Morgan County, IN – Earlier this year, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch announced that Morgan County, among others, had applied for and received $250,000 in federal grant funding through the new COVID-19 Response Program. Morgan County’s application was specifically for funds to grant to local small businesses, dollars that would enable businesses to retain jobs.

Photo: Ryan Goodwin, president of Morgan County Commissioners, presents grant award to Fables and Fairy Tales owner Jennie Middleton.

The State of Indiana COVID-19 Response Program was created to address the immediate impacts of COVID-19 on Indiana’s rural communities. Funds are derived from the State’s annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation and guidance was provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on how the funds were to be used. 

A local committee, led by Morgan County Commissioners president Ryan Goodwin and under the guidance of the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), developed and implemented the application process. All applications approved by the local committee were then approved by OCRA.

Grants in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 were awarded to the following businesses in Morgan County: A Senior Retreat, Watkins Depositions, Studio J2 Dance, Gentry Martial Arts, Orchard County Store, Live Wire Consulting, Total Paint & Body, Celebrations Boutique, Gumba Ya Ya, DBA: Zydeco’s, Morgan’s Corner Café, Ballard Irrigation, The WaffleWhitch, Stallsworth Enterprise, DBA: Sidney & Girlfriends, Fables & Fairy Tales, Beville Excavating, Super Sports, TLHC, DBA: The Links at Heartland Crossing, Northwest Holdings, and Monrovia Petroleum.

“We are so grateful to the commissioners for applying for these funds that have provided a lifeline for so many of our small businesses that have been through so much during this pandemic,” stated Jamie Taylor, president and CEO of the Martinsville Chamber. “Several of our members were able to take advantage of this opportunity and these grants will enable them to keep their valuable employees and to better plan for the future of their business.”

“I’d like to thank Lt. Governor Crouch and her team at OCRA for providing this opportunity for Morgan County businesses,” said Morgan County Commissioner Ryan Goodwin. “Our local businesses were eager for this needed help and all worked to make sure we had the information needed to process this grant on their behalf.  Our local committee is grateful to each business for their perseverance, not only through this process, but through a challenging year as well, and hope this grant helps make each of them stronger.”