A free webinar for the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Money for Schuylkill County is this Thursday.

Those interested in the 2 to 3 p.m. event can visit the county website at co.schuylkill.pa and click on visit nepa-alliance.org/chirp for information or us02web.zoom.us to register.

The county was awarded a $1,601,084 block grant last month. Commissioners chose the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance to dispense the funds. Money must be disbursed by June 15 or until funds have been spent.

All 67 counties statewide will receive money based on population through the program. Revenue losses and eligible operating expenses are permitted. Schuylkill County has moved from the substantial transmission status to moderate.

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 has had an adverse economic impact on the business, making it request funds to continue operating.