Local businesses affected by the COVID-19 health emergency will be able to apply for up to $25,000 in relief funding from Fayette County.
Indiana has awarded Fayette County up to $250,000 to help local businesses that have had to shut down or reduce their workforce during the health emergency. The program will be administered through the Fayette County Economic Development Group.
This money is targeted to help businesses that have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Dan Parker, executive director of the Economic Development Group. A main objective is to retain or bring back idled workers as soon as possible.
“The pandemic has hurt Fayette County small businesses. Many have been disrupted by the stay-at home-order. The revenue shortfalls to individual businesses plus the displacement of the Fayette County worker has created a serious challenge for our local economy,” Parker said. “Our hope is that we can bridge part of the gap this challenge has created for Fayette County businesses with these funds.”
Local officials received word on Thursday that the state would provide the money. The EDG and the county Board of Commissioners will form a committee to review applications submitted from local businesses and determine grant allocations, Parker said.
The commissioners anticipate a mix of retail, service sector and manufacturing companies will participate in the program. The goal is to provide businesses with short-term working capital to continue operations, reopen businesses, restock inventory or pay for technology for remote working.
Businesses interested in the grants program can contact the EDG office by email, edg@edgconnersville.com, or phone, 765-827-1366. Because of the health emergency, that office, in City Hall, is closed, and people should leave a message on the phone with their name and a callback number.
This money is earmarked to help retain jobs for people in the low to moderate income levels. At least 51 percent of the jobs affected by the grant funding will be for jobs in that pay range.
The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs awarded the money as part of its COVID-19 Response Program. The agency diverted funds from another program, the Community Development Block Grant, to provide money for rural communities.
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