Greater Lehigh Valley receives millions in COVID-19 relief from state

Grants worth more than $50 million have been distributed by the Pennsylvania COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP,) and millions have gone to hotels, restaurants and bars in the Greater Lehigh Valley.

The governor announced the $145 million grant program earlier this year, which was aimed at helping an industry hard hit by closures and reduced capacity over the course of the pandemic.

So far, hospitality industry businesses in Lehigh County have received $4.1 million in grant money. Northampton County businesses received $3.45 million and Berks County businesses received $3.3 million.

Funding was made available in all 67 Pennsylvania counties through designated community economic development organizations starting March 15.

“These state-funded grants provide the critical relief that family-owned and local businesses across the state need to recover from the pandemic and build our economy stronger,” said Gov. Tom Wolf in a release. “Millions of dollars in immediate relief has gone to business owners to help them get back on their feet, hire employees and support local economies. If the grants are still available in your county; I urge you to apply.”