A popular state business loan program has run out of money but a group of bipartisan Delaware County elected officials are asking the state to re-capitalize the program, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.

Thirteen Delaware County businesses successfully applied to the COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program before money ran out, receiving a combined $1,115,935.

The $60 million program run by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development was launched March 25, but closed within a week because of the huge volume of businesses that applied.

A letter went to DCED Secretary Dennis Davin from 11 state representatives from the Delaware County area and three state senators asking for more funding.

“Delaware County has been hard hit by COVID-19, but only 13 applications from within our county were submitted online before the program closed,” said Rep. Leanne Krueger, D-161 of Nether Providence.

Casey Smith, DCED communications director, replied the agency remains committed to helping small businesses and “working with lawmakers and other stakeholders” to provide support through new funding streams or recapitalizing the program.

Lawmakers could transfer money from the Rainy Day Fund to get the program back, Krueger said.

Read more about reinstating this popular business loan program here.