Federal and state resources are needed now more than ever as the 2019 novel coronavirus continues to spread.

Greene County Development Corporation Executive Director Ken Paxton has been in contact with Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Workforce Development, Small Business Administration and Small Business Development Corporation. According to SBA, they are processing $2 billion in loans per hour to help small businesses, while also approving $50 billion as of Monday for the paycheck protection program. 

As for IEDA, they have approved $10 million as of Tuesday for its first round of grant applications for area businesses to receive relief, as the first round of funding provided funding to 500 restaurants across the state as part of the Small Business Relief Program. The grants range from $5,000-$25,000. 

Paxton notes small businesses are struggling during the pandemic.

“It’s kind of a progressive problem. I’ve got a lot friends and a lot of people that I’ve talked to and they can’t keep going like this for very long, they just can’t. They don’t have huge cash fallbacks to rely on. And even the loans, and what grants are a good thing and even those checks that are supposedly coming out from the federal government are meant to help, the bottom line is we need to get out businesses back open.”

During the governor’s public health emergency proclamation, many small businesses have been closed through April 30th, but are still providing services to customers. Paxton encourages everyone to continue to support local businesses and if anyone is interested in learning more about the resources that are available to contact him at ken@greenecountyiowa.com.