(Lititz, PA – LititzDailyNews.com) Gov. Tom Wolf announced today a loan program to assist small business impacted by the spread of the coronavirus in the Commonwealth.
Before announcing the program, the governor acknowledged the toll taken on many small businesses throughout the state.
Most businesses lining Lititz’ Main Street are closed, as seen in this March 23, 2020 photo by Lynn Rebuck/LititzDailyNews.com
“So far much of the burden and responsibility has been borne by business owners,” the governor said during a virtual press conference. “Over the past two weeks we have been forced by the novel coronavirus to slowly unroll more and more restrictions on public movement. We’ve had to close bars, restaurants and stores because the virus quickly and easily spreads in crowds.”
The governor ordered non-essential businesses closed on March 16. Many Lititz businesses along Main Street and Broad Street have been forced to close their doors under the order.
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A sign on the door of a Lititz business on March 17, 2020. Photo by Lynn Rebuck/LititzDailyNews.com
“The employees of these businesses have lost their income, and many business owners are wondering if they are going to be able to survive. It’s not just bad for the owners and their staffs, it’s bad for all Pennsylvanians,” he said.
“When we get through this crisis, we’re going to want to get out of our houses and go to restaurants, and bars, and stores. We’re going to need places for people to earn a living so they can afford to go to restaurants and bars and stores and support other workers.”
“I vow to save Pennsylvanian’s lives, and then save their livelihoods,” said Gov. Wolf.
“I vow to save Pennsylvanian’s lives, and then save their livelihoods.” -Gov. Tom Wolf
“Today I’m announcing a new source of funding that will help small businesses sustain themselves through this crisis.”
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“The COVID-19 Working Capital Access program, or the CWCA, will provide loans of up to $100,000 to for-profit businesses with 100 or fewer full-time employees.
Small businesses like this one in Lititz might qualify for loans under the program announced today. Photo by Lynn Rebuck/LititzDailyNews.com
“A total of $60 million has been set aside by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority for these loans,” said the governor.
“I encourage all small businesses that have been affected by this crisis to reach out to their local certified economic development organization by phone or email,” said Gov. Wolf.
Small business owners seeking a loan in Lancaster County should apply online to EFC Finance Corporation via the application link here.
UPDATE: EFC Finance posted on 3/26 on its site that due to high volumes of applications it is receiving, it is no longer responding to phone or email inquiries, so the contact information originally published in this story has been removed to avoid delays in applying.
Businesses in other parts of the state should click here to access the state-wide map of Certified Economic Development organizations that will package the loans.
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More information on CWCA is available on Department of Economic Development (DCED) website.
“CWCA is a step in the right direction, said the governor. “I’m not going to pretend that it’s enough to cover the devastation that COVID-19 is bringing to our commonwealth.”
The governor is hopeful that the state’s economy will recover, but his top priority is on preserving the lives of Pennsylvanians.
“We’re going to recover from this crisis, but first we need to get through it.”
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Lynn Rebuck is the editor and publisher of award-winning LititzDailyNews.com, the only independent digital news source in Lititz. Lynn is an award-winning photojournalist who was invited to the White House and has received top recognition from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, Pennsylvania Women’s Press Association, National Society of Newspaper Columnists, and has been profiled in Editor & Publisher magazine for her unparalleled dedication to publishing LititzDailyNews.com to benefit the community.
