To help business owners struggling to recover from COVID-19, an Easton nonprofit is collaborating with the city and another organization to create a relief fund of $300,000 in emergency capital.

Treasury Department officials confirmed Tuesday they are asking congressional leaders for an additional $250 billion for companies to retain workers as the initial $350 billion allocated by the CARES Act is threatening to dry up after going live four days ago.

The list of financial institutions affiliated with PA CARE Package, a program slated to facilitate the rollout of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act in Pennsylvania, is growing and now includes banks from across the country with branch locations in the commonwealth, as well as some based in the midstate.

One of the provisions of the 2020 CARES Act is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) where businesses will receive loans meant to help support payroll during the period February 15, through June 30, with 100% federally guaranteed loans, if they maintain their payroll during this emergency.

Gov. Tom Wolf is recommending that all Pennsylvanians wear a mask when they leave their homes as COVID-19 cases steadily rise in the state.

Northampton County officials announced a zero interest loan pool during a Thursday morning Virtual Town Hall event with 380 local small business owners.

DCED Secretary Dennis Davin suggested businesses who think they may be applicable for the waiver to review the department’s life-sustaining business FAQ and file a form before the end of the day Friday.

A Dallas-based developer bought a former restaurant supply store in Allentown for $1.5 million and plans to renovate it into an auto body repair and paint shop.

This $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, a partnership between private lenders and the Treasury Department, is meant to cover eight weeks of small business costs and keep workers employed while the COVID-19 pandemic can be contained and the economy can recover, said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

“In view of the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, during this timeframe no officer, official or other person employed by the Pennsylvania judiciary at any level shall effectuate an eviction, ejectment or other displacement from a residence based on the failure to make a monetary payment,” the order states.