Forest County commissioners on Wednesday approved eight businesses for COVID-19 hospitality grants.
The Kelly Hotel, Flying W Ranch, Cougar Bob’s Kellettville Tavern, Hickory Nut Inn, Blue Jay Inn, West Hickory Sportsman’s Bar, Ray’s Hot Spot, and The Hills in the Forest all received $10,000 of grant money.
The COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program funds were awarded to businesses negatively impacted by the coronavirus in increments beginning at $5,000.
Forest County was allocated $82,082 in March and disbursed that money, minus administration fees, to the eight businesses in the county that applied.
“The process went well. We didn’t have the participation we thought we would but we were able to help eight businesses equally,” Northwest Commission executive director Jill Foys said.
“It wasn’t that we were picking winners and losers. We had very few people in the four counties (Forest, Clarion, Venango, and Warren) who weren’t eligible to apply,” Foys added.
Each county in the state has been allocated funds from the $145 million workmen’s compensation surplus.
In other business Wednesday, commissioner Bob Snyder said COVID recovery money coming from the federal government under the American Rescue Plan will be disbursed through the state to all counties with fewer than 50,000 people.
He added this means that Forest County may get one check upfront from the state instead of getting half this year and half next year.
The recovery money may be used for broadband, water, sewer, infrastructure, and public safety, Snyder said.
In another matter, commissioner Basil Huffman said the county has been receiving many compliments on the newly available broadband in Forest County.