UNION TWP — The pandemic has hit so many people in the wallet. In Union Township they’re trying to do everything they can to help the people and businesses impacted by this difficult year.
But prior to providing assistance through the CARES Act Union Township Operations Manager Tina Chaney said she didn’t realize how wide reaching the effects were.
“I didn’t realize businesses took such a hit,” Chaney said. “That’s where the majority went.”
17 businesses in Union Township applied for and received help during this trying time.
“To look at their documentation was amazing,” Chaney said. “I was flabbergasted. You don’t realize and they’re right here, they’re right here in our hometown. You hear about it everywhere else you don’t think it’s here, it’s not going to hit home right? No, it hit home and it hit hard.”
Union Township covers West Milton, Potsdam, Laura, and Ludlow Falls. Chaney said the Township was able to provide $218,000 in assistance to people and businesses in the community.
“We didn’t just help that business, we helped all their employees because so many were going to be shutdown,” Chaney said.
Chaney is the one that handled the majority of the work to provide the assistance.
“Shut off notices I can’t tell you how many of those I’ve seen,” Chaney said. “It’s like how are they going to do it even after this. If they’re not back to work.”
The Township sent mailers to every home, posted on their website, and did everything they could to spread the word.
So many across the communities reached out about the program. The trustees heard so many memorable stories of how the pandemic has impacted different people’s lives.
“Kind of tugs at your heart when you hear some of these stories,” Phil Mote, president of Union Township Trustees, said. “Lady had run out of propane, had couple of small kids at home, got laid off, couldn’t work.”
For those that weren’t able to get money through the CARES Act the Township tried to do different things to try and help people.
“To be able to help these people was the best feeling ever,” Chaney said.
Cox Media Group
