FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 8/27/20

For more information, contact Tony Rodriguez

La Porte County Office of Economic Development

219-877-8830

[email protected]

 

 

 

La Porte County Life Line Grants Round 2

***La Porte County Action Fund Approved for Second Round of Grants to Small Businesses***

 

(La Porte Indiana): On Thursday, August 27th The LaPorte County Commissioners were notified by the Indiana Lt. Governor Crouch’s office that the county’s grant application had been selected for full funding as a COVID-19 Response Program awardee in the amount of $250,000.  Through decisive action of the LaPorte County Commissioners, the LaPorte County Council and the Office of  Community and Economic Development,  the LaPorte County Commission will again be able to distribute Lifeline Grants to members of our county’s small business community with approval authority given by  Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). Small businesses throughout the county will have the opportunity to apply for a Lifeline grant. The grant money comes through OCRA from U.S.  Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

 

LaPorte County Commission President Sheila Matias said, “Bringing home another $250,000 of our tax dollars back to LaPorte County during tough economic times is an enormous win-win for all of us. Like the grants which were distributed from the first $250,000 award a few months ago, this grant of another quarter million dollars will help businesses meet payroll, buy supplies and keep their doors open. Talk about bringing home the bacon!

We are very grateful. We owe special thanks to our Lt. Governor and our own legislative team who advocated for the county-Senator Mike Bohacek, Rep. Pat Boy and Rep. Jim Pressel. They are an integral part of our county team and together, we left no stone unturned to seek more funding to help our local business owners. Our county’s leadership team has worked incredibly hard to help the community during these uncertain times.”

 

“I am sincerely grateful Indiana has given us the ability to get these lifeline grants into the hands of our small businesses throughout all of LaPorte County,” stated LaPorte County Council President, Randy Novak. “Support during these trying times will make a real difference and allow these small business owners to retain their employees and remain viable.”

 

“Our county has been awarded $500,000 between the 2 grant approvals. With this additional $250,000, the Redevelopment Commission will again assist in the local grant approval process for distribution of these funds. From start to finish, our county leadership team will once again work closely with our Community and Economic Development team to hustle to get Lifeline Funds out to our small businesses in record time,” stated Dr. Vidya Kora, Commissioner and member of the LaPorte County Redevelopment Commission.

 

The first round of the LCAF grants awarded 29 local business grants between $5,000 and $10,000. Payroll, lease/rent payments, capital equipment purchases, inventory and COVID- related expenses required to operate the business safely are examples of the kinds of eligible expenses for which the grant can be used.

 

“Today is a wonderful day for our county. This grant award signifies a high level of cooperation amongst many stakeholders from all levels of government and county staff to assist businesses during an unprecedented time in our history,” stated Mitch Bishop, County Planner and Senior Grants Administrator

 

“I would like to recognize how critically important each person on the team is to our success-the three LaPorte County Commissioners, the LaPorte County Council, the LaPorte Redevelopment Commission, Auditor Joie Winski, and her staff, our state legislative team, county staff and my colleague, Bailey McGrath, who helped do the heavy lifting to meet deadlines and expedite our application.  Each of these individuals play a vital role in making this another big success for our county. Our citizens and business community are the beneficiaries as we can keep this money moving through our local economy.” summarized Tony Rodriguez, Director of the LaPorte County Community and Economic Development office.

 

The applications will be made available in late September on the county website www.laportecounty.in.gov . For more information, please contact Tony Rodriguez at [email protected].