Senator Santarsiero Announces $225 Million Grant Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 and An Additional $200,000 in Awards to Local Businesses Through COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program

June 9, 2020

BUCKS COUNTY – June 9, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced $225 million in grant programs for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.  The money originated from the federal CARES Act, and was allocated through the recently passed state budget.  The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) will distribute the funds to the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which will then administer the funding in the form of grants.

Eligible businesses will be able to use the grants to cover operating expenses as they transition to re-opening, and for technical assistance including training and guidance for business owners as they stabilize and relaunch their businesses.

“As all sectors of our economy begin to re-open, these grants will provide necessary resources to aid our small businesses and ease the transition for business owners,” said Sen. Santarsiero.  “As guidance becomes available on how businesses can apply for these grants, I look forward to sharing that information with our small business owners and working closely with local CDFIs to ensure businesses here in Bucks County receive the support they need.”

Sen. Santarsiero also announced the award of $200,000 to two businesses in his district from the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA).  Curtin and Heefner, located in Lower Makefield Township, and Well of Life Center for Natural Health, located in Doylestown, each received the maximum amount of $100,000 through this program.  This was the final round of CWCA funding, as the state moves toward re-opening. 

“I am pleased that this final round of CWCA funding has brought an additional $200,000 to two businesses in my district, bringing the total amount of funds received in the 10th district to $1.4 million,” said Sen. Santarsiero.  “With this last round of funding, businesses are continuing to receive critical support as we move into the yellow phase of re-opening.  While this program is winding down, the positive effects on these businesses will continue to be felt as they transition into the yellow phase of re-opening.”

The CWCA Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and provides critical working capital financing to small businesses located within the Commonwealth that are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.  For more information on the CWCA program, visit the DCED website.

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Senator Santarsiero Announces Support for Pennsylvania CARES Plan to Allocate Federal CARES Funds 

April 29, 2020

BUCKS COUNTY – April 29, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) joined his Democratic colleagues for a virtual press conference to unveil the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus’ plan to allocate federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds Wednesday morning.

The Pennsylvania CARES Plan, which is supported by the entire caucus, offers a set of spending priorities to best use the $3.9 billion in federal CARES ACT funding the commonwealth is set to receive. A major focus of the PA CARES Plan would fund initiatives that help individuals and families, such as housing assistance programs, student debt relief, veterans’ assistance, utility assistance, and food bank support.

Other aspects of the proposal would allocate additional assistance to frontline workers, funding for the health care industry and its workers, small business grants, and much-needed support communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. School districts and local governments would also receive support to help offset pandemic-related expenses.

“I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of the Pennsylvania CARES Plan.” Sen. Santarsiero said.  “I have been hearing from small business owners, families, school districts and frontline workers across Bucks County about the vital need for resources to help get them through these uncertain times.  The proposed spending plan provides needed support for our communities and businesses that have been hardest hit during the Coronavirus pandemic.  The PA Cares Plan ensures the nearly $4 billion in one-time federal funds that we will receive is allocated to those that are providing the goods and services Pennsylvanians rely on each day as we navigate this health crisis.”

Highlights of the PA CARES plan include:

  • $1.1 billion for assistance for working people
  • $900 million for education and childcare initiatives
  • $650 million for health care industry & frontline workers assistance
  • $425 million for small businesses
  • $350 million for local government assistance
  • $300 million for historically disadvantaged communities

The Senate Democrats’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic remains focused on helping working people, families and Pennsylvania’s small businesses. Members of the caucus have a number of proposals to address COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts in Pennsylvania.  

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