Wednesday morning marked the kickoff for the Lancaster City Small Business Emergency Fund.
Set up to help city private-sector businesses impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the fund is being set up and managed by two nonprofits, Community First Fund and Assets, in partnership with the city of Lancaster.
The fund's initial budget is $1.5 million. The city of Lancaster supplied $250,000; Community First Fund and Assets contributed $1 million. The remainder is coming from private donors.
Depending on their size, businesses may receive grants of up to either $2,500 or $5,000; or loans of up to $25,000.
The application period began at 9 a.m. Wednesday and closes at noon May 10. Disbursements are secheduled to begin May 26.
