STATEHOUSE (Sept. 4, 2020) – Hagerstown recently received a $250,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to help small businesses, according to State Reps. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) and Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville).
Barrett said the money will be used to provide grants to local, small businesses to help low-to-moderate income workers by funding working capital in reopening, restocking and paying for remote work technology.
"Hagerstown is home to several small businesses offering jobs, great products and services, and attracting visitors to the area," Barrett said. "This additional grant funding will help them mitigate some of the challenges they are facing due to the pandemic and be part of Indiana's economic recovery."
According to Saunders, 42 rural communities were recipients of the second round of funding, which was distributed through OCRA's COVID-19 Response Program. He said more than $20 million to date has been awarded to counties, cities and towns to help cover payroll and operational costs for local businesses impacted by COVID-19.
"The small-business owners in Hagerstown work hard and help make the community successful," Saunders said. "As some deal with financial losses and obstacles, they can use this funding to continue doing business, employing workers and welcoming customers."
Saunders said funding for Indiana's COVID-19 Response Program comes from the federal CARES Act passed at the outset of the pandemic.
More information on the COVID-19 Response Program is available at in.gov/ocra.
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State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) represents House District 56,
which includes portions of Wayne County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Tom Saunders (R-Lewisville) represents House District 54,
which includes Henry County and portions of Rush and Wayne counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
