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Survey from county is for Covid related impacts

POLK COUNTY—Polk County is sending a survey to all businesses and non-profits to see how the Covid pandemic affected them. 

The Polk County Board of Commissioners met recently and heard from county manager Marche Pittman about the survey. 

Pittman said a lot of counties are doing similar things to see what the needs are from businesses and non-profits. He said the county partnered with the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission and came up with a questionnaire with questions such as their staff, if they are behind on bills, how much do they still owe, if the county offers funding, will they apply and has the pandemic changed their plans. 

Postcards will be sent to every business and non-profit in the county to see if there is a need to distribute federal funding the county received for the pandemic. 

The postcards should be received by Oct. 1 and need to be completed by Oct. 29. 

The Polk County Economic Development sent out the cards, which gives businesses and non-profits access to a 12-question online survey. The information from the survey will be used to possibly develop a local assistance program, including technical help or direct funding for overdue bills. 

“The purpose is to get a pulse of the impact of Covid on businesses and non-profits,” Polk County Planner Cathy Ruth said. “American Rescue Plan funding has been provided for the county and we are trying to determine if there is a need, what their needs are, for businesses and non-profits, and if they would be willing to apply. 

Any Polk County business or non-profit who does not receive their postcard by Oct. 1 is asked to contact planning@polknc.org.