Montgomery County Prioritizes Recipients for Federal COVID-Recovery Funds

County Commissioner Chairman Ken Lawrence delivered a recent update to the process of connecting federal recovery fund monies with in-county recipients that qualify. Gregory Purcel reported the targeted entities for WFMZ 69 News.

Lawrence announced two priorities: bolstering small businesses and injecting capital into the county’s fire companies.

“The small business program is focused on minority-, veteran-, and women-owned businesses,” he explained. “The program’s focus is to help businesses impacted by the pandemic and related economic crises.”

Applicants for the funds can come from any in-county business able to document a pandemic-related economic hit. Commercial enterprises in Pottstown and Norristown qualify automatically, based on their geographies.

Lawrence noted that businesses can access as much as $20,000.

“Up to 60 percent of funds are intended to go to businesses with less historic access to capital and are owned by socially or economically disadvantaged groups,” he further explained.

The county’s fire stations that qualify will receive $1.5 million to cover equipment and training costs. They, too, must be able to show revenue deficits related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Full details on recovery fund usage is at WFMZ 69 News.

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COVID’s effect on firefighters was felt across the nation, as this Pittsburgh report demonstrates.