Coronavirus

County Allocates Additional Cares Act Funding for Nonprofits & Small Businesses

Farmville, VA - The Prince Edward County Board of Supervisors has re-opened the County's "Economic Sustainability Grant" with an additional $200,000 of CARES Act funding for both small businesses and $100,000 for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that have suffered financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to help cover COVID-related expenses or losses since March 1, 2020. In its initial round of applications, Prince Edward County granted $100,000 worth of CARES Act funding for 32 local small businesses. All of the businesses that met the eligibility requirements were granted 100% of the amount that was requested up to $5,000 (some requested less than $5,000). The business will be receiving its checks by mail in the upcoming week. Applicants were diverse in many factors, including the location of their business throughout the County, as well as the type of business and amount requested.

Additionally, the Board has opened a new "Nonprofit Social Safety Net Grant" for tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that provide direct assistance to Prince Edward County residents. This program will assist tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that demonstrate an increase in demand for service due to COVID-19, increased expenses related to COVID-19, or are making an impact for individuals in response to COVID-19 and related issues.

Application information is provided on the Prince Edward County website, www.co.prince-edward.va.us, and can be found by selecting "CARES Act Grants" from the homepage. Applications are also on the CARES Act Grants page and may be submitted directly online or submitted via hard copy form. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and funds will be appropriated until all funds are fully rewarded. If you would like additional information, please contact Kate Pickett at kpickett@co.prince-edward.va.us or 434-391-4809.

Virginia Rent & Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP)

The Governor announced during his Thursday afternoon press conference the Rental and Mortgage Relief Program to assist those impacted by COVID-19. STEPS is partnering with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to provide rental and mortgage assistance in the counties of Amelia, Buckingham, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward. The following document provides basic information and also includes a list of agencies responsible for offering the program in each locality in Virginia, Rent and Mortgage Relief Program Document

This is an income-based program, so screening/intake will be required. We will use the information on the following link to assess eligibility based on data for each County.

This program is targeted to families/individuals who are at 80% or below of "Average Median Income" (AMI). Initially, the primary beneficiaries will be individuals/families at less than 50% AMI at least until July 20th.

Read an article from The Richmond Times-Dispatch concerning this new program.

This program is now being administered through the state by the Department of Housing and Community Development. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Department of Housing and Community and visit the Department of Housing and Community Development website for more information.

Resource Information for Businesses

Small Business Disaster Loans Following a request submitted by Governor Northam on March 18, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration for Virginia. Small businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the Commonwealth affected by the COVID-19 public health crisis can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans of up to $2 million from the SBA to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses. To submit a loan application through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, please visit Disaster Loan Assistance

Rapid Response Funds to Assist Small Business

Rapid Response is a federal program to help workers, companies, and communities experiencing layoffs and closures and provide strategies to avert layoffs. This includes connecting workers and businesses to information, partners, new employment opportunities, funding, and training programs that can help lessen the impact of layoffs or avert layoffs altogether. The Additional Rapid Response Assistance for COVID-19 available through the state provides funding to help businesses avert layoffs by providing assistance in the sanitization of workspaces, implementing telework options to support social distancing that the company has not supported prior or other innovative strategies that help keep employees on the job. Businesses may apply for assistance through their regional workforce boards. The workforce director for our area will review applications and provide reimbursement for qualifying projects. These directors will also be an important resource as we work to re-employ Virginians when this emergency abates and people are looking for work.

Debra Crowder
South Central
434-542-5871
Email Debra Crowder

Counties of Brunswick, Halifax, Mecklenburg, Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenberg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward

For citizens' convenience, there are two silver drop boxes that can be used to drop off payments. One is located on the front of the building off Main Street and the other is in the parking lot behind the building off South Street. You can pay water/sewer bills and property taxes online. The Town will be waiving the 3% convenience fee for these payments. Building permit applications and water and sewer connection fee applications are available online. Once completed they can be emailed, or you can call to arrange a drop-off appointment. Payments can be made by phone or dropped off at dropbox.

Contact numbers:

  • Utilities: 434-392-3333
  • Building Inspections: 434-392-8465
  • Police Department: 434-392-9259
  • Finance Office: 434-392-3333
  • Town Manager's Office: 434-392-5686
  • Public Works: 434-392-3331
  • Farmville Area Bus: 434-392-7433

The new website, Farmville Cares, will not only be a one-stop resource to find needed help provided by our local nonprofits but will also give specific ways community members can support their efforts. This includes hands-on help, specific material needs, and donations.

Community members and organizations are urged to visit the site to find resources for assistance or tangible ways they can support local organizations and individuals.

We have increased our cleaning of facilities by our custodial staff still clean thoroughly every day and in between Town staff are cleaning high traffic areas to include but not limited to doorknobs, light switches, and countertops with disinfectant wipes (hourly);

  • Individuals handling money or other high traffic items are wearing gloves;
  • All employees that seem to be sick are asked to stay home or anyone arriving to work sick is being asked to go home until they are well;
  • Town staff is asked to practice social distancing and other measures suggested by the cdc and vdh while working;
  • Canceled all town-sponsored events;
  • Canceled all town facility rentals and refunded renters through mid-April; and

Town administration is in continual contact and meeting with Piedmont Health District, VDEM, our public safety organizations, Longwood University, Prince Edward County; and on Monday, March 16, we are participating in a regional meeting (via teleconference)."

"As Mayor, I strongly encourage all community members to ardently follow the CDC guidelines of hand washing and social distancing of six feet, but we should strongly consider staying at home as much as possible. As a community working together, we will overcome COVID-19. Today has been designated the National Day of Prayer and I ask that we all pray for our community, state, and nation. The Town will continue to send out updated press releases", stated Mayor David Whitus.

The Virginia Department of Health has activated its call center. If you have questions related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 call 1-877 ASK VDH 3.

We would like to remind residents and visitors that there are steps that you can take to prevent the spread of illness from this virus as well as others:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid shaking hands
  • Avoid large events and mass gatherings
  • Keep from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, and wash your hands
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Keep children who are sick home from school
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as doorknobs, cell phones, keyboards and mice, tablets, remote controls, light switches, door handles, etc. with disinfectant wipes/spray