District Office Reopening for Appointments
My Philadelphia district office will reopen for appointments only beginning Monday, 15 June. We will limit in-person assistance to 5 issues:
- Notary Services
- Property Tax & Rent Rebates
- Certain PennDOT transactions
- Unemployment Compensation
- Utility issues
Call (215) 242-8171 to schedule an appointment. We will return your call promptly.
My staff has served over 1,800 neighbors since mid-March. We will continue to provide timely assistance on a variety of issues. We look forward to seeing you soon!
 Black Doctors Consortium Receives Testing Grant
After months of advocacy, Philadelphia awarded nearly $1 million to the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium led by Dr. Ala Stanford. The Black Doctors have administered over 5,000 coronavirus tests in underserved African American communities since April.
You can go here to request testing through the Consortium. In addition, a map of Philadelphia COVID-19 testing sites is available here. Montgomery County sites can be found here. The coronavirus is still with us.
New Small Business Funds
Businesses hurt by COVID-19 have new sources of relief. $225 million of state funding will be available soon through the COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance Program. Businesses will apply through Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
Reinvestment Fund can assist 4th District businesses. To receive the latest information, please sign-up for e-mail alerts here. Additional participating CDFIs can be found here.
 Applications will be available in a few weeks. Businesses can prepare to apply by documenting losses from COVID-19 closures. Your most recent tax return will be required. We will offer more assistance in the coming weeks.
Additionally, three local grants are available:
- The PHL COVID-19 Fund is offering Community Reopening Grants for social safety-net organizations. Grants range from $2,500 to $100,000. The window will close at 5 p.m. today, Friday, 12 June. Apply at phlcovid19fund.org.
- The Merchants Fund is offering $1.4 million of Restore and Reopen grants for businesses in historically disadvantaged areas that were damaged in the recent unrest. Sign up here to receive a notification when the application is available.
- The Chestnut Hill Community Development Corporation is offering COVID-19 Small Business Support Grants. Businesses in the Chestnut Hill Business District may apply. Grants range from $500 to $2,000. Apply here or email [email protected] to request a paper application.
Contact my office at [email protected] if you have questions.
Governor Wolf Emergency Order Update
On Tuesday, the PA legislature recklessly voted to end Governor Wolf’s COVID-19 emergency declaration. Governor Wolf issued the order on 6 March to assist Pennsylvanians during COVID-19. The issue will be addressed in the courts.
Critical programs rely on the Governor’s order. Utility terminations and evictions will begin once the Governor’s declaration ends. Hundreds of millions of dollars in disaster recovery funds could be lost. The emergency is not over, as Dr. Fauci stated this week.
Department of Aging Survey
The PA Department of Aging asks Pennsylvanians to complete this survey. Answers will help determine the State Plan on Aging. The survey takes 5-10 minutes. It will be open until 21 June. Please take a few moments to answer the questions. Thank you.
Summer Recreation Available
Despite COVID-19, you can still have a fun summer. Many playgrounds, parks, fields, and trails are open. This week, Governor Wolf announced that miniature golf, motorsports, paintball, horse riding, tennis, and other activities can resume. Summer camps and spraygrounds will return in Philadelphia on 6 July. Decisions on reopening camps and pools in Montgomery County will be made at the township level. Please check with your preferred facilities for details.
Philadelphia residents should refer to the “Safer at Home” guidelines and summer update for allowable activities. All Pennsylvanians can refer to the PA Department of Health guidance on summer recreation, camps and pools. Please wash your hands regularly, wear a mask in public, self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, and minimize social contact. Thank you.
Musical Mood Boost
You Are My Sunshine, by Johnny Cash: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AtvXdmPe3A
Be the Light,
Art Haywood
State Senator
4th District
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