NACOLG works to provide assistance to businesses

Several local businesses will be receiving aid because of COVID-19 from the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments.

NACOLG received money from the CARES Act through the Economic Development Administration to fund regional economic disaster recovery efforts for businesses impacted by COVID-19.

“This is only the beginning, with major funding and partnership announcements forthcoming,” said NACOLG executive director Keith Jones.

Jones said efforts will include offering assistance and resources to businesses impacted by COVID-19 and creating a disaster recovery and resiliency economic plan from information collected from business owners about challenges and limitations created by the pandemic.

“To be truly effective, each community must buy in,” Jones said. “Understanding local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations are the heartbeat of their respective business communities, NACOLG is partnering with five local chambers of commerce and three economic development organizations to act as local liaisons.”

Each chamber of commerce will seek out businesses impacted by COVID-19, collect data on them and send the information back to NACOLG.

There is also a set amount of money that will be distributed to each area to help businesses affected by the pandemic.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce executive director Cassie Medley said the help from NACOLG will be very beneficial to Franklin County.

“There have been tons of opportunities for help that the chamber just never qualified for, so for this money to be there to help different local businesses is huge,” Medley said.

A kick-off meeting will be held Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at Russellville City Hall, where more details will be announced.