DENTON (WBAP/KLIF)-The Denton County Commissioners awarded Denton County businesses a total of $35 million to support the local economy.
The county set aside money from the CARES Act budget to support struggling businesses.
“Having a vibrant workforce and business environment is very important to the Denton County Commissioners Court and we realized with Covid-19, and the closures and quarantine it’s been really hard for our business,” said Denton County Judge Andy Eads. “These grants allow us to assist many of our small businesses across the county and help initiate the recovery of our local economy.”
Through two phases, Denton County will have re-invested an average of $25,357 into 1,385 businesses. An estimated 10,401 jobs are expected to be supported through the grants.
“We immediately identified supporting local businesses as we earmarked the CARES Act funds for distribution within Denton County,” said Precinct 2 Commissioner Ron Marchant. “We realized how important it is to stabilize the local economy as well as assist non-profits, supplement food needs and provide eviction prevention measures.”
Michael Talley, Director of Economic Development for Denton County, worked with the Commissioners Court to implement a Chapter 381 Economic Development Agreement, which allowed the county to administer and develop a program to make grants of public money stimulate, encourage and develop commercial activity in the county.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our business community hard, especially, our small businesses,” Talley said. “The infusion of these dollars into our local businesses is an important step in keeping our local economy thriving.”
“All of us on the Commissioners Court are excited about assisting our local businesses,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell. “It’s so important that we keep Denton County businesses running to keep jobs and keep people working. That’s what it is all about.”
Precinct 4 Commissioner Dianne Edmondson agreed: “Many of our businesses have been seriously affected by the pandemic. Supporting them with these grants is a way to keep these businesses functioning and open for the future. I am hopeful these grants will lead to the continued employment or rehiring of individuals across Denton County.”
Precinct One Commissioner Hugh Coleman said the grants would help ensure Denton County businesses can keep people employed, which in turn will help many local families. “These grants will have a trickle-down effect – helping businesses, keeping jobs and assisting families,” he said. “Reaching that goal was important to us as the Denton County Commissioners Court. We wanted to give a shot in the arm to the local economy.”
