The Carroll County Board of Commissioners today approved additional funding for community partners providing relief to residents amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The commissioners also tentatively approved funds to establish a new small business assistance initiative to support businesses suffering amid the pandemic and help prepare for sales during holiday months.
Funding comes from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and is currently unspent from the Carroll County Coronavirus Relief Fund Plan (CRF Plan). CARES funds must be spent by December 31, 2020.
The county’s CRF plan, approved in June, is flexible, fluid, and provides a multi-faceted, comprehensive strategy encompassing major essential services for all areas of Carroll County — including reimbursement of current expenditures, future costs, and ensuring that reopenings prioritize the health and safety for employees and residents.
According to a County press release:
As plan goals are met and estimated costs are replaced with final costs, the fund has unallocated funds that must be expended by December 31, 2020 to fulfill the grant requirements.
Today, additional funds totaling just over $1.8M were approved for:
Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association: $1,498,438.00
Municipalities: $386,051.00
Humane Society: $651.00
Carroll County Public Library: $8,560.00
The commissioners also charged the Department of Economic Development to develop a business assistance grant program to help business during the upcoming holiday season. A recommended theme is “Shop and Dine Local” with a possibility of $500,000 in grant dollars available.
The department will develop the parameters for the program and present them to the BOC next Thursday, October 29th during Open Session for approval. Details will be provided as they are available.
