The Northwest Commission is accepting applications for COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP) in Clarion, Forest, Venango, and Warren counties.

CHIRP was recently established by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to help support its hospitality industry businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each county in the state has been allocated funds from the $145 million workmen’s compensation surplus.

“The $145 million was allocated to all 67 Pennsylvania counties based on their population in the 2019 census update,” said Rebecca Beach, Northwest commission loan program manager. “Using this data, it was determined that Clarion, Forest, Venango and Warren Counties will receive $435,363, $82,082, $573,884 and $443,892, respectively.”

The program aims to assist with business expenses not already paid by other federal, state or local grants. To be eligible, businesses will be required to document a loss of at least 25% of gross revenue in any quarter between March 31, 2020, and December 30, 2020, in comparison to the same quarter in 2019. Those who were part of the Commonwealth’s mandated shut down due to the pandemic, had 50% or more loss of gross revenue and have not received other grants will be given priority consideration for the funds.

“The program is intended to assist those hospitality businesses who were impacted by global pandemic,” said Jill Foys, Northwest Commission executive director. “The application process is required to be online and we are working closely with our County Commissioners and their economic development agencies and fiscal staff to make the process as user friendly as possible.”

A link to the online application can be found on each of the county’s websites as well as on the Northwest Commission website. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funding has been exhausted, or June 15, 2021, whichever occurs first. For more information, email chirp@northwestpa.org.