Washington County food service and hospitality businesses took center stage in Charleroi on Wednesday to accept first and second round grants from the Covid-19 Hospitality Industry Relief Program, better known as CHIRP. Governor Tom Wolf made $145 million available via a transfer from the commonwealth’s workers’ compensation fund to allow the Department of Community and Economic Development work with local officials on the distribution of those grants. DCED Secretary Dennis Davin (pictured) was on hand at the River House Café to deliver his remarks on the importance of the distribution of monies via grants and not loans. Commissioner Diana Irey-Vaughn stated that Washington County’s share of the program was $2.3 million and already $1.940 million has been distributed. Roughly $300,000 remains to be distributed. The press conference recognizing the grants drew state and local government officials and hospitality industry business owners to celebrate the program.