The Town of North Judson is trying to bring COVID-19 relief funding to small businesses. The town plans to apply for a $250,000 COVID-19 Response Program grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Edwin Buswell outlined the program during a public hearing held by the town council Monday. He said that, if approved, the town would be able to offer grants or loans. Loans could be for up to $25,000 per business for a three- to five-year term at an interest rate of up to two percent. The Starke County Economic Development Foundation would help the town administer the program, according to Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe.
But it would be a while before businesses may be able to get the money. The town’s application to the state is due by July 31, and at this point, OCRA doesn’t expect to announce the grant recipients until August 27. The application process for the individual businesses would likely come later.
In the meantime, residents and businesses can help improve North Judson’s chances by writing letters of support to the state. They can be sent to North Judson Town Hall by July 27, to be sent along with the town’s application. Buswell said the town can also get additional points if it agrees to chip in some of its own money to the grant or loan program.
The grant application will be up for the town council’s formal approval on July 20. Pulaski County is also in the process of applying for $250,000 from the COVID-19 Response Program. The City of Knox was awarded funds for a grant program back in April, but as of last month, the state still hadn’t actually provided the money yet.