Financial Assistance & Resources

  1. Business Resources & Loan Information
  2. Individual Financial Help

Resources and Loans                                                                      

Apply for PPP Before March 10th: Help for Family and Center Based Child Care Businesses With Fewer Than 20 Employees

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a forgivable loan program to help very small businesses, such as child care programs, with much needed financial support during these unprecedented times. From February 24 to March 10, 2021, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for a PPP loan. This exclusive application period allows participating lenders to focus on serving very small businesses, such as family child care (FCC) educators and early care and education (ECE) programs.

The Biden-Harris Administration statement issued on February 22, 2021, provides details on changes to PPP to increase lending opportunities for small businesses to further promote equitable access to relief. The statement includes information on the exclusive application period for PPP to help very small businesses, such as FCC educators and ECE programs. Here’s a link to the statement for more details: Changes to PPP To Further Promote Equitable Access to Relief.

For more information about PPP and other financial business supports, please visit the Office of Child Care’s (OCC) webpage: Early Care and Education Providers: Taking Advantage of the New Small Business Administration Loan and Grant Programs, which includes the following information:

· Two national webinar videos to help you understand and access PPP—one video for FCC educators and one video for ECE programs
· Several resources for small businesses to help FCC educators and ECE programs learn more about PPP and navigate the challenges created by the pandemic.

Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program are due no later than March 31, 2021, for all businesses, but program funding may run out before then.


Berks Road to Recovery

GRCA has developed a comprehensive recovery initiative that will provide planning tools to the Berks County business community to prepare for a full re-opening. GRCA has enlisted the expertise of key community stakeholders, business leaders and board members to ensure the broadest possible input in designing the tools, programs and services businesses can rely on to jump start their operations. This plan is a roadmap for Berks County businesses to travel the road to recovery. More info

COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program

We are no longer accepting applications for the COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program. All funding has been exhausted. However, low-interest loans for small businesses and eligible non-profits in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania is now available through the U.S. Small Business Administration (see below).

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development offers working capital loans that could be of assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Resources and information can be found here as they become available.

U.S. Small Business Administration

On March 19, 2020, Governor Wolf announced the availability of low-interest loans for small businesses and eligible non-profits in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Loan applications can also be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Completed applications should be returned to the local DLOC or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s mission is to connect businesses with the resources that allow them to become bigger, better, and more efficient. It is no different with COVID-19, visit https://greaterreading.org/ to stay up-to-date on what resources are available through the Chamber.