Alexander County businesses and child development centers have been awarded $50,000 in grant funding by the Duke Energy Foundation in partnership with the Alexander County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC).
The one-time Business and Workforce Support Grant, administered by ACEDC, is designed to help small businesses and childcare centers thrive in the post-pandemic economic environment.
Small businesses play a critical role in the state’s economic health and employ nearly half of North Carolina’s workforce according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. The ACEDC Business and Workforce Support Grant program focuses on providing one-time grants to businesses physically located in Alexander County.
“Alexander County Economic Development Corporation is proud to be able to assist local businesses and childcare centers in Alexander County,” said Ryan Mayberry, Chairman of the ACEDC Board of Directors. “The generosity of the Duke Energy Foundation with the award of $50,000 has enhanced our ability to help small businesses thrive, assist with childcare center expansions to support employee retention, and stimulate economic development throughout the county.”
Grants were issued on a 50-50 matching basis up to $5,000. A total of 16 grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 were awarded.
Ten grants totaling $25,000 were awarded to businesses in Alexander County with four grants to Bethlehem businesses and six grants to businesses in Taylorsville.
The grant program also targeted assistance to existing childcare centers to help expand their daily enrollment, as access to available childcare is critical in supporting families. By expanding accessibility to childcare, parents may retain gainful employment and businesses may retain their skilled workforce. Six child development centers were awarded a total of $25,000 in supplemental funding for projects, with one center located in Bethlehem, one in Hiddenite, and four with Taylorsville mailing addresses.
Grant projects focused on one of the following areas: modifying physical space, expanding capacity for delivering goods and services, purchase of business equipment, and/or building ADA accessibility and public health compliance.