Clarion County hospitality businesses will get help

There is relief on the way for the hospitality industry in Clarion County.

Gov. Tom Wolf has announced that $145 million will be distributed across Pennsylvania through the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program.

Funding will be provided in the form of block grants to each county based on population. Clarion County will receive $435,000.

Businesses eligible for the funding are travel accommodations, hotels, casinos, bed and breakfasts, RV parks, campgrounds, boarding houses, food services, restaurants, caterers, bars and non-alcoholic drinking establishments.

Clarion County Commissioner Ted Tharan said a possible 95 establishments were identified within the county and there could be some more.

“They would have to prove a loss in the period from March 2020 to March, 2021, said Tharan.

Tharan said the plan is for the Northwest Commission to administer the program for Clarion, Venango, Jefferson and Warren counties.

“We are still sorting things out. It was just a week ago all of this came out,” Tharan said. “They want it done in a hurry.”

The Northwest Commission needs the applications by March 15.