BY MARGARET DAMGHANI
Updated 4/11/2020
Local businesses and non-profits directly impacted by the restrictions enacted to combat COVID-19 are getting community support from mini-grants in amounts up to $2000 from the newly-created Garner Small Business Resiliency Fund. The fund is a partnership being led by the Garner Chamber of Commerce with the Downtown Garner Association.
“We're getting together as a community to develop a fund with private contributions to give grants to local businesses,” said Matthew Coppedge, president of the Garner Chamber of Commerce. “It’s been really great to see the community come together with some of the small businesses that we have struggling.”
The Fund, which has raised nearly $40,000, is a stop gap effort to help in the months before possible federal funding is widely available to aid small businesses. Donations are still needed and Coppedge says he expects many local businesses will apply.
Applications were accepted from for-profit or non-profit organizations severely impacted by current government restrictions and located within the town city limits or within the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, as well as to those within the greater Garner area.
Businesses do not need to be Chamber members or located in Downtown Garner.
Grants may be used for essential items or applied to rent, payroll, or necessary operating expenses, or used for equipment, programs, or technology needed to assist a business to transition to or increase ecommerce presence and sales.
The fund is a partnership being led by the Garner Chamber of Commerce with the Downtown Garner Association, with contributions and input from individuals and businesses in the Garner community and is administered by The Garner Fund Committee:
Michele Ball* – Small Business Owner (Light Unlimited)
Matt Coppedge* – Garner Chamber of Commerce
Buddy Gupton – Chamber Board/Small Business Owner(Jones Insurance)
Meg Hunter* – DGA Board/Small Business Owner (State Farm)
Rachel Tourdot* – DGA Board Member
Stacy Kolacz* - Small Business Owner (Grafix House)
Demian Dellinger - DGA Board/Small Business Owner (The Garner News)
*Application Selection Team
To contribute to fundraising or apply for a grant, visit GarnerFund.org or share on Facebook Here.