Howell County CARES Funded 62 Businesses

The Ozarks Small Business Incubator (OzSBI) worked with the Howell County Commissioners and the Small Business Development Center to administer the Howell County CARES Small Business Relief grant to 62 small businesses in the county, distributing $547,529.27. 

“The Howell County Commission appreciates the time and effort by the staff at OzSBI and the SBDC to help bring some financial relief from the expenses that the businesses in our county have incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Presiding Commissioner Mark Collins.

“The Commissioners and the team at OzSBI have put a tremendous amount of work into preparing, reviewing, and awarding grants to qualified businesses and we are so pleased to have been able to help alleviate some of the financial pressure that businesses are experiencing due to the pandemic. Our only regret is that we don’t have more to give out,” said Autumn Shirley, OzSBI Grant Administrator for this project.

“SBDC thanks the Howell County Commissioners for dedicating CARES Act funds to our neighbors who own and operate small businesses. These people are our economic backbone, and for many this has been a trying year. These funds may well make the difference in many of the businesses surviving and continuing to employ local workers, support our schools and the many local causes critical to Howell County residents,” added Darrell Hampsten, West Plains Coordinator for the SBDC.

Since its opening in 2012, OzSBI has assisted more than 515 businesses. For more information, visit www.ozsbi.com or call 417-256-9724.