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With yellow phase to begin locally next Friday, Governor outlines details of green
Gov. Wolf provided additional guidance on the opening process as he expects Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and Philadelphia to move by June 5 to the yellow phase of the state’s three-phase system for classifying counties in the wake of a stay-at-home order that will end on that date.

Liability protections for opening businesses becomes source of debate
Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, said in a conference call this week that he wants liability protections for businesses that follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when they are allowed to reopen. Nationally, ABC reports, many businesses are seeking to have Congress grant them similar protections in the next round of stimulus legislation. 

The Main Line Chamber of Commerce works to facilitate relationships amongst our members and within the community. As we support each other through this Coronavirus pandemic, we will strive to keep our members informed of the progress of each other as well as the work of Chamber.  Below is a list of our member restaurants that are still serving the community through curbside service, take out, delivery, revised menus and revised hours.  Providing them with some business while maintaining social distancing will be greatly appreciated by these job-creating businesses. Please tell them how you heard about them.

Chester County establishes $5 million coronavirus response fund for small businesses
The Chester County commissioners have set up a $5 million fund for the Main Street Preservation grant program, which will provide grants of up to $25,000 to small businesses and agricultural enterprises in the county that were unable to take advantage of federal and state coronavirus response programs. To be eligible, businesses and enterprises must be based in and physically located in Chester County, have been active in 2019 or earlier, and have annual revenue of no more than $500,000. Grant applications must be submitted between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Monday, May 11. 

Federal Reserve expands Main Street Lending Program
The Federal Reserve is expanding the scope and eligibility requirements of its Main Street Lending Program. The Fed has created a third loan option with increased risk sharing by lenders for borrowers with greater leverage; lowered the minimum size for loans under two options to $500,000 from $1 million; and increased the size of businesses eligible for the loans to 15,000 employees or $5 billion in annual revenue. The program will be funded by the Treasury Department with $75 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The Fed plans to announce a start date for the program soon.