Actively choosing hope:
Stepping up to the challenge
ASSETS is continuing its mission to transform communities and ensure that every entrepreneur and small business has equal access to local resources during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
This page highlights immediate local, regional, and national resources as well as ASSETS’ COVID-specific programming and offerings and what we’ve been focused on since COVID began in mid-March.
See “Top Recommendations” and “Additional Resources” below for immediate tips, funding options, and resources you can access right now.
Top recommendations for small businesses
We know times are confusing. Here are the top two things we think you should be considering right now.
Vaccines are Now Open to All!
The Vaccinate Lancaster COVID-19 community vaccination center at Park City Center mall is encouraging everyone to register for an appointment, regardless of their place in Pennsylvania’s phase-by-phase vaccine rollout plan.
Schedule your vaccine appointment by visiting vaccinatelancaster.org or calling 717-588-1020. The Lancaster County Community Vaccination Center (Former Bon-Ton Department Store) located in the Park City Center is open for pre-scheduled appointments from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
For those who are in need of transportation assistance, the Red Rose Transit is offering free rides to individuals who have a confirmed vaccine appointment at the Lancaster County Community Vaccination Center. In addition, Red Rose has added a bus stop at the center – Route 2/Park City
Lancaster City Small Business Emergency Fund: Round 2
The Lancaster City Small Business Emergency Fund was created to provide emergency relief to small businesses located in Lancaster City struggling due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 shutdown.
The Lancaster City Small Business Emergency Fund Phase 2 launched the loan portion of the program on Monday, June 14 at 9 a.m. The application closes on Friday, June 25 at 11:59 p.m.
Lancaster City businesses in the following industries with an annual revenue of up to $2 million can apply for up to $40,000 in flexible and low-interest loans if they are in the foodservice, barbershop, salon, or arts and entertainment industries.
ASSETS’ Top Resources & Services
This section features all the resources, services, and partnerships that ASSETS has focused on since COVID began. Scroll to see our current programming, funding options, COVID Response statistics, and past efforts!
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Learn more! »
ASSETS’ COVID Programming
ASSETS’ Entrepreneur Training offers programming focused on helping you and your business navigate all things COVID-19. We will soon be enrolling for our Accelerators that are geared for established business owners. Applications open on February 8, 2021.
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Read up on the grant updates »
Pennsylvania $225 Million Grant Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
On Oct. 5, Tom Wolf announced that an additional $96 million in state grants have been approved for 5,373 Pennsylvania small businesses that were impacted by COVID-19 for Phase 2 of the $225 million COVID-19 Relief PA Statewide Small Business Assistance Program.
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Search now! »
Diverse and Inclusive Business Directory
Now more than ever, we need to support local businesses. This business directory features diverse, inclusive, and impact-driven businesses like people-of-color-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and Certified B Corps. You can search for a wide range of businesses by industry and owner demographic, allowing you to shop with greater intention.
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Learn more about our unique loan products »
New, Highly-flexible Loans
In addition to the Lancaster City Small Business Emergency Fund, we’ve also distributed $106,590 in new, highly-flexible loans to 15 businesses, many of whom shared that they would not have survived without this essential cash infusion.
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Sign up for your free Discovery Meeting to get started! »
Personal communication
We’ve spent 2,472+ hours and counting since mid-March with entrepreneurs providing COVID-specific technical assistance and mentorship
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Learn more about small business funding options! »
Recovery Lancaster
We’re thrilled to support the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County as they lead Recovery Lancaster and safely move our county through the many phases of COVID-19. ASSETS worked with these two organizations and Community First Fund to manage the three phases of the $25 Million Small Business Recovery and Sustainability Fund. Applications for Phase 3 are currently closed, but there are other funding opportunities for your business!
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Learn more about our unique loan products »
Loan Repayment Relief
We provided all of our pre-COVID borrowers with three-months of loan repayment relief so that they didn’t have to worry about one more bill
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Learn more and apply »
Lancaster City Small Business Emergency Fund: Round 2
In the spring of 2020, The Lancaster City Small Business Emergency Fund was created to provide emergency relief to small businesses located in Lancaster City struggling due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 shutdown.
To help continue to combat these struggles, the second round of the Emergency Fund opened on Monday, May 3 2021 with $700,000 available in highly flexible, low-interest loans, and $143,200 available in grants—and with an exclusive focus on Lancaster City’s hospitality, entertainment, and services industries.
I don’t know how I would’ve been able to navigate during this pandemic if it wasn’t for the team at ASSETS.
Laurie Newman, Owner, Cafe 301
Back in March—like many other restaurants—Cafe 301 had to close their doors and let go of their employees. With a drop in sales and no curbside pick-up already in place, tensions were high and the future was unknown.
As Laurie worked to create a curbside pick-up program, she simultaneously applied for ASSETS’ Emergency Loan and […]
Check out all of our COVID-related stories & blogs!
Important Resources for Small Businesses
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SBA COVID-19 Guidance
Small Business Administration
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SBA Covid-19 Guidance: Spanish Materials
Small Business Administration
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SBA COVID-19 Funding Options. Updates are made almost daily so check this often!
Small Business Administration
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Paycheck Protection Program Has Reopened as of January 11, 2021
SBA
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Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
SBA
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Forgivable Loans for Pennsylvania Small Businesses
PA 30 Day Fund
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Industry-specific Guidance on reopening
Recovery Lancaster
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Gov. Wolf Announces $10 Million Available to Support Pennsylvania’s Food System
Commonwealth of PA
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US States’ Small Business Support Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
Best Accounting Software
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Coronavirus Resources for Women and Minority Owned Businesses
Committee for Economic Development
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Pennsylvania $225 Million Grant Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
PA Small Business Grants
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CDC Recommendations for Businesses
CDC
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PA’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Portal
PUA
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Lancaster Small Businesses Support Group on Slack is a great centralized resource for connecting with businesses
Lancaster Small Businesses Support Group
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Web platform to provide COVID resource information to small businesses and training for SBA resource partners
America’s SBDC + Association of Women’s Business Centers
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Small Business Survival Guide to Combatting COVID-19
Finimpact
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$50,000 Grant for Marketing Services through Sharp Innovations (SEO, Social Media, Web Design, Email Marketing, etc)
Sharp Innovations, Inc.
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PA COVID-19 Hazard Pay Grant Opportunity to provide hazard pay to employees in life-sustaining occupations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
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Feb 22, 2021: Biden administration to revise PPP small business loans to reach smaller, minority firms
Central Penn Business Journal
Read more »
Help ASSETS keep our small businesses alive during COVID-19
Now more than ever, ASSETS’ vital mission to create a diverse, inclusive economy where everyone can prosper is needed. Help us stay at the forefront of resource offerings, innovative solutions, and personalized care for our beloved small businesses.
Donate today »