Schuylkill County entities could start soon applying for the $1.6 million COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program money awarded to the county.

County Administrator Gary Bender said “hopefully by the end of the week” eligible businesses can start applying online.

County commissioners voted at their weekly meeting to select the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance to dispense the $1,601,084 block grant awarded last month.

NEPA serves Schuylkill, Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties.

“Our goal is to get this money out to restaurants and hotels that have been hurting,” Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said.

He said a link will be on the county website, co.schuylkill.pa.us, that will direct people to the NEPA website.

Hess said the sooner the process starts, the quicker those needing the money can get it. Applications for the grants must start by March 15 and continue until funds have been spent of June 15, according to program guidelines.

All 67 counties statewide will receive money based on population through the program. Revenue losses and eligible operating expenses are permitted under the program.

Eligible businesses are those that have a certain classification system designation where accommodations, food or drink is available to the public, fewer than 300 full-time equivalent employees, a maximum tangible net worth not exceeding $15 million, operational Feb. 15, 2020, remains open and doesn’t intend to stop operations within a year of applying for funds, and the pandemic had had an adverse economic impact on the business, making it request funds to continue operating.