Recovery Funding Available For The Commonwealth

(02/12/2021) - See information regarding State and Federal relief funding below:

PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL 109 SUMMARY:

SB 109 was passed by the State senate and signed by Gov. Wolf. Below is a high level overview of how the $912 million the bills distributes would be allocated. 

1. Rental and Utility Assistance


$569.808 million will be allocated proportionally to all 67 counties based on U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for calendar year 2019. By  September 30, counties must identify any excess or shortfall in funding. Any excess funding will be reallocated to counties identifying a need for additional funding based on the relative population proportion of the county. This has been a priority of the Pittsburgh Foundation, United Way network across the state, PA Legal Aid and countless non=profits who are pushing for this money to hit the streets.  


2. Governor’s Emergency Education Relief 

$47.075 million for Pennsylvania’s discretionary allocation which will be appropriated as follows:

-Career and Technical Centers - $17.5 million to be allocated proportionally based on the secondary Career and Technical Education subsidy for the 2019-2020 school year.

-Intermediate Units - $17.5 million to be allocated proportionally based on aid ratio and average daily membership.

-Charter Schools for the Deaf and Blind and Approved Private Schools - $7.075 million to be allocated proportionally based on the total number of students.

-State System of Higher Education - $5 million.


3. Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (Non-Public Schools)

$150.023 million in funding for non-public schools.  The bill stimulates that the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) shall notify nonpublic schools that are eligible to apply for money no later than 30 days after PDE receives the money. 


4. Hospitality Industry Recovery Program

$145 million to be allocated proportionally to all 67 counties for grants to hotels, restaurants, bars and taverns. Certified local economic development agencies will be responsible for administering the program, and they will be limited on the amount of fees they can charge (1% of the grant amount plus a flat fee not to exceed $750; the combined maximum fee is $1,250). The maximum grant award is limited to $50,000 per eligible recipient. Funding for the Hospitality Industry Recovery Program will be provided through a transfer from the Workers’ Compensation Security Fund. This transfer will be treated as a loan that must be repaid by July 1, 2029 or within 180 days of the federal government providing a flexible stimulus allocation to the Commonwealth. Any unexpended funds from the Hospitality Industry Recovery Program will be deposited into the Workers’ Compensation Security Fund.  More info below, including dates: 

-$145m Hospitality Industry Recovery Program

-Grants $5k-$50k
 
-For businesses w/ 300 employees or fewer

-Within NAICS codes 721XXX or 722XXX

-Must open applications by March 15

-Must expend funds by July 31

-Must be run through Certified Economic Development Organizations or
Community Development Financial Institutions


At the State level contact the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (www.dced.pa.gov)

Also, the SBA has information on the next round of PPP and the Shuddered Venue loan fund:
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options