Main Street Toccoa begins disbursing funds through Bridge-the-Gap Grant Program

Main Street Toccoa has started disbursing funds for its Bridge-the-Gap Grant program.

Thus far, 22 businesses in the downtown district have received a total of $5,500 in grant funds to be used for paying mortgage, rent, or utility payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Main Street Toccoa Manager Christian Hamilton, the Bridge-the-Gap grant fund was authorized by the Toccoa City Commission, making use of the remaining fiscal year 2020 Façade Grant Funds, to assist those consumer-facing small retail businesses in Downtown Toccoa that have been forced to close or operate at a smaller scale because of social distancing requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hamilton says Main Street Toccoa is thankful for this opportunity to provide funding to the businesses in downtown Toccoa.

He says these small grants will support the downtown storefronts as they open once again to visitors.

The Main Street Program reminds eligible businesses that there are four more grants available for disbursement, and that the grant program officially closes on Friday, May 15.

Additionally, Hamilton says on July 1, the Bridge-the-Gap grant fund will be discontinued with the return of the regular downtown façade grant program.

Anyone wishing to apply for the remaining four grants can submit an application online at mainstreettoccoa.com/bridge-the-gap-grant.