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By Dan Howe

FRANKLIN

Downtown Franklin Association is pleased to announce the opening of ROUND III of its SOS Relief Grant on Friday, Sept. 25, for brick-and-mortar businesses in downtown Franklin. A grant from Virginia Main Street and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development is providing DFA with the resources to offer this most recent grant. It is part of DFA’s Covid relief program, SOS: Sustain Our [Main] Street.

DFA was able to present two rounds of small business grants since April, as well as establish a Revolving Loan Fund, due to the generous funding it received from Virginia Main Street and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Downtown Franklin Association is accredited by National Main Street to administer the Main Street program for the City of Franklin.ROUND I of the grant program was a partnership with the Rotary Club of Franklin. Downtown Franklin Association has awarded 42 grants to small Main Street businesses through ROUNDS I and II.

The SOS Relief Grant Program was implemented to offset some of the devastating economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the longer-term, an ongoing, low-interest loan source will be available to support economic development activities in Franklin’s central business district, assisting in the establishment of new small businesses or assisting existing businesses with growth plans.

To apply to the Fund: Send “SOS Application Request” to downtownfranklin@beldar.com. If you have questions about the application, or would like to donate to the SOS Fund, call 757-562-6900.

DAN HOWE is the executive director of the Downtown Franklin Association.