Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure presented a check for $15,000 to Bethlehem Township business owner Vic Neumann, owner of Vic’s Bagels Nov. 12. The funds come from the federally funded American Rescue Plan, which is administered through the county in partnership with the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

In presenting the check, McClure said he wanted to bring attention to a small business owned by a veteran. Neumann served 12 years in the U.S. Navy as a Seabee, and emphasize how the assistance is used to support small business employees who have suffered as a result of the COVID epidemic.

The county’s director of community and economic development, Tina Smith, said applications are still being accepted through the greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and that $5 million remains available for small business support.

Neumann said he has owned Vic’s Bagels since 2011, after working for 15 years for the prior owner, when the business was named Tom’s Bagels. He said that COVID made running a small business “very strenuous and that his business was cut as a result.

“We stuck it out with our very supportive customers,” said Neumann, who plans to use the funding to do some shop renovations and help out his two employees.

“They work all seven days a week like I do,” said Neumann.

As a veteran himself, Neumann believes in supporting active military and veterans. He offers a 10 percent discount to them every day the shop is open. Three Toys for Tots boxes are currently stationed in his shop for the U.S. Marine Corps’ annual toy collection program.