Actively choosing hope:
Stepping up to the challenge
Like every other business, non-profit, school, and family in this community, we’re actively planning for the longterm impact of COVID-19. ASSETS is stepping up to this challenge and is committed to harnessing the full power of our existing resources, developing creative new solutions, and working to mitigate the negative impacts on Lancaster’s diverse small businesses and entrepreneurs.
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.
Order your FREE COVID-19 Supply Kit
If you are based in Lancaster County with less than 100 employees, your business qualifies to receive a free COVID-19 Supply Kit, which will include a mix of personal protective equipment, as well as some cleaning and disinfecting materials. To learn more, download the COVID-19 Supply Kit Guide.
COVID-19 Supply Kit contents are pre-determined based on company size and industry type. Recovery Lancaster is not able to provide custom kits at this time. Supply Kits typically ship in 2–3 business days.
Orders will be accepted while supplies last (but a shortage is not anticipated. Recovery Lancaster is prepared to provide kits for small businesses across Lancaster County).
FINAL ROUND Applications for the PA $225 Million Grant Program for Small Businesses are open!
The final grant application window opened at 9:00AM on Monday, August 10th and will remain open for 15 business days closing at 11:59PM on August 28th. In order to get funds to businesses in need as quickly as possible, this second application window will be the final opportunity to apply for the program.
Grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 will be available to small businesses located within PA; have an annual revenue of $1 million or less prior to the impact of COVID-19; and have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees prior to February 15, 2020.
Learn what to do if you’ve already applied, if you qualify, and which businesses this grant is prioritizing through the link below.
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 & secure your spot! »
ASSETS’ Summer COVID Programming
ASSETS’ Entrepreneur Training offers summer programming focused on helping you and your business navigate all things COVID-19. Starting bi-weekly from June 17th – August 5th, and in conjunction with the SBA, we’re offering webinars in English AND Spanish on “Managing COVID-19 Emergency Funds” and “Safety Protocols when Re-opening your Business.”
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Learn more & apply »
Pennsylvania $225 Million Grant Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
The final grant application window opened at 9:00AM on Monday, August 10th and will remain open for 15 business days closing at 11:59PM on August 28th. In order to get funds to businesses in need as quickly as possible, this second application window will be the final opportunity to apply for the program. Grants will be limited to $50,000 based on revenue size. To be eligible, small businesses must have less than $1.0 million in revenues and fewer than 25 FTE employees. Applications will not be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Search now! »
Person-Of-Color-Owned 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 $93,390 in new, highly-flexible loans to 11 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 427+ hours and counting since mid-March with entrepreneurs providing COVID-specific technical assistance and mentorship
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Learn more about this incredible resource! »
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 two phases of the $25 Million Small Business Recovery and Sustainability Fund. This funding opportunity is now closed.
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Read the highlights on businesses supported through the Emergency Fund! »
Lancaster City Small Business Emergency Fund
Phase 1 has ended. Stay tuned for Phase 2! We joined forces to create the Lancaster City Small Business Emergency Fund, a $1.5 million fund comprised of grants and loans for our Lancaster City businesses. The Fund is powered by ASSETS, Community First Fund, and the City of Lancaster.
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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
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 Borrower Application Form Revised June 12, 2020
SBA
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PPP is extended to August 8, 2020. Expecting new regulations for easier forgiveness process for smaller loans sometime this summer. *BUSINESSES SHOULD CONTACT YOUR LENDER ABOUT FORGIVENESS TIMELINE IF YOU RECEIVED MONEY BEFORE JUNE 5, 2020.
U.S. Dept of the Treasury
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Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Lancaster’s Coronavirus Business Resource Hub
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
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Lancaster’s Coronavirus Business Resource Hub (In Spanish!)
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce
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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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Process to Reopen PA
Governor Wolf
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Lowe’s funds $25 million in grants to help minority businesses reopen; CEO challenges other executives to ‘do our part’
CNBC
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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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EIDL Application (Expires 9/30/20)
SBA
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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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Citizens Bank $15,000 Grants for Minority-owned small-businesses
Citizens Bank
Learn 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 »