El Puente Executive Director Johnnie Trujillo tells Socorro County Commissioners how county grant funds will help the organization assist victims of domestic violence. El Puente received a $50,000 grant, which was funded by American Rescue Plan monies.
Cathy Cook | El Defensor Chieftain

 

Socorro County awarded three local businesses grants to help them recover from revenue loss due to the pandemic. The grants are funded by federal American Rescue Plan funds and businesses can still apply for assistance.

El Puente was awarded $50,000, the Bodega was awarded $50,000 and the Socorro County Fair and Rodeo Association was awarded $45,250. A total of $145,250 of the business assistance grants have been distributed so far.

El Puente is the only domestic violence provider in the county and the grant will help it continue dealing with COVID-19 safety, like keeping things sanitary and using PPE, said Executive Director Johnnie Trujillo.

“Our county is unique because Socorro does mean help, and it’s really stepped forward to the plate in helping the victims that we’re seeing and the survivors,” Trujillo told the county commissioners.

Bodega owner Deborah Dean said she appreciated how quickly the county moved on providing businesses assistance.

“Some of my other restaurant friends are texting saying ‘How did you get that?’ So I think there will be more applicants and hopefully, they’ll do it again when they get that second round of money. It really helped,” said Dean.

The American Rescue Plan funds are being distributed to the county in two tranches. The majority of the first set of funds has been allocated by the commissioners.

Cathy Cook, El Defensor Chieftain