Nearly $200k Granted to Flood-Damaged Businesses in West Virginia

The state has given a round of almost $200,000 in grants to 23 Greenbrier County small businesses damaged by floods.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced the grants Thursday at Cook’s Country Kitchen in White Sulphur Springs and D&D Hardware in Rainelle.

The grants range from $2,000 to $10,000 apiece and affect almost 100 employees.

For the program named RISE West Virginia, Tomblin set a minimum $2 million goal through private donations and state money.

Tomblin plans to use some of the $4.5 million in state money usually earmarked for casinos.

Brad Smith, CEO of software company Intuit, donated $500,000 to the cause.

The state Development Office is overseeing the program with the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

The June 23 floods killed 23 people and ravaged homes, businesses and infrastructure.