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PAGE 8 | MAY 7 - 13, 2020

LOCAL FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM

Falls Church NEWS BRIEFS

Deadline Extended to May 15 for Small Business Grants

The deadline has been extended to Friday, May 15 for the City of Falls Church Economic Development Authority (EDA)’s Small Business Covid-19 Emergency Grant program. Over 50 applications have been received to date, and City and EDA officials now want to ensure that business owners will have ample time to complete applications. The EDA created the program to acknowledge the negative financial impact of COVID-19 on many City businesses. Eligible businesses may apply for one grant of $2,000 from the EDA to use for salary, benefits, rent and other business operating expenses. The application is available at www.choosefallschurch.org/EDAGrant. Applications must be submitted by Friday, May 15 at 11:30 p.m. and completed in full, including a completed W-9 form. Awardees will be chosen at random after eligibility is confirmed. The grant application is a public document and the names of the businesses awarded funds may be made public once funds are disbursed. The application asks basic questions about the business like how long it has been operating in the City, if the gross receipts are between $50,000 and $500,000, if the business has experienced a decrease in gross income by at least 50 percent. Additional questions ask the applicant to describe why the grant is needed, how it will be used, and what other City assistance could be needed.

‘F.C. Better Together’ T Shirts Raise $30,000+

The project cooked up last month by Falls Church city residents Adena Williams and Suzanne Hladky to sell classy “Falls Church Better Together” t-shirts and use the proceeds for local community help groups has resulted in over 1,700 shirts being sold so far and more than $30,000 being raised, it was reported at the F.C. School Board meeting Tuesday night. Boosting the campaign, City Manager Wyatt Shields sported his t-shirt at Monday’s online City Council meeting and Superintendent Peter Noonan and numerous members of the F.C. School Board wore theirs at Tuesday’s online School Board meeting. The monies raised are being provided to the City’s Health and Human Services department, the F.C. Education Foundation’s Family Assistance Fund, the Food for Others food bank and even to provide meals for the Falls Church Police Department. Shirts are still available in all adult and youth sizes, and can be ordered at www.bonfire.com/falls-church-better-together-t-shirts-1.

GMHS Class of 2020 Signage Up All Over F.C.

Volunteers of the George Mason High School PTSA surprised 185 soon-to-be-graduating seniors at the high school with a sudden, early morning energetic and concerted effort Monday to socially-distance plant bright red signs on their lawns or by door fronts announcing that a “Proud 2020 Mason Graduate Lives Here.” Another sign, announcing “We Stand With You GMHS Class of 2020” was also circulated to local businesses and citizen homes. It’s part of multiple efforts to cheerily mitigate the impact of the current anti-pandemic measures on the impending graduation celebrations. They’re added to the more pinkish “Grab & Go” signs that the City of Falls Church’s Economic Development Office provided to over a dozen local restaurants to encourage commerce in the Little City last week.

Fairfax Co. Farmers Markets Begin Re-Opening Saturday

Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross announced that the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is preparing for a gradual re-opening of some Farmers Markets, beginning May 9. During this phased approach, social distancing and safety guidelines that comply with Governor Northam’s orders will be observed. All other park amenities, such as visitors’ centers and restrooms, will remain closed. Information about which Farmer’s Markets will open can be found on the FCPA website www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets.

Correction From Last Week’s Edition

On page 6 in the “Letter to the Editor” section of the News-Press, an error in the editing process caused a new letter submission to be combined with a copy of an old one. The News-Press apologizes for this mistake and any confusion it caused to readers.