Warren County to provide financial assistance using CARES Act funds

Warren County has appropriated a portion of the funds that the County has received under the CARES Act to the Front Royal and Warren County Chamber of Commerce (the “Chamber”). There are two Chamber programs that are being funded by the County: A business and non-profit grant program, and a grant program to help individuals to pay their utility bills.

The business and non-profit grant program will provide a total of $2,065,096 in funds to eligible local small businesses and local non-profit organizations. Grants vary from $5,000 to $40,000 depending upon the size of the entity measured in accordance with its revenue. The grants do not need to be repaid.

The utility program will provide case by case assistance to individuals who have been affected by COVID-19 and who are having difficulty paying their electricity, water, sewer, gas or propane bills. There is a total of $413,020 available under this program, and the grants do not need to be repaid.

Both programs require that the entity or individual must have been adversely affected by COVID-19, and only apply to entities and individuals who are located within Warren County but outside the Town of Front Royal. The County provided $2,478,116 in funds to the Town so that the Town may administer its own programs for in-Town residents, and the Chamber is providing grants to Town residents as well in a separate program.

“My hope is that these grant programs will enable those most affected by these trying times to successfully ride out the storm. I’m excited about it; this is a positive thing for our community,” said Walt Mabe, Chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors and Director of Emergency Services.

Niki Foster, President of the Chamber said, “The Chamber’s Vision Statement is, ‘To be recognized as the leading resource for business in Front Royal-Warren County.’ That is why we are so honored to be able to not only help the Town of Front Royal and Warren County administer their financial assistance grant programs, but more importantly, help our local small businesses who are the backbone of our community. We are also honored to be able to assist our local non-profits and citizens that were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Chamber will begin receiving applications for CARES Act financial assistance to small businesses, non-profit organizations, and individual utility assistance on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 9:00 am. An online application can be completed and submitted at www.warrencountyva.net/warren-county-cares, or a paper copy application can be picked up at the Warren County Government Center Administration Office or at the Chamber. All paper copy applications must be returned to the Chamber. The application window will close on Monday, September 21, 2020, at 5:00 pm.

Further details can be found at www.warrencountyva.net/warren-county-cares.