Columbia Commissioners Award $2.1 Million in Small Business Assistance

The Columbia County Commissioners recently awarded grants totaling over $2.1 million to 95 businesses in the county that were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds were part of a $5.8 million block grant provided to the county through the CARES Act. Applicants were eligible for five months of fixed costs up to $100,000. The Commissioners approved the grants at their August 20th meeting.

Any applicant that has not received notification should contact Christine Orlando at the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation at corlando@csgiving.org or 570-752-3930 ext. 2.

The application period for businesses in Montour County closed on August 21st and awards will be announced in early September.

Columbia County hired Harry Mathias, retired Central Columbia School District Superintendent, to develop recommendations for its funds. The Montour County Commissioners organized workgroups with representatives of various agencies to develop a plan. The Chamber assisted both counties in developing the grant program guidelines. Chamber President Fred Gaffney applauded both sets of commissioners for creating the small business grant programs. “The commissioners recognize the significant impact that the crisis has had on our area businesses and have moved quickly to provide financial assistance,” said Gaffney. “Working with the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, the application process was streamlined with local resources to help business owners through the process.”

A grant application period for non-profit organizations in the two counties is open now through September 11 at csgiving.org.