Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is in the ring swinging back with a pool of funding to immediately help small businesses that were hit hard by the COVID-19 stay-at-home order.

While everyone is doing their part to stop the spread of the virus, businesses are getting knocked off their feet. Some of our small businesses establishments are salons, retail or other service providers that cannot offer takeout and can’t operate remotely, but the bills continue their assault.

In April, the Chamber Foundation mailed more than 300 checks totaling over $350,000 to small businesses on every main street in the Valley. Thanks to our friends at Wells Fargo, we were able to continue the fight into round three.

“At Wells Fargo, we know that small businesses are the backbone of the local community,” Ivon Creagh, Wells Fargo region president for greater Pennsylvania said. “Participating in this fund is one way that we can support this vital part of the Lehigh Valley economy.”

Tony Iannelli, CEO and president of GLVCC, said, “It’s unbelievable how much these companies and individuals want to help. We have a big footprint, but our community is tight knit. Matching investment from BB&T (now Truist), Capital BlueCross, Equinox Benefits Consulting, ESSA Bank, David Jaindl, Dynegy, Walmart/Sams Club, Wells Fargo, Nelligan, Unum, individuals like Lehigh University student Angelica Benares and the Chamber funds have made this all possible.”

“People who are able really want to make a difference, whether it is buying restaurant gift cards online, ordering takeout, donating blood or sewing masks,” Iannelli said. “Everyone is doing what they can. We’re in this together - and we’ll get back together!”

For more information about the relief fund, visit our website, https://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/.