Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Blake Elsberry will be presenting local grants to farms and businesses in the county that were negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the commissioner’s office: The purpose of the Chattooga County Local Farm Grant, and Local Small business grant, is to assist farms and businesses in Chattooga County with their recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to stimulate investment and business expansion in Chattooga County. By creating this fund, Chattooga County will support the growth of the county’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, support existing business as well as early-stage venture growth, and stimulate an increase in job opportunities and the commercial tax base in Chattooga County. Farms receiving funding through this program will be encouraged to be good corporate citizens and encouraged to employ Chattooga County residents.

The grants can be used for working capital or operational funds to be used for a specific purpose; COVID-19 impact recovery needs, including personnel, physical construction and/or renovation and farmers can also use the grant money to purchase equipment or machinery, expand the farm’s business or improve tenant or leasehold property.

The grants will be awarded this Thursday at the commissioner’s office at 10 AM.