WSET | Harvest Foundation, Virginia 30 Day Fund offer relief funds to Martinsville, Henry Co.

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) — The Harvest Foundation and Virginia 30 Day Fund announced Wednesday, June 10 that they have launched a $1 million small business partnership to support at-risk small businesses in Martinsville and Henry County.

The brand new forgivable loan opportunity for small businesses in Martinsville and Henry County is called the “Pay it Forward MHC Small Business Relief Fund.”

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of a community,” said India Brown, program officer at Harvest. “Our partnership with the Virginia 30 Day Fund allows Harvest to support small businesses in our community without the hassle of completing a long application and the stress of waiting to receive funding. The Virginia 30 Day Fund’s passion to support small business is unmatched, and it is an honor to partner with them to create the Pay It Forward MHC program.”

The Harvest Foundation is investing $1 million in honor of local healthcare workers and front line responders to the Virginia 30 Day Fund that will distribute forgivable loan awards up to $3,000 for businesses employing 3-30 individuals.

“We couldn’t be prouder to partner with The Harvest Foundation to bring the Pay It Forward movement to Southside Virginia. Harvest’s generosity is also matched by their vision and desire to truly help others in this amazing community,” said Pete Snyder, cofounder of the Virginia 30 Day Fund. “To all of the hardworking small business heroes out there, help is on the way, right now. We’ve got your back. Know that we will get through this difficult time and we will come out of it stronger as individuals and as a community in the long run. Together, we are going to make a real and significant difference in Martinsville and Henry County in the weeks and months ahead.”

In addition to employing 3-30 individuals, eligible businesses must be based in Martinsville-Henry County, operating for at least one year, and owned and operated by a Virginia resident.

Funds disbursed by Pay it Forward MHC do not need to be repaid, but if small business owners wish to “pay it forward” to another Virginia business in need of assistance in the future, they can direct dollars back into the fund to be used in Martinsville-Henry County.

Apply to Pay it Forward MHC by visiting here and clicking on “How to Apply.”