Grant help available for hotels, restaurants

The Progress Authority is spearheading the county’s efforts in administering the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program, CHIRP.

The county was awarded nearly $457,000 in grant funds as part of a stimulus packaged designed to provide some relief to hospitality industry businesses – such as hotels and restaurants – that were impacted as a result of the pandemic.

“The state and federal government realize the hospitality industry is suffering,” Progress Authority Executive Director Tony Ventello said at the Susquehanna County Economic Development Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, March 25.

Grants of up to $50,000 are available for businesses that qualify. As of March 17, a total of $85,000 had been approved for 12 recipients, with another three grant applications in the pipeline, according to Ventello.

He asked board members to get the word out about the program. Applications will be considered and processed on a rolling basis through June 15.

Applications are available on the Progress Authority website, cbprogress.org; and the county website, www.susqco.com by clicking on the “grants” link under the “Popular Pages” list.

The board also discussed updates on the county’s broadband project; public safety center building project; and Northeast Freight’s Keystone proposed Multi-Modal Terminal project.

The Susquehanna County Economic Development Advisory Committee meets on the fourth Thursday of each month, at 10 a.m., in the lower level conference room of the county office building.