Montco, FEMA open Disaster Recovery Center to aid those impacted by Ida, announce court order protecting renters, more
Montgomery County, FEMA open Disaster Recovery Center in Blue Bell to further Ida relief efforts
Montgomery County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have launched a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to provide information, assistance, and help for Montgomery County residents and business owners who were affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
The DRC is open six days a week until further notice and is located at the Health Sciences Center – Educational Gymnasium on the campus of Montgomery County Community College (340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422).
Currently, the DRC is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available to assist homeowners, renters, and business owners in applying for federal aid. In addition, they will be able to answer questions and provide information on the types of federal help available as a result of the Major Disaster Declaration for the remnants of Hurricane Ida.
Full details are available at www.montcopa.org/Ida.
In addition, Montgomery County is pleased to host a webinar featuring personnel from the U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide valuable and accurate information on how to access disaster assistance for businesses impacted by Hurricane Ida.
Join us for an overview of the federal disaster loan program as it relates to recovery from Hurricane Ida for those with physical and/or economic losses. Learn who is eligible to apply and how to apply, and how long it typically takes to process applications; what is covered, loan limits, interest rates and terms; how SBA can help fund mitigation projects, and more. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions.
SBA Hurricane Ida Business Disaster Assistance Webinar
Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 3 p.m.
Register here to attend via Zoom
Earlier this month, the Montgomery County Commissioners announced the creation of the Montco Emergency Disaster Relief Fund hosted by the Montgomery County Foundation, Inc. All donations to this fund will support non-profit agencies serving Montgomery County individuals and families impacted by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Funds can be used to support housing, food, gasoline, and household needs such as cleaning products, hygiene products, bedding, towels, and clothing.
“We thank the anonymous donor who today contributed the first $10,000 to the fund, and we hope this encourages others to give,” said Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Anyone who has the ability to give is encouraged to do so to support our most vulnerable residents. This fund will deliver vital financial support to help our communities recover from the impacts of Ida.”
Contributors can donate to the Montco Emergency Disaster Relief Fund in the following ways:
- Donate online
- Text GIVEor DONATE to (610) 600-1764
- Donate by check, mail to: The Montgomery County Foundation, Inc., 4 Sentry Parkway East, Suite 302, Blue Bell, PA, 19422
Donations are tax deductible as allowable by law.
Residents who have been impacted by Ida are encouraged to visit www.montcopa.org/Ida for the latest disaster recovery information. The website provides updated information on applying for FEMA assistance and SBA loans, information about shelter and housing, free transportation options, and more.
Montco Commissioners break ground on planned 3.8 mile extension of Chester Valley Trail
Montgomery County’s Commissioners joined with other local officials earlier this month to break ground on the Chester Valley Trail Extension, a planned 3.8-mile extension of the Chester Valley Trail. When complete, the extension will link the existing 14.5-mile portion of the Chester Valley Trail, which currently runs from Exton to King of Prussia, to the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown.
“We celebrate the popularity of our trails with the understanding that there is a disparity when it comes to the diversity of people who use them, their awareness of them, and their ability to access them, most notably in our more urbanized portions of the county such as Pottstown and Norristown,” said Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “While the construction and connection of Chester Valley Trail will contribute toward addressing some of these disparities, it is incumbent upon all of us to continue exploring ways to encourage all of our communities and residents to explore and enjoy these incredible assets, especially those who have traditionally not had the opportunity to do so.”
The Chester Valley Trail Extension passes through three municipalities, Upper Merion Township, Bridgeport, and Norristown. The trail is being constructed as a 10- to 12-foot-wide, paved, multiuse path that is part of the Circuit Trails network, a vast regional network of hundreds of miles of multiuse trails in the Greater Philadelphia region that is growing in size each year.
Construction is estimated to be complete in October 2022. Click here to read more.
Montco announces court order to prevent evictions, distributes $25M to stabilize rental households
In an effort to prevent as many evictions as possible amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Thomas M. DelRicci has issued an administrative order applicable to all Magisterial District Courts. The administrative order, which went into effect September 3, directs magisterial district court judges to issue a 30-day continuance for households facing eviction proceedings to provide time for them and their landlords to receive rental and utility assistance.
