SMETHPORT — McKean County has been awarded $460,134 for the Covid-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program, which can assist the county’s hospitality businesses that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
County Commissioner Carol Duffy referred to this funding briefly at Tuesday’s commissioners’ meeting, and Lori Coffman, director of finance, provided further details. This grant is for businesses that have North American Industry Classification System designations of (721) Food Service and Drinking Places (722) Accommodations; serve food or drink to the public; and have experienced a reduction of 25 percent or more in gross receipts.
“We have received 25 applications so far with the grant end date of April 15,” Coffman said. “The end date will be extended as we try to help local businesses that are struggling due to COVID-19.”
The minimum grant for eligible businesses is $5,000, and the maximum is $50,000.
More information is available on the county’s website.
In other matters, commissioners agreed unanimously to back an application seeking $400,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Grant Fund with an equal county match to add fixed wireless equipment at three additional tower sites for broadband.
Bob Veilleux, county economic development liaison, said if this ARC application is approved, the additional funding would add an additional 3,000 internet connections in the Rew, Rixford and Crosby areas.
Commissioners OKd three county tax refunds amounting to $340.99 for parcels in Liberty Township, Bradford City and Annin Township.
Meanwhile, commissioners authorized the Tax Claim Bureau to recapture county taxes for properties in the Keystone Opportunity Zone for applications not in compliance for the 2020 tax year.
The 2020 county taxes for eight properties amount to $27,896.44.
Chief Assessor Angelia Tennies said her department will issue new tax bills and the property owners will be given an opportunity to pay the taxes at discount for 60 days, after which the face amount would be due. If these conditions are not met, then the taxes will be due at penalty.
Tennies informed the commissioners that she has notified the affected school districts and municipalities about these non-compliances to see if they wish to recapture the 2020 taxes.
In a personnel matter, Commission Chairman Thomas Kreiner announced the appointment of Linda Lazusky as a part-time nurse at the county prison. Commissioners also approved the following proclamations: National Library Week, April 4-10; April as Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month; National County Government Month “Counties Matter,” April; Conservation District Week, April 18-24; and 911 Public Safety Telecommunicator Week, April 11-17.
The commissioners will meet again in public session at 10 a.m., April 27.
