The Quitman City Council approved increasing the Quitman Development Corporation’s (QDC) original $9,999 to just over $15,000 last Thursday night.

The increase will allow the QDC enough funds to award local businesses who applied for the grants given out recently. The QDC originally offered local businesses $300 in cash or $500 in gift cards.

The request was made because anytime the cost of a project goes over the $10,000 mark, it must have council approval. As of last Thursday, the QDC had given out $9,700 in small grants to 25 local businesses. The money was given on a first-come, first-served basis. Forty businesses made applications. 

The additional money will go to the 15 businesses which did not get the grants from the initial payouts. The additional $5,200 would also come from the unspent executive director’s salary and insurance funds. 

“It’s a lot of money totaled up, and we know it’s not a lot individually, but it has been some help and everyone has been receptive of that,” Mayor Randy Dunn explained.

The council discussed moving more funds for a second round of grants to be given to local businesses, moving money for salary and insurance to the COVID-19 grant program and possibly taking money from advertising and promotions and from downtown renovation.

“There is money in those areas that could be realigned,” Dunn added.

The council approved amending the QDC budget to access funds to accommodate for more relief grants as needed.