Keystone Today

Gov. Tom Wolf continues to push for the Republican-led General Assembly to spend unused funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which would help Pennsylvania small businesses in a time when costs are through the roof.

Wolf visited Schaefer Flowers in York with Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (D-York), where they discussed Wolf's proposed $1.7 billion spending plan, a Friday press release from the governor's office said. The plan would provide relief to the state's businesses, communities and families involved. It has a variety of facets, one being a $225 million recapitalization of the Small Business Assistance Program, which was created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this program businesses are eligible to receive grants from $5,000 to $50,000.

"We are sitting on more than $2 billion that could help Pennsylvania thrive, despite the increasing costs we face every day," Wolf said in the release. "Pennsylvania's small businesses power our economy, they're owned by our neighbors, and we need them to succeed. I'm asking my Republican colleagues to act now. Let's get this money out of our coffers and to the businesses that we all rely on every day."

In 2020 more than 10,000 businesses received a total of $192 million through the Small Business Assistance Program, the release said. Schaefer Flowers of York received $50,000 of that, and CEO Chris Sallade praised the program and how it benefited his business. If Wolf's plan passes in the legislature, it could help another 11,000 small businesses.

"This is a 124-year-old family business, and this grant was a lifeline to us," said Sallade. "While the COVID-19 pandemic is ending, all small businesses are still struggling in some way."

Wolf's proposal includes $500 million in direct payments to residents in need; $204 million for property tax relief; $325 million for the health care system; and $450 million for investing in conservation, preservation and revitalization, the release said. The ARPA dollars must be used by Dec. 31, 2024, or they will have to be returned to the federal government.

Hill-Evans urged her colleagues in the legislature to act on the proposal to help those in need of assistance.

"The 95th legislative district has seen an increase in small-business growth during the pandemic," she said in the release. "Assistance from the commonwealth gave small businesses a boost to carry through, but more can be done. I hope my colleagues will support reopening the program for those who are still struggling with COVID-related debt, furloughs and other issues."