Lawrence County Provides $945,000 in Hospitality Relief Grants

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County has provided $945,000 in relief funds to 44 businesses through the state’s COVID-10 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program.

Administered by the Lawrence County Economic Development Corp., the program provided grants of up to $25,000 to businesses with NAICS codes in the accommodation sector or food services and drinking places sector as its primary activity. 

A percentage of business operating costs from March 1, 2020, to the present determined how much funding was awarded. In total the program provided aid to 22 restaurants, 12 bars, five caterers, four hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts and one food truck.

Assistant Director and Financial Analyst at the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation Diane Richardson received and processed 53 grant applications, working with business owners to determine eligibility.

Lawrence County was provided with $968,540 to fund the grant program, leaving about $23,000 still available. 

A percentage of business operating costs from March 1, 2020, to the present determined how the grants were awarded from increments of $5,000 to $25,000 — helping 22 restaurants, 12 bars, five caterers, four hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts and one food truck.

Abdou Saada, owner of Pita: A Sandwich Stop in New Castle, used the funds to purchase equipment to support touch-free delivery, online ordering and more, according to a statement from the Lawrence County Economic Development Corp.

And at Soni’s Italian Restaurant, owner John Sansone said the funds were used to increase wages and pay for overhead costs. 

Photo by Kaboompics.com from Pexels

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.