Monroe County commissioners are currently working on a small-business loan program meant to alleviate expenses and help keep local businesses afloat through the current shutdown of nonessential services.

Vice Chairman John Moyer discussed the program during the commissioners meeting held virtually on Wednesday.

“We are very close to announcing a small-business loan program that will be administered through the Pocono Mountain Economic Development Corporation.”

The intention of the program is to directly aid small businesses that need expedited financial assistance and that do not have access to grant writers to receive federal and state funding.

“We’re more interested in making sure that the beauty shops and barber shops, landscapers, small retailers, restaurants and so forth get enough money to make it through this period of time - where their expenses may not end, but they have no revenue coming in to cover them.”

The commissioners are expected to announce the finalized loan program by the end of this week. Moyer projected the grants will be accepted beginning April 20, with the deadline to get applications submitted being May 11.

A common concern among local business owners is that the financial aid being proposed at the state and federal level will be difficult to obtain, or take entirely too long to be disbursed. The proposed loan program is meant to address these concerns by being easily available and prompt.

“We have the goal of getting money out sooner rather than later,” Moyer said. “I know there’s a lot of money being applied for both at the state and federal level, and in some cases it will be months before that money shows up.”

The estimated value of the grants will be between $3,000 to $20,000. The commissioners hope that these amounts will make an impact in covering expenses to prevent businesses from permanently closing until they are able to produce revenue again.

“The community relies on small businesses to a very large extent, and without help from someplace, I believe we will see many of them go under water. Our hope is that members of the community, small-business owners, will take advantage of this program.”