Hopkinsville City Council approved an amendment to the operational budget at Tuesday’s meeting and established the guidelines for the Small Business Stimulus program.
Council met virtually Tuesday, due to reinstated COVID-19 restrictions, and Mayor Wendell Lynch says they will make a decision on if future meeting will also happen virtually based off local pandemic numbers.
Council voted unanimously to amend the fiscal year 20-21 operational budget to officially accept the $2.2 million in CARES Act funding into the spending plan. It also allows for an increased expenditure amount under Fort Campbell contracts, raising it from $553,271 to $962,575.
Council also created the Economic Assistance Committee, which is set to discuss and make a recommendation on use of that CARES Act funding in the community. Councilmember Phillip Brooks requested that a meeting date be set for Thursday, so that funding can be distributed as soon as possible.
Councilmembers Brooks, Jason Bell, Tom Johnson, Travis Martin and Terry Parker will serve on the committee.
In other action, council approved guidelines for the Small Business Stimulus program, including that those applying must have a current city business license, the business must be located in the City of Hopkinsville, must have 25 full-time employees or less, and more. Applications will start being accepted beginning at 8 a.m. on November 2.