Orange County Economic Development awarded 188 grants totaling almost $1 million to local businesses and farmers from various financial assistance programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several county agencies and staff collaborated in this year-long effort (BOCC, Information Technology, Legal, Finance, Community Relations, Tax, Register of Deeds, Manager’s Office, Visitors Bureau, Economic Development).
Exemplary effort was especially provided by Economic Development’s staff members Amanda Garner, Lindsey Hirni and Mike Ortosky. In addition, members of the Orange County Economic Development advisory board, and from individuals representing the Towns of Hillsborough, Carrboro and Chapel Hill also gave assistance with these programs.
Total grant activity from all financial assistance programs in support of Orange County's small business and farms (4Q2019-4Q2020)
- Grant applications received: 509
- Grants awarded: 188
- Women-owned grants awarded: 94
- Value of grants awarded: $954,759.58
- Minority-owned grants awarded: 27
- Women & minority-owned grants awarded: 19
Comments for Total Activity
- Article 46 funds, authorized by the Board of County Commissioners & Manager’s office
- Intended to assist Orange County’s small business and farms that faced financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as part of the county’s recurring small business & agriculture support programs.
- These results reflect all grant and loan activity that was offered during the period 4Q 2019 – 4Q 2020.
- Results from each grant (and loan) program are copied below.
(A) Orange County's regular financial assistance programs
Comments:
- Article 46 funds, authorized by the Board of County Commissioners & Manager’s office for the current FY2020-21 budget.
- Intended to assist Orange County’s small business and farms
- These results reflect all grant activity that was offered during the period 4Q 2019 – 4Q 2020.
Orange County Small Business Investment Grant & Loan Program
- 60 total applications received
- Grants awarded: 33
- Women-owned grants: 18
- Minority-owned grants: 6
- Women & minority owned:1
- Total grant amount: $185,700
Orange County Agriculture Grant Program
- 21 total applications received
- Grants awarded: 16
- Women-owned grants: 8
- Minority-owned grants: 2
- Women & minority owned: 1
- Total grant amount: $125,928
(B) Special emergency financial assistance recovery grants
Comments:
- Article 46 funds, authorized by the Board of County Commissioners & Manager’s office in 2020.
- Intended to assist Orange County’s small business and farms that faced financial challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- These results reflect all grant activity that was offered during the period 4Q 2019 – 4Q 2020.
Round #1 Grant & Loan Program
- 235 total applications received
- Grants awarded: 26
- Women-owned grants: 13
- Minority-owned grants: 3
- Women & minority owned:1
- Total grant amount: $126,000
- Loans awarded: 17
- Total loan amount: $125,131.58
Round #2 Grant Program
- 118 total applications received
- Grants awarded: 52
- Women-owned grants: 25
- Minority-owned grants: 3
- Women & minority owned: 7
- Total grant amount: $260,000
Round #3 Grant Program
- 75 total applications received
- Grants awarded: 44
- Women-owned grants: 30
- Minority-owned grants: 13
- Women & minority owned: 9
- Total grant amount: $132,000