COVID-19 Resources to Help Startups and Small Businesses

These are tough times, especially for startups and small businesses. Fulfilling our mission to support entrepreneurs in the Southern Alleghenies is more important than ever. We’re here to help you keep the dream alive.

That’s why Startup Alleghenies is curating information to identify what’s most valuable to our entrepreneurs, and dedicating a section of our website where we will aggregate that content for your information and convenience.

We also will share the latest information on opportunities for financial recovery (whether County, State or Federal) with regular updates to this site, so check in when you can.  Our Entrepreneur Coaches are also ready to help with any personal advice you need.

We’re in this together.  And together, we’ll get through it.

So please share your ideas via posts to our Startup Alleghenies Facebook page to help and inspire other entrepreneurs who are facing similar challenges.

BREAKING NEWS: This week, the Paycheck Protection Program resumed accepting applications, following the signing of the program’s extension legislation. The new deadline to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan is August 8, 2020.  

To access the application or to learn more about the program, designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 crisis, please visit the
Small Business Administration’s website.

 (July 8)

Self-employed, Contractors or Gig Economy Workers

Updated: May 7th, 2020: The PUA System now has full functionality! You may begin filing your weekly certifications.

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ROUND 2 BEGINS AUGUST 10TH: The PA CDFI Network has announced that the second grant application window will open at 9:00 AM on August 10th and will remain open for 15 business days closing at 11:59 PM on August 28th.

COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance

(The Progress Fund’s website will be the regional portals you must use to apply for a grant for your business.)

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SAP&DC Revolving Loan Fund Program

As part of the CARES Act, Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission is a lender in the Revolving Loan Fund Program which provides access to capital to enable small businesses to help them to retain jobs that might otherwise be lost, create wealth & support minority and women-owned businesses.

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Bedford CARES Small Business, Tourism, and Nonprofit Support Grant Program.

The Bedford County Commissioners are pleased to release a new program called the Bedford CARES Small Business, Tourism, and Nonprofit Support Grant Program.  [https://bedfordcountypa.org/covid-19_funding_portal/]

Blair CARES Small Business, Tourism, and Nonprofit Support Grant Program

The Blair CARES Small Business, Tourism, and Nonprofit Support Grant Program, to assist small businesses, local tourism, and nonprofits affected by COVID-19.
The primary purpose of the Program is to provide immediate relief to small businesses, local tourism, and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19.

[https://bedfordcountypa.org/covid-19_funding_portal/]

Cambria County Non-Governmental COVID-19 Relief Grant Program and the Cambria County Governmental COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.

The Cambria County Commissioners are pleased to announce two new grant programs funded using federal CARES Act funds provided to the County by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the DCED COVID-19 County Relief Block Grant. The amount made available under each program will be based on the availability of funds and the overall needs of the County, governments within the County, small businesses, local tourism, and nonprofit organizations within Cambria County. [https://www.cambriacountypa.gov/covid-19.aspx]

Fulton County CARES Grant Program.

The Fulton County Commissioners have allocated $100,000 to assist 1) local municipalities, and $1,012,188 to assist 2) nonprofit organizations and local businesses.

[https://www.co.fulton.pa.us/fulton-county-cares.php]

Huntingdon County CARES Grant Program.

CARES Act funding aid Huntingdon County businesses with grants that will help them get through and remain operational during the pandemic. Preferences will be given to small businesses and nonprofits that didn’t receive any help through the Paycheck Protection Program or through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

[http://www.huntingdoncounty.net/Pages/default.aspx]

Hazard Pay Grants Now Available for Front-Line Workers in Life-Sustaining Industries

Created through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this reimbursement-based grant is available to employers offering hazard pay during the eligible program period and will be administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Businesses may apply for grants up to a maximum of $3 million.

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ATTENTION PUA FILERS:

The Department of Labor and Industry recently opened a new phone line to help Pennsylvanians who have questions or concerns pertaining to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Claimants can call 855-284-8545 for assistance from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Claimants can also get help via email at UCPUA@pa.gov. The new helpline is for PUA claimants only.

Individuals who have questions about the state’s regular Unemployment Compensation program can call 888-313-7284 or email UChelp@pa.gov.

(Updated May 29, 2020)

Unemployment Compensation

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The Process to Reopen Pennsylvania

As stabilization starts to occur, Pennsylvania plans to proceed with returning to work cautiously.

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The COVID-19 Back-to-Work Playbook for Manufacturers

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COVID-19 Employment Opportunities

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Pennsylvania COVID-19 PPE & Supplies Business-2-Business (B2B) Interchange Directory

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COVID-19 Guidance and Information for Business – PA Dept. of Health

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Families First Cornoavirus Response Act

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Intuit Aid Assist – Navigate your way towards small business COVID-19 relief

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US Department of Agriculture’s COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide

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Commonwealth of PA – Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal

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FEMA: How To Help

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Drawings/Specs for Critical COVID-19-related Products

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eCommerce/Productivity Solutions

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ABOUT STARTUP ALLEGHENIES

Startup Alleghenies is on a mission to bring greater economic vitality to the region by creating an ecosystem for success that recruits and supports entrepreneurs. Launched in June 2017 by the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC), Startup Alleghenies entrepreneurs are mentored by coaches who provide 360 support to help them navigate a vast network of partners at economic development groups, private organizations, investors and universities–all working together to bring talent, new businesses, and jobs to the region.

KEEP IN TOUCH.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD.

Whether you’re starting a business or just thinking about it, a member of the media, an investor, or someone who cares about our region, learn more about what’s going on to revitalize our region’s reputation as a startupzone. Sign up to receive the latest insider information.

“I think we’ve probably hit peak Silicon Valley, and we need to figure out ways to have a more diverse, inclusive economy. We want the rust belt to become the startup belt.”

–AOL Founder and Revolution CEO Steve Case, November 2017 on CNBC (see video)

 Join the Movement:

#StartRHRN

 IN THE NEWS

Our Entrepreneurs

Click on an entrepreneur to learn more:

vinzeal-insert-thumbnail
Vinzeal | ETAL Transfer Authority
Photo of owners from Stone Bridge Brewing
Jeremy & Jennifer | Press Bistro
Photo of Mark Albert from Mark Albert Boots
Mark | Mark Albert Boots
Photo of David Luciew from Wristacrat
Dave | Wrivo, LLC
Photo of Tom McClosky from H2O Solutions
Mike | InnoH20 Solutions
Photo of John Russell from EMG Brands
John | EMG Brands

STARTUP ALLEGHENIES FACTS AND FIGURES AT A GLANCE

Startup Alleghenies is celebrated its second year in April 2019. Here are the highlights about our 451 enrolled and active Startup Alleghenies entrepreneurs in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset Counties.

What kind of business are they creating?

Where are the entrepreneurs coming from?

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