalonis said.

Details of the Main Street Preservation program, and details of the application process and timings can be found at ccedcpa.com/mainstreet/.

Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell said, "We are doing all within the power of county government to help our small businesses and their families. While we cannot make up for the emotional strain that has been the last nine months, we believe that these grants, specifically tailored to industries most affected by the pandemic, will help resolve some of the financial burdens placed on our small businesses and their families, and give them hope for the future."

The first round of Main Street Preservation grants was distributed in May, with nearly 250 businesses benefitting from the program, receiving funding from just under $1,500 to $25,000.

One of those businesses is 3 Spoons LLC, a boutique videography company located in Downingtown. Owner CJ Witherspoon recalls projecting his highest revenue stream to date back in January. Then COVID-19 hit, and all projects lined up for the year were postponed or canceled.

"Chester County provided this grant program and through the CCEDC, we were able to receive it, and they walked us through the entire process," said Witherspoon. "Receiving the Main Street Grant helped tremendously. Not only did it help cover business and payroll expenses, but I could also sleep at night knowing that my family is going to be okay. That right there is worth its weight in gold."

Chester County Commissioner Michelle Kichline said, "This grant program is an important investment in the small businesses throughout the county that haven’t yet received crucial financial support to keep going. Equally important is the support that every person in Chester County can give to businesses by adhering to all health and safety guidelines – wearing a mask, keeping 6-feet apart, and washing our hands regularly so that we can maintain our progress heading into 2021."

Join the webinar at: https://bit.ly/3gyEJKJ Passcode: 036453 Webinar ID: 818 7218 5563

Patch Editor Kara Seymour contributed to this report.