Commissioners approved awards from the county’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) to 27 businesses, for a combined total of $990,500, as part of a locally administered grant program to spur business investment and revenue generation.

EDC staff described a multi-stage, blind review process used to vet applicants: businesses submitted documents showing proposed purchases, return-on-investment projections and tax compliance; applicants with two prior awards were excluded to broaden distribution. The EDC committee interviewed finalists, vetted feasibility and prioritized purchases that would create ongoing revenue streams rather than fund debt or prior obligations.

Awarded businesses will have up to two years to spend funds and must submit paid receipts and a final report demonstrating how the funds were used. Staff emphasized compliance requirements: failure to submit receipts and the required final report will render applicants ineligible for future cycles. Commissioners voted to approve the EDC recommendations and directed staff to collect W-9s and payment paperwork to close out the awards.