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Carlisle Borough Awards Small Business Grants

courthouse in carlisle pa

The Old Courthouse in downtown Carlisle

The Borough of Carlisle, in collaboration with the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) and the Redevelopment Authority of Cumberland County (RACC), is proud to announce it has awarded almost $150,000 in grant money to 46 local small businesses as part of “Carlisle Borough’s COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grant”, a grant program funded through the CARES Act.

Earlier this year, the Borough of Carlisle was notified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of a special allocation of Community Development Block Grant funds (CDBG-CV) to be awarded to the Borough of Carlisle given its designation as a HUD entitlement community.  The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) authorized the allocation.  Borough Council earmarked funding to provide short-term capital to small businesses to help alleviate some of the financial burden and stress that Carlisle’s small business community has seen during the pandemic.

The grant application period began on September 14 and applications were accepted through September 28. CAEDC served as the primary point of contact and evaluator of the grant applications. In consultation with the Borough of Carlisle’s Grant Relief Committee, final award decisions were authorized based on criteria outlined in the application.

“It is my hope that these grants will assist those in our community who have brought their good ideas to fruition by starting a business and employing themselves and others,” said Councilor Deb Fulham-Winston. “It is a recognition of their hard work and optimism as we experience this very difficult time. I would ask all of our residents to patronize our Carlisle businesses so that they can survive now and thrive soon.”

Mayor Tim Scott added, “The Borough’s small businesses make a profound impact on our community and we encourage everyone to support small business in the wake of this global health crisis. Our business owners, who are also our friends and neighbors, are working harder than ever before, and continue to adjust throughout this pandemic. However, they need all of our help. With the holidays fast approaching, let us band together and recognize our small business owners who have invested so heavily into our community.”

Grant recipients can use funds for working capital to cover up to two months’ operating expenses such as payroll, rent, mortgage, supplies, PPE, technology and/or technical assistance to help navigate other loan programs or funding to help small business continue to meet CDC guidance on social distancing. Notifications to grant recipients were sent via U.S. Mail this week. It is anticipated that funding will be released within six weeks of receipt of the required documentation.

Note: Grant award recipients can be found here.

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