Hospitality industry in Montco and Bucks to get some help

HELP IS ON THE WAY » as in free money will be given out — for a COVID-19 beleaguered industry that typically hosts millions of Bucks and Montgomery County visitors, subsequently sweetens the local economy by billions of dollars, and employs thousands.

Beginning March 12 in Montgomery County and March 15 in Bucks, eligible hospitality businesses will receive between $5,000 and $50,000 in state grants through county-run hospitality recovery programs funded by the state Community and Economic Development Department.

In Bucks, where the industry supports about 28,700 jobs, hosts 8.1 million visitors and brings in about $1.1 billion annually, some $7.1 million is available. In Montgomery County, approximately $9.4 million will be distributed to businesses that account for about 4 percent of all jobs in the county.

“These new grants are critical to our efforts to help our small businesses in the hospitality industry,” said Bob Harvie, vice chairman, Bucks commissioners. “We are thankful to the state for recognizing this need and appreciate the help of our economic development agencies to get this money into the hands of people who really need it.”

Said Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr., vice chair, Montgomery commissioners: “With the limitations on traveling and gathering, the hospitality industry is another hard-hit sector. We are happy we are able to help these businesses stay afloat until we can get back to some kind of normalcy.”

To qualify, a business must be a for-profit company with a tangible worth of no more than $15 million and must document at least a 25 percent drop in 2020 revenue. They also must have an NAICS classification code designating they offer lodging and/or food and drink. Grant applications are being accepted through April 2.

The program, created by the Pennsylvania Legislature, is “not a first come, first served” program, according to Bucks official. “Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, and the application window will remain open until grant funds are fully allocated,” they said.

“Hopefully we will be getting this money out into the hospitality industry and to the businesses that need it the most —- quickly,” said Margaret McKevitt, Bucks chief operating officer.