Greene County’s economy has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but one economic development official believes businesses and industries have sustained considering the circumstances.

Greene County Development Corporation President Sid Jones shares his thoughts on how the local economy has been affected overall by the virus.

“Economic development-wise, it’s certainly had an impact, and it is certainly having a huge impact on agriculture as well. As agriculture goes, kind of so goes Greene County to a great, great extent. The factories have been great. They have, I think, really been in the spirit of their employees and trying to keep them busy. I think the recovery will be slow as well. COVID(-19) is not going to go away in the next 30, 60 or 180 days. It’s just going to stick around with us for a while.”

One economic development factor is the adjusted gross revenue that Grow Greene County Gaming Corporation, as well as the County Board of Supervisors and the City of Jefferson receives from Wild Rose Casino in Jefferson. Jones notes as the casino was closed for a couple months, those groups will not get as much of the funds as they did before. According to the Greene County Treasurer’s Office, from March-May, the County received $9,538, whereas on average the adjusted gross revenue was $13,214.      

Jones is also the president of Home State Bank and believes the Paycheck Protection Program was of great help to local small businesses. He says the bank processed over 150 loans for over $10 million in proceeds, with a majority of those funds going to local businesses.