Lehigh Valley COVID-19/Coronavirus Response Resources

LVEDC continues to monitor effects of COVID-19 on Lehigh Valley’s economy. We update this page often with information about resources available to businesses.

Our financing page has information about assistance to small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Visit here for more information.

Pennsylvania Mitigation Measures

Gov. Tom Wolf revised the state’s mitigation orders effective April 4, 2021. Businesses are “strongly encouraged” to conduct their operations in whole or in part through teleworking. Businesses that choose to conduct in-person operations must comply with the governor’s order. The latest revisions include:

Maximum occupancy limits for indoor events allow for 25% of capacity if attendees and workers wear masks and maintain 6-foot physical distancing.
Maximum occupancy limits for outdoor events allow for 50% of capacity if attendees and workers wear masks and maintain 6-foot physical distancing.

The Pennsylvania Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard is updated each Monday as mitigation and reopening plans are determined and updated. This dashboard provides county and statewide breakdowns on the number of confirmed cases, incidence rates per 100,000, PCR testing occurrences, average daily hospitalizations, average daily ventilators, and total hospital visits.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued COVID-19 Guidance for Pennsylvania Businesses to help businesses protect workers, suppliers, and customers.

Paycheck Protection Program Application Deadline Extended

The federal government has reinstated the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with an allocation of $284 billion. PPP loans provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep workers on the payroll. The federal government has extended the application deadline for qualifying businesses to May 31, 2021. PPP loans may be forgiven if businesses meet employee retention criteria and use the funds they receive for eligible expenses. Visit LVEDC’s Financing Programs webpage for additional information about PPP and other federal, state, and local financial assistance programs for businesses.

Shuttered Venue Operator Grant Program (Opening Delayed)

This new SBA program will provide more than $16 billion in relief to operators or promoters of live performance venues, theater operators, performing arts organizations, museums, movie theaters, and talent representatives affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Opening of the applications portal, which was scheduled for April 8, has been delayed because of technical issues. For more details, visit LVEDC’s Financing Programs web page.

COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program

Pennsylvania has allocated $145 million to the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP), which provides grants to businesses in the hospitality sector affected by the pandemic. Lehigh County has received $4.1 million, Northampton County has received $3.4 million.

The Rising Tide Community Loan Fund is administering the program for Lehigh and Northampton Counties. Visit LVEDC’s Financing web page for additional information.

COVID-19 Resources and Information Sources

Industry-Specific Guidance from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

NBC10, Telemundo62 Campaign to Highlight Area Businesses

The “In the Name of Love” campaign seeks to support regional businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

LVEDC is partnering with the news organizations of NBC10 and Telemundo62 for a promotional campaign called “In the Name of Love,” designed to support businesses throughout the region that have been affected by the pandemic. The television stations will air news stories featuring businesses, people, organizations, and neighborhoods that are coming together to recharge, rebuild, and recover.