Delco Awards $6.3M In Grants To Businesses, Non Profits

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — More than 500 hundred businesses and non-profits in Delaware County are getting a cut of several million dollars in economic grants after being impacted by the coronavirus.

The final distribution of Delco Strong 2 grants totaling $6.3 million has been awarded.

The Delco Strong 2 program, administered by the Delaware County Economic Development Oversight Board and The Foundation for Delaware County provided $6.3 million in grants to 535 businesses and non- profit organizations in Delaware County. The program was funded entirely by a grant awarded by Delaware County Council.

In total, 462 Delaware County businesses were awarded $4.3 in grants from the Delco Strong 2 Program, and 73 Delaware County nonprofit organizations were awarded more than $2 million in grants.

Grant proceeds can be used for rent, mortgage, utilities, and inventory.

Businesses were eligible for up to $20,000 and non-profits were eligible for up to $50,000.

In June, Delaware County Council unanimously voted to authorize the use of CARES Act funds to further assist Delaware County businesses and non-profit organizations that suffered economic loss from business interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Modeled after the popular Delco Strong grant program offered in May, Delco Strong 2 also allowed non-profit organizations to apply for a grant.

Delaware County Council was the first county in the Southeast Region to offer COVID-19 response funding to non-profit organizations. The Foundation for Delaware County assisted in administering and evaluating the applicants for the program.

The first round of Delco Strong awarded approximately 790 grants with over $6 million in funding to business owners. Eligible applicants were able to apply for up to $7,500. The funding for Delco Strong 2 was increased. Businesses were eligible to receive up to $20,000. Grantees from Delco Strong 1 were eligible for “Delco Strong Boost” which awarded eligible applicants additional funds. Seven hundred seventy of the 790 applicants received Delco Strong Boost. Many business owners have reached out to the County expressing gratitude for the assistance provided during the pandemic.

"I've been in business for over 20 years, and I couldn't have seen this coming," said Sonya Crew, Director of Crew Kids Choice Daycare in Media. "The Delco Strong Program has allowed us to keep our doors open for the families of Delaware County. I hope the little ones in our care continue to feel our love. Together we'll get through these trying times."