Heather Papinchak said the $20,000 hospitality grant she recently received from Westmoreland County will certainly help her business in the months ahead, but the financial hardship caused by coronavirus pandemic over the past year will linger for some time.

“It’s been an unbelievable challenge to operate, being in the hospitality business and (having) no customers or a very limited number of customers,” Papinchak said.

Her business, Polymath Park Resort in Mt. Pleasant Township, has been hit hard two times over. She, along with her husband Tom, have operated the tourist destination at the edge of the Laurel Highlands since 2007. The resort serves as a gateway to the popular Fallingwater resort. Polymath Park features rental homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and his apprentice, Peter Berndtson, as well as a small restaurant.

Both arms of the business continue to be impacted by the pandemic and state-imposed restrictions limiting customers in the past year.

Polymath Park was among the first businesses to receive funds from the county’s hospitality grant assistance program. Through last week, the program had awarded 67 grants totaling about $1.3 million.

The county this year received $3.9 million in federal dollars to be handed out to restaurants, bars and hotels that lost revenue because of the pandemic.

“Hospitality is a vital part of Westmoreland County,” said Commissioner Sean Kertes. “Agriculture is our No. 1 industry, but hospitality and tourism is No. 2. Without these grants, we would see some of these places shutting down.”

Commissioners turned over administration of the grant program over to the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland. The private agency is responsible for processing and reviewing the grant applications and awarding the funds to qualifying businesses.

Growth Connection President Jim Smith said 1,300 businesses in the county could qualify for grants that are capped at $20,000.

“Eligible businesses have to serve food, drink or provide accommodations,” Smith said.

Businesses must show a loss of revenue over the past year related to the pandemic. As of last week, more than 250 county businesses had started the application process. Applications must be submitted online and can be accessed through the county and growth connection websites.

Grants are awarded in the order applications are received. Smith said businesses still have time to submit applications. Federal guidelines require that grants be issued by mid-June.

“The vast majority of those receiving grants have been restaurants, more than hotels. A priority is being given to those that have not received previous grants,” Smith said

For many businesses, the grants won’t mean the difference between keeping the doors open or shutting down, but the money is a shot of added revenue.

Rick Porado, owner of Rick’s Sports Bar and Grill in Murrysville, said his $20,000 grant will help pay the tax man next month.

“Every little bit helps, but it hardly puts a dent in anything,” Porado said.

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