County offers grants to qualifying businesses

By Lilly Adkins
BSN Associate Editor

LOUISA — The Lawrence County Fiscal Court approved three resolutions and appointed members to the county’s ethics board during a special meeting last Wednesday, July 1. The court unanimously approved an Abandoned Mine Lands Grant to seek funding for development of a lodge at Yatesville Lake State Park; approved a resolution for the Small Business Covid-19 Relief; Fund; and a resolution for the Food Bank Relief Fund to also allow them to apply for funding. “Right now, we just want to be able to get the application,” Lawrence County Deputy Judge Vince Doty said. “Once we do that, we can give you more details on the plan.” Doty issued a release on Tuesday announcing that the fiscal court will be taking applications for Small Business Relief Fund Grants due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Small businesses located in Lawrence County with 20 or fewer employees and that did not receive funds through the CARES Act Payroll Protection Program may apply, the release said. Applications may be picked up at the county judge's office starting Friday, July 10, and must be returned by Friday, July 17, the release said.
Grants from $1,000 to $2,500 will be given to qualifying businesses. Grants will be decided by a three-member panel. Funds are limited, so applications that are received first will be given priority, the release said. The fiscal court will also be taking applications from local food banks for grants to help with the added cost associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications may be picked up at the county judge’s office starting July 10, and must be returned by July 17, the release said. Members appointed to the Lawrence County Ethics Board include Bill Hardin, Bill Wilson, Elaine Desario, Sharon Brown, Todd Moran, Silvia Wellman and Denver Chaffin. Doty also said in his release issued Tuesday that Judge-Executive Phillip L Carter and the fiscal court announced the awarding of a Crumb Rubber Products Grant from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. The grant will provide park benches and handicap-accessible picnic tables that are made from recycled tires, Doty said in the release. “This type of grant helps educate and show the public the importance of recycling used tires and the wonderful products that can be made from them,” Doty said. “The county would like to thank Lisa Evans and Gary Logsdon with the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Division of Waste Management. We would also like to thank State Representative Kathy Hinkle and State Senator Phillip Wheeler for their support.”