Wilco Forward, Williamson County’s grant program to provide financial relief to local business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has issued 198 checks as of today. That accounts for $2.8 million of the $25 million allocated by the Commissioners Court for the program.

Wilco Forward is funded through the approximately $93 million the County received from the CARES Act. Currently, the County has received 2,423 applications. Wilco Forward was developed by an appointed strike team that includes County Treasurer Scott Heselmeyer, Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey, and Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles.

“This funding is critical to the survival of many of our small businesses in this unprecedented time.  In the first three business days since opening applications, we’ve put nearly $3 million into the hands of our struggling small businesses. That is a huge accomplishment, but we expect to do even better.  Our mission has been to accurately and efficiently process these grants and payments, and the team in our County Auditor’s Office is doing a great job of managing this difficult task.  We issued the first payments within 24 hours of accepting applications, and we have issued nearly 200 checks in the first three days of processing.  The process is getting more efficient each day, and we expect the daily output to continue to grow,” said Scott Heselmeyer, Williamson County Treasurer.

Applications are still being accepted. Applications can be submitted online through the county’s website at www.wilco.org/forward to the Williamson County Auditor’s Office. The money will be issued as applications are processed until the $25 million in budgeted funds are exhausted. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2020.