Roanoke County Pledges $1 Million to Help Local Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19

Roanoke County is launching a grant program to help local businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The county is pledging $1 million of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding to the program. The CARES Act is intended to assist local and state governments with expenses that arose due to the pandemic and mandated closures. The county must spend the money by Dec. 30. Applications for the small businesses assistance program will be accepted beginning Monday and grants are awarded to eligible businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. The grant awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 and are based on number of employees. A business with 25 or more employees is eligible to receive up to $10,000.