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Plans advance for aid to hospitality industry and renters

Matthew Sternberg, left, and Justin Eby, the executive director and deputy executive director, respectively, of the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority, speak during a work session held by the Lancaster County commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (Photo: Tim Stuhldreher)

Matthew Sternberg, left, and Justin Eby, the executive director and deputy executive director, respectively, of the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority, speak during a work session held by the Lancaster County commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (Photo: Tim Stuhldreher)
Matthew Sternberg, left, and Justin Eby, the executive director and deputy executive director, respectively, of the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority, speak during a work session held by the Lancaster County commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. (Photo: Tim Stuhldreher)

Along with making arrangements this coming week for Lancaster County's community vaccination center, county commissioners will consider a contract to set up a $6.2 million state-funded Hospitality Industry Recovery Program.

The program, funded as part of a $912 million Covid-19 relief package Gov. Tom Wolf signed last week, will provide grants to Lancaster County's hard-hit bars, restaurants and hotels.

The Lancaster Economic Development Company will administer the program on the county's behalf. Plans call for applications to be accepted from March 8 through March 19.

The commissioners will also consider approving a new program for rent and utility assistance, overseen by the Lancaster County Redevelopment Housing Authority in partnership with the nonprofits in the county's Eviction Prevention Network and funded with $16.2 million in federal dollars.

The program will be able to pay eligible rent, utility and late payments going back as early as March 2020 for households adversely affected by Covid-19.

Editor's Note: This story was updated Feb. 16, when officials said the housing authority, rather than the redevelopment authority, would run the rent and emergency assistance program.