“We thank the Courts for their quick work to intercede and protect vulnerable rental households in Montco,” said Dr. Valerie A. Arkoosh, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “Our message to families is that help is available, and we urge them to apply for rent and utility assistance if they have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.”
All renter households in Montgomery County that are having trouble paying their rent or utility bills are encouraged to call 2-1-1, text their zip code to 898-211, or visit montcorelief.org for instructions on how to apply for help.
Upcoming Parks, Trails and Historic Sites events
There’s plenty happening at Montgomery County’s Parks, Trails and Historic Sites this fall. Here’s a look at just some of what you and your family can enjoy in Montco in the weeks ahead!
- September 24: Growing Up Potts – Visit Pottsgrove Manor’s Facebook pageat 12 noon for the release of the final chapter of Growing Up Potts, a digital series showcasing stories from the 13 children of the Potts family. To learn more, click here.
- September 25:10th Annual Upper Perkiomen Bird & Wildlife Festival – Bring the entire family out for a day of fun and learning at Green Lane Park.
- October 2: Join the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association (DVOA) at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park to learn about and try your skills at the fun activity of orienteering.
- October 2: Visit Upper Schuylkill Valley Park to meet our different resident owls and hear their individual vocalizations. A craft will be included to make and take home. Children ages 3-7. Pre-registration required by October 1st.
- October 2/3: The Civil War Comes to Worcester – Experience artillery demonstrations and camp life and learn about the U.S. Sanitary Commission, how women supported the war effort and more at the Peter Wentz Farmstead.
- October 9: 4th Annual Haunted Campground Hayride – Enjoy a hayride through our spooktacular and creepy campground at Green Lane Park. Festive crafts and tasty snacks will be offered at this family-friendly event.
- October 16: German Fraktur and Pennsylvania Folk Art – Pottsgrove Manor also welcomes Brandyn Charlton, owner of At the Sign of the Black Bear, for his presentation German F.raktur and Pennsylvania Folk Art on October 16, at 1 pm. To learn more, click here.
October 22/23: Visit Upper Schuylkill Valley Park and enjoy a moonlit tour of the resident animals. Visitors will learn about their evening habits and hopefully hear the sounds of our nocturnal and night-hunting friends. Light refreshments will be offered at the end of the tour. All ages. Pre-registration
COVID-19 Vaccine Conversations: Answering questions from the community
Still have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines? Montgomery County Immunization Coalition, Montgomery County Office of Public Health, and TriCounty Health Council have launched COVID-19 Vaccine Conversation Video Series – a new campaign to provide our community with credible information about the COVID-19 vaccines. Local healthcare leaders dispel misinformation and provide accessible facts in videos that deliver the information our community is asking about the COVID-19 vaccines.
The first video in the series answers the question “Does the COVID-19 Vaccine Cause Infertility?” It features Dr. Joseph M. Gobern, System Chair of the Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Main Line Health.
More videos will be added to this video library as new questions arise, and information becomes available.
Montco Office of the Public Defender to hold Job and Resource Fair in Pottstown
The Montgomery County Office of the Public Defender will host a job and resource fair and distribute food this Saturday, Sept. 25, in Pottstown. The event aims to connect local businesses and organizations offering employment, training, vocational counseling and other services to the community. Shelf-stable food will also be available for anyone in need.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Smith Family Plaza (138 E. High St.) in Pottstown.
Please bring resumes, references, and bags for supplies and resources.
Are you ready to vote in the upcoming General Election this November?
The General Election is on November 2nd – do you have a plan? Whether you are voting in person or by mail, our Voter Services team wants to make sure you have everything you need to make your voice heard!
Find everything from Applications to Volunteer Opportunities at www.montcopa.org/VoterServices.
Keep your children safe on Montco’s roadways
The Montgomery County Office of Public Health is offering free, one-hour virtual car seat checks to help parents ensure their child’s car seat is installed correctly! Parents will also receive valuable information on how to keep kids safe while in the car.
Click here for more details.
Help stop the spread of COVID-19 in Montco!
COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities. The best way to keep COVID in check is to get vaccinated. If you feel sick or think you’ve been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, get tested!
You can do both of these things, completely free, right here in Montgomery County.
Find a vaccine clinic near you.