The COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program will provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses that have been economically impacted by COVID-19. This is not a first-come, first-served program. There will be multiple rounds of application windows. Applications will continue to be accepted and will be considered for future rounds of funding that will be announced soon.

To be eligible to apply, a business must be physically located, certified to do business and generate at least 51 percent of their revenues in Pennsylvania; have 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.

The program will prioritize small businesses that are owned and operated by low and moderate-income people; or located in areas of need including areas with a population having incomes significantly below the median income level, high levels of poverty, higher than average unemployment rates or significant population loss; types of businesses that were most impacted by the economic shutdown and experienced the greatest revenue losses. Additional consideration will be given to women-owned businesses and communities targeted for business investment by state government programs like Main Street and Elm Street and rural communities.

At least 50 percent of the grants to small businesses will be awarded to Historically Disadvantaged businesses. Historically Disadvantaged businesses are at least 51 percent owned and operated by persons who are Black, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American or Pacific Islander because they have traditionally been discriminated against and disadvantaged when seeking financial services and financial products.

In addition, the program will ensure that grant funds are awarded to small businesses located across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.