COVID Grants Awarded to Wabash County Small Businesses

(photo courtesy of Visit Wabash County)

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Wabash County Commissioners are awarding nearly $200,000 in grants to 42 Wabash County small businesses. Nonprofit Grow Wabash County says the funds are being granted to businesses negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

GWC says the organizations will use the funding to retain low- to middle-income wage workers. Of the total funding, the OCRA will award $160,000 and an additional $40,000 will come from the Wabash County Commissioners.

“Our Wabash County small businesses have had a tough year due to COVID-19,” said Wabash County Commission Barry Eppley. “This is an incredible opportunity to join forces with OCRA to bring some relief and financial support to these hard-working businesses. The funds that the Wabash County Commissioners contributed, in addition to those from OCRA, will be a great tool to help secure the survival and success of our Wabash County business community.”

Grow Wabash County says a grant review committee was formed to evaluate the applicants. Each of the 42 small businesses are expected to receive funding in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $15,000.

“Grow Wabash County has been on the forefront of providing financial support and business guidance to our Wabash County business owners throughout COVID-19,” said Tenille Zartman, vice president of Grow Wabash County. “We are grateful for the partnerships we have been able to develop with OCRA as well as other city and county governing bodies in order to better serve Wabash County and our local businesses.”