Wood County commissioners OK’d $200,000 of unclaimed capital credits (UCC) to be used by the Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC) coronavirus relief fund. 

WCEDC plans to assist Wood County businesses to manage economic hardships as a result of COVID-19. Recognizing there are various federal, state and local programs to assist businesses in specific areas such as payroll, the WCEDC will focus its distribution as a resource to provide general financial assistance to be used at the businesses’s discretion.

Each Wood County incorporated community will receive up to these amounts: Mineola $20,000, Winnsboro $15,000, Quitman $10,000; Alba, Hawkins and Yantis  $5,000 each; unincorporated areas $20,000; $10,000 for chambers of commerce who will request funds based on their needs; and $10,000 plus any unallocated funds is discretionary to supplement any businesses located in Wood County based on need and per guidelines.

WCEDC requests that local economic development corporations collect requests from their communities and make recommendations. For those without an EDC, the request is that the city manager or city secretary oversee distribution recommendations.

For businesses in unincorporated areas, requests should be emailed to the WCEDC at rjohnson@mywoodcounty.com. A business must be located in Wood County and be able to illustrate financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

Commissioners approved the tax sale struck off property high bid offer of $7,301 from Willie Faye Guthrie on property in Hawkins. Commissioners also approved a bid by Trinidad Benham Corporation for $6,156 for a lot next to their property in Mineola.

The court was opened to the public with social distancing protocol in effect.