Pike County was one of the select communities to be awarded $250,000 by the Office of Community & Rural Affairs, the funding is a competitive grant process to be dispersed to existing businesses that are experiencing economic hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ashley Willis, Director of Pike County Economic Development Corp shares, “This is an opportunity to offer some relief to our businesses during this difficult time. We cannot lose sight of the importance of our business community and we must do what we can to help. Any interested businesses should apply for this program and ask any questions along the way.” 

Steps to apply for a business grant, any existing for-profit business in Pike County is eligible to apply. Businesses are required to complete the application form, an ACH form, and every owner/employee of the business must complete an income verification form. If your business is awarded a business grant, you do not have to pay back the relief assistance but the grant is taxable income. This is for businesses that have felt the negative implications of COVID-19 and need relief assistance. Submit all forms of the application to Pike County Economic Development Corporation. 

Any questions for the business grant program should be directed to Ashley Willis at pikegrowth@pikeco.org, Allison Bailey at allison@pikeco.org, or Jill Hyneman at chamber@pikecounty.in.gov. Completed business grant applications must be returned and submitted to Allison Bailey at Pike County Economic Development Corporation by 4:00 pm on Thursday, July 1, 2021, for evaluation. Please send applications to allison@pikeco.org, or send by mail to Pike County EDC at P.O. Box 204 Petersburg, IN 47567.