Doing their part
Many local agencies are pitching in to help those in need during the pandemic.
United Way of Bartholomew County’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, launched just two weeks ago to help residents with job-loss and related expenses amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, had collected $300,000 by the end of March.
Keeping with leaders’ vow to distribute funds as quickly as possible to nonprofit United Way agencies, $55,000 already has been allocated in an opening round of grants to several agencies for basic needs such as housing, food, clothing, and child care, said President Mark Stewart.
The fund was formed on March 17 and plans to go for at least one or two more months.
Charitable acts, like those done by the United Way, are what help our community grow closer (while keeping a safe distance).
The games will not begin
You won’t hear any umpires shout “play ball” at your local ballpark this spring.
Soon after the state determined students wouldn’t return to classrooms for the 2019-2020 school year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) cancelled its spring sports season.
IHSAA officials had hoped the season could get started by the first week of May, but uncertainties created by COVID-19 axed those plans.
While many will feel robbed by the decision, the IHSAA made the right call to protect players and fans.
Helping businesses stay afloat
While the change won’t fix the financial wound in its entirety, it will act as a Band-Aid for a handful of local businesses for the next couple months.
Six restaurants in downtown Columbus will receive rent relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Columbus Redevelopment Commission recently voted unanimously not to charge the six businesses rent for April and May.
The decision is expected to cost the city about $38,000 in revenue, but officials said they had to consider how much revenue will be gone if the city loses a tenant.
Many businesses are struggling to pay bills while waiting for help from the state and local governments.
Our hope is that businesses will continue to find new ways to work with their landlords as all navigate through the challenges presented by the pandemic.