{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Start Local","title":"A Commitment to Information Communication with Josh Maxwell","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/c308d294\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1422,"description":"\r\nAs the challenging effects of COVID-19 continue across southeast Pennsylvania and beyond, many businesses and non-profits are still struggle to cope. We sat down with Josh Maxwell, one of three Chester County Commissioners, to talk about what the county government is doing to support the local business economy.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nLINKS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n* Josh Maxwell, Chester County Commissioner* Twitter: @maxwelljosh* Facebook: facebook.com/commissionerjoshmaxwell* Chester County’s Restore Business Dashboard* Chester County Voter Information Portal* Chester County COVID-19 Cases Tracking\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNOTES\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHow has Chester County supported local businesses and non-profits during COVID-19?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n* The County government appreciates the value that the business. * First COVID-19 case hit Chester County as early as March 13.* The County ran an emergency business grant scheme for small businesses:* Grants were for up to $25,000 per business* The County allocated $5 million for the program* The program was focused on supporting businesses who could not pay their bills, like rent.* The grant plan was support local area small businesses to get them through the early stages of lockdowns – and to re-assess needs mid-summer.* The County understands that the restaurant and hospitality sectors still need significant help.* Chester County as a region received $225 million in grant funding from the State of Pennsylvania – the most in the state.* The County launched a website to provide relevant and up-to-date information for local businesses at restorechestercounty.org.* The County partnered with the Chester County Economic Development Council to deliver the grant scheme and Restore Chester County website.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHow has Chester County prioritized communication?\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n* “Culture is everything.”* The three County Commissioners collectively committed to transparency for their office.* The County wanted to open source as much information as possible – and to then trust the public to make the best...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/O3-LPjst6hNcGIRrftxR3k6QivI-cZMcu5DFE-qWCD4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQwNDA4LzE2ODk4/ODgyNzItYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}