Date of release: April 23, 2020
In a virtual check presentation ceremony this morning, members of the Paducah Board of Realtors presented Mayor Brandi Harless with a $5000 check for the Small Business Relief Fund.
Paducah Board of Realtors President Seth Manea said, “When we heard about this fund as realtors, it prompted us to donate because we are all small business owners. We are all self-employed as realtors and serve a wide range of people in our community. Small business owners are one of our main customer bases. It’s very important for us to see small businesses recover from this COVID-19 pandemic. We are definitely happy that these funds are being matched. We are glad the money can be doubled to help small businesses in our community.”
Mayor Harless said, “Thank you for your selflessness. The fact that you would donate your funds to this even though you have been impacted yourself says a lot about your group.”
The Paducah Board of Realtors is an organization with approximately 170 local members. To view the virtual check presentation, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/3e1zDLHr5H9IYInOwn-YY6gvL5jjX6a8hiZN_aEFyBywzDUqoh9-qBs70tn76bos.
The Small Business Relief Fund is a partnership among the City of Paducah, West Kentucky Community & Technical College, and the Community Foundation of West Kentucky. The City has provided $150,000 for the Fund but will provide up to an additional $100,000 to match what is raised by the community.
From April 1 through April 10, small for-profit businesses, that are not a franchise or franchise-affiliated, with 25 or fewer employees and a brick-and-mortar presence within the Paducah city limits were invited to apply for the funds. Eligible businesses could receive $2000 grants that must be used for expenses limited to rent, mortgage, payroll, and utilities. The first 75 eligible businesses will be receiving their checks by mail within the next few business days.
To donate to the Small Business Relief Fund, visit the Community Foundation of West Kentucky website at https://cfwestky.org/, call 270-442-8622, or mail your donation to Community Foundation of West Kentucky, Attention: Small Business Relief Fund, P.O. Box 7, Paducah, KY 42001.
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