Penn-Northwest Begins Distributing $1.2M in Hospitality Grants

HERMITAGE, Pa. – Penn-Northwest Development Corp. has started distributing about $1.2 million in grant funds directed to Mercer County businesses in the hospitality industry.

The funds being distributed beginning Monday represent the first round of grants from the COVID Hospitality Industry Relief Program, focused on providing grants to businesses including hotels, restaurants, bars, taverns, breweries, distilleries and wineries.

Applications for the program were accepted beginning March 15, according to Rod Wilt, executive director of Penn-Northwest. Grant funding came from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development under their efforts to respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“It is thrilling to be able to help this sector of our economy. They have worked so hard to overcome the challenges presented by the pandemic and pivot where needed to remain open and serve the community,” he said. “We’re so proud to be a part of the process as the industry returns to full occupancy.”

Of the 25 applications approved in the first batch of awards, which totaled approximately $610,000, seven grants totaling $180,000 were scheduled to be awarded Monday. 

Recipients were MLH Distillery, Grove City; Great American Ventures, Grove City; Talbot’s Taproom & Terrace, Mercer; Who’s Hangry, Mercer; Royal Motel, Hermitage; Mercer Pizza Barn, Mercer; and Toss’d Food Service LLC, Hermitage. Awardees scheduled appointments Monday to receive checks and sign closing documents. 

Grants awarded ranged from $5,000 to $50,000. A second batch of applications for the remaining funds will be submitted to the Mercer County Board of Commissioners soon. 

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