Business representatives included Mary Klotz of Forestheart Studio, Jessica Earp and Tracy Earp of Affordable Pest Control, Barry and Connie Zimmerman of The Olde Towne Restaurant, John Trout of Trout’s Market, Justin Gardner of Gardner’s Garage, and Doug Eaves of Dynamic Graphics.

All six business owners applied for the government funding, and all were approved the maximum $5,000 grant, Burgess Heath Barnes said.

Grateful business owners received the funding and expressed appreciation for the work of the council.

"They did a great job of getting it," Barry Zimmerman said.

Businesses continue to feel the effects of and are still reeling from the shutdowns and consequences of COVID-19, "Every little bit helps right about now," Zimmerman said.

Trout said the funding will be of great assistance to the Market by providing opportunities to place more advertisements and hire more employees. He jumped right on the chance for the relief grant and wished to see more businesses take advantage of the offer.

Affordable Pest Control never utilized other business assistance programs during the pandemic, "So this program was a nice surprise for us," Tracy Earp said. Many businesses had no idea the effect the pandemic would have on their livelihood so, "This grant is going to be extremely helpful to our small business especially during these uncertain times we are facing," she said.

Affordable Pest Control came to Woodsboro in 2002 and in over twenty years it has never relied so significantly on its regular clientele, according to Earp. "Thank you to the Town of Woodsboro and to the community members who participated or helped with this program. We are honored to be a part of such a great community that we serve," she said.

In turn, the council expressed gratitude to the business owners for their work in the community, especially during the unprecedented trials of the pandemic.

As the town only spent $30,000 of the $50,000 applied for, the council unanimously agreed to add another $1,000 and utilize the $21,000 remaining to aid town nonprofits. Nonprofits were thought to be previously ineligible for assistance.

$3,500 will be distributed to each of the town’s four churches, as well as the Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Department, and Woodsboro American Legion Post 282. "We are helping our community," Commissioner John Cutshall said.

With the $974,000 funding the town has received through the ARPA, Woodsboro is well on its way to fix water and sewage problems needed, Barnes said.