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The blaze that started Aug. 4 and scorched 2,619 acres of land, destroyed more than 100 structures and caused four injuries in Placer and Nevada counties was 95% contained Friday afternoon, according to Cal Fire
The Nevada County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved $250,000 to help several businesses already identified to receive the funding.
Making a case for funding before the supervisors was Emily Blackmer, economic development project manager, and Kristin York, vice president of business innovation of the Nevada County Relief Fund. Blackmer explained it is she who often informs applicants they are recipients of a grant.
“It is the best part of my day,” Blackmer said. “The folks who receive a grant are so profoundly grateful. So, I say ‘thank you’ for facilitating this.”
This was a fifth round of funding assisted by the Nevada County Relief Fund. It, along with government agencies and donors, have provided a combined $1.3 million of which half was comprised of small, private contributions, since April 2020 a month after the pandemic forced shutdowns across the country.
Nevada County Relief Fund Awards $192,500 to 79 Small Businesses
Thanks to an allocation of $250,000 by the Board of Supervisors to promote post-pandemic economic recovery, all the eligible small businesses who applied will receive a micro-grant of up to $5,000 from the Nevada County Relief Fund.
The Nevada County Relief Fund’s fifth round of grantmaking was entirely funded from the County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allotment. Last month, the Board of Supervisors set aside nearly $6 Million of ARPA funds for the purpose of “Community & Economic Resiliency.”
“It’s gratifying to see this money from Washington go where it’s most needed right now, our small business community,” said Board Chair Dan Miller. “I applaud the resiliency of every small business in Nevada County who weathered the pandemic. It’s great to walk around our business districts and see people smiling again.”