Grayson County EDA: 79 applicants receive $100,366.98 in first‑round disaster aid; process for second round still being defined

Grayson County Economic Development Authority members said the EDA issued checks to 79 applicants totaling $100,366.98 as an initial round of local disaster assistance, and that a separate pool of EDA funds remains for a second distribution.

The first‑round payments came from a $300,000 allocation the EDA identified for disaster recovery. According to the discussion, the EDA used approximately half of that allocation for the initial group of recipients and is determining how to distribute the remaining funds.

Why it matters: EDA members said the local money is intended to fill gaps left by federal or programmatic aid after recent storms. Several members described examples — including out‑of‑pocket repairs for barns and fencing and costs associated with culverts and farm roads — that they said were not covered or were only partially covered by FEMA, USDA or insurance.

Details and debate - Distribution and amounts: A staff recap said 79 applicants received checks totaling $100,366.98. Members described recipients using funds for repairs such as a barn roof replacement and fencing damaged in storms. One member said most recipients expressed appreciation for any assistance.

- Set‑aside and second round: Members reported that $300,000 had been set aside for disaster recovery; roughly half was used for the first round and an additional $100,000 (described in the meeting as the “second” tranche) remains to be allocated. The EDA has not finalized whether the second round will use the same application process, open to new applicants, or prioritize applicants who were denied or inadequately served by other programs.

- Coordination with federal and state programs: Speakers said federal assistance has been slow to reach some local applicants. A presenter told the board that substantial federal block grant funding has been authorized for Virginia and that the governor’s office and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are developing guidance; the presenter added that a separate $50 million item for Southwest Virginia remained subject to the governor’s signature at the time of the meeting. EDA members said they are waiting for state guidance before finalizing the second round’s rules.

- Committee and referral: Members said the ad hoc committee that reviewed the first round included representatives from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Cooperative Extension, and local EDA staff. The committee will examine whether the second round should allow prior applicants to reapply or should be opened to producers who did not apply in the first round. One member recommended running the second round the same way as the first to give new applicants an opportunity; others urged waiting for clearer guidance from state and federal agencies so the EDA can target funds to losses that other programs do not cover.

Quotations "All 79 applicants did receive a check," a staff presenter said during the financial update. "The total that was sent out over the 79 applicants is $100,366.98."

"They have voted to set aside $300,000 to go to the final week. So we use for the first round, they used half of that to get these first applicants," a member said when describing the EDA’s allocation.

Next steps and timeline Members asked staff and the committee to prepare recommendations for a second round, including whether to re‑open applications or prioritize new applicants. Staff said they would seek clearer state guidance, circulate the EDA’s materials by email and report back at the next meeting. No formal vote was taken during the meeting to finalize the second‑round process.

Ending Members emphasized the need to target remaining funds to damages not covered by FEMA, USDA or insurance, and asked staff and committee members to bring a recommended process and timeline back to the EDA for consideration.