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Saving local businesses county banks help with PPP

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By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County small business owners are taking advantage of the Coronavirus Paycheck Protection Program receiving and anticipating loans to help pay their employees until they are able to return to some semblance of normal working conditions.
A new block of funding, $480 billion, has been approved by the Senate and House this week and could come into play as soon as next week. The new package includes $310 billion for PPP with $250 billion refilling the program and $60 billion set aside specifically for smaller institutions like credit unions and community banks.
Across the nation’s main streets the mom and pop shops, diners, hair dressers and others have had to close temporarily, lay off or release employees creating unprecedented unemployment in the county. In Texas alone more than 300,000 unemployment claims have been filed.
A National Federation of Business Research Center survey showed 92 percent of small employers are negatively impacted by the virus outbreak. Almost all small employers are now impacted by economic disruptions from COVID-19 with only five percent stating they are not currently affected. That could change if it continues to spread and businesses remain closed.

Read the full story in your weekend News on how area banks are responding to their small business customers need to apply for federal assistance related to COVID-19.

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BISD superintendent annual evaluation, contract set for agenda

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Several personnel issues including the superintendent’s summative evaluation and filling the vacant intermediate principal position face the Bowie School Trustees when they meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 16.
The superintendent’s review is usually done in two parts during the year with the summative an effort to evaluate overall progress. Donna Hale’s contract also will be considered. as she marks her first year leading the district.
For the intermediate principal’s job, Jason Childress left the post last month taking the new formed director of student services, which will handle many of the tasks the assistant superintendent handled such as curriculum and test scores. That assistant position was eliminated by the board after Lee Ann Farris left the job. Childress’ resignation has been submitted.
Filling the principal’s job and consideration of a rental agreement for a portion of the bus parking lot property also are set for executive session. Any action all these topics will be considered back in open session.
On the regular agenda, the board will receive the 2025 fiscal audit for Jack County. A small portion of the district runs into that county.
The superintendent will provide operational reports and personnel updates. Childress will present the preliminary STAAR scores and the status of board goals, while Paula Peterson, finance director, gives the monthly financial report.
Numerous annual items will be up for action: Contract for cafeteria software; budget amendments; consider the ESSA application, the Montague and Jack County Tax Appraisal District budgets; library books for the elementary; ESC 9 contracts and a Texas Association of School Boards policy updates.
The board also will consider offering open enrollment for pre-kindergarten students for the next school year.

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As heat rises, take precautions to be safe

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Six county fire departments earn forest service grants

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Six Montague County volunteer fire department have received grants from the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The service recently approved $29.3 million in funding for grants to through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
In the fourth funding round of the year, the program awarded 531 grants addressing volunteer fire department requests for personal protective equipment, slip-on units, fire and rescue equipment, water tenders, small brush trucks and training aids.
Nocona Hills Volunteer Fire Department received a $300,000 grant for a water tender vehicle. Montague and Sunset VFDs each received $45,000 for a slip-on unit, and the Nocona rural, Nocona city and Saint Jo VFDs each received $25,000 for fire and rescue equipment.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

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