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Board honors George Floyd, approves $410,000 for second round of grants for small businesses impacted by COVID-19

The Board adopted a resolution denouncing the murder of George Floyd and declaring structural racism as a “Public Health Crisis” in Orange County at its June 2 meeting. The resolution was brought forth by the Orange County Human Relations Commission.

The resolution cited statistics from the Mapping Police Violence Project that black people were three times more likely to be killed by police than white people and that 99 percent of killings by police officers did not result in criminal charges against the officer.

"We didn't even list all the people that have been killed in recent years because the list is too long," said Orange County Vice Chair Renee Price. "It's just a shame this keeps happening."

Orange County Public Health Director Quintana Stewart has declared, “Structural Racism as a Public Health Crisis in Orange County,” stating it creates a “cycle of injustice against people of color leading to trauma which ultimately affects health.”

The resolution, which passed unanimously, directs the Department of Human Rights and Relations to lead the One Orange Racial Equity Team in developing a Racial Equity Plan using the Government Alliance on Race and Equity Model and bring a first draft of the plan back to the Board in September 2020.

Board approves second round of grant funding for small businesses

More help is on the way for small businesses in Orange County. The Board of County Commissioners approved a second round of emergency small business grants to companies who are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of ongoing efforts by Federal, State and local authorities to contain and minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Up to $410,000 in grants will be made available in amounts up to $5,000. Interested business owners will apply through the Orange County website.

The application will remain open through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17. Applicants will be asked to submit supplemental materials through a secure website. These materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, for the application to be considered.

“Small businesses are the backbone of a community, and many are struggling to survive this economic crisis,” said Orange County Chair Penny Rich. “Our goal is for this grant program to help these businesses through this downturn so they can come back strong when the economy rebounds. We particularly encourage women-owned and minority-owned businesses to apply. A diverse business community strengthens the entire community.”

Businesses who have already received COVID-19 related financial assistance from either the state, federal or local governments are not eligible to apply for this round of funding. Examples of these types of programs include Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan, Carrboro Small Business and Non-Profit Emergency Loan/Grant Fund. This doesn’t include personal loans or personal stimulus funds received.

For additional questions regarding the program and/or process, please see the Emergency Small Business Funding Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Orange County website.

Commissioners approve Eviction Diversion Program

The Orange County Board of Commissioners created an Eviction Diversion Program at its June 2 meeting to help eligible county residents avoid eviction as a result of financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The county’s unemployment rate jumped from 2.9% in February to 3.4% in March and is expected to grow higher when more recent figures are released. According to Annette Moore, Orange County Director of Human Rights and Relations, that represents about 5,000 additional people experiencing unemployment.

“As a result of that, we began to see increased calls to the Housing Helpline,” she said. “Calls increased dramatically to the Housing and Community Development Department and Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness’ Housing Helpline; from 250 calls in April to more than 650 calls in May. Requests for housing assistance through the County and Towns’ Emergency Housing Assistance Fund quadrupled.”

In January and February, the county received requests for emergency housing assistance totaling $16,426 combined. In March, the number increased to $11,218 and jumped to $48,732 in April and $71,812 in May.

The proposal was presented in partnership by three county departments: Housing and Community Development Department, Human Rights and Relations, and the Criminal Justice Resource Department. Moore said she hoped the program would be operational by the end of June.

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Department on Aging reschedules 2020 Direct Care Worker Awards

Since 2015, Orange County Department on Aging and the community group, Senior Health Advocacy and Resource Partners of Orange County (SHARP), have hosted an annual SHARP Direct Care Worker Awards. This event is in honor of Direct Care Workers (nurse aides, personal care aides, companion caregivers, etc.) who affect their clients’ lives on a daily basis and make a difference in the Orange County community.

Given the unprecedented times we find ourselves facing, the festivities have been rescheduled for Oct. 15, 2020, at the Passmore Center located at 103 Meadowlands Drive in Hillsborough. If we find ourselves unable to hold the program indoors we will host a drive-thru awards ceremony.

Now more than ever, the members of SHARP and Orange County Department on Aging want the community to recognize all of the wonderful Direct Care Workers. “We honor those who willingly serve on the front line of this pandemic. They are true heroes to us all,” said SHARP Co-Chair, Tim Wach. “These women and men are the essential workers who have continued to work their hardest on behalf of their clients. Despite the concerns and struggles in their own lives, these devoted Direct Care Workers go to work every day—with a smile under their masks. We can see that smile reflected in the twinkle in their eyes.”

Awards will be presented in the following categories: Client Impact, Longevity, Leadership, Going the Extra Mile, and Rising Star. One person will be chosen as the “Direct Care Worker of the Year.”

To be eligible, direct care workers must have served clients in Orange County within the past year. Each person may be nominated in two categories. Nominees must have provided direct care to clients and have at least six consecutive months of service in the past year.

Nominations will open July 13 – September 4. For more information about the awards, please contact Kim Lamon-Loperfido at 919-245-4253.

Aging Department to host webinar series to help mature workers

The Orange County Department on Aging invites mature workers to Being Better than Before: A Free Webinar Series for the Mature Worker.

Please join us for a four-part webinar series designed to help the Mature Worker. We’ll provide advice on how to find a job you love. We’ll share principles and practices for growing your creative capacity and developing your best entrepreneurial behaviors. And we’ll show you productive ways to think about this new world we’ll be living in from now on—the changes we will find as we step back into it will be profound, and we need to be prepared for wave after wave of changes that will continue to wash over us for years to come.

Each webinar is 90 minutes long and will be led by four folks who have been serving the 50+ community for years.

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Equalization and Review meetings to be conducted virtually

Due to current public health concerns, the Orange County Board of Equalization and Review is conducting its regular schedule of meetings as Virtual Meetings:

Wednesday, June 3 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 4 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, June 10 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 11 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 18 at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, June 24 at 2 p.m.
Thursday, June 25 at 2 p.m. – Meeting to Adjourn

Members of the public are able to view a meeting by emailing reval@orangecountync.gov. Please specify the meeting date, and a link to the meeting will be provided. Contact Orange County Tax Office 919-245-2100 option 2 if you have questions.

www.orangecountync.gov