The Chester Countys Commissioners set up a $5M fund to establish the Main Street Preservation program. This program allows for grants of up to $25,000 for the county’s small businesses and agriculture enterprises impacted by COVID-19. Here to talk about it with us today is Marian Moskowitz, a recently elected Chester County Commissioner, Chair of the Board of Commissioners, and Chair of the Economic Development Council.

Links

• Main Street Preservation Grant Program
• About Marian Moskowitz
• Chester County website
• Chester County business information
• Getting Economic Assistance with Michael Grigalonis

Show Notes

Main Street Preservation Grant

• The Board of Commissioners decided to take CARES money and put $5M towards the grant program.
• It’s designed to help small businesses with revenue of $500,000 or less.
  • Grant is up to $25,000
  • Award money is based on location, expenses, amounts of assistance received already, and other factors
• The County wants to help existing businesses stay open and in business, so that those businesses are ready to go as the county starts to open up.

Apply: May 11th, 5am-9pm. Apply for the Main Street Preservation grant here.

What kind information do businesses need to apply?

• 2019 income statement, provide expenses and income details.
• If you’re seasonal, they’ll look at the 2nd quarter of last year. 
• Businesses started in 2020 do not qualify.

What has the county been doing since COVID-19 hit the USA (a brief timeline)?

• The Chester County Health Dept. began monitoring the COVID-19 situation in February.
• Once news came in, the County leadership came up with a plan, which was ready by March 13th. 
• The County held its first COVID-19 town hall on Mar 17th
• The team at the County has worked hard to keep the local business community informed
• March 19th – took over the management of health needs of Delaware Co too. 
• Last week, the County started a Business Task Force.
  • Designed to get input for reopening / repairing / restoring community
  • Core team
    • Chambers of Commerce, tourism groups, EDC
  • Advisory Team
    • Different industries
    • Restaurants, gyms, agricultural, etc.
  • Always good to have a think tank

Is there a message that the county would like to share with local businesses?

• In terms of preparation or sustainability, businesses should start thinking about the hard questions.
  • What does an employer do when an employee is afraid to come back to work?
• One big thing is communication: Have real dialog with your staff because you’re all in this together. 
• Reach out and see how they’re doing. 
• They are the key to getting you back in business again.