WASHINGTON CO. COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND CREATED TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES

  

Local economic leaders are looking to help small businesses across Washington County with the creation of the Washington County COVID-19 Response Fund.

The fund was established by Brenham Economic Development to provide grants to the county’s most at-risk small businesses, those with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees.

Brenham Economic Development Director Susan Cates said there are great resources coming in through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the county also has great partners in the Blinn College Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and local banks to get assistance into the hands of small businesses.  She said, however, that many of those small businesses are struggling just to get to the point when federal aid arrives.

Cates said the amount of funds available to businesses will depend on the response from donors, as this is a 100 percent philanthropic effort.  No taxpayer dollars are being put into the fund.  She said all donations put into the fund will go “dollar for dollar” into the hand of small businesses.

Cates said the Washington County community has shown in many ways during this crisis how well it pulls together and supports one another, and believes this will be another way for community members to rally behind one another.

 

Cates said over 100 survey responses have been received at this point on a survey released Tuesday by Brenham Economic Development, asking businesses how this pandemic has affected them.  For this fund, she is looking for businesses to give a small narrative demonstrating how the emergency has impacted their operations.

 

Cates said, barring an overwhelmingly large donation for the fund, the limit of 20 full-time equivalent employees will likely remain.  She stressed, however, that the program is open to all Washington County businesses that meet the criteria.

Cates thanked the City of Brenham for opening up access to its 501(c)(3), and for making staff resources available to manage the fund.  Donations to the fund are tax deductible under the city’s 501(c)(3) status.

To learn more about the fund, or to donate, visit https://brenhamed.com.

Click here to participate in the business survey.