The Carbon County Commissioners, in conjunction with Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation, announce that the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program application process is now open.

This grant program is specifically geared toward helping those in the hospitality industry. The county received $726,949 from the state.

Under this new program, restaurants, bars and others in the hospitality industry that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for grants up to $50,000. Grant funds are intended to alleviate revenue losses and pay eligible operating expenses due to the pandemic. This program will make available grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to each eligible business within the hospitality industry that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant program will be administered by CCEDC. Specific requirements and required documentation are included in the CHIRP grant application that is now available on the COVID-19 Business Resources page on CCEDC’s website, www.CarbonCountyChamber.org, or by calling the CCEDC office at 610-379-5000.

The deadline for submitting applications is May 31. Applications will be reviewed by CCEDC staff as they are received, and awards will be made on a rolling basis until June 15, 2021, or funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first. Eligible businesses must operate within Carbon County and have fewer than 300 full-time employees. Preference will be given to businesses that:

• Have not received a loan or grant under the authority of the commonwealth or its political subdivisions or by the federal government under the CARES Act or the Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2021.

• Were subject to closure by the proclamation of disaster emergency issued by the governor on March 21, 2020, and/or any renewal of that proclamation.

• Can verify a defined reduction of 25% in revenue as a result of COVID-19.

Applications can be submitted:

• By email to khenderson@carboncountychamber.org with the subject line: CHIRP Application

• By regular mail to the CCEDC office at 137 South St., Lehighton PA 18235

• Drop off at the CCEDC office, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Questions can be directed to: Kathy Henderson, Director of Economic Development at KHenderson@carboncountychamber.org, 484-464-9576; Linda Rex, Assistant to the Director at LRex@CarbonCountyChamber.org, 610-379-5000; or Alice Wanamaker, Executive Director at AliceW@CarbonCountyChamber.org, 484-274-2080.