Haverford Launches Local Business COVID Support Grant Program

HAVERFORD TOWNSHIP, PA — Businesses in Haverford Township that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic have a new way to get help.

The township has launched its “Back To Business" program, which seeks to provide support for impacted businesses by way of funds from the American Recovery Plan Act.

Currently in Phase 1, the program is specifically designed to be simple to administer and quick to get monies to Haverford Township businesses.

"Haverford Township recognizes the struggle many businesses endured throughout the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to feel as our community fights through it, officials said in announcing the program. "We also recognize the value of local businesses and that local businesses build community."

The program does have eligibility requirements to be considered.

Some of those include being active as of March 1, 2020 through Sept. 1, 2021; be headquartered or have a physical location in the township; must have at least $25,000 in gross receipts as reported on its filed 2019 and 2020 business privilege/mercantile tax returns or Form 990, 990-EZ or 990-N in the case of a not-for profit 501 (c)(3); and must have sustained at least a 20 percent reduction in revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic when comparing 2020 annual receipts to 2019 annual receipts.

Full eligibility requirements are listed online here.

Passive businesses, such as rental property owners are not eligible unless they have employees as reported on properly filed Haverford Township Local Service Tax return as of March 31, 2020.

Entities meeting those requirements can get one-time grants of $2,500.

In total, the program is limited to 750 applicants over three rounds.

Applications are available online here and paper copies are available at the township building from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through.

Completed applications can be submitted via email to finance@havtwp.org or dropped off at the township building. The township cannot be held accountable for lost or delayed mail if using the United States Postal Service.

The first round opens Sept. 1 and ends after 250 applications have been submitted or at 4 p.m. on Sept. 30 whichever comes first.

The second round will open after all round one applications are processed.