Greene County Awarded Additional $300,000 for Small Businesses Assistance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WAYNESBURG – Greene County has been awarded an additional $300,000 for the Forgivable Advance for Small Business Assistance (FASBA) program. The county expended its original allocation of just over $900,000 which was awarded to twenty-four businesses located throughout Greene County.
Greene County’s program has been used as a model by the state with established application, analysis and administration processes developed within the economic development department and shared throughout the commonwealth. The additional awarded monies come from recouped funds that other counties opted out and/or could not get distributed to businesses.
Greene County Commissioners are accepting a new round of applications for the FASBA. The program provides up to $50,000 grants for small, local businesses with 100 employees or less, who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses must prove an annual or quarter loss of 25% and have annual revenue for 2019 was less than one million. Greene County utilized the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act referred to as CDBG-CV to fund FASBA to relieve businesses of the economic disaster and keep the County thriving.
These advances can be forgiven 120 days from check disbursement. For funding to be forgiven businesses must retain or create full-time equivalent positions for low to moderate income workers. FASBA funds can be used to pay for the following eligible expenses: payroll, rent/mortgage, utilities (gas, phone, etc.), supplies (up to 90 days), PPE, insurance, accounting, legal, advertising and can reimburse eligible costs incurred to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” Other eligibility requirements do apply. Previously awarded funding is estimated to have retained nine (9) jobs and created fifteen (15) additional jobs for low to moderate income persons in Greene County.
Funding is available now and businesses are encouraged to prescreen by contacting Crystal Simmons, CDBG/HOME Program Director at 724-852-5260 or email csimmons@co.greene.pa.us.
Additional information can be obtained at https://www.co.greene.pa.us/business.