Many small businesses in Butler County that were financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic got a little help from Harrisburg.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced that 4,933 small businesses in all 67 counties statewide received $96 million in COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance funding.

Not all businesses who applied received the funding in the first round of grants, as 50,000 applications for $860 million in funding were received from small businesses.

In Butler County, 45 businesses have been earmarked for grants of $5,000 to $50,000 to help with losses suffered when businesses were closed in March to stem the spread of COVID-19.

Of those 45, eight have been announced by the governor's office, and additional awards will be announced weekly.

The initial Butler County businesses to receive grants are Cummings Candy and Coffee, Cannella Cafe, Core Athletics and Butler Brew Works in Butler; Touch of Style and Glamour Nails in Cranberry Township; Derailleur Bike Cafe in Summit Township; and CCMC Foods in Winfield Township.

“This funding will go a long way to help small businesses, including historically disadvantaged businesses, at a time when they need it most,” Wolf said.

The funding was allocated through the state budget, which included $2.6 billion in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) funds. Of that allocation, $225, million was earmarked for small business relief.

The grants may be used to cover operating expenses during the shutdown and transition to re-opening, and for technical assistance, including training and guidance for business owners as they stabilize and relaunch their businesses.

Historically disadvantaged businesses, such as those owned by minorities, received 2,512 — or 51 percent — of the grants.

Theresa Crouse, owner of Cannella Cafe on Main Street in Butler, received $25,000 in grant funding to shore up her business.

“It's great,” Crouse said. “It's definitely a big help. It makes up for some of those losses we took during those months.”

She said she still paid rent, utilities and other bills during the shutdown and continued to pay taxes from the previous months.

While the grant will not cover all of her losses, she will use it to pay various bills and buy food for her breakfast-and-lunch shop.

Crouse said she now doesn't worry about the fate of her 1½-year-old business as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

“We'll be OK,” she said.

Small businesses can apply for the next round of grant funding through Aug. 28. Those who applied but were not awarded in the initial round need not reapply.

The application is available on the Department of Community and Economic Development website at dced.pa.gov/programs/covid-19-relief-statewide-small-business-assistance.