Seventy-three businesses that applied for Schuylkill County COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Money have been awarded funding.

In all, 90 applicants have applied for more than $1.8 million, surpassing the $1,601,084 block grant the county has received.

Steve Ursich, vice president of business development services with Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance, said $1,470,000 has been awarded to eligible entities so far in Schuylkill County.

“This is the big announcement,” he said.

The program opened March 5 for applications. Some were received that day. Successful businesses will be notified shortly, Ursich said, adding they could receive their money within two weeks.

Eligible businesses are those that have a certain classification system designation whose 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.

Leiby’s Ice Cream House & Restaurant, Tamaqua, was awarded $25,000, the maximum amount.

“That’s a well-needed shot in the arm right now. We’re getting battered around here,” Daniel Leiby, co-owner said Wednesday.

He said the business is at 25 percent capacity because it didn’t self-certify, permitting 50 percent occupancy. Usually 67 patrons can dine in the restaurant.

“This was a terrible winter by the best case scenario,” Leiby said.

He wasn’t too optimistic funding would be awarded when writing the application.

“In my mind, I kind of wrote it off,” he said.

The pandemic has resulted in a reduction in staff. Before COVID-19, 60 to 70 employees worked there. Now it is 12, he said.

Basile’s Italian Restaurant of Tamaqua, also was awarded $25,000.

Paola Basile, co-owner, said receiving the news of the money is “awesome.” The business also took a hit financially during the pandemic. The wedding and banquets it normally does were canceled.

“March to June were completely shut down, the dining room part,” she said.

Business hours were also reduced. Employees were laid off.

Ursich said businesses can still apply for money in anticipation of possible funding.

“It’s probably going to be all dedicated within 24 hours,” he said of the $1,601,084.

Schuylkill County Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington said speed of the announcement is good news.

“I’m just thrilled to be able to get this out so quickly,” he said.

Commissioners chose NEPA as the entity to dispense the funds in March.

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

Those interested in applying should visit neap-alliance.org/chirp or contact Ursich at 570-891-4649 or sursich@nepa-alliance.org3333.