The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners American Rescue Plan Committee met Sept. 6 to receive updates regarding the County’s aid to Small Business Economic Assistance programs and nonprofits.
The Board of Commissioners allocated $3.5 million of the County’s ARP allocation to the Small Business Assistance Program to provide small businesses with financial assistance of up to $50,000 each to address the negative impacts of the pandemic.
As of the sixth, the Board of Commissioners has approved awards for 39 of the 160 applications submitted by small businesses. County staff are currently working to finalize and execute contracts with the awardees. An additional 57 applications have been disqualified due to not meeting eligibility requirements or for not being responsive to requests for additional information, and 63 applications are currently awaiting a secondary review by staff to determine whether or not they may be funded.
The Board of Commissioners also approved the use of $3.5 million for nonprofit organizations to conduct programs and projects to help the county recover from and respond to COVID-19.
This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off th
Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle
Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.
